‘The Watch’ Recap: ‘Better to Light a Candle’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season one finale of ‘The Watch’.
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Something that storytelling has helped audiences everywhere come to understand… is what creates evil in our modern world. For stories have taken the time to explore how bad childhoods, or incredible societal pressure, religion and even marginalization and hopelessness, can motivate people to turn their backs on their fellow man and harm them with impunity. But while these particular explorations have made for fascinating and poignant stories throughout the years, they have overshadowed another element about the human condition that we don’t explore enough. Specifically, what generates the good deeds that people do on a regular basis.
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Because that too requires some semblance of motivation and learning, since good and evil aren’t practiced immediately by people overnight. Which means that there has to be some kind of process that motivates Good Samaritans to choose to put themselves in harm’s way, in order to ensure the safety and well-being of others. And thankfully, as the days get tougher and the world seemingly gets more bitter, some storytellers out there are working to explore what creates good people in order to brighten our days and give us some semblance of hope, and one such story that is making that effort, is The Watch. For this quirky new series has been a hero’s journey from the get-go, one that has been slowly building to the all-important moment when the officers of the City Watch of Ankh-Morpork… transform into heroes at last.

A moment that just so happened to take place during the season one finale and that made ‘Better to Light a Candle’, quite the satisfying tale. Because it really did do a fine job of examining everything we just discussed, in a manner that suited the quirkiness that show has come to be known for. Which means that there was no traditional grand showdown to bring forth our understanding of what drives good to conquer evil, and no beautiful and inspirational speeches. No instead, there were unexpected twists and turns and outright confusion. For the City Watch’s attempt to stop Carcer from summoning the dragon, ended badly, when that great beastie decided it didn’t want to be controlled in the slightest and opted to wound Carcer and kidnap Cheery before starting a grand and fiery rampage. Leaving our heroes directionless and confused since they couldn’t see a path where they were able to save the city… and that’s when something quite wonderful happened.

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Because rather than give up and let the end wash over them, Cheery’s return and epiphany that the monster was in fact, angry and lonely, motivated the City Watch to bring The What back for an encore performance. One that would play the song of the dragon so they could draw it near Good Boy and give this incredible monster the friend and peace it so desperately sought, and wouldn’t you know it? Their plan absolutely worked, and the city was saved and from the ashes of this dark day, came about the inspiration that was prophesied. To the point where making crime a big business in Ankh-Morpork was no longer going to be a priority. Because the City Watch showed everyone that there is a better way than the status quo. But what matters most is that every action that brought forth this bold new beginning for the city, is what revealed how good people and heroes are born.
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Which all boils down to a few simple things. In that, people who embrace good, have a strong moral center and understand that there are people out there who aren’t capable of defending themselves and that it is up to someone to step in and help them. Plus, the City Watch's actions also made it clear that kind folks and heroes alike, are willing to do whatever it takes to find solutions to horrible situations. But most important of all, this story made it clear that good people choose to follow this path and hold to it regardless of the danger ahead and well, that’s a simple but impactful way to explore the nature of heroism in a story where dragons fly through the sky and goblins wish to unionize and vampires host virgin support groups. And while some might find such matters to be cheesy for certain, that’s okay. Because at least this show is trying to explore something different and positive in an era where dark and gritty rules the day. 

But while it was wonderful to see Vimes and Lady Ramkin and Carrot and Cheery and Angua become outright heroes before our eyes, we would be remiss to not talk about that ending. Since Carcer Dun’s defeat gave rise to the era of Wonce, and now that she has been burned by fate and destiny, she’s clearly eager to cause some major trouble in the multiverse and it will be interesting to see what her special brand of revenge is going to bring to the table in season two. And hopefully we get a brisk announcement from the BBC and BBC America that The Watch is indeed coming back for a second year. Because this show really is something quite unique and special and it would be wonderful to spend another year, exploring the wonder of the human condition with these magnificent misfits… turned heroes. Until next year.

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