The Office S2 Ep3: Office Olympics
Is this episode about the games we play when we’re bored at work… or the games we play when we’re in love?
"It smells like cookies." - Kevin
Breaking down Jim & Pam’s love story in The Office one episode at a time…
All Office episode breakdowns.
Beginning
For the third episode in a row, Pam proves she is not as good at hiding her feelings for Jim as she thinks. First, she kissed Jim while drunk. Then, we found out she talks to her mom about Jim. Now…
Our Jim/Pam story starts with Jim’s head falling onto his desk. Pam laughs from reception. She explains that Jim dies of boredom occasionally and “the deal is, it’s my job to revive him.” Jim and Pam have long-standing inside jokes.
“We call it hateball.”
”Why?”
”Because of how much Angela hates it.”
Pam suggests he throw things in Dwight’s coffee mug. They giggle.
With Michael off purchasing his condo, Jim is free to discover a few more office games. Cut to the kitchen for the opening ceremonies of Office Olympics.
Pam has made a colorful sign that reads, “Games of the first Dunder Mifflin Olympiad.” Jim holds a candle and handmade medals of yogurt lids tied to paperclip chains. Jim and Pam put a lot of time and care into these games. Much like their relationship…
Middle
The office athletes are in the conference room preparing for a race. Jim is the announcer and, on his cue, Pam improvises the name Flonkerton. Jim has a knack for bringing the office together and helping everyone have fun.
Pam tells us in a talking head that “when Jim is excited about something, he gets really into it and does a really great job. The problem with Jim is he works here, so that hardly ever happens.” But there is something at Dunder Mifflin Jim “is excited about” and “gets really into and does a really great job” at: his relationship with Pam.
End
"My grandfather left me a 60 acre working beet farm." - Dwight
Pam tries to include Angela in the fun. Big mistake! Pam asks her for an office game and Angela mentions Pam Pong, where she counts how often Jim talks to Pam at reception. This catches Pam off guard.
First, it forces Pam to confront how often she interacts with Jim. That doesn’t sound heavy, but if she accepts that she spends a lot of time with Jim, she might have to accept that she is having an emotional affair with him, that she is in love with him, and that deep down she wants to leave Roy. Pam is not ready for the disruption that would come with getting what she wants.
Second, Angela’s Pam Pong comment forces Pam to recognize that other people are aware of her feelings for Jim. It’s not her little secret. Other people see she is in love. Scoffing at Angela and walking away does not resolve anything. What we repress comes out, eventually, somehow.
“Where are all the hot people?!” - Michael
This episode is littered with Pam Pong moments. When Pam “revives” Jim at the beginning of the episode. When Pam improvises the name Flonkerton. When Jim and Pam stand next to each other for every office game (I tracked it!). When Pam is delighted to prepare for the closing ceremonies. When both Jim and Pam keep the old yogurt lids at their desks as special momentos. When Pam shows Jim the paper doves and is giddy at his approval—and Angela tallies another Pam Pong.
When Angela judgmentally tallies this paper dove Pam Pong moment, Pam’s face drops and she looks self-conscious. She has to confront in real time the obviousness of her feelings for Jim. She must feel exposed. Angela is holding a mirror to Pam and Pam is not ready to face reality. (Also, is there anything Angela doesn’t do judgmentally?)
Can we blame Pam for loving Jim? He is charismatic and warm. He includes everyone in the games and cheers everyone on. He sees Pam and is proud of her, even if it’s just for making paper doves. He gives Michael the gold medal for closing on his condo in one of the most heartwarming moments of the series. Pam adores his kindness and the special attention he gives her. Jim is like a warm sun shining light on Pam. With Roy out of this episode, we see how enamored Pam and Jim are with each other.
But, Pam is not ready to do anything about it…yet. She has more growing to do. Pam’s journey isn’t about hopping from one guy to the other, it’s about developing the self-confidence and inner strength to assert what she wants.
"Now the bronze are really blue, and they’re also the back side of the gold, so no flipping. Okay?" - Pam
