An Open Letter To Jim Halpert

Dear Jim Halpert (read Big Tuna),

I knew you even before watching The Office courtesy the hundreds of your smiling-through-the-blinds and staring-into-the-camera memes that flood the Internet EVERYDAY. But little did I know that I would be THIS enamored by a lanky goofball who just sits behind a desk fooling around all day. You started out as an ignorant chump with a devil-may-care attitude(no wonder you were so relatable), someone who took pride in “not trying at all” but over the course of the show you matured more than your hairstyle did! (ngl, I liked your unkempt homeless look better :p).

Throughout the nine seasons, you floored us with your benevolence and warmth , like when you stepped forward to sing with an uninvited Michael at the BBQ party or when you were the ideal assistant to Dwight, asking him to “jump”, disregarding all “logical, rational calculations" thereby reinstating his and our faith in love. You found your soulmate in Pam, a frenemy in Dwight and an unlikely mentor in Mikey. Shooting faxes to Dwight from ‘Future Dwight’, authoring “The Ultimate Guide To Throwing a Garden Party” real fast, misleading Andy in his quest to woo Pam - literally all your pranks stayed with us long after the show ended.

Most Office reviews have predictably focused elsewhere: your signature smile, you being a simp, you choosing Pam over Karen et al; completely overlooking a certain teary-eyed side to Jim which pops up when he confesses his love to Pam or tells Michael how great a boss he was; both absolutely gold scenes enough to make a grown man well up. You and the others at The Office have played a big role in keeping many of us upbeat in these dark, dreary COVID times and this letter is a mere token of gratitude for that. Thanks for being there and stay the way you are Jimbo!

Love,

Paritosh.