Where does becoming captain fall within Bitty’s journey?
Created by Ngozi Ukazu, Check, Please! is the story of Eric “Bitty” Bittle, former figure skater and baking enthusiast, as he navigates through his college years on a varsity male hockey team full of big, supportive, and emotional jocks.
Like many others, Bitty’s time at college is ultimately a time of self-discovery. The story begins with Bitty vlogging about moving from Georgia, his time as a competitive figure skater, and his love of baking. Up until that point, that was what described him but not what actually defined who he was. The following three years would test Bitty, and those trials would unveil the resilient, adored leader underneath.
Credit: Ngozi Ukazu
A shot of a long dining table, members of the Samwell men’s hockey team on both sides, clapping and cheering.
Bitty’s narration: So. I’m thankful for another year with them! Moments like these make you realize why Samwell feels like home. It’s them.
Samwell coach (off screen): And for the second time in Samwell history, by unanimous vote from the team. The captain for next school year is… Eric R. Bittle.
Credit: Ngozi Ukazu
A close-up of Bitty, holding a glass plaque, wiping tears from his face.
Bitty’s narration: They’re my boys.
Bitty: Y’all, I - I’m speechless!
At the end of “C,” Bitty is unanimously elected as team captain, a surprise that leaves him completely speechless. Why is he so surprised, though? It is important to remember that Bitty never aspired to be captain. Like many at that age, Bitty simply lives through the motions, filling his life with class, practice and his friends. While he doesn’t think that far ahead, this attitude doesn’t come from a bad place. His lack of ambition is a result of his own selflessness as his one true goal is to nurture everyone around him. What Bitty didn’t realize is that selflessness made him a pivotal part of the team and, as it generally happens, his friends saw more potential in him than he could for himself.
Depending on the story, having the protagonist achieving a leadership role like captain can be an appropriate end. This could never be the case for Bitty since this was never his goal. He never had one. Rather, while it’s certainly the end of a cycle, it’s not the end for Bitty’s story. Becoming captain sets him on an unimagined path for him, along with his team’s support and newfound inner strength to start conquering his crippling fear of being checked. Becoming captain is barely the start of Bitty’s journey of self-discovery.