Like a lot of people, I’ve spent a lot of time binge-watching “The Office” during the last several months (AKA the Covid-19 Pandemic). Watching it feels like hanging out with friends. I developed a fondness for all of the characters, even and especially Steve Carell’s character Michael Scott, who is somehow vulnerable and likeable, even as he is incredibly socially inappropriate.

“The Office” was on earlier today. It was an episode from the third season called “Business School”. Steve Carell as Michael Scott, first at the business school and then at Pam’s art show is amazing (as usual). He’s an expert at conveying a broad range of emotions with his facial expressions.

(58) Michael Brings Pam to Tears at Her Art Show – The Office – YouTube

But it’s the scene at Pam’s art show that chokes me up, every time. It’s her first art show, and all the artists around her are surrounded by other people, hugging and chatting and congratulating. But Pam is alone, except for a brief awkward visit from her then-boyfriend Roy and his brother, and a brutally critical one from her coworker Oscar and his friend.

Then the art show is nearly over and Pam starts to pull out the push-pins holding her watercolors to the wall when Michael shows up. He stands in front of her art, and despite his own bad day, takes the time to really look at Pam’s artwork and take it in. His reactions seem genuine, and he’s particularly delighted by the painting of the building where they work. He asks “How much?” Pam appears a bit incredulous when she responds, “You want to buy it?” Michael answers, “Well, yeah. We have to have it for the office!” Gazing at it he adds, “That is our building. And we sell paper.” And then he tells her that he’s proud of her.

By this point, Pam (played by the wonderful Jenna Fischer) is tearing up and I am, too.

I know what Pam felt during that art show. I’ve been there myself. A couple of years ago, I joined the local art guild and participated in my first art show. I know what it’s like to put it all on the line and have your visions, limited ability, and blood, sweat, and tears on display for the whole world to see. It’s scary. And while it’s nice to be told that something you’ve created is good, what you really hope for is for someone who is able to really see what you were trying to convey with your artwork. Or with your writing, or however you attempt to express yourself.

What Michael said to Pam validated her efforts. He really looked, he really saw, and he got it. And that he didn’t realize what a big deal that was to Pam made it even more profound.

Yep, I love “The Office”.