Making a significant mark in television history, Dwight Shrute continues to be one of the most iconic characters from The Office. Known mostly for falling prey to Jim Halpert's pranks, this beet farmer aka assistant to the regional manager, came to be one of the most loved misanthropes in pop culture and television.
The American version of this show continues to be binge-watched to this day, and Rainn Wilson's hilarious portrayal of Dwight significantly contributes to making The Office one of the highest-rated sitcoms. While he is constantly portrayed as a loud fool and a man whose questionable methods often lend people in jeopardy, Dwight Shrute's character simultaneously goes on a hero's journey throughout the series. His character not only grows as a businessman but as a person. Here are some moments that help fans see that.
He's A Friend To Phyllis
In an episode titled 'Cafe Disco', viewers get to see how Dwight genuinely cared about Phyllis. When Phyllis injures her back in a dance fiasco, Dwight kindly offers to relieve her pain by massaging her in the same manner that he does with his injured horses.
While he is helping her, Phyllis confesses to Dwight that she's afraid her husband might be cheating on her. But that same conversation makes her realize how ridiculous she's being. While they laugh it off, viewers see a moment of friendship between the two.
He Rushes To Help Michael
Dwight refers to Michael as the "the one person I have been hired to protect". While the truth remains that Dwight wanted to take over his job one day, viewers can't overlook how Dwight would do anything for Micahel.
When Michael burns his foot on the foreman grill, Dwight rushes to help him. On his way out, his car hits a pole which leaves him with a concussion, but he continues driving to Michael's house. Because of the concussion, he becomes friendly and easy-going with his co-workers, which further reveals his innately affectionate nature.
He Starts An Investigation
Phyllis gets flashed in the parking lot, and Dwight is the first person in the office who rushes to help out. Michael makes jokes and the rest of the office looks perplexed and annoyed at the state of events. But Dwight takes it upon himself to investigate and help find him. He tells Pam to sketch the man from Phyllis's description.
Although nobody takes him seriously, and most of the comedic relief is centered around Pam sketching Dwight's face on the wanted posters, one might conclude that Dwight's instinctive reaction showed the viewers how much he cared about Phyllis.
He Protects Jim
While the fans remember Jim as spending most of his time at the office pranking Dwight, and Dwight constantly trying to get Jim fired, these two characters grow a beautiful bond and are remembered as the sitcom's favorite frenemies.
In one of the earlier episodes, when Pam's ex-fiance finds out that Jim kissed Pam, he rushes to the office to attack him. In the split of a second, Dwight notices this and pepper sprays Roy. When Jim thanks Dwight, Dwight tells him that he was only doing his duty as a citizen. He doesn't consider his deed heroic, but the viewers, including Jim, start seeing how Dwight might not be that bad after all.
He Covers For Angela
When Dwight and Angela first start going out, they keep their relationship a secret. During this same period, Angela forgets to ship important expense reports to corporate. Dwight drives to New York to deliver the reports in order to prevent Angela from getting into any trouble.
While this happens, nobody knows why he has left the building. Andy Bernard doubts Michael into thinking that Dwight is out to get his job again, and Dwight gets fired. He could've told the truth and got out of the situation. But Angela doesn't want to make their relationship public, so like the noble gentleman that he proves to be, Dwight keeps a secret at the cost of his job.
He Lets Pam Succeed
When Dwight becomes the owner of the building, he makes some financial cutbacks that lead to several complaints from the office workers. As the office administrator, Pam tells Dwight to makes some changes. When her threat to move the office to a new building doesn't work on Dwight, she confesses to Jim about how she feels like she's failed as an artist, a salesperson, and now, an office administrator. When Dwight overhears a tear stricken Pam, he eventually agrees to her demands.
He later tells the viewers that his actions weren't motivated by compassion. But the viewers also catch a glimpse of him smiling when he notices how happy Pam looks in a conversation with Jim about her big win. Of the many relationships he comes to share, Dwight's friendship with Pam evolves to be one of the most genuinely kind.
He Comforts Angela After Her Divorce
Through all their ups and downs, Angela and Dwight still cared about each other. They might have been in separate relationships and even been terrible to each other at various points, but they eventually realize that they belong together. There are several moments of kindness that lead to this, and one of them was Dwight being there for Angela after her divorce from the senator.
Angela feels extremely broken and betrayed when she finds out that her husband was having an affair with her co-worker, Oscar. There is a particular scene where we see Dwight comfort a distraught Angela through her pain. He even steps forwards to help Angela seek revenge, but he doesn't go ahead with it when he realizes that it's a plot to kill Oscar! Both these instances show us how Dwight was more than just the unempathetic and merciless person that he portrayed himself to be.
He Fires Jim And Pam
As the show progresses, these three characters develop one of the most lasting friendships. In the last episode where Dwight has finally become the Regional Manager, Jim and Pam inform him of their decision to leave Scranton and move to Philadelphia.
The audience cracks up when Dwight responds by telling them that they're fired. He further explains that getting fired would mean they get a severance package, which would help them get started in Philadelphia. Dwight's final gift to his best man and his best friend was one of the many moments that made the last episode of The Office a tearjerker.
He Consoles Pam
In season 3, Jim moves to the Stamford branch over his complicated relationship with Pam. When the Stamford branch moves to Scranton, Jim returns with his new girlfriend, Karen. Pam is initially elated to see her best friend return, but as time passes she realizes that she's been in love with him all along.
The viewers see a hurt and heartbroken Pam crying on the stairwell. Dwight notices this and immediately comes to her defense, saying, "Who did this to you? Where is he?" He then offers Pam his handkerchief and sits by her side to comfort her as she continues crying. Although he was unaware of Jim and Pam's situation, Dwight's protective nature around Pam is one of the most heart-melting moments in the episode.
He Lives His Dream
For 9 seasons, viewers watched Dwight Shrute tirelessly dedicate himself to his job. Besides this, he took care of his cousin, Mose, and managed a farm. And all Dwight wanted was to become a Regional Manager one day. Along the way, he makes some horrendous decisions, faces several challenges, and almost gives up on his dream. But the final season shows viewers how Dwight's journey comes to a full circle.
Not only does he become the Regional Manager of Scranton, but he also pursues his lifelong dream of getting a black belt in karate! And when he asks Angela to marry him, Angela tells him that he's been the father of her son, Phillip, all along. In the end, it's not just Dwight who celebrates his wins, but everyone from the office, and the viewers included, feel a sense of warmth knowing that he deserved his victories!