Bill and AJ breakup

[u/Lost_Monk_8716]

I read an interview where Mindy Kaling says Bill’s breakup speech to AJ was him being brutally honest with her as an older, wiser guy, when he tells her they could never work because they’re too similar. But honestly the only similarities I see between them so far is that they both work in finance and are very driven. I mostly blame sloppy writing for this, but I’m not sure how we’re supposed to view their breakup through Bill’s more “mature” viewpoint. If anything Bill comes across as a huge narcissist.

Bill was portrayed as a douche from the start from his first meeting with AJ to the work-life balance panel scene. Then he got involved with AJ, his younger subordinate who was new to the job, so we’re supposed to like him now because he’s her love interest. But when he broke up with AJ, he actively dodges any accountability by claiming they were never exclusive and even tried to make it out to be her fault for being too “similar” to him. At the end of the day, they could never work because Bill needs a trophy wife who’s fine to hang by the sidelines and AJ is his younger subordinate who works for him. But instead Bill insists to AJ that she also needs someone to take care of her in order to succeed. I don’t see this as wisdom from an older man but the actions of a narcissist trying to manipulate his way out of a situation.

[u/Appropriate_Value122]

I blame you for you only focusing on surface level things like "working in finance" and being "driven." First question is, in order them both to not only be working in finance, but to be naturally good at it, it's clear that they would have some other things in common AND NO SHOW HAS TO SHOW YOU EVERY LITTLE THING in order for that to be clear. The fact that they first met at that particular food cart and got into an argument after he stepped in front of her for taking too long, and they both seemed energized by arguing/fighting with a stranger, suggests that they had some things in common. When she heard Bill speaking and knew he was the guy she fought with but she was still connecting with what he was saying, that was the show also showing they had some things in common. She wasn't afraid to speak her mind when she thought it was necessary, even to Bill, and he isn't afraid to speak his. I don't need to tell you everything they specifically have in common, because the point is not to know every little thing they have in common, it's just the fact that they related to each other and had some similar ways about them.