Karen Filippelli came on the scene of The Office in the third season of the show, as a saleswoman for Dunder Mifflin’s Stamford branch. She and Jim had an immediate connection when he started working there, but nothing came of it until they officially transferred to the Scranton branch. Seeing Jim with anyone other than Pam ruffled plenty of feathers, but Karen was just following her heart.
Soon after applying together for a position at the corporate office in New York City, Karen and Jim ended up breaking up and Jim decided to be with Pam. And while most Officefans were happy to see her gone, Karen deserves credit for being a strong, successful woman who just wanted to start a life with her boyfriend.
Karen Was Following Her Heart
From Karen’s point of view, when it came to Jim, she was just doing what everyone else did: dating someone she liked. In short, Karen did nothing wrong by dating Jim.
Pam had her chance to be with Jim and she turned it down. Karen shouldn’t be penalized for dating an available guy. If anything, she was the victim for not knowing that her new boyfriend was still in love with another woman.
Karen Knew How To Handle Unruly People
Whether fans like her or not, Karen knew how to handle unruly people. It’s hard for newcomers to get comfortable around Scranton branch employees when they’ve been there for years and already had a rapport.
Karen, however, handled herself with strength. She ignored most of Michael’s insulting comments and even shut down Todd Packer within the first five seconds of meeting him. Karen could always take care of herself.
She Demanded Respect
In “Women’s Appreciation,” the office was shaken when a stranger flashed Phyllis in the parking lot. Michael made light of the situation but after realizing that his jokes failed, he flipped the switch and took the situation seriously.
Following the incident, Dwight made a list of inappropriate rules for the women to abide by. Being told what to wear and how to act did not sit right with Karen and she spoke her mind. Telling Michael and Dwight that she and the other ladies deserved to be treated with respect was powerful.
Goal-Oriented
Pam and Karen were the complete opposite when it came to careers. Pam was completely satisfied with staying in Scranton and working at Dunder Mifflin while pursuing art on the side. Karen, on the other hand, wanted more. She was serious about her career and jumped around Dunder Mifflin until she landed where she deserved to be. Though neither way is right and both ways are good, there’s a lot to applaud in Karen’s perspective.
After applying for a position at corporate, Karen went back to sales before leaving Scranton and becoming the regional manager of the Utica branch. Keeping her eyes on the prize, Karen got where she deserved to be in the company.
She Reacted Maturely To Phyllis’s Bombshell
Not too many people on The Office would have replied as calmly as Karen did after getting the news about a significant other.
After a great sales day with Phyllis as a new saleswoman, Karen found out that not only was her new boyfriend in a relationship with her coworker but also that the entire office knew about it but her. Karen felt embarrassed. Instead of asking Phyllis oodles of questions or raising her voice, Karen thanked Phyllis and dropped it until she saw Jim herself. That took real control.
The New Queen Of The Party Planning Committee
In “A Benihana Christmas,” Karen and Pam teamed up against Angela despite their differences. The ladies were a part of the Party Planning Committee (PPC) but after Angela loathed Karen’s ideas, she was kicked out. Pam felt badly for Karen and left the PPC to create a new committee with Karen.
As a new member at work, it took a lot of gumption to leave the pack and start her own thing. By creating her own task force, she proved to Angela that she was no one to mess with and should be treated with respect.
She Sat Back & Listened To Pam’s Love For Her Boyfriend
It was not easy for Karen when she found out that her boyfriend used to be in a complicated love triangle with Pam. Especially when she was informed by the relationship from someone other than her boyfriend.
Things only got harder for Karen when Pam told Jim (in front of everyone) that she called off her wedding because of him and that she missed him. There wasn’t much that Jim or Karen could say at that moment. Jim looked devastated by Pam’s words while Karen looked furious. Nevertheless, she kept calm. She sat there and let Pam have her moment while she worried about her own relationship with Jim.
She Didn’t Run From Her Past
Although Karen’s time at the Scranton branch was short, she didn’t let her heartbreak and anger affect her future. As the new regional manager of the Utica branch, she reached out to Scranton’s Stanely Hudson and offered him a job at her branch for more money.
Michael, of course, had a tantrum over the scenario but Karen handled herself like the boss that she was. She was not afraid of Michael in the slightest.
Karen Came Out On Top
Thinking back at what Karen went through during her short time at Dunder Mifflin Scranton, it’s amazing how her life turned out. Karen could have quit the company as a whole and moved away from the East Coast for a completely different life.
Instead, she worked her way up the Dunder Mifflin ladder, met someone new, got married, and was pregnant with her first child. She had been through a lot for Jim but came out on top.
Friendly And Lively
Karen and Jim were both independent with the same sense of humor. If Jim left her side to talk to David Wallace or someone at Phyllis’s wedding, Karen was completely fine entertaining herself and meeting new people.
She was the kind of character who wanted to be a part of the group and dive in headfirst. And for that alone, she deserves major kudos.
