In Brian Baumgartner’s new book, Welcome to Dunder Mifflin: the Ultimate Oral History of The Office, a shocking plotline was revealed for the show’s Season 8 episode “After Hours”. According to the book, the episode was meant to feature Jim Halpert (John Krasinski) cheating on his wife Pam (Jenna Fischer) with her maternity leave replacement Cathy Simms (Lindsey Broad).
The episode was set to feature Jim and Cathy going out for drinks after work, and then Jim returning to the office late at night to find Pam still there. This would have been a major turning point in the show’s history, as it would have been the first time Jim ever cheated on Pam.
The episode was ultimately scrapped, however, due to the fact that it was deemed too dark for the show’s tone. This is understandable, as The Office was known for its lighthearted comedy and the show’s writers likely didn’t want to take it in a darker direction.
Despite the fact that the episode was never filmed, it’s still interesting to think about what could have been. Jim and Pam’s relationship was a major part of the show, and it’s hard to imagine how the show would have been different if Jim had cheated on her.
The Office ended in 2013, and it’s been over eight years since the show’s finale. It’s fascinating to look back and see how the show could have gone in a completely different direction. While we may never know what would have happened if Jim had cheated on Pam, it’s still interesting to think about.