Now That Meet The Parents Is Getting Another Sequel, Can We Talk About The Franchise’s Worst Character? (Who Is Coming Back)

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Did you know? Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro are set to reunite for another sequel of “Meet the Parents” in 2026, titled “Focker in Law”. With the franchise making a comeback, it’s got me reminiscing about the original movie from the early 2000s, which will mark its 25th anniversary this October. I’ve been reflecting on some of the funniest moments, like the infamous movie cat (Mr. Jinx), and how much I still enjoy watching it!

Additionally, I’ve been pondering over the array of memorable characters from this franchise, including those who didn’t quite shine as brightly. Specifically, I’m referring to Pamela Focker, played by Teri Polo in the series. Now, let me clarify that this isn’t a criticism of Ms. Polo’s acting abilities. Nevertheless, it’s hard for me to argue that Pam, her character, isn’t one of the less compelling ones. Let me explain…

Pam Byrnes Is One Of The Least Supportive Girlfriends And Worst Communicators

Throughout the years, an abundance of unsupportive and poor communicating romantic partners, particularly in comedies, have been portrayed in films, and Pam Byrnes from “Meet the Parents” would undoubtedly find her way onto that list. In this movie, she consistently demonstrates a lack of support for Greg Focker (Ben Stiller), earning the title of the poorest communicator within the film’s cast. She fails to inform her overly demanding and intense father, Jack Byrnes (Robert De Niro), about their cohabitation, neglects to express Greg’s anxiety-ridden nature, and leaves several important details unmentioned.

In the scene where the characters visit Kevin Rawley’s (Owen Wilson) residence, Pam doesn’t inform Greg until they’ve both parked in the driveway that it’s her ex-fiancé’s house. This unexpected revelation sets off a series of awkward and humorous incidents. While these moments are still amusing, this particular plot point doesn’t seem as fresh today.

I Know It’s A Comedy, But She Totally Set Greg Up For Failure In Meet The Parents

In a more natural and easy-to-read manner,

“The humor in ‘Meet the Parents’ comes from Greg Focker feeling out of place in the Byrnes household and their lifestyle. However, his girlfriend seems to be setting him up for failure right from the start. While she does support him later on by showing his parents his impressive MCAT scores, placing him in the 97th percentile, it’s too late to undo the initial impression.

Although Greg can be tough to get along with, it’s important to note that he was alone during the entire weekend without any backing or support from others. Now, I’m not implying that if Pam had been there, she could have prevented the Mr. Jinx incident, the backyard pool flood, or the fire. But you can understand the significance of having someone on your side in such situations, right?

Even Watching As A Kid, I Thought, ‘What Gives, Pam?’

At my best friend’s 12th birthday party, I watched “Meet the Parents.” During the movie, I found myself frequently questioning Pam’s actions as things unfolded, especially when it came to how she treated Greg during his difficult phase. At that age, I was clueless about love, relationships, and grown-up responsibilities (still figuring most of them out), but I knew I wasn’t a fan of the way she handled things. Even though I don’t believe her unwavering support would have transformed Jack into a saint, some form of assistance wouldn’t have hurt.

Instead of suggesting that Pam Byrnes committed a murder or abandoned Greg, or took on the role of a cult leader, it’s more accurate to say that her poor communication skills, unwillingness to support her boyfriend, and fear of her own father are issues I find hard to overlook.

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2025-08-17 21:08