I think Liz Lemon and Jack Donaghy are headed for the dating pool … with each other.
I know, I know. When 30 Rock started (and even last year), Tina Fey swore up and down that Liz and Jack were platonic mentor and mentee until death do them part. Despite Fey and Baldwin’s wildly electric on-screen chemistry, I eventually gave in and accepted that story.
However, this season seems different from the past. Maybe they’re doing something different. Who knows? I suspect that before Alec Baldwin renewed his contract, Tina Fey started contemplating an exit strategy for his character. What would upset the 30 Rock formula more than Jack and Liz getting it on?
Wait, before you pelt me with rotten eggs and spray paint “loser” on my back, hear me out! This season Jack seems more intrusive into Liz’s personal life above the usual mentor level. Last week, he detailed how he knew Liz better than everyone and this week he talked about “caring” for her. Also, during the close of last week’s episode Liz mentioned enjoying seeing the dark swarthy guy end up with the protagonist. A lot of the wording is straight out of a Katherine Heigl chick flick, especially considering Jack hasn’t used “protegee” or “mentee” when saying these things, as he did in the past. And this week, albeit in prank mode, Jack referenced his wife as the only obstacle to them getting it on.
Before you pelt me with mashed up tomatoes, think about it. The 30 Rock staff have written the gruesome twosome relationship differently this season. It definitely looks like they’re both headed for some emotional weirdness. Of course, now that Alec’s returning for another year and North Korea sans Kim Jong Il can only hold onto Avery for so long, business as usual will probably reinstate. But, come on, admit it … I’m right. Something is different this season between the two.
You still don’t agree? OK. NOW you can pelt me with rocks….
Clacked by An Nicholson 
on Jan 23, 2012 @ 12:01 EST5EDT
*starts collecting rocks*
I don’t think it’s going to happen, and I hope it doesn’t. I was upset when The X-Files caved and had Mulder and Scully hook up too.
Jack has meddled in Liz’s personal life before, especially with Dennis. But what would it take in his life to go for someone like Liz?
In the two whole episodes that have so far aired this season, I haven’t seen anything different (except that Jonathan is no longer Jack’s assistant). Liz and Jack are certainly co-dependent, but I’ve never, ever thought of them as romantic. I think Jack wants to mold her into another him to perhaps climb that corporate ladder, but into his bed? Eww. I hope Fey knows what a series killer that concept would be if it ever came to fruition. If anything, I see Fey taking a page out of the Mary Tyler Moore Show handbook where, towards the end of the series, they finally addressed the romantic Mary/Lou subtext by having them go on a date that ended with a handshake. I think a Liz and Jack date would be nothing less than awkward.
I agree with you completely, and I haven’t even bothered to watch the second episode yet. The vibe definitely seems altered this year. However, if they did begin a romance, I foresee absolutely nothing changing in their relationship. They certainly wouldn’t bother to have dates, although the time Jack took Liz as his dinner date to Prince Habsburg’s birthday party and ran into Bianca was completely awesome.
And I like Heigl chickflix.
I started watching 30 Rock a few months ago, so I’m still trying to get through the first seasons, but I have to say I LOVE the relationship that these 2 characters have. Their chemestry is perfect and even though they are so opposite of each other, they make the perfect….something LOL! Personally, I would love for them to get together. On the very last episode. That way, we can only imagine what happens next, without their romance being a show-killer.