I Didn’t Expect This One Moment From The Paper Season 1 Finale, But Now I Am Kind Of Excited About It

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I really enjoyed the first season of *The Paper*! While it’s not flawless, it’s clear this show has a ton of promise. Just ten episodes in, I’m already imagining all the directions these characters could go, especially with their relationships – things feel like they could shift at any moment. What I loved most was how well the show introduced everyone and built this world that feels so connected to *The Office*. It’s like they’re family – you can see the resemblance, but they definitely have their own unique story to tell.

I really appreciate how different these shows are from each other, but I also find their common threads interesting. I’m glad *The Paper* is coming back for a second season, and I’m hoping it continues for at least four or five seasons. The characters are well-developed and engaging, and I’d love to see how they grow over time. Plus, the season finale left things open-ended, which makes me eager to find out what happens next.

Warning The Paper Season 1 spoilers are ahead. Proceed with caution.

I Was Shocked Ned And Mare Kissed So Early In The Paper. I Thought They Would Be A Slow Burn

I’ve been watching TV my whole life, and I’ve noticed a common pattern in sitcoms: the main couple usually doesn’t get together right away. We saw this happen in shows like *The Office*, where Pam and Jim didn’t get married until several seasons in. They had so many great moments – both before and after their first kiss, which was particularly memorable.

Although the big kiss between Ned and Mare doesn’t happen until the very last episode of Season 2, it *feels* like it takes forever. Because streaming shows often have shorter runs than shows on traditional TV, the writers can’t plan too far ahead. That’s why I was so surprised when Ned (Domhnall Gleeson) and Mare (Chelsea Frei) finally kissed in the Season 1 finale.

I didn’t expect this to happen so quickly; it feels like a very daring step. I was anticipating a more drawn-out, classic will-they-won’t-they storyline, similar to Jim and Pam’s, with at least a season or two of them resisting their feelings. Their first kiss carries the same emotional impact as the famous one from *The Office* – it’s incredibly charged, but also feels a little too intense to witness.

I Am Excited To See How This Changes Their Dynamic In Future Seasons

Just because Jim and Pam finally got together on *The Office* doesn’t mean the same will happen quickly for Ned and Mare. Their relationship is more complicated, especially since Ned is Mare’s boss. This creates potential ethical and workplace concerns that Jim and Pam never had to deal with.

Okay, so I’m predicting Mare and Ned are going to have a really frustrating journey. They’ve clearly got chemistry, but I think the show will probably have them resist it for a while, maybe even explore a secret relationship – we’ve seen that trope work so well in other comedies and dramas. Honestly, I’m bracing for a breakup too; their situation is just too risky and messy for a stable relationship right now. I think we’re looking at a few more seasons of will-they-won’t-they before they finally get together, if they *ever* fully commit. It’s going to be a slow burn, folks.

I’m really interested to see where their relationship goes, and how it affects their friendships and other connections. If they start secretly dating, it’s bound to come out, and that could either strengthen or ruin the relationships we see on the show. That kiss set up a classic sitcom storyline – one I generally enjoy – about keeping a secret romance.

The Kiss Being This Early Makes Me Like The Paper More, Because It Seems To Be Operating With Now Or Never Mentality

Peacock’s *The Paper* is one of their original series. While Peacock has a lot of good shows, most don’t run for very long-usually just a few seasons. *The Office*, on the other hand, lasted nine seasons and over 200 episodes. I don’t think *The Paper* will reach that level, not because it’s not good, but because streaming services rarely renew shows for more than five seasons.

It’s possible *The Paper* could run for four seasons, but I doubt it will go beyond that. The people making the show are likely hoping for a long run, but they seem to be approaching it like many British series do. This means each season might feel complete on its own, with fewer unresolved storylines. While Ned and Mare’s kiss does create some suspense, the season finale feels conclusive even if the show doesn’t get renewed.

I like being able to guess what’s going to happen in a story, and I don’t need every detail explained. It’s satisfying when characters clearly like each other back. When it comes to TV shows, I prefer ones where the future isn’t guaranteed. I enjoy seasons that feel complete, but still leave room for the story to continue if the show gets renewed.

It Does Slightly Make Me Worry That Ned And Mare Won’t End Up Together By The Series Finale

It doesn’t always happen, but sometimes when a TV show’s couple gets together quickly, they aren’t meant to be the final pairing. Often, a new character or a different relationship becomes more popular with either the writers or the audience. A good example is *How I Met Your Mother*, where some viewers rooted for Ted (Josh Radnor) and Robin (Cobie Smulders), while others preferred Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) and Robin as a couple. This is a major reason why the show’s ending was so controversial and continues to be debated.

If Mare and Ned don’t become a couple soon, the show might pair them with other characters, and viewers could end up liking those relationships more. This could lead the writers to decide against Mare and Ned ending up together by the end of the series, and they might even prefer these new pairings. Right now, I really enjoy the connection between Mare and Ned and I’m hoping they’ll get together. I’d be disappointed if they didn’t have a happy ending. However, with only ten episodes so far, my opinion on their romance could still change.

I Think Ned And Mare’s Kiss And Relationship, Possibly Progressing Sooner Than Expected, Could Allow Other Paper Romances More Focus

I’m already spotting lots of potential love stories on *The Paper*. One promising pairing is Nicole (Ramona Young) and Detrick (Melvin Gregg). They’ve already faced some difficulties, but I think they’ll eventually reconnect.

I’m much more captivated by the unrequited love between Marv (Allan Havey) and Ann (Nancy Lenehan) – their story is incredibly complex. She’s married to Marv’s brother, and he’s been in love with her for years. Seeing their dynamic unfold could be a really interesting part of the show. Plus, there are suggestions that a romance might develop between Esmeralda (Sabrina Impacciatore) and Ken (Tim Key) down the line.

Romance is already starting to blossom on The Paper, and Ned and Mare’s kiss is just the beginning! There are tons of potential couples that could be really interesting to watch, and I’m excited to see how those relationships-and maybe some new ones-grow as the series continues.

Stream The Paper on Peacock.

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2025-09-18 14:10