Why Jim Halpert was a scumbag
Disclaimer; I’m a huge office fan. It’s one of my comfort shows that I can rewatch over and over again. It helps with my anxiety and when I’m feeling down. Pam and Jim are hands down, one of the best romance stories that has ever been on television. With that said, I thought I point out a few things about the adorably, cruel Jim Halpert.
One: He’s an opportunist. He saw that Pam was having issues with her then boyfriend Roy and used it for his advantage. He played the nice guy and flirted with her knowing that would put doubts in her head. He knew what he was doing was wrong, which is why every time Roy came to visit Pam or they were in the warehouse, Jim would walk away. The writers made us love Jim in spite of his actions towards an involved woman. But in reality, guys and girls that take advantage of a damaged relationship by doing what he did, just to get what they want would be viewed as inexcusably wrong actions done by a morally corrupt, selfish individual. The episode casino night just proves how he had no respect for Roy or Pam and how awful of a person he truly was.
Two: He’s a bully. Yes his pranks on Dwight were hilarious and all in fun but when they turned physical he crossed the line. When Dwight was talking about how attacks from the front could be easily blocked and Jim slapped him, the look on Dwight’s face said it all. Jim assaulted him and laughed it off as he walked into the building. Year after year he did nothing but pick on Dwight. Some pranks more cruel than others but Jim didn’t care. Selfish people rarely put the feelings of others ahead of their own. I know Dwight was a handful and annoying but he didn’t deserve to be slapped like that.
Three: He’s selfish. He led Karen on by starting to date her knowing full well that he never really had feelings for her. Some people would argue that he was trying to get over Pam by dating Karen, but to those people I call BS. Him using Karen to get over Pam, once again proves how selfish he is. His needs come first no matter what. He bought Pam his parents’ house to help them out, not giving Pam any say in the matter. Again, he did what he wanted to do without consideration to those around him. The writers were very crafty in framing the narrative that Jim was this standup guy, but all you have to do is look at the facts to see otherwise.