Gettysburg

"Gettysburg" is the eighth episode of the eighth season of the American comedy television series The Office, and the show's 160th episode overall. The episode aired on NBC in the United States on November 17, 2011. It was written by Robert Padnick and directed by Jeffrey Blitz.

Synopsis
Andy decides to motivate and inspire everyone by taking them on a field trip to Gettysburg. Much to Andy's chagrin, half of the office volunteers to stay behind and Robert California asks them to come up with Dunder Mifflin/Sabre's next big idea. However, the office fails to impress Robert with their ideas. Kevin details a very basic idea he has about cookie placement in the vending machine, but Robert gets the impression that he is extremely clever and is speaking only in metaphors. Ryan later tricks Kevin into explaining an idea he has involving the Big Mac, and Robert realizes that there was no subtext to Kevin's ideas.

Meanwhile, at Gettysburg, Andy is unhappy with the lack of morale and belief in his leadership and attempts to make an analogy between running a paper company and fighting in the Civil War. Andy starts to lead a haphazard tour, and eventually most of office members sit down to rest. Jim and Darryl follow Andy after he presses on, and eventually tell him to stop trying to impress the office. They reinforce the fact that his co-workers like him the way he is.

During the tour, Dwight argues with Oscar about what he claims is the northernmost battle of the Civil War: the Battle of Schrute Farms. Dwight maintains that its absence from the history books is an example of rewriting history, whereas Oscar maintains that the battle is a fictitious creation. After tracking down a historian, Dwight and Oscar learn that the Battle of Schrute Farms did in fact take place. However, the "battle" was really a code term. During the Civil War, Schrute Farms was a safe haven for artists and poets (and, as heavily implied, homosexuals). Oscar finds this fascinating, whereas Dwight leaves in disgust.

Gabe is sidetracked by another tour group, who assume that he is an Abraham Lincoln impersonator (which Gabe notes is a frequent occurrence when he is seen by children), and he is forced to give an improvised but applauded performance.

Cultural references

 * On the bus ride to Gettysburg, Darryl brings the movie Limitless starring Bradley Cooper, who co-starred with Ed Helms in The Hangover and The Hangover Part II.
 * Source Code is a 2011 American sci-fi techno-thriller film starring Jake Gyllenhaal.
 * Oscar sarcastically calls Dwight historian Gore Vidal.
 * Ryan's idea involves origami and sushi.
 * Gabe does an impression of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, and his assassination.
 * Kevin has an idea involving the Big Mac hamburgers.
 * During Andy's "Food-for-Thought" rant Erin says, "hunger for chicken chimichangas!" and then looks at Darryl for approval. Craig Robinson played Cookie the Ogre in Shrek Forever After whose signature dish was chimichangas.

Goofs

 * Gabe says that Limitless is called "The Man with Many Capabilities" in France. In reality, the movie is known in France simply as Limitless (original English name, not even translated).
 * The true northernmost battle of the Civil War occurred in Vermont unlike the Battle of Gettysburg like Oscar said.
 * In the scene where Andy attempts to get the employees to steal his flag, Gabe can be seen standing under the big tree even though he is supposed to be giving his Lincoln presentation.

Trivia

 * "Gettysburg" was the last episode to feature Jenna Fischer before she went on maternity leave.

Behind the scenes

 * Gabe's speech as Abraham Lincoln was filmed at Woodley Park in Van Nuys. Photos for comparison at the east end of Wildlife Way near the Sepulveda Wildlife Area parking lot.

References to previous episodes

 * This is the second time the new boss mistakenly believed Kevin to be intelligent. The first time was Deangelo in the episode "Inner Circle".
 * In "The List", Robert California calls half of the office staff winners and the other half losers. He says "winners, prove me right, and losers, prove me wrong." This was shown not to be forgotten when many of the "winners" go on the field trip, and Robert states to the remainder of the office staff, mostly "losers," "You guys have shown yourselves to be the free thinkers in the office."
 * In "Casino Night", Michael says, "the Lincoln assassination just became funny. I need to see this play like I need a hole in the head." When Gabe is pretending to be Lincoln, he says, "I need her like I need a hole in the head", referring to Lincoln's wife, Mary Todd Lincoln.

Main cast

 * Rainn Wilson as Dwight Schrute
 * John Krasinski as Jim Halpert
 * Jenna Fischer as Pam Halpert
 * B.J. Novak as Ryan Howard
 * Ed Helms as Andy Bernard
 * James Spader as Robert California

Supporting cast

 * Leslie David Baker as Stanley Hudson
 * Brian Baumgartner as Kevin Malone
 * Creed Bratton as Creed Bratton
 * Kate Flannery as Meredith Palmer
 * Mindy Kaling as Kelly Kapoor
 * Ellie Kemper as Erin Hannon
 * Angela Kinsey as Angela Martin-Lipton
 * Oscar Nunez as Oscar Martinez
 * Craig Robinson as Darryl Philbin
 * Phyllis Smith as Phyllis Vance

Recurring cast

 * Lindsey Broad as Cathy Simms

Guest cast

 * Phil Hawn as Park Ranger
 * Jonathan Nail as Tourist
 * Robin Dalea as Chelsea's Mother
 * Nancy Lantis as Amanda Fields-Shad
 * Alyssa Suzanne Larsen
 * Weston Nathanson
 * Duane Shepard Sr.
 * Jim Wisniewski