Bruce Campbell has duende in episode 8 of Lodge 49

Bruce Campbell is developer Gary “Captain” Green on AMC’s delightfully offbeat series, Lodge 49. In “Something from Nothing” we learn all about duende and why it’s important.

The Ballad of Gary Green

Bruce Campbell is appearing on AMC’s Lodge 49.  A wonderfully, eccentric series about a lovable and perhaps slightly dysfunctional set of individuals living in a small enclave of Long Beach in California. Most of the action centers around the Ancient and Benevolent Order of the Lynx.

In last week’s episode, The Solemn Duty of the Squire, we were introduced to Campbell’s character, developer Gary Green who is also known by the mysterious nickname, “Captain.” This time around in Something from Nothing, it is time to get to know the elusive business magnate.

Let me start off by saying that this is another first from the series writers when it comes to character introductions. Gary (or Captain, if you are so inclined) is in the midst of getting a divorce when he suddenly changes his mind and instead of signing the decree, he balls it into a wad and eats it.

And so, his downward spiral begins leading him stumbling drunk into an alleyway to take a leak against a wall. Next thing you know, he wakes up in his development office covered in vomit and almost emotional at the hot mess situation his life has become.

In a Prison of Your Own Making

In that opening montage, we realize what a talented character actor Campbell is. He excels at playing lost and somewhat alienated and broken souls. With Lodge 49, he is getting to flex his thespian muscles more than he did on Ash vs Evil Dead.

No disrespect intended toward his portrayal of Ash Williams but Gary Green is based in reality. He could be the guy who lives next door to you or a colleague at work. There is no fighting Deadites only wrestling with personal demons.

Captain is an eccentric man. Who hangs out all day in a kiddie wading pool drinking Bloody Mary’s and conducting business meetings in swim trunks? It sounds kind of glamorous but it really isn’t when you think about it.

Bruce Campbell -Lodge 49 – Something from Nothing 5 – Courtesy of AMC

You know that you have to make some different life choices when you are “laying low” in a seedy trailer in the middle of a half-finished development property. Straddling the moral grey area may make you a wealthy man but just financially.

It is because he was willing to bend laws that he is able to achieve his objectives. However, it cost him a woman that he loved dearly and that is at the heart of his internal moral dilemma. He doesn’t want to be trapped in the tower of endless litigation but yet there he is.

When Dud and Ernie enter the picture, he feels as if he has found some kindred spirits. Being with them makes him feel connected and less adrift. He is elusive because he has to be not necessarily because he wants to be.

What Is Duende?

At the heart of it, and perhaps because Brenda has replaced him with her sea mammals, he has lost his “duende.” Or as he explains to Dud and Ernie, “It means soul. It’s that real thing inside us that can’t be faked.”  The happiest Gary has ever been was when he was in Andalusia with his wife. “There is something about the light there…”

Much like the rest of the characters in this show, Captain is trying to get his duende back. But as he tells Dud it is hard to do because he is “Not that guy anymore. Not even close.”

Even after he scams Ernie, once he explains what is happening and why it is going on, you can’t dislike him. He kept dangling a carrot in front of Ernie because he was lonely and just wanted the company of some friends.

There is one more episode left in Bruce Campbell’s story arc on Lodge 49. I will admit like Kenneth Welsh’s Larry Loomis, it is going to be hard to say goodbye to Captain. Mostly because Campbell is clearly enjoying himself and it is a real pleasure to see him sink his teeth into some meaty dialogue and not pages of pithy one-liners.

Lodge 49 may be Campbell’s last acting role for a while now that he is selectively retired. That is why Gary Green is going to be a memorable character of his, ranking right up there with Ash, Elvis, Brisco and Sam.  Why do I think this way? Because Bruce Campbell has some serious duende.

Have you seen Bruce in Lodge 49 yet? If you have, what did you think of his portrayal of Gary “Captain” Green? Let us know in the comment section below. We want to hear from you.