Summary

  • There are many things about Jim Halpert in The Office that don't hold up upon a rewatch.
  • Jim's behavior with Pam before and during their relationship is often problematic.
  • The Office character's constant pranking and slacking paints him in a harsh light.

best sitcoms of all time, but one of its main characters — Jim Halpert (John Krasinski) — definitely leaves viewers facing harsh realities upon a rewatch. Jim is often the prankster of Dunder Mifflin, and while he's loved by some of the fan base, there are elements of his character that are less than ideal. Although The Office wouldn't be the same with his hilarious antics, Jim's behavior is a little unnecessary and even problematic at times.

At the beginning of The Office's nine-season run, viewers are introduced to Jim as a mild-mannered paper seller. Over the seasons, he develops into a husband, father, and businessman. Jim is the ultimate everyman sitcom character, especially due to his ridiculous but hilarious glances at the camera. While there are plenty of brilliant qualities about Jim Halpert, there are a few that don't hold up.

All nine seasons of The Office are available to stream on Peacock.

8 How He Treats Dwight

Jim Treats His Frenemy Poorly During The Office's Early Seasons

While later seasons of The Office see Jim's most important relationships in The Office, but the way he treats Dwight at the beginning isn't professional, much less respectful.

7 Pushing It With Pam And Roy

He Isn't Respectful Of Their Feelings Or Relationship

Jenna Fischer and John Krasinski as Pam and Jim kissing while Michael Scott (Steve Carell) looks at them shocked in The Office

Jim and Pam's relationship is a key storyline across The Office's nine seasons, but there's one key obstacle early on: Pam's fiancé, Roy (David Denman). At first glance, it seems like Jim is just being playful with Pam, but his behavior goes beyond this before long, pushing boundaries and becoming disrespectful. Even though Jim doesn't initially intend on pursuing Pam, this changes in season 2's "Casino Night," when he confesses his feelings. Earlier that season, Pam drunkenly kisses Jim in "The Dundies." After these events, Jim should have made the effort to distance himself from Pam. Even if he believes Pam isn't happy, it's her decision to leave Roy.

6 The Whole Athlead/Athleap Debacle

Jim's Choices Create Problems With Pam

John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer as Jim and Pam talking to a man in a suit in The Office season 9

One major plot from The Office season 9 revolves around Jim forming his own company with old friends, Athleap (formerly Athlead). In a sneaky move, Jim decides to accept the offer to the company after turning it down the first time — without telling Pam. While she's ultimately ive, Pam's disappointment comes from Jim's lying. This storyline results in a lot of relationship problems for Jim and Pam, and rightly so. For Jim to make such a huge decision for their family without consulting Pam first is just unacceptable. The two are such a strong team throughout the show, so this development is just odd.

5 How Jim Deals With Cathy

He Could Have Deflected Her Advances Better In The Office Season 8

Jim awkwardly looking away from Cathy trying to make a move on him in his hotel room in The Office

Season 8 introduces Cathy (Lindsey Broad), Pam's replacement when she's on maternity leave with her and Jim's second child. While The Office — and has a rather limited appearance on the show — she causes a lot of chaos in that time. Cathy's constant pursuit of Jim is uncomfortable, especially as Pam is never shown to be aware of Cathy making a move on her husband in his hotel room in Florida.

While Jim's awkward but lovable reactions are usually hilarious, in these scenes, it's hard to root for him. As a happily married man, Jim should be a lot more upfront and obvious about his rejection, especially after Stanley sees the two of them together. Plus, he knows Cathy's time with Dunder Mifflin will end with Pam's maternity leave. As such, it's hard to see why he doesn't make more of an effort to clarify that he's uninterested. After all, they aren't close, and she's not a permanent fixture at the company.

4 How He Treats His Girlfriends

Jim's Feelings For Pam Make Him A Bad Boyfriend

Over the course of The Office, Jim dates Karen (Rashida Jones) and Katy (Amy Adams). While he and Pam seem destined to be together, Jim's previous attempts at being a boyfriend are far from successful. This is mainly because of his feelings for Pam, but he shouldn't allow that to be such a large issue. Katy is different from Jim, but he's quick to interpret those differences negatively, especially in the season 2 episode "Booze Cruise." Even if Jim considers himself to be more complex than her — which is obvious from his reaction to her being a cheerleader in high school — that doesn't make her less than him.

Jim also dates Karen after his relationship with Katy. Not only does Jim string her along in general, but he gives her a false hope for the future. Jim encourages Karen to move to Scranton, somewhere she doesn't know, only to be uncomfortable when she wants to move into an apartment a few blocks away. He then does this a second time, agreeing that they don't have a future in Scranton because of Pam, then breaking up with Karen the next day. Ultimately, the way Jim treats his romantic relationships is less than ideal.

3 The Frequent Lying

Hiding The Truth Comes Too Naturally For Jim

John Krasinski as Jim showing Jenna Fischer as Pam around the house he bought for her in The Office

While season 9's Athleap storyline is The Office, there are other times his inability to be honest becomes problematic. In season 5, Jim buys his childhood home from his parents without telling Pam. The pair are engaged, and Jim making such a big financial decision without talking to his future wife is irresponsible. Following their honeymoon, Jim also fails to tell Pam that Michael is dating her mother. Knowing that situation is likely to be her worst nightmare — and not telling her — is not an ideal way to start their marriage. Although Jim claims his lies are necessary, there are some he could have reevaluated.

2 Jim's Reaction To Pam And Brian

His Jealousy Toward The Gaffer Is Misplaced

Jenna Fischer as Pam crying after a fight with Jim, being comforted by the doc crew's gaffer, Brian (Chris Diamantopoulos)

The tension between Pam and the documentary crew gaffer, Brian (Chris Diamantopoulos), in season 9 is a Jim and Pam storyline that feels a little out of place. However, Jim's reaction to finding out that Brian comforted Pam after they fought makes the entire thing so much worse. Instead of realizing the impact of what he's done to his wife — and the strain that his living in Philadelphia has put on their marriage — Jim is just angry about Pam's response. Although he might find it awkward, nothing inappropriate actually happens between Brian and Pam. Therefore, Jim should have focused more on how his actions affected his family.

1 Jim Is A Lazy Worker

He Stays At Dunder Mifflin Because It Requires Little Effort

John Krasinski as Jim on the phone with his feet up on the desk in The Office

While later seasons of The Office see Jim taking his job more seriously, this isn't the case for most of the show. Although Jim is good at sales, he's lazy and gives minimal effort at Dunder Mifflin. He often complains about his bog-standard job, but he doesn't see progression earlier because he makes no effort. Jim often implies he stays at Dunder Mifflin because of Pam, but this seems like a weak excuse, especially since she isn't single the whole time he's there. With a little thought, Jim could have been Pam's friend outside work while embracing a more fulfilling career elsewhere.