Jen Hance

Staff Writer

Look, we need to talk.

I have been noticing a few things around “The Office” lately that I am not too pleased about. I just don’t think that this relationship is going to work out for us.

Look at what relationships like this have done to other shows: Kevin Arnold and Winnie Cooper from “The Wonder Years,” Ross and Rachel from “Friends,” J.D. and Elliot from “Scrubs.” The sheer sexual tension between the couples is one of the things that helps push shows and get viewers to tune in week after week.

“The Office” is no exception. I mean, Jim’s witty pursuit of Pam is always entertaining, and their clever banter and flirting never seems to get old. However, now that they are together, things are starting to go a little flat.

Jim is just not the same, but it’s not him. It’s Pam. The old Jim was always pranking Dwight, sending faxes to him from “Future Dwight,” putting his office supplies in Jell-O, sending him messages from “the computer,” putting his wallet in the vending machine and relocating his desk to the restroom. Now that Jim has started to “settle down,” it appears that he is maturing in other ways, too. When is the last time we saw a classic Halpert prank? If this is what is going to come out of this relationship, I want out and I want out now.

The relationship is all cute and new right now, but what is going to happen if the two get married, like “The Chair Model” episode was alluding to? Are we going to move from the fun office banter to being at home, talking about each other’s day and arguing about what color the drapes should be? I am not ready for this type of commitment. I just want to have fun right now and keep things light. Maybe in another show, or another time (slot), this relationship could work. Right now, though, I think it is best we keep it at the friend level.

Ben Burr

Staff Writer

This relationship has only been serious for about 15 episodes now. We’ve come too far to call it quits already – give it time!

Look at all the sweet and funny moments of the relationship so far:

– Sitting on the roof, talking about first knowing there might be a future

– Going to Dwight’s beet farm/bed and breakfast

– Getting embarrassed at ping-pong by Kelly and Darryl

– Sticking together (albeit reluctantly) at Michael and Jan’s dinner party

You shouldn’t be worried about things getting stale. If anything, they might be moving too quickly. What about the proposal/shoe-tying fake-out?

This relationship is speeding forward. There could be an engagement coming soon, which could mean an “Office” wedding. Think of all the hilarity that could come from that. Remember the wedding of Phyllis and Bob Vance of Vance Refrigeration?

I guess what I’m saying is, there’s still time for this to go to an entirely different level. If you don’t like the way things are going right now, just give it time.