"Dwight K. Schrute, (Acting) Manager" is the twenty-fourth episode of the seventh season of the American comedy television series The Office and the show's 150th episode overall. The episode was written by Justin Spitzer and directed by Troy Miller. It originally aired in the United States on May 12, 2011 on NBC. The episode also features guest appearances from Kathy Bates, Cody Horn and Michael Schur.
The series depicts the everyday lives of office employees in the Scranton, Pennsylvania branch of the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. In the episode, Dwight (Rainn Wilson) becomes the interim regional manager, instituting a typically heavy-handed management style. Meanwhile, Gabe (Zach Woods) tries to win back Erin (Ellie Kemper), but Andy (Ed Helms) gets in his way.
The episode received positive reviews from critics, with many commenting that it proved the series could survive without the lead actor, Steve Carell. According to Nielsen Media Research, "Dwight K. Schrute, (Acting) Manager" drew an estimated 6.45 million viewers and earned a 3.3 rating/8% share among those aged 18–49, making it the second-lowest-rated episode of the season after "Todd Packer".
Synopsis
When Deangelo Vickers (Will Ferrell) ends up in a coma on life support, Jo Bennett (Kathy Bates) makes Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson) the interim regional manager before they find a proper replacement, much to Jim Halpert's (John Krasinski) chagrin, as the office had actually functioned very smoothly during the manager hiatus. As Jim notes, everyone showed up, worked for the day with reasonable breaks, and were highly productive. Once appointed, Dwight establishes a strict management style in stark contrast to their previously relaxed style, from making the employees recite the Pledge of Allegiance in the morning, setting up firewalls, creating long passwords to use the office's various machines, and installing antique punch clocks. He also renovates his office with odd decorations, such as a marble desk and a piranha tank.
Jim, who had turned down the temporary manager position believing that they should not be assigned one at all, is especially unhappy with the changes, and begins pranking Dwight by suggesting that he is leading an uprising called "The Fist." To impress Jo, Dwight buys a gun (the same kind Jo collects), though he is more excited when he receives a holster as a gift from a relative, and uses the gun to accessorize. Pam Halpert (Jenna Fischer) insists that he put it away, but Dwight accidentally fires the gun right by Andy Bernard (Ed Helms), causing him temporary hearing loss. Dwight attempts to bribe the office workers into silence with various favors, and Jim insists that Dwight do outlandish things (such as doing jazz hands and saying "Shagedelic, baby") at certain promptings.
Gabe Lewis (Zach Woods) continues with his attempts to win back Erin Hannon (Ellie Kemper). He invites Andy to go to the conference room to speak in private. Gabe tearfully breaks down, and forces Andy to promise that he will not date Erin again. Gabe confronts Andy with the promise after he sees the two hanging out together, but Andy stands up for himself and embarrasses Gabe by describing Gabe's crying fit to Erin. When asked whether he wants to date Erin, he vaguely dodges the question.
When Jo comes to visit the branch, Dwight admits to the gun incident. He attempts to divert the blame to his employees, saying that blackmail is a bigger crime than firing a gun accidentally, but Jo takes the position away from him, telling him that the gun incident is far worse. Jo later instates Creed Bratton (Creed Bratton), who has the most seniority in the office, as acting manager until a committee composed of Jim, Toby Flenderson (Paul Lieberstein), and Gabe find a replacement. While Jim tells Dwight that Jo did the right thing, he also compliments Dwight, noting that the office got every single company order out on time, and Dwight slightly lights up.