The Office: Does Dwight secretly like Jim?

[rrm15]

I've always thought one of the fun little things over the years on The Office was that it seems like deep down, Dwight likes Jim and just wants to be his friend.

Some hints that have happened are:

1) After Dwight quit Dundler Miflin the first time, he hugged Jim outside while he was leaving without saying anything else.

2) Dwight told Ryan when he took him on a sales call that he was just worried about Ryan being a salesman because him and Jim never got along.

3) When Jim and Pam had the baby Dwight stayed in their house trying to fix what he thought was wrong. Sure, he wrecked the place, but in Dwights weird mind I think he was trying to help.

Anyone else think there may be something to this theory, or am I crazy?

[The Booty Disciple]

That particular character interplay has been great throughout the series. I hope they keep it up as long as possible,.

[DSR]

There was also the time, when Dwight was all broken up about Angela. Jim went and talked to him, trying to console him. Dwight turned around and went for a hug, but Jim had already left.

[mcmahonfan85]

[Deleted]

I actually view it as a two way street. I think they both secretly sort of like each other, but neither wants to admit it.

[Matt Dunn]

It's possible but Dwight is so socially goofy that he would screw up any genuine friendly moment (other than the hug).

[Blindkarevik]

Honestly, I like to think it's Dwight thinking he's the most stand-up guy in the world. So when he helps somebody out, it's not so much that he wants to do the right thing for the person, as he feels its his sworn duty to do it.

Unfortunately, his methods are questionable, and usually just end up causing more problems than they solve... but not before he has reached a point he find satisfactory to himself.


For example: In the episode where Ryan started a fire, Dwight was trying to save everybody. He got overly aggressive and demanding so people got annoyed, but he felt he was saving lives.

When Pam started crying over Jim, Dwight's first response was "Who did this to you?" Rather than look for what's wrong, he felt he needed to beat somebody up. Of course, he spoils it by saying, "So, you're PMS-ing pretty bad, huh?"

[Mozenrath]

In his own twisted way, Dwight likely considers Jim a friend, maybe even moreso than Michael sometimes.

Jim did admit he missed Dwight, but I think it was when Andy had completely lost his mind, taking a lot of fun out of the pranking. Still, take it for what it's worth.

[Turd Ferguson]

I thought this was going to be about another horrible fanfic.

[Shy Guy]

i think in a way, dwight kind of admires jim, because of how jim got the girl who worked in the office and was able to start a family with her and pretty much live happily ever after.

[Jobes]

Let's not forget that Dwight saved Jim's life once.

[Lionheart]

Jul 14, 2010 23:31:00 GMT -5 @rrm15 said:

2) Dwight told Ryan when he took him on a sales call that he was just worried about Ryan being a salesman because him and Jim never got along.

It was actually an initiation ritual, Ryan's first sales call was with Stanley a few episodes later in "Traveling Salesmen," the episode where Dwight is forced to quit. But yeah, and remember also that in "Traveling Salesmen" Jim shows a picture of him and Dwight when they used to do sales calls together when Jim first joined the company - Dwight has his arm around Jim.

[hossfan]

Friends don't steal other friends accounts, try to get them fired, or transferred to another branch.

Dwight probably wanted Jim to be his flunky at one point, in imitation of the relationship he has (had?) with Michael. Any time Dwight does something he thinks is nice its really to draw attention to himself and make himself seem more important than he is. Again, just like Michael, only Michael seems a bit more self aware and can feel some remorse when he screws up.

[Lionheart]

Jul 15, 2010 11:26:52 GMT -5 hossfan said:

Any time Dwight does something he thinks is nice its really to draw attention to himself and make himself seem more important than he is.

False. When Pam is crying in the hallway about Jim and Karen, Dwight tries to sit with her and comfort her, and there's nobody else around to even see him being nice. Granted, he thinks she has PMS, but he still made an effort.

[hossfan]

Jul 15, 2010 11:33:29 GMT -5 Lionheart said:

Jul 15, 2010 11:26:52 GMT -5 hossfan said:

Any time Dwight does something he thinks is nice its really to draw attention to himself and make himself seem more important than he is.

False. When Pam is crying in the hallway about Jim and Karen, Dwight tries to sit with her and comfort her, and there's nobody else around to even see him being nice. Granted, he thinks she has PMS, but he still made an effort.

True. Pam was there. He started the conversation by demanding "Who did this to you?" as if he was going to seek out and destroy the offended party, proving he is an egomaniac desperately trying to spice up his own mundane life by engaging in some roaring rampage of revenge. He dramatically and unecessarily offers to give her his coat, assumes she's PMSing, and most importantly, never asks her whats really wrong. Dwight has no empathy, no sympathy, he's just an ass.

EDIT: Plus there is someone there besides Pam, the camera crew filming it for the documentary.

[Lionheart]

Jul 15, 2010 11:41:32 GMT -5 hossfan said:

Jul 15, 2010 11:33:29 GMT -5 Lionheart said:

False. When Pam is crying in the hallway about Jim and Karen, Dwight tries to sit with her and comfort her, and there's nobody else around to even see him being nice. Granted, he thinks she has PMS, but he still made an effort.

True. Pam was there. He started the conversation by demanding "Who did this to you?" as if he was going to seek out and destroy the offended party, proving he is an egomaniac desperately trying to spice up his own mundane life by engaging in some roaring rampage of revenge.

Dwight, the former Lackawanna County volunteers sherriff's deputy, sees himself as a heroic white knight. It's just who he is. Sure there's ego involved in it, a lot of ego. But the fact is that when he finds out he isn't going to get an opportunity to go on crusade, he still stays and tries to console her.

He dramatically and unecessarily offers to give her his coat,

No he doesn't, he takes it off and ties it around his own waist, saying "It's hot in here" because he's uncomfortable.

assumes she's PMSing

I already mentioned that. There's no dispute that he's awkward and clueless.

and most importantly, never asks her whats really wrong.

Because maybe, just maybe, he knows that she wouldn't want to talk about it to him and that he wouldn't be able appropriately handle her feelings? He's doing the best he can.

Dwight has no empathy, no sympathy

No, you just have none for him. I don't see how you can even enjoy the character. You're not supposed to hate Dwight, you're supposed to laugh at him because he's absurd and pathetic.

EDIT: Plus there is someone there besides Pam, the camera crew filming it for the documentary.

If you use this argument, then we have to question the sincerity of practically every character's actions throughout the entire show, because they're always on camera and (with only a couple of notable exceptions) always remember it.

[mcmahonfan85]

Jul 15, 2010 11:48:55 GMT -5 Lionheart said:

Dwight has no empathy, no sympathy

No, you just have none for him. I don't see how you can even enjoy the character. You're not supposed to hate Dwight, you're supposed to laugh at him because he's absurd and pathetic.

no one who likes bears, beets and Battlestar Galactica can be labeled as "absurd" and/or "pathetic"

[hossfan]

Jul 15, 2010 11:48:55 GMT -5 Lionheart said:

Jul 15, 2010 11:41:32 GMT -5 hossfan said:

True. Pam was there. He started the conversation by demanding "Who did this to you?" as if he was going to seek out and destroy the offended party, proving he is an egomaniac desperately trying to spice up his own mundane life by engaging in some roaring rampage of revenge.

Dwight, the former Lackawanna County volunteers sherriff's deputy, sees himself as a heroic white knight. It's just who he is. Sure there's ego involved in it, a lot of ego. But the fact is that when he finds out he isn't going to get an opportunity to go on crusade, he still stays and tries to console her.



No he doesn't, he takes it off and ties it around his own waist, saying "It's hot in here" because he's uncomfortable.



I already mentioned that. There's no dispute that he's awkward and clueless.



Because maybe, just maybe, he knows that she wouldn't want to talk about it to him and that he wouldn't be able appropriately handle her feelings? He's doing the best he can.

Dwight has no empathy, no sympathy

No, you just have none for him. I don't see how you can even enjoy the character. You're not supposed to hate Dwight, you're supposed to laugh at him because he's absurd and pathetic.

I enjoy the character because he is an ass. Looking at the rest of your points:

1. He tries to console her because its a slightly less macho alternative to beating somebody up for her.
2. Its pretty obvious he took off his jacket to give to her in another chivalrous display, realized it was an over the top gesture, and wrapped it around his own waist to save face. That's the joke.
3. So he wants to show he cares but doesn't want to try too hard?
4. I don't have a lot of sympathy for Dwight. You're not supposed to. He plots against Jim, sucks up to Michael (except when he went behind his back to try and get him fired), cuckholded Andy, and so on and so forth. He did help Angela when he brought those reports or whatever to the Corporate Office and was willing to hide the fact he did it to keep their relationship secret. He saved Jim from an ass beating by Roy, but he's not a nice person. He was one of the show's villains at least early on. Recent episodes have made all the other characters more unlikeable so he doesn't stand out as much, but Dwight is an antagonist, not a protagonist.

[Lionheart]

Jul 15, 2010 12:02:34 GMT -5 hossfan said:

[
1. He tries to console her because its a slightly less macho alternative to beating somebody up for her.
2. Its pretty obvious he took off his jacket to give to her in another chivalrous display, realized it was an over the top gesture, and wrapped it around his own waist to save face. That's the joke.
3. So he wants to show he cares but doesn't want to try too hard?
4. I don't have a lot of sympathy for Dwight. You're not supposed to. He plots against Jim, sucks up to Michael (except when he went behind his back to try and get him fired), cuckholded Andy, and so on and so forth. He did help Angela when he brought those reports or whatever to the Corporate Office and was willing to hide the fact he did it to keep their relationship secret. He saved Jim from an ass beating by Roy, but he's not a nice person. He was one of the show's villains at least early on. Recent episodes have made all the other characters more unlikeable so he doesn't stand out as much, but Dwight is an antagonist, not a protagonist.

1. So basically there is nothing he could have done in that situation where you would have found his actions sincere and appropriate. OK then.

2. Interpret it that way if you like. What's the difference? Over-the-top is Dwight's personality, even when he tries to do something nice he's a goof.

3. That isn't remotely what I said. He doesn't ask what's really wrong because either A) he thinks she has PMS, as you're fond of pointing out or B) he knows he isn't equipped to handle it. He's stil trying the best he can.

4. This is the most important and fundamental point. An antagonist is not always the same as a villain. If you think an antagonist can't be sympathetic or have genuine redeeming qualities, then you've never really appreciated storytelling or good character development at all, so I shall invest no more time in arguing about such matters with you.

[hossfan]

Jul 15, 2010 12:10:47 GMT -5 Lionheart said:

Jul 15, 2010 12:02:34 GMT -5 hossfan said:

[
1. He tries to console her because its a slightly less macho alternative to beating somebody up for her.
2. Its pretty obvious he took off his jacket to give to her in another chivalrous display, realized it was an over the top gesture, and wrapped it around his own waist to save face. That's the joke.
3. So he wants to show he cares but doesn't want to try too hard?
4. I don't have a lot of sympathy for Dwight. You're not supposed to. He plots against Jim, sucks up to Michael (except when he went behind his back to try and get him fired), cuckholded Andy, and so on and so forth. He did help Angela when he brought those reports or whatever to the Corporate Office and was willing to hide the fact he did it to keep their relationship secret. He saved Jim from an ass beating by Roy, but he's not a nice person. He was one of the show's villains at least early on. Recent episodes have made all the other characters more unlikeable so he doesn't stand out as much, but Dwight is an antagonist, not a protagonist.

1. So basically there is nothing he could have done in that situation where you would have found his actions sincere and appropriate. OK then.

2. Interpret it that way if you like. What's the difference? Over-the-top is Dwight's personality, even when he tries to do something nice he's a goof.

3. That isn't remotely what I said. He doesn't ask what's really wrong because either A) he thinks she has PMS, as you're fond of pointing out or B) he knows he isn't equipped to handle it. He's stil trying the best he can.

4. This is the most important and fundamental point. An antagonist is not always the same as a villain. If you think an antagonist can't be sympathetic or have genuine redeeming qualities, then you've never really appreciated storytelling or good character development at all, so I shall invest no more time in arguing about such matters with you.

Taking this a bit too serious, aren't you?