The Watcher

The Watcher
Portrayed by	Zach Wilson
First appearance	Slow Burn
Debut	September 28, 2009
In-story stats
Known ability	Nerve manipulation
Formal name	Unknown
Gender
Occupation	Works as a milk can toss attendant at a carnival

While exploring their new home, Jennie and Chris Bowman encounter a mysterious Shakespeare-quoting milk can toss attendant who calls himself "The Watcher".

Heroes Evolutions

Slow Burn

In chapter 1 of Slow Burn, the milk can toss attendant catches Chris Bowman eavesdropping of two other members of the carnival, seemingly appearing out of nowhere. He says that he knows that Chris is suspicious, and offers to tell him what he what he wants to know if he wins his game. When he does, the attendant tells him to ask Bo LoFontaine about New Orleans. Chris asks his name, but the attendant says that is not important, and when Chris blinks, he has disappeared.

In chapter 2 of Slow Burn, a mysterious carny watches Jennie Bowman hold the Palm Prē that Deeana gave her. He tells Jennie that Samuel wouldn't like her having a cell phone. But instead of taking the phone, the carny says that it's good that Jennie and her family have the phone. The carny tells Jennie that he needs her help, which will in turn help Jennie. He sends her a message and instructs her to show her parents what's in the message, and then her parents will stop fighting about the carnival. However, when Gail and Chris hear the message, they know that somebody knows about Mary, and they are scared.

In chapter 3 of Slow Burn, Chris and Gail Bowman decide to hunt down the Watcher at the carnival in order to find out what he knows about Mary Krause.

As Gail searches the game area, the Watcher sneaks up behind her and asks if she is looking for him. Startled, she runs to find Chris. The Watcher finds the two of them together, and tells them that he likes secrets, and that theirs is safe if they help him find more secrets. Gail asks him his name, and he says to simply call him the Watcher, and disappears. The two then get a text, telling them to go to the trailer park to start their work for him.

In chapter 4 of Slow Burn, The Watcher sends a message to Chris, telling him to meet him at the milk can toss station. Chris goes there and asks The Watcher what he wants. The Watcher gives him the task of finding Lydia's phone number and, after Chris finds it, he tells him to find out the secret that Aviv is hiding. Chris soon reveals the secret to The Watcher.

In chapter 5 of Slow Burn, The Watcher materializes out of nowhere in front of Chris Bowman and his family. He gives them two folders on new members of the carnival, Gabriel and Amanda, and orders the Bowmans to find out all they can about them. Later, after Chris manages to calm Amanda down, The Watcher comes to him again and tells him it is good that he has her trust, and that it will be important in the days to come.

In chapter 6 of Slow Burn, The Watcher orders Chris to spy on Evan and Josh Davis. When Chris is hesitant to report what he learned, The Watcher threatens to reveal the he and his wife set up Mary Krause to be captured so they could escape.

In chapter 7 of Slow Burn, The Watcher kidnaps Jennie Bowman in order to force her parents to find out Samuel's secrets.

In chapter 8 of Slow Burn,

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Evolved Human Abilities

The Watcher has the ability to manipulate the nerves of others. He uses this ability to avoid being seen by others and remain undetected in his activities.

Memorable Quotes

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Bowman. You don't know me but I know you, oh so well. I've been watching you, and I know the secret you've been keeping from everyone. It's a shame what happened to Mary Krause, isn't it? She was so young, so innocent. I'll be seeing you both soon. Until then, thy spirits all of comfort. Fare thee well."

- "The Watcher" (to the Bowmans)

Notes

• It seems this character has an affinity for quoting William Shakespeare. In chapter 2 of Slow Burn, he says, "Find out the cause of this effect, or rather say, the cause of this defect, for this effect defective comes by cause." These are lines said by the character "Polonius" in the play Hamlet. In chapter 3 of Slow Burn, he tells Gail, "The lady doth protest too much, methinks." This is a line said by "Queen Gertrude" in the same play. In chapter 4 of Slow Burn, he sends Chris a message that echoes "Lord Stanley's" line from Richard III: "Take all the swift advantage of the hours." In chapter 5 of Slow Burn, he tells Chris, "How far that little candle throws its beams. So shines a good deed in a naughty world." This is a line from The Merchant of Venice. In chapter 6 of Slow Burn, The Watcher quotes "The Scottish Play" Macbeth and says, "If you can look into the seeds of time, and say which grain will grow and which will not, speak then to me." He even teases Chris for never having read Shakespeare. Later, The Watcher says, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." This is one of the most famous lines from Romeo and Juliet. In chapter 8 of Slow Burn, The Watcher says the famous line from Henry VI, Part II: "Knowledge is the wing whereby we fly to Heaven, or so sayeth The Bard." He later recites the first line from Richard III, "Now is the winter of our discontent." From the Act I, Scene 4, he says, "The people are like water and the ruler, a boat. Water can support a boat or overturn it."

Trivia

• The voice of "The Watcher" (as heard in a few of the chapters of the iStory Slow Burn) is provided by Zach Wilson, who also wrote the iStory volume.

See Also

• For other uses of Watcher, see Watcher (disambig).

Fan Theories

Please refer to Theory:The Watcher for fan-created theories and other speculation.