I think it’s a tribute to the show that Karen is so much more than a cardboard, sitcom foil for the female lead. She might be Pam’s “rival” for Jim’s attractions but she’s also a likeable and sympathetic person in her own right. So often you’d see a character like this being conceived in a simplistically unsympathetic way as a brainless bimbo, a controlling ballbreaker or some other archetypal “other woman” who exists only to be an obstacle for the heroine and then be cast away. Karen is realistic. She’s not evil or unsympathetic or dumb. She’s someone who Jim would believably be attracted to and a strong enough character in her own right that large portions of the audience have started to wonder if she might be the better choice. It injects a level of ambiguity and complexity into the show that you almost never see in sitcoms. Jim’s choice is not that cut and dried. There is a level of realistic uncertainty about which way he should jump and it would not be the end of the world for him to end up with Karen. That’s good writing.
Pam is the queen of over-thinking, waffling, and being indecisive. She wants Jim, he offers himself, she says no. She breaks up with Roy, she gets back with him, she tells him Jim kissed her, she’s broken up with him again. Pam wants whatever she can’t have at the moment. She blew it with Jim and I think he should give Karen a chance.
That said, I’m pretty sure the show will end up with Jim and Pam together, because Jim loves Pam and, while he make like, lust, and appreciate Karen, I don’t think she’s successfully unseated Pam in his heart.
Also, Karen is way hotter. Pam is mousy and repressed.
That reminds me of Mel on Frasier. She was always a little bit of a freak, but no more than Niles. Then when he left her she became a completely bitter bitch so the audience would not have to feel guilty about being happy Niles finally got together with Daphne.
Let’s hope they don’t do this to Karen if Jim ends up with Pam.
Karen.
You say that like it’s a bad thing.
I liked Karen up until she stayed with Jim after he admitted that he had feelings for someone else.
It just makes her seem real, I dunno, insecure? Part of her appeal is that she seems strong and able. This kinda takes her down a peg.
Still Karen over Pam. But only because Pam turned down Jim.
Karen is boring. I’ve never liked "hot"girls… they all look the smame. (sic)
Pam is cute! I love me some cute girls!
Pam FTW
Are there women out there who are not like this? Because, in my experience, …
LOVE Pam.
Karen does nothing for me.
Pam is character who is a sweet girl next door who I wouldn’t mind babysitting my kids. However, she is also a bit stagnant, bland, and needy. Karen, on the other hand, is a little more interesting and dynamic. She seems more indepedent and more likely to add something to the relationship. As far as which is best for Jim? Probably Karen. If he was to be with Pam, he would probably be stuck at DM forever. Karen would eventually want more out of life.
:smack:
I actually can’t believe there are so many votes for Karen. Its Pam all the way. Pam, Pam, Pam; the Pamster. Karen is a child in relationships. She should have given up on Jim when he admitted he still wants Pam, but no, she decides to try and wear Jim down instead. Besides the fact that Pam is infinitley cuter than Karen. Plus Pam is really sweet and giving - maybe all you young men right now want “hot in the sack,” but you’ll learn that putting up with a fishwife isn’t worth any amount of hot sex. The boring but sweeter girl for me!
Am I the only one strangely attracted to that annoying Indian girl?
bbs2k: 26/white boy
Yes. I am sure others might has agreed with you, but we have heard her after she opens her mouth.
has = have
I actually think Angela is the freakiest of them all.
And don’t forget Phyllis. Sexy in her own right.