WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS ahead for The Paper season 1, episode 10.
The season finale of The Paper, titled “The Ohio Journalism Awards,” takes place mostly at an awards ceremony where the Toledo Truth Teller and its employees have a big night of professional accolades and personal surprises.
Despite resistance in just about every budding in-office romance and situationship in The Paper season 1, sparks finally fly between the Editor-in-Chief, Ned Sampson, and journalist Mare Pritti. While they’re not quite the Jim and Pam of The Office, their obvious connection throughout The Paper season 1 finally ends with a “get it out of our system” kiss, which leaves Ned realizing he may be in love with his employee.
Ned & Mare’s Kiss Sparks Season 2’s In-Office Romance
Both Ned and Mare have given multiple clues to the camera crew that there was some serious interest brewing under the surface. That romantic tension intensified during the season 1 finale of The Paper, especially when Ned told Mare that she deserved to win the award for Best News Story for her piece on the Softees toilet paper clogging toilets across Toledo.
Things got even more heated between Ned and Mare when they crashed a wedding at the hotel where the awards ceremony was taking place. They shared a slow dance and a pretty intimate moment with body language that would certainly suggest that they were more than friends. That is, until they were kicked out of the venue after being exposed by the bride and groom.
Ned arrives at Mare’s hotel room after the ceremony and his speech, which he was late for and wasn’t able to finish because Esmeralda pretended to faint to keep the spotlight on her. Ned sweetly thanks Mare in the speech that he was unable to fully give, which leads them to toss around the idea of kissing. Once they seal the deal, Ned unromantically says, “Oh s**t,” because he crossed a professional boundary with his co-worker and may have realized he’s also in love with her.
Mare is all smiles and clearly has feelings for Ned, too. In The Paper season 2, which was renewed by Peacock ahead of the season 1 premiere, they may try to keep their romance on the down low, which may work for a little while. Since everyone in the office is all wrapped up in each other’s business, it’s only a matter of time before their secret comes out.
The Truth Teller’s Wins Have Revitalized The Ohio Newspaper
The Toledo Truth Teller came into the Ohio Journalism Awards as underdogs and came out as top dogs, taking home three prizes, including Outstanding Print Coverage, Best News Story, and Best New Game. An archival clip of the awards in 1971 shows the last time the Toledo Truth Teller had received that type of recognition.
Now that the newspaper has reestablished its integrity and acclaim, Ned will likely keep the momentum going strong in The Paper season 2, perhaps aiming for loftier accolades like a regional or national award. This may require him to bring in some new talented journalists, which should mean a few new season 2 cast members.
It should also place some pressure on the Toledo Truth Teller to maintain its new level of professionalism, considering that hardly anyone took their jobs seriously before Ned showed up. With new success comes more responsibility, which could force Ned to be a tougher boss and drive a harder line when it comes to what goes to print.
Oscar’s Speech Reveals His True Feelings About The Camera Crew
One of the biggest surprises and best moments in The Paper’s season 1 finale was Oscar’s moving speech for winning Best New Game. During it, Oscar thanks the camera crew, the same one that filmed the entirety of The Office, for being the only ones who ever saw him for who he truly is.
Even though Oscar had initially not welcomed the return of the camera crew, protesting and fleeing to the bathroom in the premiere episode, he admits that he has been happy they were there all along. Oscar effectively signed his life away to the crew and refused to participate throughout the first half of the season, but this revelation suggests he will be much more welcoming at the start of season 2.
Nicole & Detrick’s Messy Relationship May Get Even Messier
Nicole discovers that Detrick wasn’t actually dating the meteorologist, Gloria Tornado, at the awards ceremony, and is upset that she was unaware she was in a monogamous situation with Detrick. Despite rejecting his advances at the start of the season, Nicole begins casually dating Detrick, seemingly playing “hard to get” on the final boss level.
Her avoidance eventually pushed Detrick past his limit since he’s done everything to prove his feelings about Nicole to her. Nicole is bawling her eyes out in the final scene of The Paper season 1 in Mare’s hotel room because she truly does like Detrick and feels like she’s pushed him away. For whatever reason, Nicole finds it difficult to just be honest with Detrick that she likes him back.
Nicole will have to apologize to Detrick in The Paper season 2 if their in-office fling is going to continue. Since their situation seems more complicated than Ned and Mare’s, Nicole and Detrick might both decide that their connection isn’t worth all the extra effort and drama.
Ken & Esmerelda Will Likely Continue Vying For Power
Ken and Esmerelda are equally desperate to earn credit at the Toledo Truth Teller, even where it is not due. Ken plots to win Marv’s respect by saving his life, although he fails to do so when he chokes on his food. Esmerelda shockingly takes the mic during the in memorium part of the ceremony, a move straight out of the Michael Scott handbook.
Even though these two are the most ridiculous and unlikable characters in The Paper, they are both some of the funniest as well. Their collective “last two people at the bar” energy may set up a hilarious romance between them in The Paper season 2, since everyone else seems to be pairing up.
Marv Seems To Be In Love With His Brother’s Wife Ann
Yet another romantic fling emerges in The Paper season 1 with Marv and his secretary Ann, who is also his sister-in-law. Marv’s brother only appears for a brief scene in the season 1 finale, but something truly bizarre could be emerging between Marv and Ann in season 2.
Tossing Marv and Ann into the mix creates four separate in-office flings that could take shape in The Paper season 2. Ned and Mare have the most obvious romance that will certainly be addressed in the season 2 premiere, while the others could either intensify or fade. No matter what, things are likley going to be a bit more serious on the journalism side of things next time around.
