In an alternate take of The Office, Karen Filippelli got the ending she deserved—and we’re all for it. Rashida Jones, who played the lovable yet unlucky Karen, was left hanging in the original storyline as Jim dashed back to Pam. But in this alternate version, Karen finally scored a win—a moment that would’ve given her character a more satisfying send-off.
For anyone who felt Karen deserved a happier wrap-up, this scene offers a glimpse of the ending that could’ve been, giving us all some serious “what if” vibes.
Alternate Ending for The Office Season 3 Gave Karen the Closure She Deserved
“They walk off together.” In an alternate ending for The Office Season 3 finale, Jim and Pam shared a different final moment—one that gave Rashida Jones’ character a graceful exit that fans believe she truly deserved. On the Office Ladies podcast, Jenna Fischer revealed that the team filmed two endings to The Job.
In the final version, Jim interrupted Pam’s talking head to ask her out, leaving viewers guessing about Karen’s fate. But there was another take: as Pam left for the day, Jim surprised her in the elevator lobby.
She stepped into the elevator, and when the doors opened, Jim was waiting for her. Pam greeted him with surprise. He asked if she wanted to go to dinner, and she happily agreed. Fischer alluded to the alternate version that Jim was phased out during the interview with David,
Meanwhile, while all that’s happening, you see Pam leaving for the day. She doesn’t do a talking head. She’s just leaving for the day. She gets in the elevator, she goes down the elevator, and then when the elevator doors open, Jim is standing there and she says, ‘You’re back.’ And he says, ‘Yeah, do you want to go to dinner?’ And Pam says, ‘Yeah, I do.’
She walks out of the elevator and Jim pushes the camera back into the elevator. And as the doors are closing, they walk off together and he puts his arm around her and they smile at each other.
Co-host Angela Kinsey expressed mixed feelings about this scene, saying she preferred the “official” version. Yet for fans of Karen, it felt like the closure she deserved after an intense love triangle. Fischer even reached out to The Office director Dave Rogers, who confirmed that the scene exists in archives somewhere.
While Karen didn’t end up with Jim—or the New York job they almost gave her—Jones went on to star as Ann Perkins in Parks and Recreation. For fans curious about The Office’s “what could’ve been,” this alternate ending offers a new take on the classic Jim and Pam story that might just spark a rewatch.
Steve Carell Almost Said No to The Office Finale Return
Steve Carell was “reluctant” to return for The Office series finale, co-star Jenna Fischer revealed on the Office Ladies podcast.
Though fans were thrilled to see Michael Scott as Dwight’s best man, Carell initially resisted reprising his role, feeling Michael’s story had closed perfectly when he left in Season 7. But series creator Greg Daniels had a plan: Dwight and Angela’s wedding—a moment Michael would realistically attend.
Carell agreed, but only under tight secrecy. NBC didn’t know, promos were forbidden, and even some cast members were kept in the dark. The surprise worked—Michael’s “That’s what she said” hit just right.
The Office available to watch on Peacock & Apple TV.
