Typical slow days at the office with the Ladies of Dunder Mifflin.
MEAN! I was confused from the start, but it was the Kelly and Ryan part that made me go "wait a minute..."
Oh, my goodness, the craziness. If I was that waitress, I'd be convinced it was a setup for reality TV too! And, hee/aw to the Jim/Pam conversation, and how they're obviously talking about completely different things. Pam should have realized what he'd assume!
Author's Response:
I'm always surprised that people don't think they're on a reality TV show when they see all the cameras trailing...
I think Pam did realize it but just doesn't want to admit it.
Oh, this was very cool. I love the feelings evoked in all of them, and how they're subtle enough that you really have to make us think about who each of them is about. Poor Toby - his is just brutally sad.
In the end, it doesn't happen at a wedding.
Oh, Pam just seems so heartbreakingly lost here! It's a nice, subtle ending - I love that you don't have to actually *show* her say it, just let us know that she does and that somehow puts them on the road to okay.
Author's Response: Thank you, Semby! Honestly, we all know what Pam needs to say. Or what we need her to say, anyway ;)
Ooh, for now I am going to accept this as canon and believe that real-TV-Jim only told Karen about the Dundies kiss unless the show proves otherwise. This was wonderful, and I love the obvious little burst of confidence Pam gets from knowing they still share this secret.
Author's Response: I think that's good policy. I'm going to view this as canon too. Just like I view Jim's brother Jonathon as canon until proven wrong. ;)
Loving this! Like Jim, my first reaction to Pam having read the card was "how could she NOT have said something?" but this chapter made that much more clear and understandable - very interesting possible Pam perspective on all those moments.
Author's Response: Thank you! I have a huge soft spot for Pam and even though she does really infuriating things sometimes, I have a feeling they all seem sensible to her.
Oh, this is good so far! I love how you've got aspects of just how the Office people would relate to each other in this context, as well as how you're starting to integrate them into the Lost storyline. Jim's reaction to Kate's photo while Pam is off with Kate has some very interesting possibilities...
13 A five things prompt that inspired me. Spoilers up to Traveling Salesmen, to be safe.
Aw, these were so sweet and adorable. And that ending! Yay! Too cute.
Author's Response: Thanks, Semby!
I've always loved the secret connection between Phyllis and Jim...she always knows what's going on...Aw, this was sweet. I love how concerned and involved Phyllis is in their lives - it's nice to think what would come of her giving him these little nudges.
Um - I'm trying to think of a way to say I thought this was great writing without saying things like "it made me want to kill myself" and "I hate you" but the point is, it got a very emotional reaction! And even if I can't really stand the thought of this outcome, I'm sure it's sadly very possible, so props to you for the realistic and gut-wrenching writing even if it pained me ;)
Awww! I love a happy ending. And this dialogue was a great way to sum up her horrific but amusing week!
Author's Response: Thanks Semby! I love a happy ending too. You hear me Greg Daniels and co.????
Oh, this is sad. Hopeful, but sad. Sad for what Pam's going through, and sad for Roy - but I'm glad to see him being so understanding and supportive even though he's the one getting his heart crushed, again. It's very big of him and reinforces the point that he's a great guy, just not the guy for her.
You too can go from salesman to assistant regional manager in 5 easy steps!
Vague spoilers through Branch Closing.
Hee! He's got all the right tricks, whether he realizes it or not! Cute.
This is my take on Pam's motivation for leaving the wedding with Roy. Only Pam and Roy are in this story, but I am very much in the Jim/Pam camp so it is safe for JAM fans too. I know I have been absent for awhile. This episode pushed me out of hibernation. Oh, this was sad. I love how well you represent Pam's conflicting emotions. This is really difficult and confusing stuff for her.
Now that he's with Jan, there's so much Michael's learned about love. He feels obligated to spread the word. Set sometime Season 3-ish but not specific.
Oh, fun! I love that Michael somehow manages to win over Jan even after the utter inappropriateness of that gift. She's a sucker for him, whether she likes it or not! ;)
Author's Response: Hee! She is indeed! Thanks Semby!
Ahhh! That proposal scene was just so unbelievably romantic and sweet that I'm swooning. Awwwwww!
And, oh my God, Michael, killing me with laughter. His book. His "emprathy" symptoms. QVC. Oh, Lord. I can see it all and I am very freaked out about the thought of a Michael Scott Jr unleashed on the world!
‘In order for condoms to be an effective form of birth control simply buying them is not enough. You actually need to wear them' - Holy...
YAY for swooning!!!
It's a scary, scary thought Semby. I don't know if the world is ready....
Five Angela Fantasies Toby Has Used; Plus, One Inadvertent One With Dwight
Oh, Toby. That was very interesting! Especially how Angela's real actions motivate him even more. He's a glutton for pain, that Toby.
Author's Response:
The last episode (with the pretty gym girl) kinda pushed this out of the realm of could-be-canon, but I couldn't get the idea out of my head about what Toby would have thought of that slap.
Thanks for reviewing!
Oh, that was great! I feel like a few months ago, Jim/Dwight stuff would have turned me off, but lately I've been very receptive to it and that aspect worked really well here. And Jim with his thing for receptionists! I loved the ending, with all his empty hopes about "tomorrow".
Oh, ouch. I can practically taste the bitter radiating between these two. Good stuff - looking forward to more!
Dwight asks Pam for some Valentine's Day advice...again. Response to the mixtape challenge. Heh. Oh, Dwangela. They're just so romantic. And I love the touch of Jim/Pam. And yeah, I don't think I dare to download the mix ;)
Her voice is so quiet that she's not sure he hears her, but then he's sighing and saying, "Yeah," like it's something he's been waiting to hear.
[Post Phyllis' Wedding]
Oh, that was beautiful. I think the Roy/Pam stuff was nicely handled (poor Roy: “I’ve changed, Pam—I have." Ouch), and the simple holding each other at the end was very sweet and hopeful.
Author's Response:
Oh, yes! I'm so glad to hear the ending worked out well for everyone. I worried that people might not be satisfied with just the holding onto each other, but I thought it was what you said it was -- simple and sweet and hopeful.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment!
HAHA! This was just perfect. I love his *reasons* for all the aspects he chooses to include in this fantasy.
Women only get in the way, and they cry whenever you want to do cool things like take off in the middle of the night to fight injustice. Heh.
I read this before the new episode but got caught up in other things before reviewing, and I really enjoyed it then but now it is tainted because I hate Gil :(
But anyway, it's still great writing, and very amusing/cute to see the whole event summed up from Oscar's perspective.
Stupid Gil and his stupid thing...
Author's Response:
Thank you, Semby :)
[Gil was pretty harsh last night, wasn't he? But... totally right - Pam's art was safe + hesitant.]
It's amazing the magic a simple Valentine's Day card can hold. Throw in a troubled relationship and a good snowfall, and it's a holiday to remember.Awww, this was sweet! And, damn, that was quite a brave card! Go Pam!
Andy returns inspired by the Dixie Chicks.
Spoilers from The Return Producer's Cut.