Jim Halpert, The Office's Consciousness

Get a full month of MUBI FOR FREE: mubi.com/thetake (With the support of Creative Europe - MEDIA Programme of the European Union) | Jim Halpert (John Krasinski) from The Office always knows when to gives us a well-placed Jim face. He’s one of the more rational members of the cast, but does The Office’s primary straight man have a blind spot for his own life? In this video, we find out why the most knowing man of the office needs to know more about himself. If you like this video, subscribe to our channel or support us on Patreon: / thetake
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Get a full month of MUBI FOR FREE: mubi.com/thetake (With the support of Creative Europe - MEDIA Programme of the European Union) Support The Take on Patreon: www.patreon.com/thetake Subscribe to keep up with our latest videos, and let us know what you want to see next!

[@trinaq]

Please upload a video of Kelly Kapoor, or the Sassy Black Woman character! 🖤

[@barbaraaraneda8971]

Do a video about Fleabag please!!

[@barbaraaraneda8971]

And do a video about Patrick Melrose too!!! The series was genius and heartbreaking

[@jacobgroetsch7853]

Do a video on Karen please

[@y.a.46]

Review characters from 'city of god' please.

[@Crimson28]

Favorite Jim quote: “So technically they are doing Parkour as long as Point A is delusion and Point B is the hospital.”

[@robbiegarnz7732]

Eric Myers PARKOR! (Falling through an old refrigerator box!) Lol!

[@tomato2517]

Eric Myers * When Jan had a baby with a sperm donor and Michael claimed it was his * Jim: Now this baby will be related to Michael through.... delusion!

[@cadenpavlovcic4]

PARKOUR

[@foolishspecialist7479]

Parkour! Parkour!

[@tomvaughan5894]

for some reason that line is just so corny

[@augustuslemons9199]

admit it, we've all made the "Jim" face to an imaginary recording camera

[@trinaq]

Yep, I can freely admit to that! 😹

[@zachjackson9210]

Yep

[@drewskisteinie]

yup

[@jordanevolved]

Yep

[@brendo508]

I swear making the Jim face when people do some stupid shit is so therapeutic

[@pudchaa]

_”Jim’s tragedy is that for a long, long time he chooses to_ laugh _at his life rather than_ live _it”_ Omg I’m Jim 🤯

[@matthewlebo1841]

If I had a dollar for every time I’ve run into the same problem, I would never need a job in the first place.

[@westont98]

Good God it's me.

[@pedroleon4421]

Same

[@GeoffBosco]

Me too

[@asyrafenkei]

You wish

[@RedGirl006]

I mean, have you seen Jim's older brothers?? can you blame the guy for using Irony as a way to protect himself?? My guess is Jim started using 'detachment' because if he showed interest in something they would find a way to ruin it.

[@BlargeMan]

Excellent observation!

[@judywright4241]

sami estik --Excellent point, his brothers were like twin Tod Packers.....ugh!

[@blahblah-we6dw]

Also I imagine that's also why he pranks dwight so much and somewhat is mean to his coworkers or snarky maybe?

[@elsie1327]

That totally makes sense!! Especially when they met Pam who they knew he was incredibly happy with they make “jokes” about her passion to annoy him.

[@isaiahbenitez4457]

sami estik that's exactly what i thought when i first saw that episode

[@andersschmich8600]

It's almost like they know everyone's binging the office again in quarantine.

[@lomarivosa1]

I bet they themselves are binging the office.

[@Will-ig3yj]

Hey, what are some services I can use to watch The Office?

[@lomarivosa1]

Netflix i believe.

[@raimoore99]

Me lol

[@japikolee]

@@lomarivosa1 Not in Poland :(

[@nancysandoval1725]

Everybody always talks about Jim and Pam’s relationship, but Dwight and Jim’s relationship is truly golden.

[@zaritomaz975]

I'm glad that I'm not the only one who sees that!

[@darkyunk]

I actually liked the jim and karen relationship more than his relationship with pam

[@KDS211]

Random Dude Exactly I think Pam was Jim making the safe choice.

[@manladan5929]

Random Dude wtf . I hate Karen soo much . She’s soo mean

[@darkyunk]

@@manladan5929 why do ypu think that? I thought she was okay. Maybe she us not as cute as pam, but she was nice.

[@nerd_by_nature5046]

I heard a comment made by George Carlin that makes a lot of sense for people like Jim: "Inside every cynical person is a disappointed idealist." So, rather than try to make your life better, you make fun of the things that are already shit so it doesn't further upset you; hence why these people tend to be sarcastic or really ironic. Myself included lol

[@happyjellycatsquid]

Japan 8794 that’s actually genuinely true...

[@originaozz]

Dang that feels too true!

[@copheart]

I hadn't heard that. There's a lot of truth to it. Cynical and sarcastic people (myself included) tend to take some flak for their negative view of the world but I've often felt misunderstood about that. I don't enjoy reality sometimes and my way of dealing with it is to make a joke about it. If you're laughing at the horror of our reality you've already taken the first step to not letting it overwhelm you.

[@nerd_by_nature5046]

J R same though lmao. My bf and I frequently joke all the time about how much we hate society

[@zaidnava3728]

@@copheart sounds a lot like my dad

[@margaretcathcart2953]

Jim knows everything about everyone. that's why his hair is so big. it's full of secrets.

[@mirziyob]

Margaret Cathcart HAHAHA did not see that one coming

[@claireindigo1200]

Margaret Cathcart 😂😂😂😂

[@mishkaparashar3170]

the best mean girls reference

[@whyme9960]

Now all I can picture is Jim as Gretchen Dwight as Regina and Kevin as Karen. Who would Candy be. Pam would probably be aaron

[@lezbean3755]

Hahaha mean girl reference

[@paridhikhare551]

I can’t help but feel that Jim is a perfectionist and so scared of doing things because he’s seen everyone around him being so idiotic. The irony’s that his coworkers do things when they want to, and get something or the other to make them happy out of those actions even if they’re half baked, while Jim just sits there second guessing himself. I think he sees his colleagues as cautionary tales, even though there’s nothing in particular about them being that way, but because Jim sees and judges (not using this to say Jim is judgemental but he does have a sense of normalcy which many of the others don’t seem to) them that way, he’s scared of being judged too, which is rightfully pointed out here. What he doesn’t realise is, his coworkers are happy with the things they do because they act without waiting for the right moment, because the right moment is right now. Maybe that seems a little too idiotic to him because he does have a higher perspective on things and reads between the lines rather easily, but still, this holds him back from acting upon things at all. And even though his caution is sometimes needed, there is a need for balance and keeping anxiety in check everywhere.

[@ShawnRavenfire]

You just described me.

[@xx-vy2dx]

This totally makes sense. And we see that when he gets embarrassed in front of Charles Miner when he wore that tuxedo. From there on, Charles never had a good opinion of him, which was Jim's worst fear.

[@paridhikhare551]

Shawn Ravenfire lmao thought I was describing myself tbh

[@paridhikhare551]

slythereign and you can also sense his frustration about it, because he truly is a more normal human being than Dwight, and hence, can (and does) handle challenges in the office better than him. The only reason we don’t see him taking initiative is because, well, what I said in my answer rings true everywhere. But eventually when the company is losing all clients, and he’s called to help, he shows his best side. So he does rise to the challenge, but only when there’s an absolute push. Which is understandable, but his talents really remain in the undercurrents because of that.

[@paridhikhare551]

Agatha z I feel like everyone would find themselves connecting to Jim somewhere or the other because he’s such a normal person. Everyone has been in that position where they’re the normal person getting really weirded out/bemused by the people around them, and they definitely feel held back by their surroundings. I think acceptance and pursued action is key to not becoming stagnant.

[@willmccollough5892]

One of the defining moments of Jim is when he tries to manage the office for a day. While it's easy to mock Michael for his management style, it's far more difficult to actually implement the changes you think make sense. It ends up blowing up in his face, because he's never actually engaged with the work.

[@lyndsaybrown8471]

What I like about that as well, which I only noticed recently, is that Dwight is able to pull off giving everyone a cake by just doing it more frequently.

[@johnschaffler1507]

JIm: "There only one thing that will make you give up on everything you thought you knew, every rational calculation...." Dwight: "Some sort of virus?" 2020: DING DING DING

[@maizex5576]

Love

[@gamingwithflaws2932]

@Oliver Erz Yes He Is The Smartest And Dumbest

[@navareeves8976]

You want to know what 2020 did to me? It made me give up on everything I thought I knew. I guess Dwight is the real genius.

[@Jasmine-pc4qp]

"we need a new plague"

[@maudtrenite856]

I understand why people think season 8 and 9 aren't as good as the rest of the show, but I actually really liked Jim and Pam's dynamic in those seasons. It was an actual realistic portrayal of things a lot of marriages struggle through and of the compromises they both had to make for each other

[@abidemiadenle267]

Ikr, people wanted the continuous flow of funny Jim and Pam. They were building a freaking family together, shit changes your life, even if we don't like to admit it.

[@JohnDoe-ij8gy]

I just don't like how they flanderized other characters like Andy and Ryan. I wish they also didn't ruin perfectly good relationships to cause drama, even though there was other places that drama was more likely to happen. Also Nellie.

[@angelat5554]

the office just came on netflix uk last week, and i really admired jim and pam’s relationship at the start and found them so sweet and it kind of made me excited for marriage since it was us watching the inception of a regular marriage over 9 years, two normal average people falling in love, not in a romcom way or reality tv way or blockbuster film way. but now being on season 9 seeing them have their problems in their marriage is making me scared of getting married now lol, and no other couple on tv or film has ever made me feel like that ever.

[@lcc2348]

I would agree but I felt like their big argument was a little rushed

[@cinemidomidusunsel]

I know right? People hated the fights between them and even found it toxic but I don't think they were toxic. They were just real and potential fights that married couple could have. I don't understand what people want to see on screen... Do they want to see couples only getting along well and having no fights and so? I really liked the arc about them going to couples counseling, Jim giving up his job as he didn't want to upset Pam and Pam selling the house for Jim to go after the job he wanted. They both made sacrifices in order for their relationship to go on, and that was beautiful and made everything deeper.

[@jessea4438]

Even at his low points, Jim was always the most relatable character because Jim (like most humans) isn't perfect. If Jim had no flaws, then he wouldn't be so relatable anymore. This is why he was my favorite character (besides Dwight, but I have VERY different reasons for him).

[@jessea4438]

@@lucasshow8639 That's not why I like him though. I like how he tries to hide his softer side through a cold exterior. In the early seasons, we get glimpses of him being nice. He even saves Jim from Roy at one point despite the pranks Jim pulls on him.

[@puppycatsbee]

real

[@tipgo2]

I knew there was a reason Jim reminded me of Chandler from Friends. They both use humor and sarcasm to shield themselves from reality and their own self-reflection. Never noticed how many people in everyday life do this too

[@maizex5576]

I feel I do this but in a more like hyper way u feel?

[@leonardo899]

This is obviously fiction. In real life, I don't see how does someone with Jim's attitude doesn't get fired.

[@johnpangarakis396]

leonardo899 well, he was good at his job. He just didn’t really enjoy it

[@kashdark4586]

Both are ENTP’s

[@Mina-gk8jm]

They both have the same Meyers Briggs personality type, ENTP.

[@bisexualichigo4227]

Who else stares at nothingness like if you were Jim staring at the camera ? Can you make a take on Creed, after Michael, his the second best thing.

[@stancrazyexgirlfriend8760]

been doing that even before watching the office but after watching and loving this series makes it all the more special 💕

[@autumndawson06]

Bisexual Ichigo False! The second best is easily Dwight Kurt Schrute after Michael Gary Scott.

[@miiniimiiniijpeg]

Bisexual Ichigo Yep

[@monke980]

i stare at the floor with the jim face when something goes down

[@jilljones2192]

@@autumndawson06 no Micheal and dwight were both dicks.... And have no repercussions

[@laurenconrad1799]

Every comedy show has a straight man. But Jim is a straight man times 100, somehow. His colleagues are crazier than usual, making him seem saner than usual. Lol

[@babblingalong7689]

Saner, perhaps, but still flawed.

[@smacksoftSMA]

every is a massive overstatement. i’d say most of the best comedies don’t have a straight man. as it’s an overdone and usual boring main character.

[@76reliant]

MASH's main character Hawkeye was a very similar type character... Hawkeye was the prankster who didn't respect authority, who at the same time was the smartest one, and also the philosopher who ended up with all the women.....Dwight was like Major Burns....

[@laurenconrad1799]

​@@smacksoftSMA Leonard Hoffstater. Dorothy from Golden Girls. Scott on 30 rock. Adam on Parks and Rec. There have been tons. And sometimes they're boring, yes, but very few comedies fail to include one.

[@mirziyob]

also he managed to be the straight man while also being the prankster.

[@Fennec333]

I feel very called out lol y’all sound like my therapist

[@Ben10man2]

This

[@timje2223]

Well Jim is supposed to be the most relatable character in the office soo

[@rohanofgondor]

ikr, where she said "he gives advice to everyone but doesn't applies it to help himself" man right into the feels

[@robbiegarnz7732]

I love Jim’s character! He provides a segway between the audience and the show. However, as you stated, his six degrees of separation do create barriers to happiness. However, his character arc is ultimately noble because in the end he realizes that what he has always wanted has been right there in front of him the entire time.

[@pistolen87]

What do you mean by six degrees of separation? Could you elaborate?

[@robbiegarnz7732]

Beefy Beings right.. well I believe that people’s’ relative detachment from reality can be seen as degrees of separation. Folks who are always on their phones for example, are separated from realty because they are not engaged with the real world. In Jim’s case, he was so focused on the irony of everything that he was disengaged from his own situation-ergo, he gives advice to others that he rarely follows himself. Six degrees of separation is actually a term we use in the military intelligence community to quantify the relationship of others to a person of interest. I am commandeering the term to discuss normal people ( or in thus case characters).

[@pistolen87]

@@robbiegarnz7732 Thank you, that makes it clear!

[@kingsford6540]

Segue, btw

[@heroino89]

"I still have my medal from that." - "Do you even have a mattress?" "No, but I still have my medal from that."

[@AdamG1983]

The best character development was Jim's hair

[@stancrazyexgirlfriend8760]

everytime the take uploads a new video it's like "i want these people to analyze my life" just so i get to see what reference i'm from

[@richa9076]

sameeeeeeeeeeee

[@amoldevkashyap9238]

Me too!

[@o7k4vokb0ksp5n2]

that's too deep for a youtube comment lol

[@JoJo-xp6wr]

I look at the camera with a Jim expression when I see my exam

[@trinaq]

Me too, especially when it's a maths exams! 😉🤣

[@JoJo-xp6wr]

@@trinaq that's when I do that

[@rohanofgondor]

holy shit same, that's the only way i can calm my self sometimes

[@JoJo-xp6wr]

@@rohanofgondor yup

[@antoniovalentinayala-fuent1009]

"Some sort of virus?" "Love." 😳

[@brookalinithegreat8443]

Same thing lol

[@locallance1529]

2020 be like:

[@joy.limon_]

that didn't age well

[@aasthabisht3431]

Can you make one on Rashida Jones' character? She was hated by many but had the clearest vision

[@char124eve]

I hated her, but I think I've now become her She's actually quite a feminist icon, if you ask me

[@erinstanger416]

@@char124eve If Karen was a feminist icon she would have let Jim go when she asked him about his feelings for Pam. Instead she became desperate to hold onto him. She let Jim use her as a distraction because he thought that he couldn't have what he really wanted. Then she seemed shocked when he dumped her.

[@erinstanger416]

Karen was too smug to have the clearest vision.

[@olhydra]

Erin Stanger probably. i think the way it went down was much more realistic though. even strong independent feminist women can make the wrong choices in a relationship. she moved her whole life basically for him and Jim was kind of a shit to her lol. i’m glad she moved on to find her soul mate and become a boss.

[@zzzzzzz906]

I sided with Karen in this situation ... Jim and Pam were big assholes with her, totally selfish. Also with Katie, fully douchebag move.

[@lollingaround]

It takes one moment of someone putting down something you're excited about to turn you into a Jim. As someone with older siblings, it's an even easier process.

[@johnwalker1058]

Or if you have parents who tease you every time you show a passion for something or emotionally express yourself. Bonus points: if you later get teased for being "too serious" or "looking upset all the time" or having an unexpressive look that many people may interpret as RBF. More bonus points: if friends, acquaintances, and other people around you imply that your personality is "plain and vanilla," and that you're a boring person, barely have any personality, or basically have no personality at all.

[@westont98]

Why do y'all have to target my apathy and depression like this? This is too accurate.

[@MasterGriefSr]

As the eldest child, I suddenly wonder how many times I’ve done that to my siblings???

[@MissPopuri]

I am the oldest sister in my family. My siblings were always doing things that I wondered about what interested them. Never made fun of them for it, I had my homework to do for school for most of that time. If you start playing a video game in high school to avoid the real work set before you, the outcome can stunt your growth and maturity. An older sister becomes almost like a mom to her siblings because their mom has put such faith in her daughter to take care of children.

[@aliibilli]

wow u described my whole life lol

[@blade5308]

Jim is a reflection of us viewers. We're observers like him. The first time watching the show were actively observing and judging the characters and their crazy shenanigans, while us (and jim) are being the voice of reason. But just like jim, we end up slowly loving these characters, learning to see the beauty of their out-of-the-ordinary personalities in such a mundane ordinary environment. That's why the ending of the office always gets me, because you end up feeling not like a foreign viewer, but a part of the family. Another thing, to show you how timeless this show is, jim's personality and mannerisms actually heavily represent today's generation. You'd find a large part of people using irony and satire, especially in memes, since we live in a currently confusing fucked up word, irony is our best weapon. (and im NOT saying that because his way of life heavily sounds like mine, without the finding true love part of course)

[@puppycatsbee]

oh you put it so well

[@ragingpotato4130]

Video: Jim employs irony to detach himself from his own life Me: ”That sounds a lot like what I do here EVERY DAY”

[@ItsPronouncedQ]

If Ryan represents the Millennial generation, then Jim is a textbook example of Gen X.

[@paswordwithtwoss]

ItsPronouncedQ no I think that should go to Creed with jet black hair

[@JTS1128]

I feel like Jim’s another type of Millennial. Definitely relatable to Gen Y

[@CloudslnMyCoffee]

Andy is Gen X

[@zaidnava3728]

@@JTS1128 but based on age he is gen x

[@JTS1128]

Zaid Nava Oh how old is he? The Gen X 65ish - 81ish? and Y 84ish - 95ish? ranges cover a vast range and sometimes overlap to sometimes create The Xennial the ultimate

[@danny___928]

BFD engaged ain’t married

[@Liolia22]

Danny P while I don’t typically agree with that idea, I agreed with Michael in this particular case because they were engaged for YEARS, which was a clear sign there were major doubts. It was one of the rare times I thought non-Prison, non-Date Mike gave good advice.

[@thejuniorseas7683]

@@Liolia22 Also, how during 'Casino Night', Jim walks right up to Pam and kisses her. A later episode revealed Creed provided that advise. Creed talking to Andy. Creed - Here's what you do. You walk right up to her, don't say anything and you kiss her! Andy - I don't think that's gonna work. Creed - Have I ever steered you wrong Jim?

[@miiniimiiniijpeg]

Liolia Lmao

[@EpiccougROTMG]

Josh Steiner ahahah bro this blew my mind i never rlly noticed that

[@PrayforPlagues668]

I loved how jim grew after finally taking a chance with pam, and so did she. She was also very detached and afraid to take risks. I feel like they grew together and it was so sweet.

[@puppycatsbee]

100%

[@internetgal38]

Oh my god finally a great Jim analysis that doesn't praise him as a god or say he's the worst but actually takes a good look at both his flaws and his good traits ❤️

[@puppycatsbee]

yesss

[@hannahdivic28]

*I would like to thank the narrator for dictating my life and inner thoughts, and exposing all my insecurities*

[@maxperez-stable6796]

jim is everyone's favorite character because everyone feels like jim when they're with the family / work

[@leonardo899]

I hate that guy. Someone with Jim's attitude would been fired real quick.

[@christopherclark8788]

I hate how people try to attack Jim and Pam

[@monke980]

they think they sound really smart when they say that jim and pam arent actually perfect and the things they've done to end up together its like bitch we know this isnt new information

[@abidemiadenle267]

I'm so glad they never succeeded...

[@jayr3381]

I'm glad Karen became a boss and started a family. Roy started a successful business, nice house, piano skills and a beautiful wife. J & P suck!

[@o7k4vokb0ksp5n2]

Can you imagine being John Krasinski and seeing this and the entire video is just your face for 18 minutes

[@noahcamuso2562]

I went into this video cynical, like "y'all are seriously trying to analyze the office" then you guys did a really good job, well done

[@spewter]

This channel is incredibly good

[@noahcamuso2562]

@@spewter good to know

[@Mel-jr5cz]

What a fittingly Jim-ish journey 😂

[@puppycatsbee]

haha, for a comedy show its certainly a lot deeper than it seems! i think thats why we love it tho 💕

[@samfilmkid]

David Foster Wallace wrote an essay called "E Unibus Plurum" that talks about how a generation raised by television's ironic depiction of real life unconsciously developed a sense of ironic detachment of their own lives. I think Jim fits right into that generation, the same generation as DFW; He writes that irony, once used as a form of fighting against tyranny, in the ultimate ironic twist, has become a kind of tyranny in and of itself. If you never say what you mean, you are preventing yourself from getting the things you really want and knowing yourself fully, simply out of fear for being ridiculed for being authentic. The essay goes on to envision a new generation of tv and pop culture that means everything it says and not in a sentimental way either. On that makes people laugh but also feel genuine emotions. Even though Wallace has been dead for a long time, I think that vision has been fulfilled in some ways. Michael Schur, himself a big Infinite Jest fan, seems to have taken Wallace's messages to heart and tried to create tv shows (Parks and Rec, Brooklyn 99, The Good Place) that can be silly and crazy, but never mean-spirited or insincere without feeling pandering. John Krasinski himself actually directed a really good and under-appreciated adaptation of Wallace's Brief Interviews with Hideous Men where he himself gives an incredible monologue about his character breaking out of his monotonous empty life and tries to build a sincere connection with another human being. I don't think we would have gotten "A Quiet Place" without some of his mediocre, but at the very least, sincere previous directing efforts. Just goes to show that if you put yourself out there, in spite of some ridicule, very good things can eventually happen in your life. I'm not the biggest David Foster Wallace fan. I don't like to read his fiction and his journalism drags. But on the other hand I think that "This is Water" and the essay i mentioned above are his best writing and, in my opinion, some of the most important pieces of writing ever. I think about them a lot and it's why I don't simply write him off.

[@SistoActivitatemAtm]

Sam Harnish Interesting addition thank you. Tho, I must say, I hate parks and 99 with a passion. Speaking as someone whos seen every episode (except the most recent season of 99), I've never once found either show sincere, but rather pandering. I'd also say it does incorporate mean spiritedness, namely everybody shitting on skully/Hitchcock in 99, and Gerry in parks. I'm curious in your opinion as to why the show sees success with people? It's something I've always failed to figure out. The show to me seems like it possesses the potential, has the set up but never the punchline. It's why I watched so much of it, because I thought eventually it'll be good, but nope.

[@samfilmkid]

@@SistoActivitatemAtm That's totally fair. I guess I should edit it to not being TOO mean spirited seeing as all comedy is based on some form of misery.

[@naliaclifford7776]

We not gonna talk about how his name is David Wallace?

[@rodrigoliceaga4305]

I see the irony in the name of the author... David Wallace

[@ananyajulka7571]

Listening to the Take is my personal therapy session 😍

[@stefaniamartini7285]

I love Jim. I think that he kept his juvenile humour as long as he was pining for Pam, and then, after they got engaged and then married, he started nursing more ambitions for himself and for his family

[@springsnature7037]

I cried at this video. I relate to Jim a lot and many of the other characters in the office, apparently. I really, really, truly, honestly love and live for your videos. I hope you love making these as much as I like watching them. I'll be here for however long that is.

[@dosenfutter99]

I‘m like 99% Jim, I never thought that, but listing every characteristic after another My reaction was: Yes that‘s totally me

[@jenm1]

That's the point of Jim. He's a broad enough character without specific, unique traits so most people our age can relate to him.

[@brendo508]

Yeah you’re kind of supposed to relate to Jim lmfao

[@SistoActivitatemAtm]

Jen McConnell But the irony defense mechanism isn't true for most people, is it? I get that Jim is the proxy for the audience, most people will relate with him on that level (his reactions to his surroundings), but deeper down in his actual character, him using irony as a defense mechanism to always be in on the joke, is more individualistic rather than universal.

[@leilanidru7506]

MICHAELinJUSTICE I think that is more universal than you would think. Especially with the generation and times we live in. With natural disasters and fires, threat of world wars, a global pandemic, trillions of dollars of debt, income inequality etc People are more scared and have little faith in humanity than they care to admit so we meme all these events and frustrations to death. And use humor and sarcasm as defense mechanisms to the hopelessness of the state of the world. Idk if it’s the same thing as Jim’s case but imo, that’s a very common defense mechanism to things we’re scared or anxious about.

[@naliaclifford7776]

I’m half Jim half Pam

[@natureiscool4364]

2:03 turns out Dwight was right

[@lehjour]

This hit's too close to home, you guys just exposed my flaws. ENTPs unite, you felt this.

[@Ben10man2]

As an INFJ I also relate quite a lot 😅

[@shashwatshukla2341]

I am an ENFP-T! yay

[@jimhalpert6552]

how do you think I feel?

[@Goat.Cheese]

Haha I'm close to an ENTP and that person is exactly like Jim!

[@lehjour]

@@shashwatshukla2341 ENTP-A

[@PastorGooch]

Best prank: gutenprank. Warms my heart.

[@monke980]

*gutenprank* *yes mose, gutenprank number three*

[@entropy5590]

This is why Jim is my favorite character. I, like him, am the voice of reason among my friends. I also frequently observe people and make ironic and sarcastic jokes. I’m also a teenage girl, so I like looking at him. Thank you for the montage 😂

[@melomelo6331]

you guy seriously need to do the Haunting of Hill House series !!!

[@joaquinportal5341]

Melo Melo Please.

[@gautamipandit1499]

Yes they need to!!!

[@Luc42]

"So, I either get more involved or I take a sick day... Leaving Dwight in charge. Oh God." Legend

[@natethegreat7821]

I am a large slightly pretentious black male so whenever I say I relate to Jim (the perceivably chillest and most attractive male on the popular show, the Office) most people are adhere to the idea. After watching this video, I can clearly see that though we have our differences, Jim and I share a great deal of similarities

[@strubel1085]

You've basically turned English literature into fun

[@hopeverlinde6287]

That “speed bump on the highway” quote is my absolute favorite. Thank you for including it

[@cyberslash11]

YES FINALLY A VID ABOUT TUNA

[@NunsenseStudios2110]

This is waaaaaay more introspective than it deserved to be. I’m actually really learning something important here. Thank you so much.

[@saraho2255]

I always thought the reason nobody in the show (especially Jim) left the job they hated was because of the state of the economy when the show took place. That’s part of what makes the series relatable and timeless- almost everyone has been in a job they don’t like because it’s the one they got and they have to pay the bills. You get annoyed daily but tolerate it because you don’t have a choice.

[@79s130]

Jim is the voice and embodiment of the viewer Also he, unlike most characters, looks directly Into the camera as opposed to just past it when doing interviews

[@nasrinfarjana4222]

Need a “quirky girl breakdown”(jess,summer,clementine,margot roth spigelmen)

[@Goat.Cheese]

They already did one on the manic pixie dream girl I think

[@nasrinfarjana4222]

Emily can u please name the video?

[@funnytime1111]

I always thought it was great that towards the end of the series he finally has the courage to make his dream life that his avatar had in second life. Jim and pam’s character development is so subtle and amazing

[@happyjellycatsquid]

The last season is a kinda a car wreck but it makes me so proud because seeing Jim happy like that is super endearing ! Also I loved the part in the show where he says « Because is was sat there I spent all those years looking at Pam » and you sees someone making Pam laugh and the camera man unable to help himself but smile... It’s sweet!

[@dabadimanish4469]

Jims character is me i deflect my problems and emotions with humor and i make fun of my life instead of changing it or living it

[@Matoflow23]

i've been following this channel for a while, and this video actully made my cry, it's so beautiful, thank you for your amazing work guys!

[@marcoandres9055]

This character study is truly genius. Great work! I love how accurate you explain the addiction to irony which, by the way, hit too close. Thanks for always teaching us something new and adding more depth!

[@poggers3218]

After watching this I relate to Jim more than ever.

[@DanielRodriguez-gm1ih]

I liked Jim at the beginning but then I realized that he just let things happen and wouldn’t do much. Like when Toby touched Pam, he just looked at the camera. Or when he was about to get punched by Roy, he ran. Or when Dwight challenged him to a snowball fight, he crumbled to the floor. He acted like he was much better than everyone but he was always happy to join everyone else’s shenanigans. Thus being just equally crazy as everyone else around him.

[@internetgal38]

I think that's part of the point though. He's the audience self insert who puts himself above the wacky characters of the office, even though he is deep down just like them, and ultimately learns it's not a bad thing

[@internetgal38]

But I do agree with what you said too about Jim doing nothing lmao I was just adding on to it

[@shayla106]

castiel is my life But in the end he grew and actually did something. About his job and his love for Pam.

[@inaki915]

i agree with you in some points but when roy was going to attack jim he didnt run away, he just pushed Karen out of the way so she didnt get hurt, and when dwight and him were in the snowball fight dwight took it way way wayyy to far to the point of jim getting a bloody nose

[@johnk6123]

Yay another The Office video. Been re-watching at night (for the 30,000th time)

[@RobertoGonzalez-iz2ps]

Nice, was waiting for this one, just finished the series yesterday

[@trinaq]

Coolness, this show will NEVER get boring to me, and I've watched it three times in full now! 😉

[@RobertoGonzalez-iz2ps]

Im feeling a void inside, so i might rewatch it soon

[@lindsaydarke393]

please analyze erin/erin and michael’s relationship! love this series of videos 💓

[@barbaraaraneda8971]

Do a video about Fleabag, PLEASE!! 😭❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@wickedglassbears]

The show is at its best when Jim, Dwight, and Michael are up to shenanigans together.

[@yourelovin]

i’m a virgo n you guys explaining Jim’s character really threw me off-guard because you literally described my personality

[@wacckkisasian]

Let’s be honest Jim is a middle school student (like myself). He uses irony to avoid being embarrassed and can’t be more himself when he isn’t in public and just around his friends

[@lolal-t2027]

As a middle schooler I relate. Boys at my school are all super rude so I usually use sarcasm as a protection and avoid being embarrassed. We are all Jim

[@rinkokonoe8644]

If you guys really feel like middle school is like that, then... just a friendly warning, high school is a lot worse

[@leonardo899]

That's what makes Him so pathetic. He acts like a teen. Considering his age, that means he's emotionally stunted.

[@wacckkisasian]

leonardo899 I mean I feel like being antisocial and sorta scared of what people think, is different then emotional stunted, that just me tho

[@melon502]

Wow I never thought I was much like Jim but I related to this video so much. I want to try to make myself happy and now I know how. Thank you

[@alfalfa2155]

This is the most insightful and accurate examination of Jim as a character that I've ever seen. Thanks for this!

[@ADeoetRegina]

This became so uncomfortable at points because I realized I’m a Jim type. Sometimes I felt like I was being read and that shit is terrifying

[@Goat.Cheese]

The "ENTP" is strong with Jim

[@lehjour]

ENTP here, I felt that and Jim is an ENTP

[@TheRockGod]

Jim seems to be more introverted to me but idk

[@darthgandalf9485]

thank you for the sponsor, exactly what i was searching for

[@delluca580]

I was just missing office today... thankyou ❤️

[@Liolia22]

Theory of mind, as displayed by Jim, sounds a whole lot like emotional intelligence, perhaps with less empathy and maybe more for a need for self-entertainment and/or self-preservation...

[@SistoActivitatemAtm]

Liolia Emotional intelligence isn't a real thing. I believe a photographer coined the term. Ei refers to the trait agreeableness, specifically a sub trait compassion. Emotional intelligence is the myth that won't die lol.

[@Liolia22]

MICHAELinJUSTICE respectfully, emotional intelligence, while it includes those terms, points to much more than just agreeableness and compassion. It’s meant to represent the ability to read and understand others’ feelings and modes of expressing those feelings, as well as being able to define, understand and explain one’s own feelings. Essentially, having a strong sense of yourself & those around you. A person with high EI (which, unlike IQ, can actually be increased/improved over time, with effort) will act with consideration of others, while also knowing their own emotional limits and setting healthy boundaries. It points to overall emotional health. They will, therefore, not simply be agreeable regardless of poor treatment towards them. While you may not take the term seriously yourself, (and that’s your prerogative), it is used widely, and has come to surpass even hard skills in the hiring process at many workplaces. Because a person may be great at their job in the bullets of a résumé sense, but if they’re a toxic asshole to those around them, they’ll wreak havoc and actually cause a decrease in performance across a whole team/office. Or if they’re dull AF and hard to converse with, they may not get past the first interview either. Both are examples of low EI. A term like emotional intelligence, just like the term theory of mind, is as real or made up as we decide it is, like any other concept. Anyway, thanks for reading!

[@se7entv261]

Jim would be real person The others characters are exaggerated personality they are caricatured

[@matilda4664]

i feel like some of them could exist. pam, oscar, karen, stanely, kelly, i even know a guy like micheal. characters like dwight and kevin could never exist though

[@mikitz]

We're all amalgamations of different characters simply because it would be close to impossible to write a character as complex as real people are. Jim, however, comes pretty close to being one. Writers usually build up caricatures of certain personality types for diversity (mostly in sitcoms), so that more than one of them more or less represent or reflect an individual viewer's personality, whereas some other characters remain more or less unlikable by this viewer, providing contrast.

[@samstarba4569]

@@matilda4664 Bold to assume that Dwight could not exist... :D Come to Northern Europe and you meet plenty of dwight-like men here.

[@dogybark]

always love these videos!

[@eleonoramillozzi6184]

Oh well, not only do I love Jim madly as a character, now I find out that I have pretty much the same psychology ... I don't know whether to be happy or scared after watching this video. However, excellent analysis as always!

[@arunabhsingh5448]

Yes we all are binging the office during quarantine

[@ziksy6460]

While I love Jim and his arc, I feel like he became less funny after Michael left. Jim is the guy who reacts to stupid the shit other people do. He's not supposed to carry episodes. Robert and Nelly aren't funny - so his reaction to them isn't funny either. You could see in the earlier seasons, most of his classic 'into the camera look' has this mischievous smirk to it. But all of his reactions to Nelly and Robert are this concerned look of 'what the hell?'

[@CamJames]

Robert "Bob Casumakas" California is one of the funniest characters this show ever saw. Plus after Mike left he still had Dwight.

[@monke980]

@@CamJames *im the fucking lizard king*

[@iitstre_4550]

Cam James Rob is the single unfunniest character ever. But to some degree, it works because we never thought anything could be worse than Michael as a character, and then we got Bob Kazimakis... “The Lizard King”

[@gottsgreatvids]

Came to watch old office clips, left learning why I relate to this character in more ways than I realized, deep seated issues and all. Did I become Jim?? Damn. Lol

[@nahelcharif621]

The song you used when talking about his self awareness make it riveting xD. it mad it kind of epic, really nice video

[@theeducationofbayush1201]

I absolutely love to take! You should do an analysis of how they present masculinity in Brooklyn Nine-Nine. I think it would be pretty incredible.

[@calebgaldston9360]

I always do the Jim face to people in my classes.

[@levon8238]

I was literally binging all their office breakdowns today

[@Slame333]

This is a fantastic characters breakdown. Nice work!

[@thefirstbloom7289]

I loved the video!!!! amazing analysis!!! can we pls get more videos on Brooklyn nine nine characters and on the Netflix show "you"( it might be juicy)

[@aniaamz3602]

One thing that always bothered me in the Office is how easy it was for Jim to get everyone's respect. How everything came easy to him. When the Stanford branch merged with the Scranton branch he was made number 2, a position he never took seriously. When he interviewed for Jane's job and was somehow thought to be the best candidate even though he had zero management experience and didn't even like working at D/M. When it was decided that he would be co manager with Michael he definitely didn't deserve it. Jim is the guy that never tries and somehow gets all the attention. He is the guy that decides he wants something and then gets it, not because he deserves it but because he looks like someone who deserves it. Dwight was a lunatic, but he was the best salesman at DM. He was the most loyal employee and he loved his job and the company more than any living being. Stanley had seniority, Oscar was the most level headed and had a good understanding of how business work. Anyone of those guys would have deserved to get ahead. They didn't look for a way to not work, they didn't distract others.

[@johnwalker1058]

I think people can sometimes have their judgments about someone clouded by their perceptions of what is considered 'normal' for a person, or what they consider should be 'normal' for a person. The other, more qualified characters, as you mentioned, were more potentially deserving of certain positions, but were apparently passed over because of their quirks, which could seem odd, and possibly even bad, according to some people. After all, depending on what one may consider normal, or what should be 'normal,' certain quirks can be neutral and therefore harmless, or even positive and beneficial, but seem bad because they diverge from the 'norm.' People can oftentimes act as though odd or different = 'bad,' and weirdness, or unusual characteristics are things to be corrected or avoided. Since Jim was the "straight man" of The Office, and one of the more 'normal' characters, he probably struck leaders as the best qualified for the jobs and positions he was offered, even if he wasn't necessarily so.

[@MediumDon]

A manager needs to have good social skills (as well as an understanding of the industry) while lots of other characters have the experience to do that job, very few are socially adept enough to manage an office of that size. Honestly Jim as manager makes more sense than almost anyone in the office.

[@_MaximumVoltage]

It’s not that things didn’t come easy for him. Jim is one of the best salesman’s in DM right behind Dwight. The only reason he only got to be the Number 2 and CoManager, is because of his exceptional social skills and he’s not a borderline psycho that Dwight is. Yeah he does pranks, yes he half asses things, but he still does an awesome job in DM despite those facts. Jims pranks really don’t distract others from doing their job when Scranton DM is the BEST DM has in terms of numbers and sales. Stanley has seniority but all he cared about was getting paid and leaving as soon as he can from work. Oscar is the most level headed and does understand business but he lacks confidence as shown when DM heads brought Michael to a conference meetings because of how their stocks are going down. Dwight is fit to be manager but he had to go through a whole long character arc that made him humble enough to take the job. Think about all the times Dwight was about to be manager or when he was acting manager. Everyone hated it and in turn hated Dwight for it as well. The manager of Scranton has to be a lovable person, which is why it makes sense why Michael, Jim and even Andy were managers.

[@aniaamz3602]

@@MediumDon the only people he impresses are David and Jane from corporate. Let's be real the man is a slacker, he doesn't care about his job, the company, his work is average. There are no evidence to support the idea that he is the second best salesman. He wants nothing to do with other people from the office. He just happens to be an attractive white guy.

[@jm_rres]

this video is so mind-blowingly insightful. thank you for making this!!

[@justdebish]

I was waiting for this for so long... finally. I love you John Krasinski

[@bobhallway5507]

“Life happens wherever you are, whether you make it or not” ~Uncle Iroh

[@gabrielwillians1385]

I think Jim is my favorite character in a tv show ever

[@philipgandil7905]

Same. I get so angry everytime i see people hating on him

[@o7k4vokb0ksp5n2]

@2:03 Dwight's comment amazingly on-point in retrospect

[@eejaypea]

Really enjoying these analyses 🙂

[@kyliecrawfishin]

I vote for a video on Fleabag please!

[@Vincisomething]

Please do analyses on Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Fleabag

[@reneecarlson3847]

This is SUCH a good video! You guys are so smart!

[@abdelnaserabdelkadir748]

I learn so much from this channel,it’s crazy🙏🏽