The Office has given the audience many unforgettable Pam moments that showcase how great of an actor Jenna Fischer truly is. Moments like the iconic “Then it’s a date” scene in the last episode of season two is still etched into television history, but Fischer’s brilliance doesn’t stop there. Fans believe a standout episode in Season 9 was criminally overlooked by the Emmys, as the actor gave it her all.
The scene where Jim blames Pam for not being able to record Cece’s recital, leading to a tense argument between the fan-favorite couple, was followed by Brian, the boom guy, comforting a heartbroken Pam. Fischer’s performance in this scene was so powerful that fans are still talking about it.
Jenna Fischer as Pam Nailed This The Office Scene So Hard That Fans Are Still Talking About It!
Yes, Season 9 of The Office did put Jim and Pam’s picture-perfect relationship to the test. One scene in particular was a tough watch, but Jenna Fischer’s stellar performance made it all bearable. Season 9, Episode 12, titled Customer Loyalty, highlighted the couple’s ongoing struggles as it unfolded in front of viewers all at once when Pam couldn’t record Cece’s recital.
Pam was genuinely excited to share news about a local mural design offer she received during her daughter’s dance, and thereafter missed capturing the event because it was interrupted by a call. However, Philly Jim, who, by the way, fans like a bit less than Scranton Jim, was fuming over Pam, even though he had missed a key family moment himself. Fans couldn’t help but feel sympathy for Pam, who was managing two kids, their home, and work in Scranton while Jim was preoccupied with Athlead.
Surprisingly, this was also the episode where Brian, the boom guy, one of the show’s most disliked characters was introduced. His abrupt appearance to comfort a crying Pam gave audiences a major ick. Here is what the fans had to say about this particular episode,
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Jenna Fischer’s ability to capture every subtle detail and emotion with just her face was truly commendable. From her attempt at joking to realizing how serious Jim was, and then her heart-breaking moment, it was all done so seamlessly that fans are left in awe every time they watch it. It is, thus, hard to believe that although nominated, Fischer never earned an Emmy for this role!
Was It True? Was Jim Really Going to Cheat on Pam?
Nothing about that moment worked well, except for Jenna Fischer’s performance. Jim’s reaction and the boom guy swooping in to save the damsel in distress didn’t sit well with fans. Later, viewers learned how close Pam has gotten to Brian over the years, which again was another moment that missed the mark.
In Kevin actor Brian Baumgartner’s book, Welcome to Dunder Mifflin: The Ultimate Oral History of The Office, John Krasinski revealed a shocking plotline that would have shattered fans’ perception of Jim and Pam and everything they believed in. He discussed a storyline from Season 8’s After Hours where Jim was set to cheat on Pam with her maternity leave replacement, Cathy Simms. Fortunately, Krasinski fought hard against this plot, and it never came to be. Here’s a look at what happened behind the scenes (via New York Post). He wrote,
That’s the only time I remember putting my foot down…I remember saying things that I never thought I’d say before, like, ‘I’m not going to shoot it,’
My feeling is there is a threshold with which you can push our audience. They are so dedicated. We have shown such great respect to them. But there’s a moment where if you push them too far, they’ll never come back. And I think that if you show Jim cheating, they’ll never come back.
Thankfully, Greg Daniels backed down from the controversial plotline, but the show’s creators continued to throw curveballs at Jim and Pam. The tumultuous Season 9, Episode 12 was just one example.
However, as the season progressed, the couple worked through their issues and emerged stronger. Pam, initially hesitant to leave Philly, ultimately decided it was time to move on, while Jim, who had made numerous sacrifices throughout the series, finally got his moment as well. In the end, their journey felt wholesome and sweet once again.
The Office is available to stream on Peacock.
