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 d

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