MovieChat Forums > Rectify (2013) Discussion > The emotion of it all

The emotion of it all

posted 8 years ago by TamPalm
7 replies | jump to latest

Re the amazing finale...

As someone else stated, there was sadness for Daniel, when you really thought about what his innocence means. TWENTY YEARS of life taken away from him. But sadness wasn't the only feeling, there's a sense of awe and respect for him, that he is as composed as he is. That he is still able to hope and love. That he is still a good person.

Happiness for Ted. When Janet walked in the kitchen and used her term of endearment, "Good morning Theodore," the look of pure joy on his face was priceless. He so deserved that. He deserves to be loved and respected just as he provides that for others. So glad Ted is finally appreciated!

Realization of just how scummy Trey is. His trying to spill everything to the sheriff after all these years only brought to mind that he allowed an innocent man to be imprisoned for TWENTY YEARS. Went on with his life like nothing was wrong. Even teased and condescended to Daniel when Daniel was released. The whole way through he treated Daniel like trash, as if his life didn't matter, as if he could play him the fool even after he was released. Hell has a special place for Trey.

Hopeful for Daniel. He has good friends at the Canaan House, a loving family back home, a lady friend somewhere in the world who cares deeply for him and who represents his capacity to find love in the future, etc. I got nervous when his boss called him into the office, didn't know if the writers were going to throw in some controversy at the last minute, but thankfully they didn't. This finale was about rectifying life for Daniel. Glad they kept it all good.

Comforted at Daniel and Amantha's loving phone conversation...and Teddy and Tawney's newfound friendship...and Amantha finding her happy place with Billy in tow (even though I was rooting for John lol).

Just a wonderful den of emotion and appreciation for one of my favorite shows of all time.

Thank you Rectify writers! Thank you so very much! 👍

"If it doesn't make sense, it's not true." -- Judge Judy

[–] Whatlarks 8 years ago

So, Janet and Ted. Last week their marriage is nearly curtains, this week suddenly they're lovebirds. Ain't life grand?

I want one of them magical off-screen machines.

"You must not judge what I know by what I find words for." - Marilynne Robinson

[–] TamPalm 8 years ago

So, Janet and Ted. Last week their marriage is nearly curtains

It wasn't really. They had a rough patch as what happens in real-life marriages. But the ending of the last episode when Janet offered to rub Ted's back (incidentally, the back in metaphysics represents the area of the body connected to feeling supported) and told him she loved him foreshadowed that they would ultimately be okay. She is free to love him fully now and he is ready for her to do so. I loved it.

"If it doesn't make sense, it's not true." -- Judge Judy

[–] 8 years ago

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[–] Whatlarks 8 years ago

"A rough patch." I'm not sure that I agree with you 100% on your police work there, Lou.

The bathroom scene juxtaposed the tender gesture and declarations of love against the tone of weariness and uncertainty -- doing the classic Rectify ambiguity. It dealt the truth that love might not necessarily be enough. The choice of high camera position at the end emphasized the couple's vulnerability.

What made it enough, and changed the note to certainty? Not the back scrub. The magic off-screen machine. I'm not saying there was no hope, that they couldn't make it. I'm saying McKinnon's skipped beats this season were very wide. Ka-chunk... and we're over yet another hump. A near-frictionless surface, ensuring delivery of the happy ending.

"You must not judge what I know by what I find words for." - Marilynne Robinson

[–] TamPalm 8 years ago

It dealt the truth that love might not necessarily be enough. The choice of high camera position at the end emphasized the couple's vulnerability.

Not at all. There was no ambiguity, there was relief, especially written on Ted's face after Janet told him she loved him. He needed to hear it and it was clear that was enough of a starting point for them to begin again. She was clearly offering an olive branch and his allowing her in to bathe him showed he wanted and needed that branch. If you got ambiguity out of the scene, I think you missed what the writers were trying to convey. Jmo

"If it doesn't make sense, it's not true." -- Judge Judy

[–] Whatlarks 8 years ago

I can see from your POV. Ted's relieved. It's a moment, and it's real. I find some more to the scene. Call it a happy slight disagreement. We both valued the scene, albeit in part for different reasons.

"You must not judge what I know by what I find words for." - Marilynne Robinson

[–] 8 years ago

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