Captain Beel is a minor but significant character who represents the routine, bureaucratic face of the totalitarian regime under Dictator Thayne. He is an authorized interrogator, embodying the slow, systemic arm of the Planetary Police as opposed to the immediate, brutal force shown by the robots and armored officers.
Beel’s personality is defined by his official authority and his function as an investigator.
The Inquisitor: He is introduced as the one who attempts to question Steve and Anne Farrow about the rebel’s identity and whereabouts. His role is to gather information and impose the state’s will through interrogation, suggesting a certain level of rank and investigative skill within the police force.
The Bureaucrat: Unlike the shock troopers, Beel is presented as a middle aged man who is part of a routine administrative process, which humanizes the police force while underscoring the chilling efficiency of the “New Rule.”
The Domestic Observer: In the final scene, Beel is seen with his son and a character named Fay, observing Gary’s breakdown. This detail is crucial; it shows the mundane, private life of the regime’s enforcers. He is a father and a partner, making his role as a police captain a job, not just an ideological pursuit, which adds a layer of complexity to the dystopian structure.
Beel’s conflicts are entirely external, focused on upholding the status quo and dealing with the fallout of the rebel action.
His main challenge is extracting information from Steve and Anne Farrow following the rebel actions.
He is tasked with getting information about The Stranger’s identity, a vital piece of intelligence for the regime. His professional challenge is overcoming the Farrows’ confusion or resistance to uncover the truth.
Beel displays himself to be a professional, authoritative figure tasked with maintaining the integrity of Dictator Thayne’s law.
The Officer: He is the Police Captain, a title that immediately conveys rank and control. When questioning the Farrows, he displays the authority necessary to demand information.
The Family Man: His presence with Fay and his son displays him as a civilian who is also a participant in the “New Rule,” blending his official duties with his private life. This display shows that the regime is staffed by ordinary people, making the dictatorship not just a faceless machine but a fully integrated, everyday reality.
