‘The Watch’ Recap: ‘Not On My Watch’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Five of ‘The Watch’.

If there is one thing that everyone on this planet is searching for at some point or another during their lives, it would have to be purpose and direction. For so many human beings believe that they are here to make an impact and a difference in life, by way of a special talent or gift. But what that gift/talent is and how one discovers it, isn’t exactly common knowledge and that is why so many people spend years searching for their true north, and that is also why we see a lot of stories that revolve around this quest. Because the search for our purpose in life is downright captivating and inspirational and we simply cannot resist being motivated by a story that involves someone going after what brings them peace, with gusto.   
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But what is supremely unique about this particular quest, is the sheer fact that some people actually manage to stumble upon their purpose with minimal effort, or learn about it at an early age, and end up experiencing quite the adverse reaction to that discovery. Because sometimes knowing one’s purpose without going through a fulfilling journey to uncover it and/or seeing one’s future outlined in an abrupt manner can be downright terrifying. And that same fear comes into play for folks that are outright broken in life and believe they’re not deserving of a path that could bring them happiness, or because they’re terrified of leaving a comfortable status quo behind. If anything, this is relevant today, simply because the more uncomfortable aspect of discovering one’s purpose, served as the focal point of last night’s episode of The Watch, and that made ‘Not On My Watch’, quite the powerful affair.

Because we were able to watch in real time, how that particular type of fear takes root within someone’s soul. For the words that Carcer Dun fed Captain Sam Vimes during last week’s tale, about how Vimes would do something special down the line; haunted our intrepid captain. After all, he is a man that doesn’t believe he’s worthy of being admired as a hero, or capable of doing anything good outside of keeping a status quo going. So, the thought that he could be viewed in such a positive light, and save this city from its darkest hour, shook him to his core and motivated him to do something quite drastic. In that, he thought it would be a good idea to take the mysterious sword known as ‘Wayne’, and toss it into a lake where it and its magic would be dissolved. Thus, allowing for him to keep that status quo going and not have to worry about changes to his life. 

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Which was a decision that did not settle well with his coworkers. For they were making progress with Wayne and starting to discover where the other artifacts were hiding, which would in turn give them complete control over the dragon. But with the captain locked in on this particular path both Lady Sybil and Cheery opted to follow him on this dangerous quest and that brought about a fascinating twist. For while the team was out in the desert surrounding the lake, they came to discover that the powerful magic present here, would overpower the minds of those traveling through this wasteland without protection. And it would force them to face their worst fears and traumas in life and well, that allowed for us to not only learn exactly what haunts Vimes, Sybil, Cheery and later Angua… but this whole segment helped to remind us of something quite important.
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In that, in order to move ahead in life, we have to face our fears and our trauma. Because until we release their hold upon our souls, they will forever be with us and will forever hold us back and it was quite powerful to see the team overcome their fears and their pain and stand tall in front of Carcer Dun when he made his move against Vimes at the lake. And while the Watch lost the sword in that showdown, that’s okay. Because this particular fight helped them grow and it also informed them that they need to work together as one and support one another. Which means that at long last, they are finally united as an actual team, one that will never let their friends fall to the wayside and that’s just plain awesome. Because now they will be unstoppable in their quest and they will fulfill the destiny that one of them so greatly feared.

In the end however, this was a supremely refreshing and uplifting episode for certain. Because not only was it filled to the brim with incredible character growth through and through, but it also did a phenomenal job of exploring some supremely powerful concepts. Because an outright fear of success is something that is real and crippling for some, and it is rarely talked about in popular media and the show deserves serious credit for injecting that into the plot here and for finding resolution for it in an equally powerful manner. Because the team’s push to help Vimes overcome his fear also serves as a wonderful reminder that the company we keep is what helps us to grow, since good people inspire us to be better. If anything, it is just wonderful to keep finding helpful life lessons embedded within the framework of a quirky story about magic and it should be interesting to see where this newfound confidence and direction will lead Vimes and his heroic companions as they set out to grab control of their future and the future of Anhk-Morpork. Until next time.  

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