Syren

I will check that episode out, Mighty Peanut. I've delved into a few cases over the past few years and it always makes me furious and beyond sad to see how easy it is to take someone's freedom, their lives, with no evidence at all sometimes. It's truly horrifying how often the system fails people.

And so it ends. I didn't expect to get so many beautiful little moments but I should've had more faith in McKinnon and company. So much to love in just about every minute of this finale. A list that's not complete because I'd just write down almost everything that did and didn't happen: "You're my hero, young lady." Daniel's dad was loquacious while Daniel speaks the barest minimum of words. Teddy taking his medicine gladly, hopefully because he realizes anger management might be good for him. "We're giving you a raise." "Your letters now are special because I'm the only one who reads them." That entire call was just lovely, I thought. Jon Stern, being eternally badass in the way that matters in the real world: by being a good man willing to fight for what's right. His scene with Daniel was wonderful. I wish he and Amantha would work it out but oddly, she seems to be okay with where her life is right now so I'm okay with it as well. "It felt like we were all being taken to our date with the executioner." Just chills in this scene and its description of Kerwin's last day. How many writers would've even thought of this perspective? KERWIN! Daniel and Kerwin taking a fictional drive. "Because I know ya." Judy Dean and Janet was the real surprise of the finale for me. Did not expect that scene and was once again amazed at the casting on this show. Judy may never escape her "cell" (great observation, The Mighty Peanut!) but I feel like she might, once the real killer is prosecuted. And I absolutely feel the show was telling us that Chris did it and was going down for it. Sondra looking right out at us at the end of the presser and telling us her office would do everything to rectify Daniel's situation were he proved innocent was proof to me that he would be. Melvin! Always glad to see Melvin. Daniel enjoying his friends' company and waiting to talk to Janet later. Daniel smiling. More than once. "I'm cautiously optimistic." As for me, I'm content. Their lives are going to go on without me watching and worrying about them and I feel like I can let go of Paulie and Daniel with no sadness, just a little wistfulness, which is really wonderful and a sign of great writing, in my opinion. Tied up loose ends, but not too tight and not in a pretty bow. A little vague here and there, a little messy, a little disappointment, just like real lives. Aden Young was a wonder to watch and McKinnon's writing was just sublime. I was a fan of his when he played the preacher on Deadwood but who knew how talented he really was when he switched to behind the camera. I cannot wait for what he gives us next. All the actors were pretty much spot on. Again, the casting was possibly the best I've seen. I hope to see all these actors in long and successful careers. I wish I could personally thank every single person who brought this show to life. It was poetry on screen and I'm so glad it exists. So glad to have been along for the ride of Daniel's journey. And so glad to have had you wonderful people to talk with about it. Your insights and comments enhanced my viewing experience every week. It has been a real pleasure. Thank y'all.

Just finished it and will have more thoughts when I have time to type them out, but overall, I loved it. Except the last couple of minutes. I thought we'd said goodbye to Chole so I wasn't thrilled to see her again. I know it was Daniel's daydream of the future and only shows us that he can daydream and hope now, not what actually happens. I feel like everything was wrapped up, the murder, where everyone is heading, but it was done mostly organically and not forced like most shows have done. It was very satisfying to me. I'm content and not as sad as I thought I'd be. More later...

Thanks, AuntiePam. I knew nothing was explicitly said between George and Trey but I thought there was some subtext that made me think that Trey was covering for someone because he had feelings for them. Maybe I conflated what was said at the trailer and the scene with George's dad along with some theorizing in my own head and thought there was something in that earlier scene with G and T that actually wasn't. Ah, thank you, NoDorothyParker. I could remember the gist of the scene but that was all. I did not even remember that Jenny had been mentioned before. I just thought we were supposed to know she was an old friend who was dropped due to all that Amantha was dealing with after Daniel's arrest. And I can't get rid of that quote box. I hope to see Kerwin, too. And I fully expect I'll be crying no matter what happens.

If you're weird, so am I. I'm not sure I've ever watched anything that meant so much to me, affected me so much. Watching the previews for next week, I sobbed and teared up instantly upon seeing Kerwin. WTH, me? And for someone who's a huge word nerd, I find myself inadequately explaining what this show means to me all the time. Ha! Honestly, this made me laugh out loud. I agree about it being a great depiction even though I was cringing and just wanting it to be over with as soon as possible. Clayne Crawford is really amazing in this role. I've said it before, but in lesser hands, this character could've been a one dimensional bad guy. CC and the writers have done a fantastic job making Teddy nuanced. I've gone back and forth on how I feel about him a few times and not because the character has changed or because of bad writing like on lesser shows, but because of the shades and reveals that the writing and CC's portrayal have shown us. The scene with Tawney was really sweet. They've grown up and apart and I think it's going to be okay for both of them. Tawney just seems to have the head start right now. I thought it was kinda great to not have anyone mention the gunshot wound 'til the neighbor asked Teddy what was up with his limp. Other shows would've shown us him having to explain what happened to everyone. "Hunting accident." Hahahaha! Never hunt air dancers out of season, Teddy. The Janet/Ted/Teddy scene was painful and beautifully done. I couldn't hear what Ted said as he left either but seeing it was "I meant Janet," ouch. But I think after the bathroom scene, they're going to be okay. Maybe better than okay for the first time in a long time, or ever, even. Crap, I lost part of your post but I agree with you that since Kerwin said Daniel didn't do it, he didn't. Is that just my Kerwin love showing through? Maybe. And I am glad you and everyone here is here and feels likes gushing about this show as much as I do. The scene with Person, Daggett and Pickens was really great. Even though he tried to rationalize some of what went on that day, Pickens wasn't as defensive or assholish as I would've guessed he'd be. That whole bit about how law enforcement gets committed to an idea in their heads of what happened is apparently very true as I've read a lot over the last couple of years about exonorees and how their should've-been-non-existent cases even got prosecuted in the first place. It's frightening how easy it is to put someone away based on basically nothing. There's no statute of limitations on muder, so Chris could still go to jail for this, right? What's the status with Trey being suspected of killing George? Did that get cleared up or not? Too much time between seasons for my memory to stay caught up, I guess. If Trey saw Chris kill Hannah when he "went back" I would imagine that could be useful info to leverage so he could then just tell the truth about putting George's body in the water and taking Daniel to George's place to implicate him instead. Why did he do that if he was protecting Daniel the day of Hannah's murder? Does Chris have something else on him? Weren't there comments made about George being gay and that somehow played into who was covering for whom, etc. after the murder or am I just making all that up in my head? I could swear when George and Trey had their confrontation before George shot himself, something was said that made me think G was in love with someone involved in the murder and that's why he lied about what he saw. And then G's dad said something disparaging about him in a scene with someone...Daggett, maybe, that drove it home that he was gay and his dad had disowned him because of it. They were at his door and then on the porch, I think when that convo took place. Does anyone remember this or am I a crazy person? I've had that idea for seemingly since the beginning of the show but now I don't know if it's because of the actual show or because of some theorizing I did in my own brain or what. As someone who loathes clutter and stuff, stuff everywhere!, I was thrilled to see the garage and attic getting cleaned out. Can you come help my husband, Jared? He likes to keep useless crap, too. Jared and Janet were great. Nice to see them having a moment or two. Way to come crap all over it, Amantha. Liked Amantha's friend Jenny. Another small moment that said a whole lot about the past and maybe the future, too, that this show is so good at. I'll be very interested to see what Judy said in that letter. Speaking of letters, I guess Daniel will finally open his next week. Loved his scene with Pickle. Anytime Daniel smiles, I'm tickled to see his load lightened if only for a moment or two. And Pickle's delight in having a job and being able to tell his Mama about it was just wonderful. This episode really kicked ass is what I'm saying. Everyone was great. The casting on this show is and always has been stellar. That was a really insightful and interesting article, Sarah. I forget to read the articles some weeks so I'm now going to catch up. The finale title makes me so very happy. All I'm sayin'. :-)

AHHH HAHAHAHAHAHA! Instant karma for shooting my beloved air dancer! That's what you get, Theodore! Yeah, I laughed pretty hard at that, especially since my favorite scene from two episodes back was when Teddy was in his jacket, ready for the meeting at the tire store and he's being all serious and business-like talking about how much they should get for the store, etc., and over his shoulder in the background, the dancing man kept dipping down like he was looking in the window and grinning. It undercut (to me, anyway) how serious Teddy was trying to be and I wondered how Janet didn't smile or snicker a little since it was her POV we were in when that was going on. I'm just glad Teddy wasn't too proud or embarrassed to call 911. I thought he might be calling Tawney at first. Hope this is the end of his self-destructing spiral. I don't hate Chloe but she doesn't seem like a real person either. All the writing for her has been off to me, which is so odd 'cause I don't think I've ever criticized the writing before. Well, not more than a line or two. Everything about her just feels like a tv character which is an unusual misstep for this show. She completely pissed me off in that episode where they were helping themselves to the gelato and making a mess at the country singer's place. Ugh, just tacky AF. Yes, this. I get what her purpose is for us watching, but overall, she doesn't really work for me. I love me some Jon Stern and he was particularly awesome this episode. I agree with you on Sondra. I think she would definitely like to hold the real rapists and murderer (s?) accountable. So would the Sheriff. Looks like Ted and Janet might work it out after all. Only two left, huh? I'm probably going to bawl at the end no matter what the end is. I'm just going to miss this show, these people, so much.

Janet smashing those eggs and her little smile as she walked out into the parking lot---loved it! Also got a kick out of Teddy's line, "No, I got a Prius!" and Amantha's delighted laugh in response. I don't know what to make of Teddy right now but I hope he's getting his mental/emotional act together. I expect him and Tawney to divorce and I hope it's amicable and played as two people who just don't work together anymore, no big drama or anything. I know I've mentioned it before, but where in the world is Tawney getting her clothes? That shirt she had on in the diner looks like something someone much older might wear. Amantha should take her shopping. Not that I love Amantha's style, but at least she's not dressing like she's in a nursing home. /end shallow mini-rant Liked seeing Amantha and Big Ted together. I liked her old friend, too. I appreciated that he was aware of how scary the situation would be to a female walking alone at night and that he was trying to be as non-threatening as possible. I actually loved pretty much every scene of this one. It was great to see the dynamics of everyone, how they relate to each other now, without Daniel around, the glimpses of how they likely were before Daniel's release. Everyone trying to be encouraging or whatever of Jared's camping adventure cracked me up. I think I laughed out loud a few times during this one, which was really awesome. No tears at all this time! Ha! Another great episode.

It's back! This wonderful, spellbinding, heartbreaking, beautiful show is back. I don't have anything to add that hasn't been said but it still makes me so happy to come here and share the love of this show with all of you. This whole episode was stressful for me as I was tensed up, waiting to see how people would treat Daniel. Me, practically the whole epi: "Please be nice to him. Please see he's just damaged and needs a kind hand reached out to him." I was so relieved when his co-worker invited him to eat and said the earlier confrontation was "no big deal." I realized then how masterfully McKinnon has managed to make me actually feel a bit like Daniel while watching. In my own life, that little dustup would've been nothing at all, but the show made me completely stressed out for Daniel while it was going on. Like I forgot how normal it was and viewed it just as Daniel would, a much bigger deal than it was. His whole life is such a damn minefield now. Every interaction is just so hard for him to understand, much less navigate. Of course, the mere mention of Kerwin, even without using his name, and how lonely Daniel was after his execution totally got me right in the heart. That entire speech made me cry but man was I glad he got to say it all to someone who actually listened and understood enough to say the right things to him in response. I liked Chloe. "I was in a sorority once and I don't feel too good about that." Not sure the exact words, but I liked her delivery. I chuckled out loud. Loved him sitting down with his housemates to play cards at the end. I finally felt a little hope that he was going to be okay. Eventually. I think we'll get some resolution to Hannah's murder. I didn't think we would early on in the show, didn't care if we did actually, but as the show's gone on, I feel like there will be some satisfaction on that front. Preferrably with Trey in prison 'cause I'm pretty sure he did it at this point. But if we only ever get hints that Trey and what's his name who killed himself did it, I guess I'll be okay with it. As long as Daniel can live with that uncertainty and can move forward, I can live with never knowing for sure.

I think AutiePam has it right. It's about how hard banishment will be on Daniel, not them. Pile this on top of him serving so much time on death row, being dragged to the point of execution a few times, and now having to start some kind of life away from everyone he knows and loves...it's not insult to injury; it's injury added to grievous injury at this point. All for a crime he likely did not commit and was coerced into confessing to. BTW, the part of the post of mine that you quoted, LoneWolf (which I don't know if it's going to show up in this post where I'm quoting you because I'm not seeing it as I type this) was about Janet's pain at Daniel having to go through the confession and debrief again, not about the banishment that would follow. Her anguish at him having to endure that, at what it was going to cost him mentally, emotionally, in that room, was what she was trying to hide in that scene and her holding it together for him is what got to me. J. Cameron Smith is so good on this show. Hell, all the acting on this show is a treat. I'm glad you're watching, LoneWolf! It's good to have another voice on this show's forum!

Perfection. That's what that whole episode was for me. Every single second was so so good. "No way." Jon, refusing Daniel's proffered hand and hugging him and kissing his cheek instead. Jon Stern, I love you. Threatening the Senator was just icing on the cake for me. Hearing Christopher's account was awful. Even without details, that whole thing made my stomach turn and just repulsed me. That look between Daggett and Person when Chris said no one even talked to him, they just let everyone go, was perfect. The whole kettle corn "saga" was funny just because it was real and one of the things this show does so well: mix in mundane things like that with the deep seriousness of a murder investigation. Daniel staring at the prison---my heart was breaking. And of course he mentioned Kerwin and that broke it completely. I really wanted to see Kerwin again but I'm not sure I could've stood it either. I've said it before but it's truly amazing what they managed with a character that had so very little screentime. Everything with Amantha and Teddy was great, really great. It seemed the big balloon of tension around those two had been popped. The kitchen did look a whole lot better. I'm just glad it's done because having lived through remodeling, that was setting off a twitch for me. Remodeling is pure hell and I will never do it again. <shudder> No mention of the scrunchie but I imagine that will come about next season. Trey locked up for a crime he didn't actually commit is some serious irony, no? I would guess we'll find out what crime(s) he is guilty of next year. They did shoot those last scenes in Nashville---that's our "Batman" building you see in the far background with the sun beside it as they're driving up the hill to the New Canaan Ctr. (is that the right name?)---so I wonder if some of next season will be shot here. If so, I may have to go stalk the set in a non-creepy way. Such a perfect ending to the season of this beautiful, magical show.

"I'd like to tell you about my friend Kerwin." And Syren lets out a huge involuntary sob and is very happy she's alone because frankly, it's embarrassing how much this show gets to me. Just mention Kerwin, and I'm a freakin' mess. I just watched and have had too much wine to comment coherently so I'll be back tomorrow, but man, I love reading this board and the comments over on Sepinwall's review. I'm not alone in my love or my inability to articulate what and how much this show means to me!

Damn, that was an amazing episode! Even with no Kerwin (sob), it was easily one of the best they've done. I had to bold the above to show my enthusiastic agreement. So few shows can make every second seem so vital. I love that I have to pay very close attention to this show, love it. How great was that scene with Daggett and Daniel! As you say, truly magical. I thought the two actors were having a great time together there. It was like Daggett figured out the puzzle that is Daniel and Daniel picked the right time to click into place, if that makes any sense to anyone else but me. After it was over, I realized I'd been holding my breath the whole scene---it was just that damn great. I believe that must be her scrunchy and what the hell was he thinking keeping it? Oh yeah, Trey thinks he's smarter than he actually is. I have come to love Daggett, too. Good on you, Sheriff, for not sucking like your predecessor. Or the Senator. I'm not sure Janet knows the details of what happened, does she? I didn't hate Teddy this episode, but when he admits to everyone that he taunted Daniel, insinuated (outright said? I don't recall the dialogue of the scene) that he must've wanted to be raped, then I'll believe he's truly changed. He seemed to be making some steps this episode and I hope that continues. I thought Tawney's foster mom might be awful for some reason, but she really wasn't. I liked Teddy and Tawney just admitting they're not good or right for each other. There's not always a reason or need for massive drama or someone to be the bad guy when a marriage ends; sometimes people just aren't good mates. Amantha's line about another person other than Daniel capable of committing a crime in Paulie and Melvin's anger at the "buttholes" who ruined the pool were great. Melvin's especially. Him saying "butthole" cracked me and the husbutt up. I speculated last year that the Senator seemed overly invested in Daniel being guilty and wondered if he was actually involved in Hannah's death or just covering for someone's kid or what, so I'm eager to see Jon's smackdown in the finale. Also, I love Jon and love when he's a badass. Go get that prick, Jon! (MorbidPet, I meant to quote you about Jon but messed it up.) I never read interviews with the cast or McKinnon or any media about this show other than Sepinwall's reviews and the stories here, but I may go check some stuff out after the finale. It's weird because I read plenty about other shows I even mildly like so I'm not sure why I've avoided reading about this one. Maybe I just don't want the spell to be broken by reality.

I hate that I have to wait to watch the show on demand the day after it airs but it's the only way to get HD. Does it air in HD for anyone? I'm glad Daggett sees Trey is trying to pin George's death on Daniel. Why on earth would Trey say Daniel was wearing a coat? Like that made any sense in southern Georgia or Florida. I mean, I get that he was trying to make it make sense that Daniel would have all of George's stuff on him---cell, wallet---but why did he think that would play with the Sheriff? Did he think he could just chalk it up to Daniel's eccentricities if called on it? You're more clever than I would've first thought, Trey, but not half as clever as you think you are. Really liked that scene with Person and Daggett trying to figure out the mess that is the Hanna murder "investigation" (such as it was) along with what's going on now. Daniel's remark to the PO, "that's just the way I think," was delivered so well. I could hear his frustration at himself that once again he'd said something that was off-putting to others but it's just how his mind works and once again, he couldn't control his mouth. I think Daniel is more frustrated with himself than everyone else put together. Teddy and Ted Sr., "That's good." I don't know if it's on purpose or just that the show was written by one writer, but I like that they use the same phrases and seemingly in the same way. The I-don't-know-what-to-say-here way. Teddy was less than awful this episode. I was surprised and impressed that he didn't get up and leave Rebecca's office when things got hard. I don't know what to make of the kiss but I still hope Tawney leaves. Getting some MV flavored love seems to have helped Amantha's mood a bit. And her fashion sense---no chip clips in her hair! I always like her but I liked her a lot this episode. She's wrong about Daggett, but that's okay. I do hope she and Jon work it out because Jon is the guy you stick with for the long haul. Maybe she'll go with him when he goes after all. She is still terrible at retail, though, not only did she just stop mid-transaction without even an "excuse me one sec" but she rang up that last item twice according to the beeps. Maybe that was just the sound mixer's fault, though. :-)

I did not know that about Goggins. I loved him as Boyd on Justified, but Rectify would be a very different thing with him in the lead. Aden Young is fantastic, IMO.

I thought this was cool because it's two of my favorite shows meeting in some way. Second item in.

Yeah, I was kidding about the vomit smell, which may not have come across. :-) It was a callback to a joke in a thread from last season. I think he was just saying there was something off about Trey and used the word "smell" to mean demeanor or attitude or behavior. Like you say, Fisher King, he sensed the guilt but that's not how he put it into words.

I wonder if Amantha watches Pretty Little Liars and thinks Aria is fashionable rather than batshit crazy in the clothing department. But as you said, she did end the day with MV in her bed, so obviously that worked out for her. Those damn hair clips, though! I thought they were chip clips, too! I was glad she apparently did remember a hair brush as later in the bar, her hair looked pretty good. Glad I'm not the only one who thought something terrible was going to happen after the elevator opened. So much dread and tension in so many scenes! Except the wonderful flashback where Jon told Daniel he was going home. I wish they'd not shot it through the wired glass because I couldn't see D's face very well, but man, that scene got me good. Yes to all the above, and I was glad she finally blurted some of that out even if it was at a completely inappropriate time and place. Sure, it was her choice to dedicate her life to getting Daniel released, but I still feel bad for her and where it's landed her in life. Although, again, she did get to bed a hot stranger, so there's that. Definitely beats karaoke on the fun scale. I feel like the Sheriff is as confused about what happened to George as we are about Hannah and who can blame him, given the evidence he has to work with? I wonder if he tripped up Trey with that question about what Daniel was wearing or did Trey manage to pass that test? I haven't looked it up to see what would be the "right" answer in that situation; should he remember or not? It's interesting to me how much of a different side of Daniel comes out when he's dealing with the Sheriff (or the Sheriff, DA and Senator from last season) vs. every other interaction in his life. He definitely comes across more...calculating in those scenes. More like he's playing a cat and mouse game. I get why he does it but I don't think it's doing him any favors. He didn't do it in the bathroom scene when it was just him and the Sheriff but maybe that was because he just didn't grasp how seriously precarious his position was at the time? I don't know. It's easy to see how the Sheriff might think he's guilty, though. I loved Daniel's quick retort about the fingerprints, showing that he doesn't say much but his mind is sharp and moves fast. Had the Sheriff already considered that scenario? Did he look slightly surprised when Daniel brought up the idea? I need to watch again. Everyone has already said what I think about Teddy. Jeez, you never learn, do you, guy? I hope that's the last time Tawney sets foot in that house. She seemed to me like she'd made up her mind and wasn't coming back but then when Teddy brought up the assault, she wavered a bit. Was that because she really thought Teddy needed help and getting it might make a difference or is it that she's shrewder than we realize and knows that Teddy could send Daniel back to prison so she was trying to placate him? I wouldn't think it's the latter, but it's possible. Still no mention of the Senator's stroke but I guess it's only been a day or so in show time. I worry about Ted and Janet but I liked Janet trying to get Daniel his part of the tire store. I get why Daniel annoys some people with his strangeness and the way he speaks, someone that still and inward-focused and confounding would drive me nuts in real life, but as a character I find him so very fascinating. Aden Young is utterly amazing to me in this role. This made me LOL, for real! Thank you, The Mighty Peanut! Wow, that is impressive. Well done, Clemens and Crawford.

When George's dad told the sheriff something was off about Trey's smell, did anyone else think, "Was it the dried vomit on his face?" Just me?

Yes to all the above. I have always liked Amantha, even when she annoyed me as she did at the end of this episode. I get Amantha. I agree she was never in it for the glory or whatever of getting Daniel set free. I think she spent her whole life convinced he was innocent and that was why she fought the good fight. It would've been nice if anyone had ever really acknowledged her work to her face. I found that strange that no one ever said much to her about it, that without her he'd still be on death row, or perhaps executed by now. But maybe there's too much doubt in everyone else's minds, including Janet's, to really feel like they should pat her on the back for getting him out. I get Amantha because I am a lot like Amantha. My husband in Season One, "It's your long lost fictional sister. " Anyone who knows me will tell you I'm beyond blunt. You never have to wonder where you stand with me or what I think about anything because I am happy to tell you, with vigor and swearing, usually. As a Southerner, this makes me quite the oddball and I'm okay with that. As my sister-in-law pointed out to someone who was put off by my forthrightness, I say what everyone else only thinks but they still think it so how is my saying it any worse? I have two sisters-in-law, but she's the only one I claim.

Late to the party and everyone has pretty much said it all, but I'm gonna say it some more anyway. Such a great episode. I was riveted the entire time. I need to go back and watch the first epi of this season because I was interrupted several times and that kinda ruined it for me. I find that this show is best watched without any distractions (or breaks if my bladder can manage it) because it's almost like a spell is cast, like I'm off in another world when I watch. It's so much a mood thing for me. Anyway, I loved this episode so much. "No. Daniel." Ha! This show is so heavy that any little bit of humor is like the sun coming out from behind a cloud. I particularly love when Daniel cracks a joke of any kind. The entire scene with Peanut was so good. "God, that must've hurt," Amantha saying what anyone would be thinking looking at that Michelin Man baby. "No, I had an epidermis!" Oh, Peanut, bless your heart. I'm so glad you've found your place at Thrifty Town. I mean that with just a little snark because really, it's good she has that job. The mere mention of Kerwin makes me both sad and happy. Still miss Kerwin. Really loved Tawny's scene with her therapist. Knowing she was in foster care and aged out makes me want to hug and protect her now. I have a special love for foster kids and their struggles. It also explains a lot about her and the life she's been leading up 'til now. I hope she opens up more to her therapist. I'd like to see her fly free and happy at the end of this. Seeing Daniel light up when he realized he was talking to Melvin and then asking about his turtles was great. The actor who plays Melvin does a lot with his few lines, too. Janet and Jon's scene was so well done. I really love J. Smith-Cameron. Teddy. Friggin' Teddy. I have gone back and forth a lot with him, but I think any sympathies I had are gone at this point. And it's not because I love those damn air dancers like a child would and he went and unplugged the one at the tire store like it offended him in its airheaded joy. (Side note: I own two ten footers. My husband got them for me for my b-day a couple years ago. I am a grown ass woman but I love those dumb things.) I really liked the neighbor not putting up with his nonsense; it's like he is one of the few who sees the real Teddy behind that BS salesman persona he wears all the time. His story to Jared solidified my sense that he's just not a good person, period. He may be aware of his faults but he doesn't seem to be doing much to correct any of them. Don't worry, Teddy, I'm pretty sure it would never even occur to Jared to do anything like what you did to Julie. He's not entitled and oily and fake and awful like you, bro. I will say that I think Clayne Crawford is doing a great job with the character. A less compelling actor would make Teddy a caricature, but CC is selling it for me. Teddy is interesting, not just repulsive like I think he'd be in lesser hands. I am so glad this show is back and so glad to have you all to share thoughts with. No one I know watches and there's no way to make anyone who hasn't seen it understand what's so wonderful about it. Good to see y'all! :-)

Season 3 Trailer.

Thanks for that interview, peeayebee. That was a really great read! I read Sepinwall's site several times a week now. I had never heard of him before last year and somewhere I read a recommendation for his book, "The Revolution Was Televised", read it, loved it, and have been a fan of his ever since. Whoa, I thought I'd read that wonderful piece you posted, alexvillage, but I had not. What a great article; it would make me want to watch if I weren't already a fan. The whole thing is really well-written, but I especially enjoyed this part and I hope it's okay to copy/paste this much of the article: "In the second season premiere, Daniel finds himself in a dream space seemingly between life and death, where he meets a friend he made on death row, someone he never thought he'd see again. Their conversation doesn't center on the improbability of their meeting, as it might on other shows. It centers, instead, on the question of whether life is ultimately a gift or a long slog toward death, a kind of cosmic sentence between the hard punctuation marks of beginning and end. It's a staggeringly beautiful scene, not just thanks to its writing and acting, but thanks to its direction, which places the events in a barren field and is never shy about pulling back to find Daniel and his friend, dressed all in white, amid all this death. Beautifully directed scenes like this are present throughout the series. And more importantly, they're not afraid to linger on lovely images, to represent all of the good and bad that life can offer. It could be incredibly, incredibly pretentious, the kind of pseudo-philosophical babbling that has done in many a lesser show. But Rectify earns moments like that - or others, like when Daniel stands beneath a flowering tree, petals drifting around him, or when he sets off on a bike back to his hometown in Georgia after a brief sojourn in Florida - because it wears its heart on its sleeve. It honestly wants to be a series that asks its audience to consider the idea that life is a gift, yes, but one that leaves bruises. And both sides of that equation are necessary." Yes, yes, and yes! I went back and watched that scene again recently so I could bask in the friendship between Daniel and Kerwin and have my heart crushed a little when he walks away. "All I'm sayin', D. All I'm sayin'."

Real life keeps getting in the way of my entertainment consumption. I wish it would quit doing that. I finally got to watch the finale but I think I need to watch it again. I'm sure I missed things. Well said, all of it, Kris117. I was worried about Jared in that scene---again with the tension and dread, show! You're right about Hanna's family being in their own prison. Her brother is unable to move forward because his mother seems unwilling to do so. What a horrible life that kid must've had. How he and Amantha ever got through life in Paulie after Hanna's murder is a wonder. And now both of them seem to live lives defined by their siblings, though Amantha may find a different way forward now. I agree about the confession, both the one from that night and the one in the debrief. I think you are spot on about what we saw in the debriefing. I'm not sure why I never thought about it before, but this new DA really thought Daniel did it, thought it was a good case. That was a big "Duh!" moment for me. Not sure why I thought she would think anything else since she wasn't around for that case and only has the files and what people like Foulkes are telling her to rely on. I guess I thought the actual case looked pretty weak on paper with the multiple semen samples---none matching Daniel, a 'shroomed up 18-yr-old's confession---surely she knows how often false and/or coerced confessions happen, it all seems pretty weak even if you're not privy to the insight into Daniel that we viewers have, so I thought she was just going along with it for the sake of her career. There was a moment in the finale where it seemed to dawn on her that Daniel was coerced into that confession. It seemed to hit her that he was telling the truth about Foulkes and the old sheriff, that she realized maybe this guy was actually innocent. But then she seemed to believe he did kill Hanna when he gave up and resigned himself to saying what he had to say to get the plea deal. I will have to watch her closer when I re-watch. I'm not sure where she wound up in the Did He or Didn't He game. When Daniel finally gave up and "admitted" killing Hanna, I put my head in my hands and sighed sadly. I knew he'd likely do it, but I still hated that Foulkes and others had forced him into another false confession. His resignation, seeing how tired he was and how he just wanted to put it all behind him no matter what that cost him was just heartbreaking. Another great performance by AY. I was literally on the edge of my couch, holding my breath, then I just felt defeated and broken. Janet's Herculean effort to keep it together for Daniel, the tightness of her voice when she said, "See you in a bit," just got me right in the heart. I liked seeing the sheriff progress this season, too. He seems to genuinely want to get to the truth and I'm glad to see it. He's already suspicious of Trey so I hope that bodes well for Daniel not getting framed for George's death. As others have noted, the body's been in the water a while and that'll be obvious, and he knows George has been missing for weeks before Trey and Daniel's trip. My ears perked up at the mention of Christopher because I'm pretty sure that's the first we've heard of him. Does anyone remember him being mentioned before? There were a few moments during the finale that I rolled my eyes because I thought they were beneath the writing on this show. When Janet and Ted Sr. were talking and he says he needs to tell her something and she says she already knows and then they're talking about two different things---very sitcom-like. When Janet walks in on Ted and Daniel right as Ted asks what they're going to tell his mother and she says, "Tell me what?" Even though this is a likely scenario in a house that size, I knew as soon as Ted mentioned her, Janet would come in and utter those exact words. I did like that it went in a different direction from there though, with Daniel not telling her about what he did to Teddy. And the last one was when Tawney didn't clarify that nothing happened with her and Daniel at the motel. There are good reasons listed above about why she might have done that, but I would've preferred her telling him and him just not believing her. I would've found that truer to both characters. As it played out, she just seemed awfully stupid to me. The acting saved all these weak writing moments but they stuck out to me because this show's writing is seldom that hackneyed. I had a brief moment of, "OMG, they're not going to crash into each other, are they?" too! My horror wasn't that they'd crash and possibly die, but that the show would do something so silly. The way that scene was edited made it seem they were headed for each other. I'm really glad we have a third season. This show just doesn't seem to be on many people's radar, certainly no one I know watches it, so I'm happy to have all of you to talk about it with. I've really enjoyed reading everyone's thoughts this season. Even when I don't comment, I'm reading and seeing things from a different perspective and it adds another dimension to my enjoyment of the show. Thanks, y'all. :-)

Yea! Very glad to know we'll get another season. Thank you for posting this, JodhaBai..

I really liked this episode but I got to it late this week and you guys have already said just about everything I want to say on it. I'm still gonna yammer a bit anyways 'cause I'm too into the show not to. :-) I liked that scene a lot as well. I also really liked last week when Janet acknowledged that Daniel wouldn't be out of prison without Amantha's dogged determination. "If Amantha hadn't been Amantha." I really loved how Ted Sr. handled that situation. He is just great. Poor Janet, thinking they were talking about something completely different, how his life could move forward, etc. She seemed so happy to have that hope to grab hold of. Don't imagine she'll handle the idea of the banishment well. I didn't realize banishment was a real, legal thing. I miss Kerwin. I am glad we didn't see Wendall this week because, yuck. I am with you, I don't normally care for the religious advisor but I do like Charlie. Haha! I like that "turd" line, too. It felt very real. "TIny Triumph" is a great way to describe that moment---I really enjoyed that she was smiling and knew the lady's name. Luckylyn, YES to your whole post. I had to bold some of your words because I agree, boldly. Ha! That sense of menace is something this show does so well that it's almost hard to watch at times. No show builds dread like this one for me, not just in the Teddy/Tawney scenes, but in other ones too. I want to feel bad for Teddy, feel like I should a lot of times, and I even see where he's coming from most of the time, but yes, the uncalled for assholery is what keeps me from ever truly sympathizing with him. And after he told Tawney that maybe Daniel would strangle her too, well, that was just too far for me. I know people say ugly things when they're upset, but that? That was just indicative of a juvenile meanness that I can't see any excuse for in an adult. I don't care how angry you are, you shut your trap rather than say something so grotesque. Just one more episode, huh? I am looking forward to it but don't want to see it over either. Does anyone know what Sundance's pattern is for announcing renewals? Or if they have enough original programming to even have a pattern? I have no idea since this is the only thing I watch on that channel.