Jim Halpert

Jim Halpert
The Office character
File:Johnoffice.jpg
First appearance	"Pilot"
Portrayed by	John Krasinski
In-universe information
Occupation	• Sales Representative, Dunder Mifflin Scranton • Assistant Regional Manager, Dunder Mifflin Stamford • Assistant Regional Manager, Dunder Mifflin, Scranton • Regional Co-Manager, Dunder Mifflin, Scranton •Regional Manager, Dunder Mifflin, Scranton
Family	Gerald Halpert (father) Betsy Halpert (mother) Tom Halpert (brother) Pete Halpert (brother) Larissa Halpert (sister) Vanessa Halpert (niece) unnamed nephew
Spouse	Pam Halpert (wife)
Children	Cecelia Marie Halpert
Based on	Tim Canterbury

James Duncan "Jim" Halpert (October 1, 1978) is a fictional character in the United States version of the television sitcom The Office, played by John Krasinski. The character is based on Tim Canterbury from the original version of The Office. The character is named after a childhood friend of executive producer Greg Daniels.

Overview

Jim Halpert is a salesman (formerly co-manager and Assistant Regional Manager) at the Scranton branch of office supply distributor Dunder Mifflin (now a division of Sabre). He was voluntarily demoted back to salesperson as he would make more in sales than management as Sabre doesn't cap sales commissions. He spends much of his time conspiring with fellow salesperson, and wife, Pam Halpert, to engineer pranks on his overbearing deskmate Dwight Schrute. Early episodes showed Jim yearning for Pam while she was then engaged to Roy Anderson, and much of the dramatic content of those episodes of the show derived from Jim's secret crush. It is often implied through the context of Jim's comments and through the comments of others that he is both overqualified for and uninterested in his job, to the extent that the first sale he claims to 'try' making is during the fourth season, despite a previously stated rank of Dunder Mifflin's ninth overall best salesman; he only stays because of his hope to be with Pam, a hope that was finally fulfilled by season 4. Due to his dry, smug, deadpan manner, Jim is something of a straight man for the show and acts as the comic foil for Michael and Dwight. While in the early seasons, the easy-going Jim spends much of his days playing games and plotting mischievous pranks on Dwight, his sixth season promotion to Co-Manager finds Jim's playful side giving way to a far more serious demeanour as he tries (often in vain) to assert his authority on the office.

Jim is revealed to be a very responsible person, though somewhat of a loner, in his private life. Jim tells Pam that he does not have much of a social life, staying home and watching TV most nights, a fact that both Pam and Jim have made fun of on different occasions. Though people have made references to his popularity and friends, the only time they are seen is during his party with his roommate. In the first two seasons, Jim is revealed to be renting a house with a roommate, Mark. In the show's fifth season, Jim purchases his parents' house for Pam and himself. He is also good friends with the warehouse staff, as shown during the Crime Aid episode, though the relationship is somewhat tense because the man Pam left for Jim was a warehouse worker at the time.

He has noted that basketball "was kind of [his] thing" in high school. Although no high school is specifically named by Jim, both Dunmore High School (as evidenced in a deleted scene from "Product Recall" where, during a business visit, he asks a high school student about a former teacher) and West Scranton High School (as evidenced when, during "Email Surveillance", Pam holds up his yearbook displaying their mascot name, Invaders, across the front) are referenced in separate episodes.

In several episodes, it is stated that Jim is a fan of the Philadelphia Phillies, Philadelphia Eagles and the Philadelphia 76ers.

He has one sister, Larissa, who presumably lives close by as she is listed as his emergency contact at Dunder Mifflin. He also has two mischievous brothers, Pete and Tom, as well as a niece, Vanessa, and a nephew old enough to play T-ball. In "Branch Wars," he states that his brother's wife just had another baby. He enjoys cycling, and sometimes babysits Toby's daughter Sasha. He also lists soft-shell crab as his favorite food. In the episode "Weight Loss", it is revealed that his screen name for AIM is JIM9334. There might be an indication that Jim Halpert did actually go to college. In the Episode "Dwight's Speech", Jim says to Dwight that he majored in Public Speaking then he denies that he majored in it, but he never denies that he went to college. At the same time, he mentions that he downloaded some speeches from the internet to use for his classes.

Character history

Seasons 1–3

The character of Jim Halpert is first introduced in the "Pilot". He is adamant throughout the series about his job as a salesman at Dunder Mifflin Paper Company being a temporary one, saying, "If I advance any higher, this would be my career. And if this were my career, I'd have to throw myself in front of a train." This outlook is most apparent in the elaborate pranks that he plays on his workmates, primarily Dwight, as well as his sarcastic remarks and facial-expressions to the film crew and his provoking comments during often ridiculous employee meetings. However, he succeeds professionally and is consistently one of the best salesmen.

A major part of the character Jim Halpert is his relationship with Pam Beesly, which is often the subject of office speculation. This is made worse by the fact that Pam was engaged to Roy Anderson, a Dunder Mifflin warehouse worker. Throughout the first two seasons, incidences such as Pam falling asleep on Jim's shoulder in "Diversity Day" and kissing him in "The Dundies" show a possibility of the feelings being mutual; however, Pam never acts on them and she remains engaged to Roy. He becomes so upset when he hears Pam discuss wedding details that he calls a travel agency and schedules a trip to Australia, deliberately making himself unable to attend the wedding. Tortured by his situation with Pam, Jim investigates a transfer to Dunder Mifflin's branch in Stamford, Connecticut. In the season 2 finale, "Casino Night", he confesses his love for Pam in the parking lot of Dunder Mifflin. Pam, whose wedding to Roy was planned out and just weeks away, clearly shows her anguish but gently turns him down. Jim tearfully walks away, later kisses her in the office, and the season ends. In the third season premiere "Gay Witch Hunt", is revealed that he did transfer to Stamford despite the fact that Pam has called off her wedding and he clearly still harbors intense feelings for her. His reason is later stated as "It's just, I kinda put it all on the line. Twice. And she said no. Twice." in "The Convention".

Jim dates and abruptly breaks-up with several female characters throughout season 2, such as Katy and an employee named Brenda. This is assumed to be because he is unable to get over Pam. However, things begin to look up for Jim as he befriends salesperson Karen Filippelli in Stamford, and when the company board of directors decides to close the Scranton branch, Jim is named Assistant Regional Manager of the newly created "Dunder Mifflin Northeast". However the company's plans change when Stamford regional manager Josh Porter accepts a job at Staples. The Stamford branch then closes, with a few employees being offered a transfer to Scranton. The offer to Jim to be Assistant Regional Manager stands, though now at Scranton. Jim is at first unwilling to return to Scranton because of Pam but eventually decides to do so. Karen, who has grown fond of Jim and wishes to pursue a relationship with him, also transfers to Scranton.

In "The Merger", Jim's and Pam's reunion is awkward. Pam is overjoyed, but Jim is clearly uncomfortable. He lets Pam know that he is seeing someone, and gradually Karen is introduced as his girlfriend. As Jim settles back in at Scranton, he uses his promotion as an excuse to avoid his old interactions and pranks with Pam, claiming that pulling pranks are not appropriate for his position. However, in time, Jim does return to his old ways, especially targeting Andy Bernard, a Stamford transfer, and Dwight.

Toward the middle of the season, it becomes clear that Jim's unresolved feelings toward Pam are affecting his relationship with Karen. In "The Return", Jim decides to pull a prank on Andy; however, Karen is unable and Ryan unwilling to aid him, so he turns to Pam, who readily agrees. Their interaction during the prank causes Karen to feel threatened. She confronts Jim, and he finally admits to still having feelings for Pam. Despite this fact, their relationship continues.

In "Cocktails", Roy trashes the bar when Pam tells him she kissed Jim during "Casino Night." Roy then attempts to attack Jim at work in "The Negotiation", but Dwight sprays Roy with pepper spray. Roy is fired, but when Pam assures Jim that it is over between her and Roy for good, Jim doesn't believe it and tells her so.

In "Beach Games", during a company outing at the beach, Pam confesses to Jim in front of everyone that he was the reason she broke off her wedding to Roy. She also states that she has missed their friendship since he left Scranton for Stamford. Later that night, Jim tells Pam that he feels as if he never really came back from Stamford, tacitly admitting that he has actively been fighting his feelings for her all year. However, Jim's relationship with Karen and pending interview for a corporate position which would require his relocation to New York City, still obstruct a potential romance.

In "The Job", Jim, Karen, and Michael each interview for the corporate position. During the interview he notices a caring note from Pam in his briefcase. After the interview he drives back to Scranton, leaving Karen without a ride. Back at the Scranton office, Pam is describing her lack of satisfaction with the current state of her relationship with Jim. Jim then suddenly interrupts the session to ask her to dinner, much to her surprise. She becomes flustered and overjoyed, and obviously accepts. Jim replies "All right. Then... it's a date," and leaves abruptly. Pam turns back to the camera, smiling, only to ask, "What was the question?" In a webisode titled "Office Summer Vacation," found on NBC's website, Karen states that Jim "dumped my ass" and left her crying at a fountain.

Seasons 4–6

In the season premiere, "Fun Run", Pam and Jim reveal to the camera crew that they have been dating for a few months and are very happy. In the episode "Chair Model", Jim reveals his plan to propose to Pam, showing the camera crew a diamond ring, explaining that "[he] got it a week after [they] started dating".

In "Local Ad", Jim develops an avatar of himself for Dwight's game Second Life. Pam notes that his online alter-ego plays guitar and is a Philadelphia sports writer, implicitly revealing Jim's lesser known aspirations, and a callback to "E-mail Surveillance" from Season 2, in which he has a guitar in his bedroom.

In the episodes "Survivor Man" and "Night Out", Jim takes on his role as manager while Michael is out of the office. Both times, however, his attempts at making the office better go awry. Ryan, annoyed by Jim's popularity with his boss David Wallace, gives Jim a performance warning in "Did I Stutter?", citing "goofing off with Dwight" and "spending time at reception" as productivity problems, despite his high sale numbers.

File:Branch Wars.png

John Krasinski as Jim Halpert, along with Dwight (Rainn Wilson), and Michael (Steve Carell), disguised as warehouse workers in "Branch Wars"

Though early on in the series Jim drives an aged Toyota Corolla, he, during this time, drives late model Saabs, including the Saab 9-2x and top line Saab 9-3 Aero then a Subaru Outback. He mentions in "Niagara" that he has been able to drive a standard transmission since high school.

In "Goodbye, Toby", Jim shows his happiness and support for Pam getting into the Pratt Institute, where she will be for the next three months. He plans to propose at Toby's going away party, until Andy proposes in front of everybody to Angela, who accepts. Jim puts his ring back in his pocket and postpones the engagement. Instead, he proposes during the season 5 premiere, "Weight Loss", during a rainy last minute lunch date at an Interstate rest stop between Scranton and New York City, where Pam is attending Pratt.

Jim and Pam keep in touch during her time at art school via webcam, instant messaging and frequent phone calls. Jim eagerly awaits Pam's return in "Business Trip". He is sad but supportive when Pam calls, saying she has failed a class and can't come home yet. That afternoon he finds Pam waiting in the parking lot, claiming that she hated art school anyway. He purchases his parents' house and begins to take his career more seriously than in previous episodes. When new Vice President Charles Miner (Idris Elba) arrives at the office to oversee Michael, he and Jim immediately clash as Charles sees Jim as an underachiever and a smartass. Charles scoffs when Jim is invited to sit in on a meeting with David Wallace about the Michael Scott Paper Company. However, Jim comes off as intelligent and professional, and persuades Michael to be bought out. In the process, he finally stands up to Charles. As a new receptionist has already been hired, Pam is re-hired in sales alongside Jim.

During "Company Picnic", Pam injures her ankle during a volleyball game and Jim takes her to the hospital. The camera crew is stationed outside an exam room while a doctor updates Jim and Pam on her condition. There is no audio as the camera shows Jim and Pam suddenly embracing, looking shocked and ecstatic, before Jim emerges to call Dwight and inform him they won't be returning to the game. It is heavily implied that Pam is pregnant, and the pregnancy is confirmed in the Season 6 premiere, "Gossip".

Jim is promoted to Regional Co-Manager, alongside Michael, in "The Meeting." His promotion causes problems in the office as the staff doesn't take him seriously and he is often in a power struggle with Michael. When Dunder Mifflin files for bankruptcy and is taken over by Sabre, a company that sells printers, Jim chooses to become a salesman again (largely because Sabre's uncapped commission means a huge pay increase).

Jim and Pam marry in the highly anticipated, hour-long episode, "Niagara". When their guests' craziness threatens to ruin the wedding day, they run off and are privately married on the "Maid of the Mist" before returning to take part in their planned church wedding. Their daughter, Cecelia Marie Halpert (named after Jenna Fischer's real life niece), is born in another hour-long episode several months later, in "The Delivery".

Season 7

In season 7, some of Jim's vulnerabilities are displayed. In "Christening" he loses track of his daughter at her Christening and in a panic accuses Angela of stealing her. Jim displays some mild jealousy when he meets Danny Cordray, a superior paper salesman who went on a few dates with Pam while he was in Stamford. In "Costume Contest", after hearing that Danny never called Pam back because she was too "dorky" for him, Jim is inspired to dress up in his Popeye costume for her (who is dressed as Olive Oyl), which he was initially reluctant to do, marking the first time he is seen dressed up in an actual costume. Later, in "Classy Christmas", he is jumpy and fearful after becoming the target of repeated snowball attacks by Dwight.

His sales skills remain strong, however, when in "WUPHF.com" it is revealed that he has already maxed out his sales cap for the year and cannot make any more commission, leading him to basically do nothing all day. In "The Seminar" it is revealed he has had the highest sales out of the entire Scranton branch for at least three months running. In "Garage Sale", Jim is part of a group that try to help Micheal come up with the best way to propose to Holly. He and Pam share with the group the story of how he proposed to her. Jim also tricks Dwight into giving him an expensive telescope in exchange for "magic" legumes

Appearances

Jim has appeared in every episode of The Office with the exception of "Mafia", in which only his voice is heard. The clip show episode "The Banker" only features Jim in flashbacks of previous episodes. Additionally, in the season seven episode "Ultimatum", Jim only appears in the cold open, and is absent without explanation for the rest of the episode.

Reception

In the media, Jim is sometimes called an Everyguy. In her article "Breaking Out of the First-Job Trap" for U.S. News and World Report, Liz Wolgemuth used Jim's character as a template for an essay on under-motivated, young, college grads. In an article on stereotypical office worker profiles, Jim was identified as the worker who is "drifting along in a job, [while] you put off asking yourself hard questions about career plans."