In classic story telling there are two types of finale, the conclusive kind, cohesion given by the laws of cause and effect; and the deus ex machina one. The second one originated in ancient Greek theater, when, in order to give the play a hopeful ending, actors performing to be gods were suspended and helped the resolution. The Fall finale belongs to the former. Maybe a happy ending would have made us more hopeful, or content, but I cannot phantom another ending that the one Cubitt delivered. It was coherent with the overall theme and essence of the series and still gave closure to the victims and characters, even if it was in a twisted way.
The opening sequence with the staring contest between Gibson and Spector is mesmerizing, not only because Dornan and Anderson play it wonderfully but because the tension gets out of the screen and envelopes the viewer. The slow pace of this particular season was just a build up to everything that unravels in this ending. (See notes)
After the dialogue between the prey and the hunter (roles that sometimes fluctuated), a moment when lines are delivered with spite and in order to make the other counterpart react; everything happens fast. Paul doesn't like that Stella hasn't believed his amnesia act, and the truths she vomits, and attacks her. The beginning of the end starts, he goes back to the Metal Health facility, while she spends one night at the hospital, and there's one scene that is placed there with the sole goal to bring some light into Gibson's character, and not only to discover other sides of her, but subtext aside, direct the attention of the viewer to the reasons why she's the opposite to Spector's character. Gibson, as strong as she is, doesn't spend much time laying there and goes back into action. What brings her to have a one on one conversation with Katie, delving even more into her past and sharing a sincere moment with the teenager. It only makes you love Stella even more, because after everything Katie's done, she's not a lost case for Gibson. She tutors her, gives her some insight, and a needed pep talk to dream of bigger things, not the attention of a man. And this is why this series proves that female watchers are not just fishing to watch a love story, or that they're appalled by darkness, what women want, in the XXI century is female characters you can relate to, or admire, or see a vague reflection in them. Whatever they might do, as long as the writing is well done. And this show ticks all the boxes.
Stella and Katie's conversation gets interrupted by a phone call, letting the Super Intendent Detective know, Paul's fate. After asking for help for his fellow inmate to simulate a little outburst and riot in the asylum, Paul beats Dr Larson, kills his, allegedly, new friend and then himself. With a bag and a belt, death by asphyxiation, like he murdered his victims.
It's a gruesome scene, where you see Paul confront death, and his suffering. Is not what Gibson wanted, to have him face his crimes and bring justice to the victims, and their families. But it's the consequence of the game they played, it's the consequence of Paul feeling trapped, knowing and realizing he's an act, just like Stella said. Knowing he's unable to have real feelings. And it's the fall of a serial killer, and a deputy policeman, (because Jim's actions make him quit, this is not the outcome the police wanted) and in some way Stella, too. She goes back to her London apartment, alone, to an empty place, where bills piled up in her absence, and her flowers died, and as she sips that glass of wine and sits in silence, the screen fades to black.
But before that, there's a tiny moment where she puts on her refrigerator the note the nurse gave to Spector. "He that loves not abides in death" it might refer to God, but as any written thing, who reads might give meaning according to their baggage. And maybe to Stella is not only a memory of the case, but also a reminder to step out of the shadows and find her light. Maybe listen to the same advice she gave to Katie.
Side Notes
- I really hope this show receives all the awards it deserves, as much as I hope for a season four. After all Gibson is the main lead, and I don't think I'm alone when I say I could watch her pursuing justice for years to come.
- "And when my heart began to bleed, it was death and death and death indeed" and Paul's heart started to bleed from a young age, really well thought quote that resumes his character.
-“That’s Disney, this is the real story.” enough said.
The opening sequence with the staring contest between Gibson and Spector is mesmerizing, not only because Dornan and Anderson play it wonderfully but because the tension gets out of the screen and envelopes the viewer. The slow pace of this particular season was just a build up to everything that unravels in this ending. (See notes)
After the dialogue between the prey and the hunter (roles that sometimes fluctuated), a moment when lines are delivered with spite and in order to make the other counterpart react; everything happens fast. Paul doesn't like that Stella hasn't believed his amnesia act, and the truths she vomits, and attacks her. The beginning of the end starts, he goes back to the Metal Health facility, while she spends one night at the hospital, and there's one scene that is placed there with the sole goal to bring some light into Gibson's character, and not only to discover other sides of her, but subtext aside, direct the attention of the viewer to the reasons why she's the opposite to Spector's character. Gibson, as strong as she is, doesn't spend much time laying there and goes back into action. What brings her to have a one on one conversation with Katie, delving even more into her past and sharing a sincere moment with the teenager. It only makes you love Stella even more, because after everything Katie's done, she's not a lost case for Gibson. She tutors her, gives her some insight, and a needed pep talk to dream of bigger things, not the attention of a man. And this is why this series proves that female watchers are not just fishing to watch a love story, or that they're appalled by darkness, what women want, in the XXI century is female characters you can relate to, or admire, or see a vague reflection in them. Whatever they might do, as long as the writing is well done. And this show ticks all the boxes.
Stella and Katie's conversation gets interrupted by a phone call, letting the Super Intendent Detective know, Paul's fate. After asking for help for his fellow inmate to simulate a little outburst and riot in the asylum, Paul beats Dr Larson, kills his, allegedly, new friend and then himself. With a bag and a belt, death by asphyxiation, like he murdered his victims.
It's a gruesome scene, where you see Paul confront death, and his suffering. Is not what Gibson wanted, to have him face his crimes and bring justice to the victims, and their families. But it's the consequence of the game they played, it's the consequence of Paul feeling trapped, knowing and realizing he's an act, just like Stella said. Knowing he's unable to have real feelings. And it's the fall of a serial killer, and a deputy policeman, (because Jim's actions make him quit, this is not the outcome the police wanted) and in some way Stella, too. She goes back to her London apartment, alone, to an empty place, where bills piled up in her absence, and her flowers died, and as she sips that glass of wine and sits in silence, the screen fades to black.
But before that, there's a tiny moment where she puts on her refrigerator the note the nurse gave to Spector. "He that loves not abides in death" it might refer to God, but as any written thing, who reads might give meaning according to their baggage. And maybe to Stella is not only a memory of the case, but also a reminder to step out of the shadows and find her light. Maybe listen to the same advice she gave to Katie.
Side Notes
- I really hope this show receives all the awards it deserves, as much as I hope for a season four. After all Gibson is the main lead, and I don't think I'm alone when I say I could watch her pursuing justice for years to come.
- "And when my heart began to bleed, it was death and death and death indeed" and Paul's heart started to bleed from a young age, really well thought quote that resumes his character.
-“That’s Disney, this is the real story.” enough said.
