S05.E13: One Big Thing

[CrystalBlue]

I was surprised they went the (illegal in MA) assisted suicide route, but quickly realized it with the Mature Subject Matter warning and how the open went.

I have fanwanked the dinner at Katherine's scene as being a time jump, shown out of order part of the Gary's death saga.

I love how Colin was an integral part of the end and that Maggie and Javi have another dog named Daisy.

[Lethallyfab]

I cried like mad during last week’s episode, I didn’t really cry at all during this week’s.  

I’ve already clocked Mrs Maisel for not remotely bothering to age up the actress in a future timeline, so I appreciate that *some* effort was made for a time jump  - I thought Allison Miller looked exceptional but some others definitely looked less than exceptional.

So based off context clues — D saying that “she’s never let a guy do that before” and “if it would cure your cancer, I’d flip right over” — I have to presume that Gary used the whiteboard to proposition Delilah for anal?  Gross.  Grosser than your wedding toast full of “slumber parties with two girls?  So hot.  Just, like, lez out and let me watch” comments.  
 

I have to point out the irony of a show that started with Jon’s suicide absolutely devastated his friends and family and thank god Rome didn’t commit suicide because he has so much to live for and also it would devastate his friends and family basically ended with “assisted suicide is okay and completely justified and there are no lingering legal, moral or ethical issues regarding it.”  

[CSunshine76]

I am gutted. That death scene was too much. As I told my friends, I love this show and I hate this show. I’ll miss it, particularly Gary Mendez. RIP.

[crashdown]

13 hours ago, Suzn said:

One other thing bothered me.  The gang gathered at Katherine's while Gary was dying.  I can't imagine that they would be yucking it up waiting for the news that he was dead.  Sure later, they might share their funny stories, but not at that moment

I don't believe that dinner was in the present while Gary was dying--I think it was a flash forward to a later time when they were all remembering fond stories about Gary. That was definitely my feeling when I watched; I'll rewatch to confirm. If not, it was tonally nuts.

(Nope, I was wrong--I rewatched carefully, and they're all wearing the same clothes that they had on earlier in the day (except for Eddie, and that was probably a continuity error). So, the funny stories WERE as they were waiting for word of the death. I can wank it that they decided that Gary would have wanted them to be happy and they tried for his sake, but it doesn't make sense that they would have pulled it off so easily. Also, Katherine brought out a huge fruit salad, which is one reason I thought this was in the future at a planned event. Why would she have so much food lying around for a crowd?)

Edited May 5, 2023 by crashdown

[LoveIsJoy]

Can anyone with sharper eyes than mine, describe what was on the billboard that Maggie surprised Gary with?  All I could make out was something to the effect of “Gary lived,” but I couldn’t make out what the artwork was.  They flashed it a couple of times but my brain didn’t process it for some reason.  Thanks!

[circumvent]

8 hours ago, Notabug said:

As a general rule, if someone dies outside of the hospital or within 24 hours of admission, they are a 'coroner's case'.  That means a detailed report goes to the coroner and he/she decides if an autopsy is warranted or if the cause of death is obvious.

I wasn't sure if he was in hospice care since we never saw an hospice nurse with him, or at least I don't remember seeing one.

The one thing I appreciated* in this episode, as a series finale, used suicide with family and friends as opposed of how it started, suicide alone and as a surprise to all.  I am not impressed by "Gary's"  writing abilities though. Just a bunch of cliches about friends and life's ending.

*I mean, I appreciate the attempt because it didn't really work for me. They added a scene with Jon that didn't really make sense in the context, just to give Sophie and Danny something to do?

[smartymarty]

12 hours ago, Aileen said:

Danny is going to try to sob story a COFFIN SALESWOMAN?  Come ON!

I know! Because nobody else buying a coffin has a loved one dying/died.

12 hours ago, ams1001 said:

Which still doesn't really make sense. Even if there was some hope, he should have written his will at least when he was told he was terminal in the first place. Also, they have a baby together; even if he wasn't sick, they both should have had wills and a plan for Javi in case something happened to them. Actuary Gary, of all people, should know this.

You'd be surprised by the number of people who "should know" but don't do this (my hubby is a lawyer). Why it had to be a secret is what confounds me. It's basic* planning when people have a baby. (*But see previous sentence.)

I was happy that they had Regina lose the election!! Something actually logical! But why, oh why, did she think a stranger would recognize someone on the radio (hear her voice only) versus someone who ran for city council (had to be photos everywhere)?

Edited May 5, 2023 by smartymarty

[Katie111]

47 minutes ago, smartymarty said:

 

I was happy that they had Regina lose the election!! Something actually logical! But why, oh why, did she think a stranger would recognize someone on the radio (hear her voice only) versus someone who ran for city council (had to be photos everywhere)?

They've had a couple scenes where Maggie has been recognized over the years.  I think sh eeven had a stalker at one point.  Maybe a morning DJ on a top 40 radio station in Boston (i.e. Matty in the Morning on Kiss 108) might be recognized because they make a lot of appearances at concerts and such but not a therapist on an AM station that probably barely anyone listens to.  Not even sure any station would have a therapist show as there seems like there would be a lot of possible liability.

 

Also, I can't believe no one mentioned Eddie and Catherine buying the condo next to Maggie.  They were looking at a $650k house in Springfield (a depressed area) and then suddenly they are buying what would be a million-dollar plus condo in downtown Boston.  Didn't Catherine have some sort of financial situation after Johnathan died where she was broke?  I thought that was why she was selling the house in the first place but of course that took 4 years to sell.

Edited May 5, 2023 by Katie111

[LizDC]

4 hours ago, circumvent said:

I wasn't sure if he was in hospice care since we never saw an hospice nurse with him, or at least I don't remember seeing one.

There was a hospital bed in the apartment.  That probably came from hospice.

[Kip Hackman]

I've been hate-watching this show for the last few seasons, but damn if they didn't stick the landing. This somehow hit me harder than the ending of "This Is Us", which was always the superior show.

Missed last week's episode, so this was a pretty bleak 2-episode binge. But well done. Take care, everyone.

[Suzn]

12 hours ago, CrystalBlue said:

I have fanwanked the dinner at Katherine's scene as being a time jump, shown out of order part of the Gary's death saga.

Several people have suggested that it was a time jump, but I don't think it was.  First of all , it wasn't presented that way at all and secondly, Maggie would have been there, if that was the case.

[Suzn]

10 hours ago, Lethallyfab said:

So based off context clues — D saying that “she’s never let a guy do that before” and “if it would cure your cancer, I’d flip right over” — I have to presume that Gary used the whiteboard to proposition Delilah for anal?  Gross.  Grosser than your wedding toast full of “slumber parties with two girls?  So hot.  Just, like, lez out and let me watch” comments.  

I missed that! That whole scene was already disgusting and now much worse.

9 hours ago, crashdown said:

(Nope, I was wrong--I rewatched carefully, and they're all wearing the same clothes that they had on earlier in the day (except for Eddie, and that was probably a continuity error). So, the funny stories WERE as they were waiting for word of the death. I can wank it that they decided that Gary would have wanted them to be happy and they tried for his sake, but it doesn't make sense that they would have pulled it off so easily. Also, Katherine brought out a huge fruit salad, which is one reason I thought this was in the future at a planned event. Why would she have so much food lying around for a crowd?)

I'm glad you picked that up and can confirm that their "party" was while waiting to hear that Gary was dead.

5 hours ago, circumvent said:

I wasn't sure if he was in hospice care since we never saw an hospice nurse with him, or at least I don't remember seeing one.

They had someone we can assume was a hospice nurse suggesting that they get a hospital bed.

Edited May 5, 2023 by Suzn

[TivoFan]

8 hours ago, LoveIsJoy said:

Can anyone with sharper eyes than mine, describe what was on the billboard that Maggie surprised Gary with?

It was a Boston Bruins billboard spray painted (by Greta) with the words “Gary was here,” an echo of the “Maggie was here” graffiti from an earlier season.

[Katie111]

9 minutes ago, TivoFan said:

It was a Boston Bruins billboard spray painted (by Greta) with the words “Gary was here,” an echo of the “Maggie was here” graffiti from an earlier season.

Just another example of this friend group asking each other to do something illegal.   Weird, because I don't think I've ever asked anyone I know to do something illegal, especially something that could land them in jail.  

[Clanstarling]

21 hours ago, Katie111 said:

And Greta not changing her hairstyle in 16 years really cracked me up.  It was already out of style in 2023 but yet she kept it for another 16 years?

Eh, I see 70 and 80 year old former hippies around town with their old hair styles and their Tye-dye. Some people find what works for them and stick to it. Getting closer to that age myself, and I find that I just don't care to be fashionable. Comfort is more important to me.

16 hours ago, circumvent said:

Maggie talking on the grave after 15 years - not sixteen if Javi was turning 16, Gary died when he was one - was a bit much to swallow (personally, it is a peeve)

Is it the length of time after his death, or speaking at the grave? I used to think it was pretty weird and silly, and now I find myself talking out loud to my dear departed - provided I'm alone. There's something about saying out loud what you're thinking in your head that's somehow more comforting and satisfying. At least for me.

13 hours ago, KaveDweller said:

I originally had the same thought, but then I remembered that they met on 9/11. If I was a flight attendant and had to forcibly stop someone from getting on one of the planes that then hit the twin towers, I would probably remember them and their name. It wasn't just a fleeting interaction on a random day, it was a pretty impactful interaction on a day most people remember well.

Absolutely. I can remember that day with great clarity - and I sure would remember any person whose life I might have saved.

 

[circumvent]

2 hours ago, LizDC said:

There was a hospital bed in the apartment.  That probably came from hospice.

 

1 hour ago, Suzn said:

They had someone we can assume was a hospice nurse suggesting that they get a hospital bed.

One can get hospital beds, or something like it, without hospice. Some hospice also don't provide the beds. 

It was badly done. Hospice nurses need to either be there or visit the patient. They didn't show us that, so there is a lot of room for WTFs. 

It doens't matter because thankfully this show is over.

1 minute ago, Clanstarling said:

Is it the length of time after his death, or speaking at the grave? I used to think it was pretty weird and silly, and now I find myself talking out loud to my dear departed - provided I'm alone. There's something about saying out loud what you're thinking in your head that's somehow more comforting and satisfying. At least for me.

I meant that it was said either here or int he episode that 16 years had passed, it was Javi's 16th birthday. Those two statements don't go together. Either Javi is 16, therefore 15 years have passed, or Javi is 17. 

[crashdown]

One nice thing is that there's still snow in Boston in 2039. Global warming hasn't destroyed us yet!

[Suzn]

1 hour ago, circumvent said:

 

One can get hospital beds, or something like it, without hospice. Some hospice also don't provide the beds. 

It was badly done. Hospice nurses need to either be there or visit the patient. They didn't show us that, so there is a lot of room for WTFs. 

But they did have a visit from a hospice nurse, who suggested a hospital bed.  Then Maggie ran out and cried in the hallway.

[circumvent]

44 minutes ago, Suzn said:

But they did have a visit from a hospice nurse, who suggested a hospital bed.  Then Maggie ran out and cried in the hallway.

I know, but the last episode showed no nurse or any kind of help really. My peeve is with the bad writing, since assisted suicide is a touchy issue and illegal in MA. It would be better if they had stated that Rome and Eddie would not be on the hook because hospice doesn't require autopsy. how ling would it take? 5 seconds to add a sentence clarifying that? With all the Sophie and Danny useless scenes, I think it would be better to not make things so muddy in the legality/risks of the assistance - which was not really needed, since Gary could have prepared and takes the pills himself. He wasn't that debilitated

Basically, I am just complaining about what I have always complained with this show: bad writing, inconsistency, lack of continuity

[Suzn]

12 minutes ago, circumvent said:

I know, but the last episode showed no nurse or any kind of help really. My peeve is with the bad writing, since assisted suicide is a touchy issue and illegal in MA. It would be better if they had stated that Rome and Eddie would not be on the hook because hospice doesn't require autopsy.... which was not really needed, since Gary could have prepared and takes the pills himself. He wasn't that debilitated

Basically, I am just complaining about what I have always complained with this show: bad writing, inconsistency, lack of continuity

You are completely right about that!  There was a lot wrong with this final episode.  Something I questioned was that Gary was back in his regular bed instead of the hospital bed.  Why? 

Edited May 5, 2023 by Suzn

[Clanstarling]

1 hour ago, circumvent said:

I know, but the last episode showed no nurse or any kind of help really.

That's a fair point, though when my mother died, there was no hospice nurse there. Or anyone but us. And my mom had been unconscious for days, so it was pretty much expected.

[Notabug]

2 hours ago, Suzn said:

You are completely right about that!  There was a lot wrong with this final episode.  Something I questioned was that Gary was back in his regular bed instead of the hospital bed.  Why? 

I presume it was because he knew this was the end and he wanted to die in his own bed.  And maybe Maggie wanted to be right there with him and it was easier in their own bed.

[KaveDweller]

18 hours ago, Lethallyfab said:

I have to point out the irony of a show that started with Jon’s suicide absolutely devastated his friends and family and thank god Rome didn’t commit suicide because he has so much to live for and also it would devastate his friends and family basically ended with “assisted suicide is okay and completely justified and there are no lingering legal, moral or ethical issues regarding it.”  

Based on interviews with the showrunner, that was very intentional. He wanted to show the difference between a compassionate suicide and a tragic one. He planned to end the show this way since season 1.

[historylover820]

15 years passed, and it was Javi's 16th birthday. Because Gary's last video was for his 16th birthday.

[CrystalBlue]

12 hours ago, Suzn said:

Several people have suggested that it was a time jump, but I don't think it was.  First of all , it wasn't presented that way at all and secondly, Maggie would have been there, if that was the case.

So my fanwanking didn't work? Bah humbug!  (Also a little weird if you ask me. 😕😭.)

4 hours ago, KaveDweller said:

Based on interviews with the showrunner, that was very intentional. He wanted to show the difference between a compassionate suicide and a tragic one. He planned to end the show this way since season 1.

I also read that in the interview with Nash and that JRR knew it the whole time and was sworn to secrecy!

[30 Helens]

I started watching this show about two months ago, because for some reason Hulu decided I should, and so whenever the show I was actually watching stopped, this one would start up. Eventually, I gave in and watched an entire episode. And then another. 

Watching this series in a relative binge was a lot, because so much happens to these people. Every damn episode. I described it to my husband as “grief porn”. 

Because of the relentless tragedy, I can’t really say I enjoyed the show. But I liked the people, and I’m not sorry I went on the journey with them— even though I was also largely immune to their suffering, until this episode. I flat out ugly cried for this one. (And no fair using a dog to twist my emotions.) About half way through my viewing, I knew the show would end as it began, with a death, and I assumed it would be Gary. That didn’t make it easier to take.

I have no nitpicks to make about the lack of a hospice nurse, or the bed. Anyone can buy (or rent) a hospital bed. My mother had a hospice nurse who came and took her vitals once a week, but she was not a constant presence. And if a TV show had depicted my mother’s last few days, there would be no reason for the nurse to be included. If I would nitpick over anything, it would be the hospital nurse (Kevin, I think his name was?) giving out meds without being caught, no matter how surreptitiously packaged with jello. In a hospital, meds are very carefully inventoried and monitored. No way could those go missing without somebody noticing.

But I don’t care. This was not a documentary, and the only truth that mattered was the emotional truth. And on this front, I think they stuck the landing. 

I wonder what Hulu will make me watch next?

[cardigirl]

21 hours ago, Suzn said:

You are completely right about that!  There was a lot wrong with this final episode.  Something I questioned was that Gary was back in his regular bed instead of the hospital bed.  Why? 

The scene right before that, Gary is in the wheelchair and Rome and Eddie tell Maggie she needs to see the video. I could see Gary asking to be in his regular bed when he dies. It would be just as easy to get him into that bed as the hospital bed. 

And Gary has Javi and is playing with him before Gina takes Javi away to Katherine's house. I took that as his goodbye to his son. 

The group at Katherine's were reminiscing about Gary because they knew he was dying right then. It wasn't a time jump.  It didn't bother me that they were remembering him with laughter and love while he was dying. Often laughter helps people through incredibly difficult times. I'm sure all of the characters broke down and cried over Gary, we just were not shown that. 

Katherine and Delilah hugging each other and crying did kind of bother me. Not sure that was very realistic.

Edited May 6, 2023 by cardigirl

[SunnyBeBe]

I thought the celebration dinner while Gary died was rather crude, but I shan’t judge how others grieve.  That group had very strong emotions and odd ways of showing it for sure.

Edited May 6, 2023 by SunnyBeBe

[circumvent]

8 hours ago, 30 Helens said:

But I don’t care. This was not a documentary, and the only truth that mattered was the emotional truth. And on this front, I think they stuck the landing. 

The thing is, I do care, The reason I do care about what shows that want to depict a certain level of reality, but then cannot keep up with real things, is the influence that shows, in particular American shows - and films, movies - have in the rest of the world. If they are going to "be real" only in certain aspects and ignore others because the writers have an agenda, than I do nitpick.

Assisted suicide is a hot topic in the disabled community and just throwing the issue in the story as if "compassionate" makes it clear as crystal is bullshit. The thing is nuanced as fuck.

More than that, the influence of American exported "culture", the movies and shows, is very real for example, for refugees. There is at least one book about refugees all over the world and in one part of it they asked why the people seeking asylum want to come here, since this country has become (not really, it has always been) so inhospitable. The refugees and asylum seekers say this is a great country because they saw on TV/movies. Seriously. 

Mass media is American export and it has educational value. What Nash and "Gary" did was propaganda, not education, not even something that even Kevorkian did - nuanced conversations

[Notabug]

10 hours ago, 30 Helens said:

I started watching this show about two months ago, because for some reason Hulu decided I should, and so whenever the show I was actually watching stopped, this one would start up. Eventually, I gave in and watched an entire episode. And then another. 

Watching this series in a relative binge was a lot, because so much happens to these people. Every damn episode. I described it to my husband as “grief porn”. 

Because of the relentless tragedy, I can’t really say I enjoyed the show. But I liked the people, and I’m not sorry I went on the journey with them— even though I was also largely immune to their suffering, until this episode. I flat out ugly cried for this one. (And no fair using a dog to twist my emotions.) About half way through my viewing, I knew the show would end as it began, with a death, and I assumed it would be Gary. That didn’t make it easier to take.

I have no nitpicks to make about the lack of a hospice nurse, or the bed. Anyone can buy (or rent) a hospital bed. My mother had a hospice nurse who came and took her vitals once a week, but she was not a constant presence. And if a TV show had depicted my mother’s last few days, there would be no reason for the nurse to be included. If I would nitpick over anything, it would be the hospital nurse (Kevin, I think his name was?) giving out meds without being caught, no matter how surreptitiously packaged with jello. In a hospital, meds are very carefully inventoried and monitored. No way could those go missing without somebody noticing.

But I don’t care. This was not a documentary, and the only truth that mattered was the emotional truth. And on this front, I think they stuck the landing. 

I wonder what Hulu will make me watch next?

Yes, if Kevin was somehow able to obtain meds for assisted suicides, he would not be keeping them in a cupboard with the snacks on the chemo unit where anyone might find them.  It is practically impossible for an employee to steal meds from a hospital these days, although, I suppose Kevin might've been gifted meds from families who had them left after their loved ones died and were supportive of his role in providing them to patients who wanted to exit.  All narcotics and such are locked in an electronic dispenser which records the name of the patient and verifies the order and then requires the employee, who must be authorized to handle narcotics, to swipe an ID to get it to dispense the ordered amount.  The pharmacy as well as a staff nurse count all the meds together at least twice a day and, if something is missing, they can go back and see who had access and reconcile the amount.

Instead, he'd have given Gary a personal phone number and arranged to meet Rome and Eddie outside of the hospital where he would've kept his stash of meds under lock and key.

[JayDub1987]

I’ll add my name to the list of people who don’t give two squirts of duck shit that every second of every episode wasn’t completely realistic according to someone’s standards. It’s entertainment. It doesn’t have to be flawless in every capacity. 

[ams1001]

Here's something I didn't notice and haven't seen mentioned...Rome's shirt:

(It says The More Nuanced Tour 2037)

Edited May 7, 2023 by ams1001

[ams1001]

On 5/4/2023 at 6:12 PM, historylover820 said:

7. Danny being with his high school boyfriend

Milo is in the dinner scene in the present day, but in the future Danny is with this guy.

 

Edited May 7, 2023 by ams1001
(oops, I meant to edit; apparently I quoted myself instead)

[KaveDweller]

1 hour ago, ams1001 said:

Here's something I didn't notice and haven't seen mentioned...Rome's shirt:

(It says The More Nuanced Tour 2037)

Yes, it seems Sophie became a successful singer. I am sort of glad they included that since they hadn't mentioned her band in ages. And I thought she needed a happy ending more than getting married and having a baby.

[desertflower]

On 5/4/2023 at 2:37 PM, Katie111 said:

 

Did anyone else think Gary looked so completely different without hair and his beard?  I was shocked.  I'm not a fan of beards but he definitely looked so much better with it.

 

What’s funny is I was so used to seeing him clean shaven on his previous show Psych, that when I started watching him on this it was strange seeing him in a beard. But in Psych he always had a great head of hair so the no beard, no hair and no eyebrows was indeed a different look.

Regarding the dinner party, I read in a couple places that Gary wanted them to do that? So I think there must’ve been a line in a previous episode where he said that. 

As usual the acting was stellar, esp Rome, Gina and Maggie. 
 

So glad they included Colin so much in Gary’s scenes, even though it made it even harder to watch. 

Edited May 7, 2023 by desertflower

[30 Helens]

Here’s an article that discusses some of the thinking behind the actions taken by various characters, and some of the nuances they tried to portray. Given the limited amount of time available, I thought they did a good job touching on the various points of view.

https://deadline.com/2023/05/a-million-little-things-series-finale-postmortem-qa-james-roday-rodriguez-gary-flash-forward-easter-eggs-dj-nash-1235351305/

It also breaks down some of the Easter eggs, including Sophie’s tour shirt:

Quote

NASH: And you also see that Rome is wearing a concert T-shirt from Sophie. So Sophie is on tour, you see the front where it says Sophie Dixon, and the name of the tour and it says 2037; on the back, it lists the cities she’s traveled to. We didn’t want it to be a huge Where Are They Now and take too much time with that. But there’s enough clues; some of our fans go look at every single frame so there’s enough to see there.

Also, the guy who scores the goal is number 87, and that’s for how many episodes we made. There’s a ton of Easter eggs that way.

As a call back to literal (frozen) eggs, it seems that Greta decided to use one of hers, because the flash-forward reunion includes her daughter with Katherine. I’m going to have to take a second look at the ending, because I’m sure I missed a lot.

[CrystalBlue]

9 hours ago, SunnyBeBe said:

I thought the celebration dinner while Gary died was rather crude, but I shan’t judge how others grieve.  That group had very strong emotions and odd ways of showing it for sure.

Yeah, we didn't call them the Codependent Weirdos for nothing!  Cheers to the OP here who coined that phrase.  🥳

[ams1001]

12 hours ago, 30 Helens said:

As a call back to literal (frozen) eggs, it seems that Greta decided to use one of hers, because the flash-forward reunion includes her daughter with Katherine. I’m going to have to take a second look at the ending, because I’m sure I missed a lot.

There's a picture of them in this article:

https://www.tvinsider.com/1091549/a-million-little-things-series-finale-ending-gary-dies-time-jump/

[Diana Berry]

Nit picky but  as someone whose family member went through stage 4. They aren’t cracking jokes at the end.  I can’t even put myself there again it was so emotionally devastating.  I know it’s a tv show but so unrealistic.  Also, the flash forward with the aged characters could have been better. 
 

Rhome  breaking down with his father and the end scene with Gary, maggie and the dog got to me the most.  
 

i will miss the show.  Thank you actors, writers, and  crew. 
 

 

[Clanstarling]

9 minutes ago, Diana Berry said:

Nit picky but  as someone whose family member went through stage 4. They aren’t cracking jokes at the end.  I can’t even put myself there again it was so emotionally devastating.  I know it’s a tv show but so unrealistic.  Also, the flash forward with the aged characters could have been better. 
 

Rhome  breaking down with his father and the end scene with Gary, maggie and the dog got to me the most.  
 

i will miss the show.  Thank you actors, writers, and  crew. 
 

 

I get that - and I've been through the same thing.

Still, given that Gary has so relentlessly (annoyingly many times) joked through his difficult times (imo a way of avoiding dealing with reality and negative thoughts and/or feelings), that I could see him cracking the odd joke despite how desperate his situation is. So given the way he's been portrayed, I personally accept the few jokes he made.

Rome's breakdown was pretty much the most emotional moment for me too.  Along with Maggie, of course.

My dear departed dog Willie, a terrier, was not allowed to sleep on our bed because he was always jumping up and waking us up. However, when I had pneumonia, he curled up at my side and didn't move until I did. It was a huge comfort to me. Dogs know things, and yes, that got to me as well.

Edited May 7, 2023 by Clanstarling

[jqdeco]

My mom died of lung cancer. It had spread to her brain, adrenal glands and kidney before it was diagnosed. Granted, every case is different and I don’t remember any scene where they talked about where it had spread with Gary, but my mom was able to speak. It was the lack of oxygen to her brain at the end that was scary. She became delusional.  As others said, aside from Gary losing his hair, he never seemed all that sick. 
Overall it was a better episode than I expected. I really hate this circular, let’s end the way we began crap. John died in the first episode so let’s kill off Gary in the last.  Would’ve preferred a happier ending.

[ams1001]

4 hours ago, jqdeco said:

Granted, every case is different and I don’t remember any scene where they talked about where it had spread with Gary

He had breast cancer that spread to his lungs (first one and then the other), not lung cancer (even though I keep seeing articles/recaps saying he had lung cancer).

[gonzosgirrl]

On 5/5/2023 at 9:37 AM, Kip Hackman said:

I've been hate-watching this show for the last few seasons, but damn if they didn't stick the landing. This somehow hit me harder than the ending of "This Is Us", which was always the superior show.

Missed last week's episode, so this was a pretty bleak 2-episode binge. But well done. Take care, everyone.

This is me, precisely. Kudos to James, because he kept me invested in a character that was ostensibly ruined by the writing (his part in the whole Peter debacle). I figured his cancer would come back, but I really didn't think they'd kill him off. The penultimate episode hit me harder, but the whole arc of the final three was gut wrenching. I have literally almost nothing to say about the rest of the storylines or characters, save that I am really, truly shocked that they ended this series with Eddie still in the chair. I was 100% certain he would have some kind of drama/trauma-induced 'miracle' by the end. So, kudos to the showrunner for avoiding at least one massive trope. Eddie was also a character made a thousand times better by his portrayer - David Guintoli is a gem.

Edited May 9, 2023 by gonzosgirrl

[Clanstarling]

1 hour ago, gonzosgirrl said:

Eddie was also a character made a thousand times better by his portrayer - David Guintoli is a gem.

I remember when I started watching Grimm, I thought he was a terrible actor - but he got better and better (even as the show got worse and worse), and now I think he's great.

[cinsays]

23 hours ago, ams1001 said:

He had breast cancer that spread to his lungs (first one and then the other), not lung cancer (even though I keep seeing articles/recaps saying he had lung cancer).

so if he had cancer in his lung it isn't lung cancer? 

[circumvent]

29 minutes ago, cinsays said:

so if he had cancer in his lung it isn't lung cancer? 

Metastasized cancer carries the markers of the initial cancer. His initial cancer was breast, so what they found in the lungs is the same cancer that spread to the lungs. If the cancer had started in the lungs, then it would be lung cancer. It has to do with the markers. Medically, he didn't have lung cancer, but metastasized breast cancer in his lungs

I am not a doctor and don't know how to explain medically but it is on these lines

[Clanstarling]

1 hour ago, circumvent said:

Metastasized cancer carries the markers of the initial cancer. His initial cancer was breast, so what they found in the lungs is the same cancer that spread to the lungs. If the cancer had started in the lungs, then it would be lung cancer. It has to do with the markers. Medically, he didn't have lung cancer, but metastasized breast cancer in his lungs

I am not a doctor and don't know how to explain medically but it is on these lines

This is the way I understand it too. It was explained to me when my sister had skin cancer. It spread to the stomach and other organs, but she officially died of skin cancer. Also, different cancers (as I understand it) respond to different treatments, so it's important to know what the actual type of cancer it is. It took a long time to diagnose my mom, because the original cancer was unusual.

[txhorns79]

I was just glad they confirmed Regina lost her campaign.  I was scared we'd see a future where she somehow became President Regina with Rome as her VP.  

On 5/7/2023 at 2:17 PM, Diana Berry said:

They aren’t cracking jokes at the end.

Gary's constant jokes got very tiresome.  I understood why he kept them up at the end, but I wish that was something that was tempered somewhat as the show went on.  

[Lady Calypso]

So, I delayed watching this finale. For all the complaining I've done, even with the penultimate episode, this one surprisingly got me. Not right away, but around the time when Maggie took Gary back home to find Eddie/Rome, I definitely started crying. I didn't expect to, because of all my critiques of the show thus far, even with this arc, but damn, I guess I had more of a connection than I thought I would. 

I guess this does make up for me having very few tears last episode? But I did think the goodbye to Gary was decently done. I do think the acting elevated the material (as per usual). Hell, even Theo didn't annoy me and they gave him an actually good scene to work with. 

I should have expected the show's plan was to start and end with a suicide, but I didn't see it coming. But damn, is it obvious in hindsight.

It does seem like the show put real thought into this finale, which is more than they've done for many of their other arcs, so I appreciate them handling this with such care.

The flashforward was kind of what I expected, though why would Gary end the videos at 16? He could at least have made Javi an 18th birthday video, even if he knew he wasn't wanting to make more videos for Javi.

They did well with many of the characters aging up, although it's inconsistent. Rome and Katherine have white hair while Delilah has mild highlights? Delilah's older than the two of them; she should be the one with grey hair! Though the makeup on Maggie was spot on; I think she looked the most her age out of all the adults. 

Of course I'll always have issues with this show, even to the end. And, surprise surprise, it's Delilah related. Of course there's nothing more she likes than the sound of her own voice, so her scene with Gary makes total sense. Still hate them bringing her back for these final few episodes and forcing Eddie to get back together with her. And I do wish they had Gary at least with more depleted energy in this finale.

But, honestly, it was a better finale than I expected so kudos to the show for not proving me right, and completely disappointing me or angering me.

Farewell, AMLT. I won't miss you but I didn't totally hate the time I watched you.

[KaveDweller]

23 minutes ago, Lady Calypso said:

They did well with many of the characters aging up, although it's inconsistent. Rome and Katherine have white hair while Delilah has mild highlights? Delilah's older than the two of them; she should be the one with grey hair! Though the makeup on Maggie was spot on; I think she looked the most her age out of all the adults. 

Isn't that kind of how it works in real life though? People age at different rates and people's hair starts turning gray/white at different points. My father is the oldest of his siblings and has the least gray hair.