Q: Dwight has been uncharacteristically low key ever since Charles Miner showed up at Dunder Mifflin. He seems indifferent to Charles’ presence, and his constant loyalty to Michael doesn’t seem to be there. What’s going through Dwight’s mind through all of this? | Erin
Aaron: Can’t answer, too many spoilers.
Q: Why did Michael not want Dwight to leave with him, and why didn’t Dwight want to? | Brittney
Aaron: Dwight has too much to lose and too little to gain by making the move. Michael wants people to come with him, and he probably knows that Dwight might not encourage a lot of defection. Besides, would you really want to start building your team with someone who knows so much about head hunting?
Q: Why has Dwight not interacted more with Charles? I’m surprised that Dwight didn’t have a LOT more to say re:Michael’s leaving. He was just oddly silent this episode. Why is that? | tana schott
Aaron: There were a couple of Dwight talking heads that helped with that, but we just couldn’t fit them in. But, don’t worry, Michael and Dwight aren’t through with each other.
Q: Wasn’t Michael’s PT Crusier a company car? I think in most cases, an employee that quits or gets fired would ever be allowed to take the company car home on their last day. Was this ever discussed? I think it would have been really funny (and sort of sad) if Michael hadn’t realized he would have to give his beloved convertible back and if he found himself stranded on his last day trying to find a way home to his condo. | StephanieM
Aaron: Yes that would have been funny. I hadn’t really thought about this issue, but I’d bet Charles would have let Michael drive off in anything, just to get rid of him.
Q: I noticed the silver Mini Cooper in the parking lot as Michael was sneaking back in, and I’m pretty sure I saw it at Prince Family Paper (poor souls) earlier. Is that somebody on the staff’s car or just a prop? | Kim
Aaron: Wow. Good eye. That is one of our stand-in’s car. I think she gets paid to let the production use it, so you may now owe her some lost income.
Q: How is it having Idris Elba aboard this season? | Chris K
Aaron: Just great. Ryan Koh is pretty sure he suggested we cast him (Ryan also suggested Amy Ryan. He seems to be a fan of “The Wire.”) Idris has been just amazing.
But he did prank the staff by putting out the word before he arrived that he’s very particularly about the pronunciation of his name. For a couple of days, we thought we were supposed to call him “Eye-dress. Eel-bah.” I still don’t know how to say it correctly.
He’s much more fun-loving and approachable than you would expect form his tough-guy roles, and I think we tried to incorporate a little more of that in subsequent episodes.
Q: Was the Charles Miner character based on Frank Grimes from The Simpsons? | Happy Smile Patrol
Aaron: No. We all love the Simpsons, but there was no discussion of Frank Grimes.
Q: The very thought of an Idris Elba talking head seems so surreal and hilarious to me. Did it feel that way to you when his talking heads were filmed? | ASFan F
Aaron: Yes. It was surreal. I like that his character is a little put out by the whole filming thing. He’s all business, even if he is aware of the effect he has on women.
Q: How did Charles find out about Michael’s Paper Company? Did Michael leave his sheet lying around or did an employee rat him out? | Anthony&Kaye
Aaron: I like to think he used it as a bookmark in the Skinny Bitch book he was reading on the couch. I think he left it in the bathroom.
Great answers, Aaron! Thank you for your awesome dedication to all things Office, Tanster :)
I love love love “Two Weeks” and can’t wait to see how this season ends!
P.S. Anyone want to try out the “Splotch” concoction? I’m game!
Thanks for answering! That was great. But one thing, many people actually want to *see* Jim and Pam together, not just *imagine* what their after-hours life is like. It is sad that we are losing that, because it used to be the heart of the show.
I wanted to say how much I appreciate the time and effort the writers take in answering questions on this site. It adds so much. Feeling “connected” is one of the unique aspects of this special show. Thanks for letting us in.
These are always so enjoyable and interesting to read. Loved “for instance, I can’t figure out how to delete your question.”
So, Aaron is an Indiana Jones fan? “He chose poorly.”
Excellent!
Always love reading these. and i’m totally down for a Splotch Party.
Great Q&A – thanks Tanster and Aaron! I can’t believe the amazing questions everyone comes up with! I don’t believe his answer about Jim taking over as RM…I think there is more to that. Can’t wait to see what happens with Dwight and Charles!
#3- I definitely agree with you. While I don’t need to see *every* conversation Jim and Pam have, we have had to read between the lines a lot this season. I miss hearing their normal joking around or even pulling pranks together. And now Pam will be out of the office so there probably won’t be a lot of interaction.
Also, I wish Jim could do something–like become the RM. Pam has gotten to “grow” a lot this season. I hope/want Jim to grow too!
Jim was getting that promotion before Josh quit.
Jan just told him it would be in Scranton instead, she told him of the job in the meeting where Josh says he’s going to Staples or whatever.
Thanks to Aaron and OT for this informative interview. I always enjoy reading about the writers’ choices and look forward to this new story line. (More Jim & Pam interaction is always welcome.)
11, D.Lee-man-
You’re right, I forgot that bit. Still, it could be argued that Jan was grooming Jim for a possible Regional Manager position in the future and wanted him to learn directly under Josh (TWSS). Maybe getting him to move back to Scranton and assume the role under Michael required a monetary incentive. Who knows.
Nice screenname. Cubs fan?
Jim got the promotion when he went to Stamford. Talking head and name plate, before the merger.
haha “splotch.” and steve carell is such an awesome guy… he’s obviously a huge star, but still so humble and dedicated. lots of other actors need to follow his example.
Thanks so much for the great Q&A. This was a terrific episode and it’s so much fun to find out even more about the process of making it!
I went to a bar this weekend and tried to order a scotch and splenda. the bartender stopped, leaned in closer and asked, “I’m sorry…did you say splenda?” to which I responded “absolutely I did.” He then said that most bars don’t carry splenda, but i could bring in an outside packet if I wanted to.
I love when my question gets answered. And he made fun of it too! I love this website.
#17 That is so awesome.
Hi All,
Thanks Aaron and tanster for giving us the interview.
I haven’t seen the Graduate, but could anyone please explain what seen in the movie was reminiscent of an incident in this episode?
Thanks
Is there still a writer’s question and answer session floating around that we were supposed to get but haven’t yet?
[from tanster: yes, there is. we are still waiting for Paul’s ‘Stress Relief’ Q&A.]
congrats on a great episode, aaron! i think it’s great to have such an unexpected plot twist. i was just getting over the fact that michael actually quit when i learned that he wanted to start a new company…btw kelly and angela work so well with each other, they’re total opposites which makes it funnier lol.
I really enjoyed that! I also got my question answered, woo!
Sweet, my question got answered, & cherry on top when he added that an exit interview would’ve made for a funny scene, yay! Thank you Aaron Shure & props to you tanster for setting up these Q&A’s! They’re always fun to read, & I don’t know of other shows where cast & crew interact w/the fans like this.
Oh, & I really like Aaron’s response “I can’t figure out how to delete your question.” LOL!
[from tanster: this is an amazingly awesome show, no question about it.]
I can’t put my finger on it (that’s what she said) but after reading this Q&A my faith is restored in my favorite show. And not just because one of my questions was answered (thank you Aaron!!) but because of the awesome answers to some of the more clever questions. Plus – SPOILERS about Dwight? BRING IT!
La-Li-Lu-Le-Lo, you are my new favorite person.
Seriously, that’s too much awesome for my mind…and my mind is pretty damn awesome.
AAAAHHHHH! My question got answered. That is so amazingly wonderful. Thanks to Aaron Shure for answering and to tanster! #17… you are my new role-model.
In response to the question about Charles coming toward Michael as if he was going to attack…It is illegal for another person in your office to come at you in any way suggesting that they might attack (plus he threatened him, which is probably against company policy) and perfectly legal for someone to press charges against them, which it would be funny to see Michael do!
That is so super cool that my question got answered! I really love this writer/fan interaction. Thanks Tanster and Aaron!!!
That “I can’t figure out how to delete your question” remark was kinda snarky, but great responses overall. Welcome to the team of writers and we are sure to benefit. Terrific episode. Pam’s leaving caught me totally off guard.