The Paper Finale Delivers A Big Romantic Twist — Grade The Season!
If you've been feeling Jim and Pam vibes from Ned and Mare all season long on The Paper, well, the season finale certainly delivered on that front.
The Season 1 ender takes place at the Ohio Journalism Awards, where the Truth Teller is nominated for a number of honors, thanks to Ned's editorial overhaul. Esmerelda shows up in a runway-ready gown and tiara — of course — and Ned insists he's not nervous, but he did bring the leg of a childhood stuffed animal to rub for good luck. Oh, and he came alone, but he spots Mare arriving... with a date. "I hope they have a pleasant evening," Ned tells us, entirely unconvincingly.
Esmerelda and Ken sulk because they've been stuck at a different table than publisher Marv — it's tougher to suck up from there — and Travis fanboys out over Mare's date Theo, who makes YouTube videos about truck exhaust. (Mare picks up that Ned might be a little jealous, too.) Nicole sees some competition for Detrick's attention as well when weather girl Gloria Tornado shows up, but she insists she's cool with it and just wants to compare notes with her. Esmerelda cozies up to Marv, but he pointedly notes that this is the first time in years they've been nominated here — thanks to her previous leadership — and Ken starts to notice she might be an anchor dragging him down.
The award for Best New Game is announced, and Oscar wins for his new puzzle! Ned tries to play it cool, but Mare prods him to "just admit you want something for once." (Hmmm, a double meaning there?) Oscar uses his acceptance speech to make amends with the documentary crew, admitting that "I think you guys are the only ones who really see me." Next up is Mare's category... and she wins. too! Ned tries to hug her, but Theo gets there first. She makes sure to thank Ned in her speech, though: "He gave me an opportunity to change my life."
During the In Memoriam segment, Esmerelda grabs the mike and starts improvising a song about "dead journalists" to the sad piano music, while Nicole gets mad at Detrick when she finds out he's not sleeping with the weather girl. ("You tricked me into a monogamous relationship.") Mare tells Ned she thinks he might actually win his category and offers to help him rehearse his speech, so they go off together — and end up crashing a wedding reception, where they hit the dance floor and get close during a slow song. "Whatever you feel when you get up there will be just great," she tells him as they gaze into each other's eyes, but they're interrupted by the bride and groom kicking them out.
While Ken tries to save Marv from choking to curry favor with him — Oscar beats him to it, though — Ned's category comes up, and he wins it! But he and Mare are locked out of the hotel, and they rush around trying to get back to the ballroom as Esmerelda and Ken rush up to the podium to accept on his behalf. Ned finally makes it to the podium, snatching the mike away from Esmerelda... but she faints on stage to make sure she's still the center of attention. The Truth Teller staff raises a toast in the hotel bar to celebrate, as Nicole confesses to Mare that Detrick broke up with her. Ned and Mare have another flirty exchange at the bar, but her date Theo is ready to leave, so Ned just wishes them a good night.
Later, though, he chats with Oscar, who sees Marv pining for Anne and thinks it's sad that he doesn't go for what he wants. (He even cites Michael Scott's infamous re-quote of the Wayne Gretzky quote, "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.") That spurs Ned to knock on Mare's hotel room door, where he tells her he wants to give her the speech he didn't get to give on stage. He starts to read the part where he thanks her, but he stops and lets her read the rest, and she likes it. He starts to walk away, and she's stunned: "Are you kidding?" He says yes, he's her boss, and besides, she's in there with Theo. But she opens the door to reveal she's really in there consoling a sobbing Nicole. "This is probably awful to say," Ned admits, "but that makes me really happy."
Ned's still not sure if he wants to risk ruining their professional relationship, but Mare points out that they're journalists, and they agree: "We should verify." They try a tiny kiss... and then lean in for a longer. one. Ned's reaction says it all: "Aw, shit."
Where do Ned and Mare go from here? And what else are you hoping to see in the just-announced Season 2? Give this season a grade in our poll, and hit the comments to share your thoughts.