The Office: Why Roy Was Better Off Without Pam (& Why He Should Have Stayed)

Pam and Roy were high school sweethearts and dated for over eight years. They became engaged but couldn’t settle on a wedding date and ended up staying engaged for three years with no nuptials in sight. Eventually, Pam realized she couldn’t go through with the marriage due to their differences and called it off. They rekindled shortly after but as The Office fans know, it didn’t last.

Pam’s heart always belonged to Jim; Roy never stood a chance as long as Jim was in the picture. However, there are plenty of Pam and Roy stans who think they were a better match than Pam and Jim. If the doomed couple did stay together, would they have flourished like they did when they were apart?

10 Better Off Without Her: They Held Each Other Back

One of the most telling scenes that Pam and Roy held each other back was in “Boys and Girls.” Pam shared her dream of being an artist and having a space in her home where she could paint freely. Jan told Pam that Dunder Mifflin had a digital media program she could be a part of while still working for the company. It was the perfect situation.

When Pam excitedly told Roy about the opportunity, he shot it down. It was “impractical.” If Roy knew how much art meant to Pam (and how unfulfilled she was as a secretary), he would have encouraged her to go.

9 Pam & Roy Forever: They Had Too Much History

When a couple has been together for a decade, there are bound to be ups and downs. People change; people grow. Pam and Roy essentially grew up together. They were just a couple of teenagers when they started dating and were in their late twenties/early thirties when they broke up.

However, with so much history, there is typically a lot of love between a couple to sustain their relationship. They’ve been through so much both together and as individuals. Surely a short break was enough to reinvigorate the couple.

8 Better Off Without Her: He Turned His Life Around Without Her

Roy totally turned his life around after he and Pam broke up. Like many people when they go through a breakup, he hit rock bottom but it was what he needed to wake himself up and get his life back on track. He started going to the gym, eating better, and he seemed like an overall more pleasant person.

When Roy and Pam broke up for good and he was fired from Dunder Mifflin, Roy started his own business and it thrived. He became wealthy and had a good head on his shoulders — all thanks to the breakup.

7 Pam & Roy Forever: Opposites Attract

The saying “opposites attract” is popular for a reason. When a couple is too similar, problems can arise. It’s the differences in a couple that keeps the relationship exciting and always moving forward. With Jim and Pam, they were too alike for their own good.

The second they disagreed on something that they would normally agree on, World War III broke out. Jim wanted to work outside of Scranton and Pam had a meltdown. Their relationship suffered because they weren’t on the same page. But Roy and Pam have always had different interests and senses of humor.

6 Better Off Without Her: He Never Really Had Her

Jim and Pam both admitted to falling in love with each other at the office while she was still engaged to Roy. As soon as they started working together, Roy never had a chance. Pam finally had a person who understood her sense of humor, made life fun, listened to her, and encouraged her to do more with her life. How could Roy hold up against Jim? The short answer is that he didn’t. Even when Pam and Roy rekindled their relationship, she never stopped thinking about Jim.

5 Pam & Roy Forever: The Love Was There

No matter how much Pam and Jim shippers loathe Roy, he and Pam really had a love for each other. Remember how giddy Pam was after their vacation in the Poconos? She and Ror were on cloud nine and she slowly ignored Jim because of it.

Even during “Basketball,” Pam and Roy shared a deep kiss that proved they had passion between them. Even the look on her face when Roy set a date in “Booze Cruise.” Pam and Roy wanted their relationship to work because their high moments were so good.

4 Better Off Without Her: He Started His Own Business

It’s not known if Roy loved his job as a warehouse worker for Dunder Mifflin but his real potential was shown when he was fired. At Roy’s wedding, Jim and Pam find out that he’s doing very well for himself. He started his own gravel company and it took off. He had a gorgeous house, learned how to play the piano, and had his life together. Pam was shocked by the man she saw in front of her. He had totally transformed.

3 Pam & Roy Forever: He Had Complete Trust In Her

After being with each other for close to a decade, Pam and Roy had complete trust in each other. In fact, they may have trusted each other too much. There were a few instances where Roy didn’t like how close Jim and Pam were but he never grilled Pam on the situation. If anything, he was annoyed at Jim for being so close to his fiancée but he never wondered if Pam liked him. In his mind, he thought Jim was just a close buddy. Having that kind of trust in each other is hard to find but they had it.

2 Better Off Without Her: Finally Found The Perfect Partner

Pam and Roy were sweet together, but were they the perfect match? Clearly not. Roy married Laura Anderson after meeting her at the restaurant she owned. She clearly had a way with him because now Roy is a business owner himself and never seemed happier.

Pam was shocked by how much Roy had changed with Laura. It’s easy to wonder if Pam was the one who made Roy want more for his life or if it was Laura.

1 Pam & Roy Forever: Staying Together Made Them Realize What They Wanted & Didn’t Want

Taking a break from their relationship was the smartest thing Pam and Roy could have done for their relationship. That short time apart from each other made them realize that they were going nowhere fast. They were stagnant and too comfortable. They both had things they wanted to achieve but put them aside due to complacency.

And yet when they reunited, they realized they could be together while entertaining their passions. Roy started encouraging Pam’s art and Pam went out drinking with Roy and his brother. It made them realize what they deserved.

About The Author

Lynn Gibbs
(1645 Articles Published)

Lynn is a nomad who travels the globe on the hunt for her next adventure with her husband. A lover of being outside (and finding the best latte in town), Lynn is typically hiking, walking, or jogging when she’s not focusing on her love of writing. When it comes to shows streaming on Netflix or anything Bravo-related, Lynn’s your gal.

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