Say what you will about the slow death of NBC’s The Office: chances are, it’s probably true.  While the show has never recovered from the loss of Michael Scott, it still has moments (or at least touches) of greatness (and by greatness I mean an elevation of our very human condition in the midst of ennui and dysfunction).

Case in point: Pam Beasley Halpert’s decision in this past week’s episode, “Moving On,” had the receptionist-turned-sales-associate interviewing for a new job in Philadephia, where her husband had recently joined a start-up company.  At she walked into the real estate office where the interview was to take place, she met the office boss.  As she watches his mannerisms and and hears his spiel, she realizes that she has seen this all before: in her days of working for Michael Scott (whose name gets a rare mention this episode).  My first reaction: this would be so easy for Pam!  She’s already had to learn to deal with this!  And then my second reaction: don’t do this, Pam!  You’ve outgrown this!  And that was the decision that she had to make by episode’s end.

It was with great relief (for a television show) that Pam turned the job down.  It was a moment that showed how much she had grown.  I know that there are those that would say she should’ve taken the sure-bet job for the sake of her family, and I understand that.  But there is this sense that some things are about moving forward, even if it makes life a little more difficult.  Not to go all “Donald Miller” with the episode, but I think it became clear (to Pam and to the audience) that “Pam knew she was part of a story bigger than that.”  It’s a struggle many of us face, often on a regular basis: settling verses striving.  But Pam handled it well, this decision about her life’s story.  I’m curious to see where the show’s writers take her over the next few and final months.