Dwight's Speech

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The Office episode

"Dwight's Speech"
Dwight delivers his passionate speech
Episode No.	23
Prod. Code	216
Airdate	March 2, 2006
Writer(s)	Paul Lieberstein
Director	Charles McDougall
The Office Season 2 September 2005 - May 2006
The Dundies Sexual Harassment Office Olympics The Fire Halloween The Fight The Client Performance Review E-mail Surveillance Christmas Party Booze Cruise The Injury The Secret The Carpet Boys and Girls Valentine's Day Dwight's Speech Take Your Daughter to Work Day Michael's Birthday Drug Testing Conflict Resolution Casino Night
List of all The Office episodes...

"Dwight's Speech" is the 17th episode of the second season of The Office (U.S. version). It was written by Paul Lieberstein and directed by Charles McDougall. It first aired on March 2, 2006 in the United States and March 1 in Canada.

1 Synopsis
2 The Speech
3 Music
4 Trivia
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Synopsis

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Dwight is awarded Dunder-Mifflin Salesman of the Year and must make a speech at a big convention, getting some assistance from Michael. As Pam begins to write invitations for her approaching wedding, Jim makes plans for a vacation anywhere away from Scranton.

Before he leaves, Jim gives Dwight tips on how to give public speeches. Unknown to Dwight, Jim's tips are taken from famous dictators in history like Mussolini. When Michael and Dwight make it to the convention, Dwight gets cold feet and Michael goes up and tries to relive his glory days of winning Salesman of the Year two years in a row, but ends up bombing. Meanwhile, back in the office, the employees subtly duel over the thermostat.

Dwight finally works up the nerve to give his speech and, using Jim's advice, wins over the crowd with a passionate yet unorthodox speech (which Angela videotapes from the back). Michael ends up leaving the convention room and later entertains Dwight with his tales at the bar. Back at the office, Jim tells Pam that he will be leaving to Australia and unfortunately, he will be missing her wedding because of it.

[edit] The Speech

This is a synopsis of the scene where Dwight give his speech.

(Slam, slam, slam!) "Blood alone moves the wheels of history! Have you ever asked yourselves in an hour of meditation which everyone finds during the day, how long we've been striving for greatness? (Slam!) Not only the years we've been at war, the war of work. But from the moment as a child when we realize that the world can be conquered. It has been a life time struggle (Slam!), a never ending fight, I say to you (Slam!), and you will understand that it is a privilege to fight (light applause)! We are warriors (moderate applause)!! Salesmen of north-eastern Pennsylvania I ask you, once more rise and be worthy of this historical hour!"

Dwight laughs maniacally with the now roaring applause from the audience as Michael gets up from his seat in the audience and begins to walk out of the auditorium. It is not clear if Dwight is laughing at Michael or if he is just caught in the moment. The scene then breaks to Oscar telling Jim that he has a timeshare in Key West that might be available for Jim's vacation, a hint towards Oscar's homosexuality. It then cuts to Ryan saying that Jim would have a good time in Philadelphia. Jim then spins a globe and puts his finger on a spot randomly to decide where to go for his vacation. The scene then goes back to Dwights speech which has progressed and picked up some steam.

"No revolution is worth anything unless it can (Slam!)defend (Slam!)itself (applause)!"

The following scenes show Michael walking through the hallways of the hotel, Creed changing the office thermostat (which Oscar notices), Dwight speaking with dictator-like hand and arm movements emphasizing his words, and Michael having a second drink at the hotel bar, all while we hear Dwight's speech.

"Some people will tell you "salesman" is a bad word. They'll conjure up images of used car dealers and door-to-door charlatans. This is our duty to change their perception. I say, salesmen...and women...of the world, unite (random, misplaced applause)! We must never acquiesce, for it is together, together (with the audience) that we prevail! We must never cede control of the motherland for it is (with the audience again) together that we prevail!!"

Dwight holds his award up to the roaring applause from the audience and slams his fist on the podium six times.

[edit] Music

The following songs are featured in this episode.

"Get Ready For This" by 2 Unlimited - When Dwight and Michael are walking to their seats at the convention.

[edit] Trivia

Global Television Network in Canada aired this episode the day before it aired in the United States. This is because they scheduled the finale for Skating with Celebrities in the regular Thursday timeslot.
Jim chooses to go to Australia to get away from the office. This is likely a reference to the fact that this country would be a perfect place to get away from "The Office": the series was cancelled there by Channel Ten after one week and even had a second run at the 11pm Sunday Night timeslot after the low-brow The Ronnie Johns Half Hour Australian sketch comedy team. ^[1] In mid 2006, Channel 10 intermittently played out the second season of The Office at fluctuating timeslots on late Sunday nights. Some weeks were presented as double-features, some single episodes and others were completely replaced by Moto GP coverage.
A framed magazine cover is visible in Michael's cabinet when he shows his Salesman of the Year awards. It appears to be a Dunder Mifflin in-house magazine, with Michael's love interest, Jan Levinson, on the cover.
Much of Dwight's speech is drawn from various speeches given by fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.
Dwight's award probably came at the expense of Jim. In the "Diversity Day" episode, Jim loses a sale that normally makes up 25% of his yearly commission to Dwight. More than likely this had a significant impact on making Dwight the number one salesperson and Jim number nine.