What an amazing finale to an all around fantastic second season. I just saw the episode and literally registered to ramble, err, talk about it!
Every scene was excellent and well acted, from the the dream like opening in the motel to the conversation between Janet and Ted Jr, not to mention all the smaller moments in between. The debrief took center stage for me though. Wow! I was on the edge of my seat as Aden Young ran through the gamut of emotions. Yet even after Daniel "confessed" to killing Hannah, I'm (and it looks like others too) still not sure where the truth lies. When Daniel finally relented and stopped sparing with the senator, Daniel's reaction could be read as either one of a defeated innocent man or of one reconciling with the truth that he did commit murder. Thanks to the acting and deft writing, the lack of closure didn't seem ridiculous or unsatisfying to me at all.
I think it would be interesting if Daniel was guilty especially because redemption is a large theme running throughout the series. However I have little doubt Daniel is innocent and that he didn't put on a show. I don't even think a guy like Daniel is capable of putting on a show for anyone at all. He was certainly remembering events from "that night". To me, the only thing that sounded false and/or rehearsed is the actual confession to killing Hannah and then the admittance that there was no coercion involved (which we know is BS!). The first version of events Daniel launched into seemed to be the truth but the rest was a mixture of Senator Foulkes and Trey's planted ideas, false memories and a genuine misremembering of events. I'm pretty sure the plea deal is off the table but I agree with others that Daniel is looking at a fresh heap of trouble.
Tawney, Tawney, Tawney. I know she's a gaurded character, especially around Teddy who may explode at any moment, but I was hoping for a longer talk between her and Ted Jr. too. This is the first time I thought Tawney went past simply being naive as she tacitly admitted to spending the night with Daniel. I suppose it's in keeping with the character but I wanted her to clarify that things with Daniel were innocent in nature.
Well said! Much better than my rambling mess !
It was explained nicely above that Daniel was trying to make Ted feel powerless after the latter mocked and needled the former relentlessly about being raped in prison. Why the coffee grounds? Well, when you're anally raped you lose control of certain bodily functions...if you understand what I'm saying?
I'm excited to see how everything comes together in season 3. I wonder how (or if) the family will stay intact? Everyone was going in separate directions -- Amantha's embracing a Daniel-less life, Tawney and Ted are separated, Jon's off in Boston and the news of Teddy Jr.'s assault will come out soon.
Props to Sarah for the hilarious particles!
