Hayward

Hayward
Aliases	Inspecting Officer Hayward Iris 9 (Callsign) Partner (Daggler) Tanner (Gren) Pennie (Dennis Duplass) Rootkeeper (Children of the Woundtree)
Beliefs	The Cloak (former) The Many Below
Character Information
Pronouns	He/Him
Kin	Hayward's Wife (Fictional) Unnamed Mother
Connections	Former partner with Felix Former partner with Daggler Former coworker with Gren Friends with Paige Friendship with Carpenter
Status	Deceased
Content Information
Voice Actor	Jimmie Yamaguchi
First Appearance	Chapter 3: Then I'll Speak of Champions

Everyone wants a personal relationship with the divine, but none of us are really equipped to handle the consequences.

Chapter 3: Then I'll Speak of Champions

James Hayward was a Special Investigating Officer with the Greater Glottage Police Authority, specializing in religious criminality, until the events of the season 1 finale.

Hayward is stated in the casting call to be in his 30s, but otherwise his age is not stated. It is suggested that he is plainclothes, as Carpenter didn't recognize him as an officer until he said something. In season 2, it is implied that he is hit on working as a waiter for a party.

ATTENTION: SPOILERS AHEAD! Beyond this point, major plot spoilers are expected. Continue at your own risk.

Personality

Hayward is described as "smart, a little self-satisfied, and has a weary amusement in all things." He's introduced as a firmly middling cop doing his best to walk the line of his job and the public, and finds the idea of the police's deity to be incredibly stupid. He's even mildly resentful to the union, because the invention of their god means they don't have partners anymore.

It is mentioned that he forgets his service arm frequently, and has gotten into serious issues in the past because of this. Coupled with the fact that he believes that The Stink is on him, it is safe to assume that he does not do his job well. He believes himself to be bordering on a failure, resents the hours and blames his job for the emotional distance with his wife, and tries to have a mild, accepting outlook despite this. Overall, in terms of his interaction with the world, he wants to be a good person but his attempts have put him here, and has to deal with the reality of that. He speaks of wanting to make a new start several times, both in his discussion of his divorce with Carpenter, and his talk with Stanton, in which he entertains ideas of giving up on the police and starting a fish restaurant, though he's mostly joking in the latter case.

He finds faith in general to be a chore more than anything. He says his thanks for the coffee in the morning, and that's enough. He firmly believes that people out in the country take their gods too seriously. Despite his belief that worshiping the gods are a waste of time, he shows interest in information about deities and the stories around them. He often goes on small tangents about the illegal deities he's encountered in his time as an officer, remembering the details, themes, people, and stories around them and enjoying recounting these tales to others.

Background

It is implied that in his description of The Stink Hayward was speaking of his own past. As such, Hayward joined the Greater Glottage Police Authority by the age of 19. He was assigned to the Furnace District station in Southern Glottage after seven weeks of training, and mainly patrolled, as he was not initially given casework. In this same period, he witnesses the execution of Officer Kerling, without the context of the reason for the killing.

Additionally, he claims to be heading towards divorce, talking of his failing marriage to Carpenter, though its unclear whether he did this in order to get her guard down, actually is having issues with his home life, or came up with the story as veiled metaphor for his relationship to his work. Later, this comes up again between them. He reveals to Paige that his wedding ring is an old heirloom from his mother, and that he has never actually been married.

Hayward also has some affinity for the Saint Electric - tuning his radio into Sid Wright's show, mentioning praying to the Saint Electric over coffee, and when surprised by Daggler, calling out "Sainted Current!", though this might be expected given the high presence of the Saint Electric in cities, being stamped on both his coffeemaker and the trains.

Hayward expresses that his whole life has felt like a performance. His mother would always look worried, and although she never expressed it, Hayward knew what she was worried about. She worried he's never get out of the tenements, because he was always messing around, telling stories and didn't have any connections. So he told her he would apply to become a cop to keep the worry at bay.

He didn't fit in with the other cadets, they'd stare at him and joke about him. He pretended he was like them and the world opened up to him for the first time in his life. He would make himself into the person they need him to be, always pretending but with the hope that one day he won't have to pretend anymore. He did that for thirteen years. The fact the job was taken from him should come as a relief, but the weight of everything he's done stays with him.

He grew up on an estate, without a radio or a second pair of tennis shoes. His apartment was 16 windows up, 4 across. He thought he was the luckiest kid in the city because he could see everything. While he was young, other kids on the estate started to go missing. His mother forbade him from going out after dark and bought a TV to entertain him.

Episode Appearances

Chapters	Synopsis
Chapter 3: Then I'll Speak of Champions	Hayward heads to 41 Silkwood Drive and speaks to Mr Finch, the occupant. He fails to save Mr Finch, who succumbs to the Hollow.
Chapter 5: My Song Is Long And Twisted	Hayward speaks to Carpenter, who gives him the name Sandra. They discuss Marcel's Crossing. At the end of the episode, he makes it clear he's suspicious of Carpenter and Faulkner.
Chapter 6: It Winds, It Worms, It Wends	Hayward finds Stanton, who has been turned into a Saint by Faulkner.
Chapter 9: My Song Has Taken Hold Of Me	Hayward deals with Stanton on the river. He is told by Felix that he has been issued a partner. His partner is Daggler, who takes control of the situation and accuses Hayward of having been marked by the Stink
Chapter 12: And To Fight Is Just To Choke	Felix tells Hayward and Daggler about the situation in Bellwethers. They are following closely behind Carpenter and Faulkner.
Chapter 13: So Let Me Dwell Eternal	Hayward and Daggler catch up to Carpenter. Daggler has every intention of killing her, Hayward stops him. He witnesses Daggler's death and arrests Carpenter.
Chapter 14: And In Ruined Flesh Ascend	Hayward questions Carpenter. When he tries to contact the other officers, he finds them all asleep due to Sid Wright's broadcast. Paige tricks him, and leaves him handcuffed and alone at the station before driving away with Carpenter.
Chapter 15: For My Song Has No Beginning...	Hayward arrives on the scene of Marcel's Crossing. He witnesses the flood, and helps arrest Paige for her part in the ordeal.
Chapter 18: If My Hands Could Shape The Flow	Hayward has breached his contract and defected to the Linger Straits. There he works at a grocery store, although he is about to lose his job. He takes up a job offer at the Kensey House. He watches the death of his coworker Gren and barely escapes with his life.
Chapter 20: And Rend Us Both To Dust Below	Hayward is wanted by CLS authorities. He is follows Paige closely, arriving at Hembry's. He is almost killed by Hembry and then taken hostage by Paige.
Chapter 23: I'd Howl, I'd Scream, In Victory	Hayward wakes up at Paige's father's farm. He is told he is a hostage and isn't going anywhere. After talking to Paige, he agrees to help her create a new god. We hear about his childhood at the tenement, and his reason for becoming a cop.
Chapter 26: My Song, My Sorrow and I	Hayward plays the peacemaker between Paige and her father. He realises that something is wrong with their god, but chooses not to disclose it to prevent worrying Paige.
Chapter 27: So I'll Bear It Trembling Onwards	Hayward steers the boat that takes him and Paige to safety. When Paige realises her father's sacrifice, he refuses to turn around. He continues, panicked, as she is overcome by their god.
Chapter 29: And Where My Final Footsteps Fall	Hayward and Paige wash ashore in the Peninsula. Hayward is pleased to see that Paige has returned to herself. He realises they have to leave, and leads them up the coast.
Chapter 30: Something Dreadful Shall Arise	Hayward finds an injured Carpenter, and brings her back to the Grace.
Chapter 32: Its Wrath Shall Scald The Sun	Hayward participates in a meeting with Elgin and Paige, discussing the problems at the Grace. He speaks to Carpenter about next steps and asks for her help convincing Paige.
Chapter 34: Some Day There Shall Be None	Hayward proves his leadership in handling the rocket crisis and it's aftermath. He and Carpenter leave for Glottage, hoping to find an ally in Adjudicator Shrue.
Chapter 35: The Wise Man Knows The Taste Of Rot	Hayward and Carpenter play a game of I-Spy. It appears as though they're warming up to each other.
Chapter 36: All Lovers Part As Dust	Hayward and Carpenter meaninglessly bicker. They spend the night at the Amicus Hotel before continuing on towards Glottage.
Chapter 37: And Even The Kings In Their Bowers Of Steel	Hayward and Carpenter watch the blackout in Glottage and share a drink. They talk about their goals and Hayward tells Carpenter the same riddle he told Paige.
Chapter 39: This Rotten World Shall Wheeze Its Last	Hayward and Carpenter drive into Glottage.
Chapter 40: This Hateful Hymn Shall Cease	Hayward stands outside his mother's apartment. He lets her live with the mythologised version of him she created. He and Carpenter head to the bar to approach Shrue. When they leave, the find out the war has been won.
Chapter 41: But As My Last Breath Splits My Throat	Hayward tries to speak to Paige but their radio reception is lacking. He tells her they'll be on their way back soon, and that he'll give her the answer to the riddle then. He is comforted by the sound of Paige's voice.
Chapter 42: I’ll Wheeze Through Splintered Teeth	Hayward, Carpenter and Shrue head to the Floating Market. They speak about their plans.
Chapter 43: One Last Song Of Revelations	Hayward heads to GGR with Shrue. He and Carpenter pretend to be Katabasians of the Parish of Tide and Flesh. In his scuffle with Sibling Dawn he is shot in the stomach. Carpenter and Cross carry him out of the building.
Chapter 44: Of Prophets' Dark Deceptions	Hayward struggles with being shot. He is healed somewhat by Pox Monks and given sedatives on the plane. He thinks he has failed Paige. The plane is shot down and they crash into the White Gull River.
Chapter 45: Of Love, And Gods' Defeat (Part One)	Hayward, along with Carpenter, is one of the two survivors of the Britomart crash. He is severely injured and cannot walk. After seeing Carpenter pray over Cross, he asks her if she will do the same for him. She tells him her plan, and at first he refuses. After it plays out, he drives towards the Grace. He tells Carpenter that "A promise is a promise" before he leaves.
Chapter 45: Of Love, And Gods' Defeat (Part Two)	Hayward races back to the Grace to warn his people. When he gets there, he realises with relief that they have already left. He goes to the radio tower and speaks to Paige over the radio. He tells her to keep walking until she is lost to him. Their conversation is cut off, and he tries to gain the attention of the helicopters. The god-winds rise and the helicopters are sent away. Hayward collapses due to pain and exhaustion, and calls out for any god to take him. None do, which he thinks is apt, and he dies.

Connections

• Hayward's unnamed mother is the reason that Hayward became a police officer. After the war began, she created a mythologised version of his defection painting him in her mind as a war hero.

• Felix speaks to Hayward over the tannoy of his police car. In Season 1, they organise Hayward, telling him information and giving him locations. In Season 2, they tell Hayward to stop contacting them.

• Daggler is Hayward's partner whilst hunting down Carpenter and Faulkner. Their relationship is characterised by animosity from the beginning.

• Gren works with Hayward at a supermarket in the Linger Straits. They seem to be relatively friendly, warning Hayward that his employment is throwing up red flags and inviting him to take up an under the table hospitality gig with him.

• Paige and Hayward initially do not get along. Paige rescues Carpenter from him. He arrests Paige at Marcel's Crossing. When they meet again, Hayward has been following Paige to attempt to arrest her, but he is rendered unconscious at Hembry's. After waking up at Paige's, he decides to join her in creating a new god. Following her father's death, Hayward takes on the responsibility of the Children of the Woundtree and looks out for her. He seems to care for her deeply. He views the time he spent with her as a gift.

• Carpenter and Hayward's relationship begins in Marcel's Crossing. They both seem to be going through something when they meet, which allows them to bond for a brief moment. He attempts to arrest her on false-faith activities, but she and Faulkner escape. In Bellwethers, he arrests Carpenter. When Paige rescues her, he vows to keep searching for her. When he does eventually see her again, he offers her sanctuary at the Grace. During their trip to Glottage, they begin to banter with each other and even trust each other.
  

Trivia

• Hayward's romantic entanglements change numerous times throughout the podcast:
  • He claims to be in a rocky marriage, a line in the transcript reads: "But it’s when things are falling apart - that’s when you realise you’re doing most of the negotiating with yourself. ‘If I can only do better, maybe he won’t look at me like he hates me.’" He may be suggesting his partner uses he/him pronouns, or he might be speaking generically.
    
    
  • He mentions having a Wife and speaks compellingly about an interaction with her.
    
    
  • When speaking to Paige he denies having been married, and says he sometimes lied about that or wore a false wedding ring as a part of an undercover persona.

• Hayward's name continues on the trend of being named for medieval English professions, a Hayward being an officer in charge of fences and enclosures, with the job of protecting crops from livestock. In Season Two Chapter Three (Chapter 18 overall), he goes by the fake name Tanner, which keeps with this trend as well (one who tans hides for later use as clothing or other things).

• Hayward's story about the Lady of Linked Hearts and Carpenter's story about The Cleft Beneath All Things mention deities that could be argued as foils. The first revealing if lovers were true but not giving real information, and the other forcing truth from those in questioning. There is also something to be said about the iconography of the deities, one of locks and the other of opening.

• Paige and Hayward's dynamic is that of "the paladin and the prophet". There is something a little romantic about their relationship, although it is not dwelled upon in the show.

• Hayward still thinks about what happened with Finch all of the time, with immense regret.

• The answer to Hayward's riddle "What's the opposite of a sacrifice?" is "a gift that’s given and asks nothing in return. A joy with no conditions".

• Hayward's last words are, "This one’s for me."

• Hayward appears in 28 out of 46 episodes.