The Captain’s Homosexuality throughout the show/OVERALL CHARACTER ANALYSIS TOOOOOO
Sources:(not that I need proof…)
-All Five Series of the show
-Ben confirming it’s canon..
-What Ben has said on the Inside Ghosts podcast.
Italics = Character quotes
Underlined = Episode, extra non episode information.
Honourable mention to the Behind the scenes Ghosts book where they were all in character promoting it and Pat says “You’re just jealous they rejected your book about spies!!” and he says…. Prepare….. “ Oh not at all, their loss, men who went deep would have been a best seller” oh.. Okay.. sure.
I’ll be covering individual eps and also his overall character in the individual series (only doing that in Series 1)
His Character in Series 1:
Series 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
The only obvious hint to his sexuality in this episode is when Thomas sees Alison coming out of the car and says smth about her beauty and how he’s never seen anything like her and The Captain thinks he’s talking about Mike and he says “Yes.. he’d make a very fine soldier”, not realizing that Thomas is REALLY talking about Alison and not Mike like Cap thinks. Considering that there’s hints in the first episode does show the seriousness and thought that Ben and The Six Idiots have put into creating this character and that it’s not something they thought they should add in halfway through the series for ‘Diversity points’ as some would say. It shows a dedication to his character and that there is a hidden thing to Cap and he is hiding something from everyone and essentially himself at times.
He appears to be cold towards his housemates and sees himself as in charge of them. Not wanting things to change as he doesn’t want Alison and Mike there to change the house around.
Series 1 Episode 2: Gorilla War
He sings a song from a musical. GAY that’s it. That’s all I gotta say….
But his character, however, gets distracted by the war show, even Pat questions why it’s “always about war with him”. He still thinks like it’s the war, even though he died when the war ended in Europe it’s still in his head.
Series 1 Episode 3: Happy Death day
When Thomas is sitting by the window and is sighing dramatically and says “You don’t understand do you!?” when talking about his FEEELINGSSSS for Alison and The Captain mumbles “Almost certainly not…” OMGMGMGMGMGM meaning he doesn’t understand having feelings towards women BECAUSEEE HE’S GAYYY. I mean it is Canon but I’m just excited to write about his obvious gayness in the show and he doesn’t ALWAYS realize it. This bit was so subtle because he mumbled it and it definitely flew over my head when I first watched it..
Cap says “The handsome one… the chap with the arms, very strong… probably.. What?” When Alison asks which one stole her ring like COME ONNNN CAPTAIN you're making it too easy for the gay allegations to come along..
Series 1 Episode 4: Free pass
Strap in.. THIS EPISODE DHUIWFHOHF.
The first thing he says which makes it clear is “Toploss, oiled up, kissing each other probably”... WHAT, Cap what ARE YOU REFERENCING HERE MAN.
NEXTTT, just his ENTIREEE reaction to Adam the director good lord cap you’re nothing BUT obvious.
He didn’t want the crew there until he saw Adam and clearly felt some sort of attraction to him too. “I thought I’d…. check” while looking directly at Adam and walking away from the window to where he was then in the main filming room. Pat says “I thought you weren’t interested?” and Cap just stammers and mumbles while looking very deeply at Adam.
He’s constantly wanting to be the leader/director throughout this ep as this does show his need to be in charge BUT he is constantly wanting to be beside Adam too and admires him GREATLY throughout the episode. At the end he says “No I shan’t miss him.. THEM” then looks away embarrassed as he thought he’d said smth wrong and looks as if he’s properly processing what he’s said about Adam. He looks more confused than embarrassed actually, he has a little bit of self realization as he does quickly say them after admitting to missing Adam.
He CLEARLYYYY has a type.. Men in charge with big strong arms.. Considering Havers was his lieutenant there’s that aspect in Redding Weddy where he takes charge and says to the rest “You heard the CO get to ur duties!”
Series 1 Episode 5: Moonah Ston
The only thing I sort of picked up is when Kitty is matching the Friends character to each of the ghosts, she says “And The Captain’s Ross.” and he says “No, I’m clearly Chandler.” This queer moment is more something you’d pick up on if you’ve ALSO watched Friends as well as Ghosts. There's a lot of speculation that Chandler is Bisexual but within the show he is assumed to be gay by one of his work colleagues and even his friends thought he was gay when they first met him and think he has a ‘quality’ to him. It’s not directly a queer reference to The Captain but it’s something to think about.
It makes him upset to not be in charge or the leader of something because it’s all he knows, so he plans and organises the Eclipse reading for Robin.
Series 1 Episode 6: Getting out
When Cap approaches Kitty while she’s crying he says “You love Alison don’t you, You want her to stay” which when you first watch that ep you don’t think much of it UNTIL you get to season two and we’re introduced to Havers, who Cap was in love with AND Havers left too. So idk if it was an accidental reference to the next series but it is a subtle indication to The Captain’s feelings towards Havers.
He expects all the ghosts to respect him and always just presumed he was the leader of the ghosts. There’s so many times when he calls the ghosts group his “unit” like they’re all soldiers. They obviously don’t see it that way as Patrick says “yeah, this isn’t the army” and Fanny says “Well we’re not soldiers!” showing the Juxtaposition between how the other eight feel about the group and how The Captain perceives their friendship and group.
His overall Character in Series 1
Rewatching series 1 gives me whiplash to be honest because how he acts so different than series ⅘. (I think his character development peaked around s4/s5) In s1, he’s cold, rude, angry and intensely repressed. He’s constantly fighting with the other ghosts and wanting to be in control because he’s so heavily repressed that he doesn’t know how to get rid of the mask of “The Captain” because he’s been forced by society and people around him to keep it up and never let go and just be James. All he knows is being a leader (a terrible one I’m afraid) and always being in charge, but when someone goes against his leadership he gets angry and storms off because he doesn’t know how to be someone that isn’t in charge. He doesn’t seem to be close with any of the ghosts and I feel like he’s been that way ever since 1945. It’s clear that Alison and Mike coming along changed them ALL for the better, especially The Captain.
Series 2 Episode 1: The Grey Lady
When he finishes his run, Pat says “Well, maybe you can’t get any faster..” and Cap says “We didn’t win the war with attitudes like THAT did we?” I’m sorry cap but.. WHY IS THAT RELEVANT?? He just can’t seem to shake this mentality of being in a war which I mean is fair enough war is horrendous but he seems to use that phrase in conversations where it doesn’t make ANY sense.
Series 2 Episode 2: About Last Night:
When The Captain says “When you give into GAY abandon” obviously he doesn’t mean homosexual Gay (or does he…) but yk he said the word gay so here it goes in this section.
When the BUTT NAKED man tries to find his clothes and The Captain is staring at him going “Good Lord” HIS EYES ARE UP THERE CAP STOP IT (jokes jokes ofc). His and Pat’s gay rambling and stammering at the end when they’re trying to apologise, idk I’m a huge Capvers shipper and love them forever but there’s DEFINITELY something there between Pat and Cap.
Series 2 Episode 3: Redding Weddy
Don’t EVENNNN with this ep. Okay let’s get into it… This will be The Captain ANDDDD HAVERSSS’ gayness bc he deserves my analysis too :3.
When Cap says “This’ll be my requisition for a service revolver” and Havers does that adorable smile at the Captain CLEARLLYY in adoration of him oh my gosh. They’re so in love omgiheohwegheugwu. That sort of smitten, eye crease smile he does towards Cap is EVERYTHING TO ME.
Havers saying “I don’t think they’ll be here just yet sir.” like hell yeah get your boyfriend's ass (NOT in that way mind you)... anyway… that was a silly cute moment between them (before it all went to shit).
The way Havers looks at Cap when after he tells everyone to get to their duties is so efugfiuhw he loves him so bad. He’s all serious then turns to cap and he’s suddenly giggling kicking his feet.
When Havers says he’s put in for a transfer THE LOOK ON CAPS FACE MY BOY IS HEARTBROKEN. He says “you’re leaving..?”
The way Havers looks at Cap after he says this is gonna kill me, the neutral expression staring at Cap's face AGHHHHHHHH.
Cap just continues to look upset and goes “yeah”.
Gosh the bit where Cap rambles “I-I-I completely understand.” and Havers is just staring at him like 😃😃. It’s so awkward but ehfuiwefuwe there’s so many things UNSAID here and overall in this ep </3.
When Havers walks away, the LOOKKKK on Cap's face is so sad. He doesn’t want him to go but it’s not like he can confess his feelings. He's too god damn repressed for that and thinks that confessing any feelings to Havers or telling him to stay would be the worst thing to say to him. He’s always known to repress himself and how he is and he uses the “Captain” title and role to hide himself behind it so nobody can get in and learn who he really is. Everyone he’s friends with is always presented with the mask of “The Captain” as he doesn’t allow it to falter.
Obviously the Limpet mine in the garden is a metaphor for his repression and how “it’s explosive if it ever gets out” because quite literally in the 1900s so many people were experimenting on queer people to make them “normal/straight” even killing them too. So obviously he thinks expressing his feelings (especially his affections towards men) will be the worst thing to happen.
Essentially he does get scared when he hears that Mike and Alison are digging up the garden because it LITERALLY is a bomb, metaphor aside. He has the Operation William
Plans buried WITH the bomb because Havers left, and they were both working on it (I go crazy thinking about the actual canonness of them working on this together in Cap’s office… LATE.. IN THE EVENINNNGGGGGG EFEFYOFHQ)
The entire segment where he tries to stop Alison from digging up the garden is pretty self-explanatory when you’ve watched the entire ep but essentially it’s a metaphor for his feelings towards Havers as Operation William was associated with Havers as he worked alongside the Operation with The Captain. Not tooo much to go from here as I’ve already explained what this scene represents about Cap.
When Havers knocks on the door and walks in and Cap says “I was just thinking about you actually.” Of course he is. The news that Havers is leaving has probably been on his mind since the morning briefing, that’s most likely why he was looking at the envelope before Havers walked in. ALSO ALSO Cap’s office is EXACTLY the same room as the one he so desperately wanted in series 1. I don’t think it’s JUST the garden view he wanted, he wanted the memories he had in that room with Havers forever and not the memories of his death(ik he didn't die in that room but he died in the house) but instead the memories he had creating Operation William and the time spent with Havers.
The panic on Cap’s face when Havers says “I’m afraid I’m leaving you sir, at 1800hrs this evening..” NEIFHEOIFH NOOOO DON’T GOOOOO. He wasn’t expecting him to go so soon and doesn’t know how to feel, he so desperately wants him to stay but can’t voice it. ANDDD that little moment between Havers saying that and Cap saying “That would explain your new service revolver” where they just stare at each other with nervousness and Havers does the little nervous gulp.
All tragicness aside, that grin Havers does when Cap notices his new service revolver is so wdqwufhwfhw they’re so gay for each other I love them. I love that moment for them, it’s the little smiles they share between these sad moments.
I adore the little joke between them when Havers says “It’s North Africa sir, I’ll be able to have a proper swing at fritz” and Cap saying “Well you make sure you give them a bloody nose!”. It’s so adorable, it really shows their closeness and how their friendship (perhaps more…) has abruptly come to an end. Havers had been there for a month or so before he left and they appeared to have been incredibly close and their affections towards each other developed very fast. The fact they’re close enough to make these types of jokes and have those silly moments is so AHHHHHHH going crazy. AND THE LITTLE MOVING OUT OF THE WAY BOUNCE HAVERS DOES WHEN CAP DOES THE PUNCHING ACTION IS SO CUTE I’M GOING TO EVAPORATE.
The sudden switch to Cap saying “I shall miss you Havers.” is so sad, it shows us that Cap has had a sudden urge to tell Havers how he feels, a realization that he must SAY SOMETHING at least. He doesn’t want Havers to go and saying he’ll miss him is a subtle way (subtle in HIS EYES) to try and ask him to stay. But he panics and says “By which I mean, of course, that we shall miss you.” He’s scared of what Havers would say to that and can’t make it too obvious that he doesn’t want Havers to leave him (i mean.. Them hahhshah)
THEY PLAY FREAKINNN CRICKET TOGETHER EHFIWEOHFOWIEH omg omg, I mean it’s obviously canon in the book (oh good lord the cricket report…)
The actors (Ben Willbond and Peter sandys-Clarke) play cricket together irl and ben suggested to him that he applies for Havers. Which I think is lowkey so funny, like yeah ur the cricket Captain of the team I’m in but pls play the Lieutenant I’m in love with.
Moving swiftly on.. When Cap says “I say Havers?” THE.FUCKING.FAST.TURN.AROUND HAVERS DOES WHEN HE SAYS THAT OMFG HE JUST WANTED A REASON TO STAY BUT WAS TOO SCARED TO SAY ANYTHING OH MY GOSHHHHH, he wanted Cap to say something, anything because I’m sure he’s aware of how closed off Cap can be and just wants to know how he’s feeling and what he’s thinking. You can tell he cares about His Captain and doesn’t want to leave him this soon. But he has to. But here Cap also panics, I mean who knows what Cap was really going to say, but it’s very VERY insinuated what he was going to say. Perhaps having the courage to ask him to stay or finally confessing his feelings. But fear took over and he changed his mind.
Instead he says “It’s a bally shame we won’t be able to finish the Operation together” which I think is close enough to saying ‘I fear I won’t be able to do this without you, and I’ll deeply miss our time together.” Oh god.. The smile and nod Havers gives him before he leaves and then Caps face when Havers finally leaves. He looks SO UPSET OH MY GAWD. Ben is ridiculously amazing at doing the microexpressions.
Cap gets the envelope out of his inside pocket from his tunic and looks down at it and then looks back up at the closed door where Havers had only just been mere seconds ago. The look of sorrow, yearning heartbreak AND WOE (as Thomas would say) on his face breaks me everytime like CAPTAINNNN PLEASE.
ALSO ALSO!!! If you look in the background whenever the camera is on Cap you can spot a small desk behind him. It’s not his because his desk is behind it, it’s either a spare desk or HAVERS’ DESK!!! There’s a light on it so obviously it’s being used and why would Cap use a smaller desk when he’s got a bigger one that he can use. BECAUSEEEE… Havers would often sit at that desk when they would either be working together on Operation William or just quietly working alongside Cap during the evening.
He runs into Fanny as she claims to have been attracted to someone and The Captain’s response is to “bury that emotion and never let it out” which is exactly what he did with his attraction to Havers. He had felt too nervous to try and tell Havers how he felt as he had tried to bury it deep, like the Limpet Mine in the garden. Then it cuts to when The Captain is burying the Limpet mine, I assume after Havers has left. Not much to go off here, he buries it. Also his fit here is wonderful, I mean all he’s added to his outfit is a coat and a hat AND GLOVES!!! Ooh and a pipe (favourite aesthetic smoker).
I mean all he does here is try to save the bomb or whatever but he ends up staying intact because well he’s dead… but it’s so funny the way he just stands back up and is like 😃😃.
When he’s talking to Alison and he’s talking about the Limpet mine and says “It was so secret only I knew about it, and my Second in command Lieutenant Havers but he left me… I-uh he left for the front.” I know what you are Captain. You’re not as subtle as you think you are.
The end of the ep….. Alison says “Here’s to buried secrets” oh god OH GOD. I mean she was probably talking about the Limpet mine but the nod he does likely alludes to his feelings for Havers. Then it cuts away from the ghosts to Captain looking out of the window. Then it shows Havers waving goodbye towards the Window which I think ACTUALLY happened and Captain is just remembering it. I like to think that Cap was sitting at the window at 1800 hours and Havers looked back to see if he was anywhere to be seen and spotted him sitting by the window so he gave him a salute and left for five years (cries).
I’d like to think that that day is on June 5th (the day Havers left) which is why Cap is remembering all these things, I mean the Limpet mine being nearly dug up at the beginning is a good reminder but perhaps the fact that it COULD be June 5th could be another reason why he’s remembering SO MUCHH of 1940. The wedding was in the winter time which allows enough planning space for the women who were getting married so it’s possible it might’ve been june 5th
Series 2 Episode 4: The Thomas Thorne affair
At the beginning, Pat is asking the ghosts what they would wear if they were all alive and The Captain wishes nothing more than to stay wearing his uniform with pride. He doesn’t want to let go of the army because it makes up HIM. He can’t imagine a time where he’s living where he’s not a part of the army or wearing the uniform. There isn’t much else apart from when they’re all reminiscing over Thomas’ death and The Captain wasn’t even THERE but he feels as if he has to include something about the War because IT’S ALL HE KNOWS TO INCLUDE IN A CONVERSATION. He’s trapped in an endless loop of masking his true self (unlessss something he admits ... .changes that orrrrrr someone moves into Button House).
He died on May 8th 1945 but that’s JUST a day after Germany surrendered to Europe. A DAY!!. It’s not like it was a year after the War ended it was a single DAY after 6 years of a War. The Captain missed out on the First War because he was too young to enlist and had just missed fighting when he was 18 as the second he got there the Armistice was called.
I can imagine he feels guilt for missing out on fighting for his country like men were expected to do so he felt as if he needed to put EVERYTHING into the war effort when he was at Button House. He forced himself into so much work that he doesn’t know how to be himself anymore.
Series 2 episode 5: Bump in the night
There REALLY isn’t anything here to go along except he really loves planning and feels as if everything needs a plan.
Series 2 Episode 6: Perfect day
The little smile Cap has when he finds out it’s a Lesbian wedding is so sweet because Alison says “No times have changed” AT LEAST HE KNOWS IT’S OKAY NOWWW. The little look he gives to Fanny when she says “IT’S A SCANDAL!” like stop STOPPP it’s not stop making him think that it’s not okay to be yourself. I think it’s so very sweet that he put his ALL into making sure that the wedding was beautiful and perfect for them by helping Alison decorate and finding the brides. Even before he knew it was a Lesbian wedding. I’d like to imagine that he would’ve ADORED planning his and Havers’ wedding.
Even after he found out it was a Lesbian wedding and he was reassured that it’s really okay he might’ve imagined it was his and Haver’s wedding instead.
The look on his face at the end when the wedding starts, he looks so proud of them and how the wedding day has gone. It's so sweet.
THE END THE END WHEN IT’S THE PARTY!!! It shows the ghosts dancing and we see Thomas’ weird dancing then we see Cap go over to two men dancing together and DANCES WITH THEM OH MY GAWDDDD. And he’s looking them up and down as he dances like hmm OKAY.
Series 2 Christmas Special: The ghost of Christmas
Uhm maybe Cap’s crotch in Thomas’ face idk..
Series 3 ep 1: The Bone plot
Nothing here but Honourable mention to The Captain’s laugh at the end of the episode.
Series 3 ep 2: A lot to take in
When he helps Mike with his work meeting, he says “In and out, like special forces.” really can’t give up the thought processes of a soldier nearly 80 years later.
When he’s practising the call with Humphrey to see if he’d be any good and he answers the call as The Captain. “Yes, it’s the Captain calling on behalf of spirited life insurance.” Not James, THE CAPTAIN. It just REALLY shows how he perceives himself. Strictly under a rank, not as a genuine person outside of the army. They ghosts KNOW his name (as seen in s3 xmas special) but It’s likely he demanded that they ALL call him Captain or THE Captain or Cap.
There’s a little thing at the end of the episode where he’s talking to Fanny and he says “There are times when one must go against the grain, make one’s own decisions rather than simply following orders.” then immediately follows Fanny’s orders to go look for the other ghosts. Yes this might come across as comedic but really he doesn’t know how to go against the things he LIKES doing and things he knows all too well. As being in the army comes with following orders and telling people orders, without those superiority it feels strange to him.
Series 3 Episode 3: The Woodworm men
He seems to assume that he would have the power and control over the camping trip in this episode but is slightly taken aback when Pat actually contradicts what Cap has said by saying “Do you actually know how to put up a tent or do you just order other people about-” and Cap cuts him off by just saying “rubadubarubadubaruba” or whatever 😭😭. It is quite sweet though when Pat is teaching him things about camping though. The funniest part is when Cap goes to “spy” on Mike and is laying on the floor using his hands as binoculars and Pat is like “What ya doing down there” and Cap says “Ah yes, well the old training kicking in”.
The freaking end of the episode where Pat gives the medals to Cap for teamwork is SO HEARTBREAKING BUT SWEEEET to think about knowing that the Medals on Caps uniform are not his and now he has finally earned medals he deserves as he didn’t get the chance to get ones that were TRULY his.
Series 3 episode 4: I love Lucy
I think Cap calling his Cocktail Society ‘coc soc’ is pretty gay in itself… imagine the laughs that got back in the day from his unit.
When talking about Lady Button’s sudden cheeryness Captain says “Look, I know Fanny better than ANY of you”... are you sure? ARE YOU VERY SURE!!! Hmm don’t think so. The double meaning of that is quite funny.
ALSO! When the other ghosts are trying to figure out who she’s having an affair with and Robin says “Then it must be someone in this room…” and Kitty says “Or The Captain”, he says “Someone in this room” like it’s very obvious it’s NOT The Captain (i mean yeah it is pretty obvious have you seen EVERY episode)
The Captain does get very excited to be able to show off his spy expertise by figuring out whether Lucy is who she really is.
There’s also a thing when he’s debriefing with Alison and she’s quite snarky and sarcastic towards his efforts to help and he takes it VERY seriously before realizing she was being sarcastic. Same bit in the earlier bit of the episode where he thinks Pillow talk is a thing where you LITERALLY talk to your pillow (which to be fair I did too) but he never really realizes what it ACTUALLY means(COUGH COUGH NEURODIVERGENT MAN COUGH COUGH).
Moving on…. To something quite sad. The end of the ep where Cap is alone in his room talking to his pillow. “I suppose we all have our little secrets.” Yes we do Captain. Yes we do. Then says goodnight to the pillow and kisses it and lays down on the one side of the bed. What does that show exactly? That he’s sleeping on one side? That there’s a chance that he wishes to share that late evening intimacy with someone (quite LITERAL pillow talk) and would one day like to be able to share a bed with someone he loves.
Series 3 episode 5: Something to share:
When they’re celebrating Kitty’s birthday and she says she wants to watch The Wizard of Oz and Captain mutters “Ahh, Dorothy” HMMMM OH OKAY. Back in the 1900s many queer men described their sexuality as being “A friend of Dorothy” and when Homophobic people would often talk disgustingly about gay men they’d say “well.. He’s a friend of Dorothy I hear” or something across those lines essentially meaning that the man is gay.
Onto the breach we go… the therapy section of the ep:
Alison asks Cap if he has anything to share and he does look a little like he might’ve said something but soon enough Pat abruptly interrupts him. And Cap agrees when Pat says scheduling your day is the right way to do it by saying “quite right.” Interpret that as you will….👀
Oh goddd OH NOOO when Cap interrupts the story with “That was bally good thinking of your father” (which definitely WASN'T HIM…) and then he interrupts AGAIN when Alison is talking again and says “Yes, well it’s funny how things work out” and Alison asks “Are you sure there wasn’t something you wanted to share?” He starts stammering and Alison gives him the little “cmon you can do this” nod and the rest of the ghosts look on the edges of their seats as they prepare for something they ALREADY know. They all looked so shocked as they look at Cap trying to says something like “holy fuck it’s finally happening” All he can manage to say is “I’m….. unable, to think of anything that would merit sharing” Oh Cap.. He desperately tries to get the attention away from him onto Thomas, shan’t be too difficult considering how Thomas is.
Soon after Kitty tells her story it seems Cap has actually been able to try and confess something as he agrees that maybee there is something he’d like to share. Then he gets interrupted by the other group and he says “right, well perhaps another time” bro that OTHER TIME was two years later.
Then cap says “art class.. Nothing of interest for me here” then men take their clothes off like heehe oh I’M SURE.
Series 3 Episode 6: Part of the Family
Sadly nothing worth talking about…
Series 3 Episode 7: He came:
And speculated Third Nipple based on his reaction to Pat talking about it. (If so… how would Pat know that)
Series 4 episode 1: Happy Holiday
When he’s talking about people worth celebrating and he says “Heroes!.... Men” and does a long look into the distance, most likely thinking ABOUT men.
Series 4 Episode 2: Speak as ye choose:
Cap is immediately thrown into a situation where he gets to CHOOSE what he does rather than abiding by a strict schedule which he has pretty much done his entire life. He ends up going to Kitty for help on how to actually have fun and do something spontaneous. Kitty spots a butterfly and he starts rambling about them and says “And one day, they come out and they are their true fabulous selves.” oh okay Cap I didn’t know we were talking about ourselves today. Jokes aside.. CAPTAIN OH GODDDDDD CAP. He probably wants to be his true fabulous self but CAN’T. To be fair though, that provides a beautiful message to any closeted queer people or just queer people in general that it is OKAY it truly is and you will be fabulous.
Him and Kitty cloud gayzing (sorry couldn’t resist), he is literally looking out for war related things “and that one is a gunnn” AGAIN the war is stuck in his head.
Then.. the end of the episode rolls around and Mr forearms walks in and HELLO (excuse me for a moment…) he’s finally managed to let go and realizes there’s not always a schedule needed and perhaps doing things spontaneously is good sometimes. The proud face that Kitty has when he says “I guess I just lost track of time” AWWWWW SHE’S SO PROUD OF HIM!!!!!!
Series 4 Episode 3: The hardest word:
He pretends to fire a pistol and when Thomas says “You don’t have a pistol?” and Cap answers AGAIN with “We didn’t win the war with attitudes like that did we?” THE LOOK THOMAS AND PAT GIVE EACH OTHER IS SO FUNNY BECAUSE THEY’RE SO CONFUSED. HUH? This is the second time he’s said that (I think) and it just really doesn’t make ANY sense.
Then he does his silly machine gun impression which I do not know how to analyse apart from the fact he’s the silliest guy ever. Oh but then he says that he didn’t want to bring out the machine gun in such an enclosed space.. BROTHER WHAT. I’m sorry to break it to you Captain but you haven’t ACTUALLY got one..
He goes on to talk about how he’s the “Ranking officer” and how the ghost group are his “unit” oh Cap, no their not. They're your friends not soldiers you can boss around and control. All he knows is to be a leader and to be in control of many people and it seems he’s brought that mentality onto his ghost group.
Later on in the ep he references Cole Porter who was in fact gay so? Gay theatre man. Am I talking about cap or cole porter? That's for you to decide.
Series 4 Episode 4: Gone Gone
He tries to cover up the pain of Mary's moving on by having a desperation to remain busy at all costs. Begging Alison for a new task when having a glimpse of nothing to do.
You can tell he feels upset about Mary moving on because well they're all friends realistically and this is where he contrasts with Series 1 Captain because in Series 1 he says “Befriended by you lot? I couldn't think of anything more annoying” now look at him.
He NEEDS to keep busy so he doesn't have to be alone with his feelings, he needs a distraction and that is work. Doing something productive, like helping out with the party.
He allows himself to relax when Alison tells him it's okay and she says “I know” which i can't imagine being great hearing nearly 80 years later. He parties with the other ghosts (no matter how awkward and terrible his dancing is.. dw we love you cap) and takes part. It's clear without Alison they wouldn't have been able to cope as well without them and I think Alison and Mike moving in has changed them all for the better.
Series 4 Episode 5: Poached Guests.
Series 4 Episode 6: Not again
Nothing here but Captain clocking Julian like crazy. “Morally Bankrupt” GET HIS ASS CAP!! (pls don’t take that literally)
Series 4 Episode 7: It’s behind you (Christmas special)
He plays the Fairy Godmother…
Honourable Mention to the little squeak he does at the end of the Panto when Mike compliments their Panto acting, he’s like “Oh Michael that’s very kind of you.. And uh hang on…”
Series 5 Episode 1: Fools
Nothing in this episode but another Honourable Mention to when Cap says “If you look up gullible in the dictionary there’s an picture of Pat’s face.” Kitty replies with “Is there?” and he says “..No Katherine.. No?” HAHHAHAHAH. Moving on..
Julian is talking about when he was up in the North and he talks about birds the animal and then birds.. Meaning Women and Pat laughs along with him and it takes Captain a second before he gets it and awkwardly laughs along like come on.. You don’t need to laugh too they already know.
Series 5 Episode 3: Pineapple day
Nothing worth mentioning.
DEADLY NIGHTSHADE we all yell.
Series 5 Episode 4: En Francais
He’d ration a ration pack idk (gee this buildup to Carpe Diem is crazy)
He said “Or shall I just WHIP OUT THE COC SOC!???!!!” hmmmm okay Captain..
He thinks Pat LITERALLY meant blanks during the gameshow segment. He wants to be in charge of the gameshow. Mind centered around War I tell you.
He legit wants to info dump about WW2 stuff later on in the gameshow bit when they try a new game.
Series 5 Episode 5: Carpe Diem:
Is The Captain’s fear response to speak a bunch of German because before when he’s angry he’s yelled VERYY incorrect German (do you think he knows where the train station is yet..) and this time he’s clearly scared and anxious and he says to Pat “ heavens no, nein nicht, negative”
Now it gets to the scene where he’s sitting on the windowsill remembering the day of his death. The sort of second “death” if you will, is looming sooner and sooner and there’s a chance he’ll be the one to go. How could he possibly go on without his friends knowing what happened to him, that he’s not truly a hero, a brave soldier with medals on his uniform.
AGHHHHHHHHH oh godd. The conversation between him and Pat is too much. The little “hmm” he does to Pat when he’s explaining his fear response. He’s listening HE CARES FOR PAT, in Series 1 he saw Pat as just someone he would have by his side and most likely someone that would listen to his orders and not truly a friend and now LOOK AT THEM, LOOK AT THEM ALLLL.
When all of the ghosts come in and talk about what they did on that day, the camera focuses mostly on Cap. Clearly contemplating whether he should really open up to his friends and tell them the truth.
“But I HAD to be there” emphasis on the HAD here. He knew Havers would be there, if there had been a chance Havers had survived fighting on the front lines then he would be there to see him again.
The reaction he has when he sees Havers from across the room. He can’t believe he’s seeing him again after FIVE YEARS!!
Soft lighting next to Havers = Usually used in Romantic films, emits warmth and intimacy making it suitable for emotional scenes.
That double take Havers does when he sees the Captain there. It’s a crowded room and all he first sees is Cap standing there across it. He can’t keep his eyes off of him, he can’t believe he’s seeing Cap either. The nervous walk forwards Cap does and the full turn and smile Havers does I’M SOBBING, anyway.. Now in this little frame where Havers is smiling at Cap, Cartwright begins to turn too.
Okay just a thing here real quick. Havers is a MAJOR NOW. IMAGINEEE how he felt being ranked up to A Captain knowing he’s in love with one he left.
Cap walks further again, NEEDING to talk to Havers and reunite properly but bumps into Cartwright (or does Cartwright bump into him..?) Then they start talking because they recognise each other, you can see Havers in the blurry background STILL staring. The disappointed/upset expression on Havers’ face KILLS ME I PROMISE HE WANTED TO TALK TO YOU ITS THAT BASTARD THAT INTERRUPTED.
Now Havers turns around to the group he was talking to previously but he looks spaced out, not really taking part in the conversation anymore. AND Havers was already turned around when Cap tried to point in Havers’ direction. Cap isn’t really fully paying attention to what he’s saying to Cartwright anyway, he keeps looking over to where Havers is. I’m afraid I can’t add photos to this but when Cartwright says “What are you trying to pull here?” you can spot Havers in the background slightly looking over for hope that Cap wanted to see him. When Cartwright is now FULLY starting to shout at him, it’s clearer that Havers is looking properly at what’s happening.
Now EVERYONE including Havers are starting to walk over, thinking that this man is trying to be a hero and pass himself off as one. The line “Have you no shame” while the camera is on Havers was CRIMINAL. Has he got no shame for being attracted to him? No shame for being attracted to men. KILL ME NOW. The fact that Havers was the only one to run over and help him shows how much he still cares for him even after hearing the lies that he’s trying to pass himself off as a hero. He yells “SIR SIR!” as soon as he falls over. He doesn’t have to call him sir; he's above him in rank, but he still has that care and devotion for him.
He finally gets his revenge on Cartwright for bumping into Cap by yelling AT HIM “Well, fetch a medic!” ALSO THE SWITCH UPPPPP from angry towards Cartwright but then a kind expression towards Cap. I cannot STANDDD the way all of the other soldiers are staring down at Cap with careless expressions because they simply don’t care because they all think that this man is no brave man with medals. Havers asks him if he’s okay and Cap’s immediate response is to apologise to him and say that he HAD to find him.
Cap trying to reach for more of his hand and Havers letting go to remind him of where they are. CAP TRYING TO REACH UP TOWARDS HIS FACE OH OKAY WHAT. Cap trying to get his words out and Havers just knowing what he was trying to say and just replying with “I know” Havers redirecting his reaching hand to hold onto the swagger stick because it’s still HIS, he still IN A WAY is holding hands with him. The last little brush of his hand as Cap grips onto the swagger stick so okay I’ll die then. Do you think Cap feels that last brush of Havers’ hand on his. The whisper of eachother’s names THE BIG REVEALLLL, they were close enough to know each other's names.
The last thing Cap heard before he died was Havers whispering his name back to him. SIGH.
The neutral/ pain stricken expression Havers has when he realizes Cap is nearly dead might kill me instead. I have NO IDEA how people thought Havers didn’t love him back, YOU JUST GOT TO ANALYSE THE DEATH SCENE OKAY.
As the scene pans out there’s Havers moving away but brushing his hand AGAIN against Caps. One last time. I can’t IMAGINE HOW HAVERS FELT AFTER THAT.
Don’t get me STARTED on the reactions of the other ghosts. No jokes from Julian, truly showing the sympathy he has for Captain. He even looks deeply deeply sorry for him and that he died the same way as him (HEART ATTACK WISE OKAY). Nobody is laughing or smiling and they understand how difficult it is to talk about deaths but especially from their Captain who doesn’t tell anyone anything.
Lady B telling Cap he’s a brave man despite her constant preaching about how disgusting Homosexuality is. They are very close friends and she’s finally managed to change her views because she cares about him. The hand on the shoulder from her too oh my gosh stop.
When they all think they’re about to go and Cap says “I’m ready” and brings the swagger stick closer to him and holds it tight (does that sound weird or is it just me..) he’s bringing Havers closer to him (we’re closer… togetherrrrrrrr /julian ref) in his final FINAL moments of vulnerability.
Okay but the song being “Achy breaky heart” is the most insane thing ever like okay sure.
Series 5 Episode 6: Last Resort
Honourable mention again to Julian's impression of Morris, poor pat though that was criminal. Also Cap revealing the “gender” of the baby while making a speech about how he won’t let anyone tell her about it being a boy (damn it)
Okay here we are: Cap stammering and telling them NOT to turn off the tv when the weather reporter is a man and says “Let’s not be TOO hasty”
Series 5 Episode 7: A Christmas gift (FINAL EP)
Just the entire segment of Pat trying to teach Cap how to baby talk to Mia like two dads who have just adopted a baby and one has experience with children and the other doesn’t…
DONE DONE IT’S ALL DONEEEEEE. This took me like over a month to do I think... HOPED YOU ENJOYED!!
