Deepdive: Kelly Kapoor, 'The Office'.
This blog is bananas, B-A-N-A-N-A-S
This blog is bananas, B-A-N-A-N-A-S.
In corporate parlance, a ‘workplace’ is defined as “a
workplace is any location, either permanent or temporary where an employee performs
a work-related duty”. Thanks to sitcoms like ‘The Office’, where the workplace
gained a new perspective, and one of the realest dimensions it deserves. While
ticking all the boxes of the corporate definition, it adds a humane perspective
to the workplace where colleagues are friends and competitors who not only
cause your evolution and shape your character, but also put the said evolution
to test when dealing with corporate issues like appraisals, in-house policy implementations,
etc. where the professional is closeted or detached from the personal.
In what was the most-streamed show on ‘Netflix’, ‘The Office’ (now streaming on
‘NBC Universal’) has brought about a new take on the American Workplace (Fun
Fact: this is the name the show was originally supposed to be given).
While the viewers have a hearty laugh, and a plethora
of feelings as they see the character and career evolution of James Halpert
(Jim), Pamela Beesly Halpert (Pam), Dwight Schrute and of course the annoying
yet lovable Regional Manager Michael Scott, the show does not show much of one of the most under-rated
characters in it that had great potential to go ahead: Kelly Kapoor.
By initially showing her as a feisty and ditzy character
who was only interested in dating American men (Ryan and Daryl, to name a few)
and naming rom-coms at the drop of a hat, Kelly’s strengths and weaknesses as a
worker were never given the acknowledgement the way Pam’s were when the latter
transitioned from the shy receptionist to the assertive salesperson.
Kelly is one of the most confident characters on the
show who remained loyal to the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. While we see her ensconced
in dating, fashion and being officially known as ‘The Chatterbox’ of Dunder
Mifflin discussing topics that teenage girls would discuss among themselves, there
is not much of a layer shown to Kelly’s personality. By showing that a person
as confident and fierce as Kelly have weak moments would have made the show
more relatable, as well as more inclusive for the audience to see. Humor sells, and so does vulnerability.
We see that the show continuously throws opportunities
for self-upgradation to all the employees, and the difference in the attitudes of
Pam when Jan (again, massively misunderstood and under-rated) offers her to do
a course on company time, Pam gets insecure about her job, compared to the way
in which Kelly brands herself as ‘The Business Bitch’, ‘The Etiquette Bitch’ and
‘The Diet Bitch’ coupled with her excitement to train everyone shows just how
assertive and aware she was of what she wanted.
Much of Kelly’s energy is wasted because there is no
one to channelize it with. Here, the passivity of Michael Scott in passing her
off as just another ditzy employee comes into play. One of the key strengths
and attributes of a manager is Team Evaluation which means the analysis of
strengths and weaknesses of the people who work under his/her wing. While
Michael was a good person to everyone, he wasn’t a good professional at all.
Jim is aware of what he wants and is one of the most normal
persons in the office, Pam evolved in a way of her own and metamorphosed from
lack of awareness, to clarity of thought and finally to awareness where Michael
could help a lot, but his definition of leadership which is tantamount to being a laughing stock rather than being a just professional is highlighted. There is not much that Michael can do
for Dwight, because of his deluded sense of self, but Kelly was one employee
whose raw talent and malleable potential Michael could channelize for the
benefit of Dunder Mifflin, but does not do so.
Coming to Kelly’s relationships and her deepened sense
of insecurity of being left in the lurch that attracted her to people like Ryan
Bailey Howard who stole money from her on various occasions, the show fails to
show the reasons behind it or to even send a message that falling for swindlers
and charlatans like Ryan is not going to lead anywhere.
It is pertinent to see that while many showed that
Kelly needed therapy, no one was real enough to tell her so. This defines the
modern workplace where everyone walks on eggshells and is too scared to tell the
other person the truth. In this regard, only Jim and Pam deserve some credit as
they took efforts to set her up with Dr. Ravi. Kelly’s stifled relationship on
account of Ryan’s indecisiveness and weirdness completely damages her and she
copes with the one thing her persona has in plenty: sass.
The work environment for someone like Kelly Kapoor is
a bit too passive, and everyone she works with either does not take note of her
effort, or just treats her as if she is non-existent. Had someone been there
for Kelly as a friend, the way Angela and Oscar stood by each other in the
worst situation, she would not have run away with Ryan.
Kelly’s brilliant ideas having no platform to express
themselves coupled with the passivity of her coworkers towards her who only
want to avoid her most of the times, or bet on the number of rom-coms she drops
in a breath, to the boss who is just as fascinated by Ryan as she is, one can only
say that KELLY DESERVED BETTER.
Pay genuine attention to the Kelly in your office. She
could be your best friend and confidant. Needless to say, she would be entertaining
company.
And if you don’t know who the Kelly in your office is,
chances are, it’s you!
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Well written. Goes to show that you dont just watch but, think about various angles attached to a creation like the characters, as seen here.
ReplyDeleteIts difficult for me to say whether this observation is right or not because I have not watched the show.
However, if I watch it, this blog will be at the back of my mind & I will particularly watch Kelly.
This also is a good guide while watching other shows or movies & analyze the characters.
One thing is sure. You have the potential to write for shows & see that there is a proper balance in characterisation as also other angles that I expect to read in your blogs to come in future.
All the best !!!
This is so AMAZING!!!Having a Kelly around us is really fun heheh ^_^ <3
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