Kelly Kapoor had one of the biggest transformations in The Office. As a writer for the series, Mindy Kaling’s character worked in the annex as a way to keep her a part of the series but hidden in case Kaling was writing or producing other episodes. When Kelly was a part of storylines, her colorful personality made her a treat to watch. She said everything audiences were thinking — and then some.
Throughout The Office‘s nine seasons, Kelly went from a shy, reserved woman to an outgoing and bubbly co-worker. From her relationship with Ryan to her promotion in the workplace, Kelly’s transformation was grand but slow.
Season 1: Serious & Covered-Up
The first season of The Office only had six episodes. With NBC seeing what The Office did well and where it lacked, Kelly didn’t have much of a storyline. She was mainly shown quietly sitting in the back of the conference room.
Her biggest moment in season 1 was when she slapped Michael across the face in “Diversity Day” after he made fun of her culture. It wasn’t until season 2 came along that Kelly started opening up and showing her true self.
Season 2: Coming Out Of Her Shell & Opening Up
At the start of season 2, Kelly’s office fashion choices were still adjacent to season 1. She was covered up in outfits that didn’t match her personality until later in the season.
Kelly’s real personality came out in “Christmas Party” when she wanted the iPod during Yankee Swap. And she showed her obsession with fashion and shopping when she bought a bathing suit for “Booze Cruise.” However, it’s in “Boys and Girls” when Kelly shares how much she wants a family and a beautiful home, which made the start of her relationship with Ryan at the end of the season all the more exciting.
Season 3: A Look Inside Kelly’s Personal Life
Season 3 was when fans saw the real Kelly. Kelly and Ryan were officially dating and making the entire office cringe. They were obsessed with each other and spent most of the day talking or arguing. In “Diwali,” Kelly introduced her culture to the office at her Diwali party. Her parents were hoping Ryan was serious about Kelly, but that wasn’t the case.
At the end of the season, Dunder Mifflin Scranton defeated a branch closure and welcomed new faces from Stamford. However, when corporate hired Ryan for a new position, he broke up with Kelly and left her heartbroken and bored.
Season 4: A New Relationship & The End Of An Old One
In season 4, Kelly was still petty and dramatic as she started dating Darryl in an attempt to make Ryan jealous whenever he visited the Scranton branch. Kelly had some of her best Office quotes when trying to show off to Ryan. She didn’t have any ongoing storylines throughout this season besides dating Darryl and doing everything she could to get attention from Ryan and her coworkers.
At the end of the season, Ryan was arrested at Dunder Mifflin for fraud. Kelly wasn’t sad about his arrest but did hope to make his cellmates jealous when she inevitably visited him in jail.
Season 5: An Open Fight With Dwight And Jim (And A Crush On Charles)
Darryl was the better guy for Kelly, but she chose Ryan once Michael hired him back as a temp. Alas, as always, Kelly and Ryan’s relationship didn’t last long and they broke up. She later had her eyes on corporate’s Charles Miner.
In the workplace, Kelly had a storyline with Jim and Dwight regarding their reviews in the office. Since the two salesmen missed her America’s Got Talent party, she showed her true personality by giving them bad reviews in the workplace. Kelly later did this when Dwight and Jim forgot about her birthday. As of this season, the only way Kelly was trying to transform was her relationship status and friend group at the office.
Season 6: A New Phase In The Workplace
It’s in season 6 where Kelly really started to shine at work. Her relationship with Ryan was back to being on-again, off-again, but her job description grew.
When Sabre bought Dunder Mifflin, they had a minority executive training program that Kelly applied for and wound up getting. The company sent Kelly to Yale for the summer where she learned more about her potential in the workplace. Kelly’s new lessons followed her into season 7.
Season 7: Divorce & Gunning For Manager
Now that Kelly had more of a presence at work, there were more storylines revolving around her job. When Michael left the office and Deangelo Vickers was hired, it bothered Kelly how sexist he was and that he assumed Ryan was her boss, even though it was the opposite. Kelly stood up for herself against Ryan and Deangelo, which was a huge move for her. By the end of the season, Kelly interviewed for the new manager position. Although she didn’t get it, her transformation into a person of power was brilliant.
Meanwhile, her relationship with Ryan was toxic. It didn’t make sense to anyone when Kelly admitted that she and Ryan were divorcing when no one even knew they were married.
Season 8: The Ravi Era
In season 8, Kelly focused on her job without distraction when Ryan was sent to Florida with a couple of other employees for a special project. With time on her hands, Kelly talked to Pam more, which is when Pam set her up with her daughter’s doctor, Ravi. After meeting Ravi, Kelly broke up with Ryan and started a new life in a mature and healthy relationship.
For once, Kelly was able to focus on her relationship without Ryan interfering. This was a huge transformation for Kelly. She now had a solid position at the company and a stable relationship.
Season 9: A Move To Ohio & A Sunset Getaway
In the final season of The Office, Kelly left Sabre/Dunder Mifflin abruptly when Ravi was transferred to Miami, Ohio, for a new job.
She was seen again in the series finale for Dwight and Angela’s wedding. With Ravi by her side, Kelly seemed fulfilled (although it’s unclear what her job in Miami was). However, once Ryan showed up with his son Drake, Kelly was enamored with him. The two left the baby behind with Ravi and ran off in the sunset without a care in the world. Although Kelly did evolve throughout the series, her relationship with Ryan was the one thing that she couldn’t quit.
