Ashes to Ashes: The End

[bibliodragon]

The Gene Hunt era is over! And it went out like it went in: having to put up with annoying loony time traveling coppers.

The Truth played out as a more gentle "oh yes, of course!" rather than a showy slam bam "WTF?" that is so popular. Even compared to Life on Mars's brave climax of Sam Tyler throwing himself of a roof, which I've felt was a "WTF?" shock actually done well (as you can see, I don't like the "WTF?", I feel they often only work on the initial viewing.)

But this shows that even if you can see it coming, it can still pack one hell of a punch. Ray, Chris and Shaz being confronted with the truth of their own deaths was heartbreaking. And Alex, she's one step behind the audience at the end there, but that is what makes it all the more moving. That she can't go home and see her daughter again, even just thinking about it and Keeley's wonderful performance makes me teary again.

Oh Alex! She fought so hard, but in the end sometimes it doesn't matter how hard you fight. I'm putting her point of actual death at the beginning of series three, though I've come to think that she was shot just before the series one started, with 2008 being the gateway into the limbo. That could explain why the future world was so grey and sterile, and that her "waking up" at the end of series two was her almost making it and waking up, but her injuries were too severe. And then Gene was there to catch her and pull her back to the safety of limbo.

This works for Sam as well, and that the reason he couldn't feel when he went back was because it still wasn't real. Though in not wanting to take away from the power that it was his choice to return, perhaps he could have survived but throwing himself off that roof was him choosing not to wake up? And how does that explain Alex knowing? Well, perhaps souls can interact with one another in that place as well.

Limbo is the Sweeney, and heaven is a pub. For coppers anyway. I like that. And Nelson again! I was disappointed not to see Sam Tyler pop up there, and reading this post series interview with Matthew Graham, they were thinking about it, but their reasons not to make sense. And it's no great leap to imagine that Sam was getting a round in for the newly arrived as the credits rolled.

But then what does that make Nelson? God, or perhaps an angel? Perhaps Luigi too was an angel, and he got to go home in the end. Since Gene Hunt took on his roll without being appointed it, perhaps the landlords were there to offer a more hands off "official" approach, friendly faces to talk to and some spiritual guidance.

There is still a lot left for interpretation, but I don't mind that. And it is good to have some gaps left to fill in. It's the deciding what bits to explain and what to leave that is the tricky part for the writers, but here I believe they managed to walk that tightrope. Not bad for the guys who wrote Fear Her and Bonekickers. All is forgiven!

Everyone put in a terrific performance, the gang having to face their deaths, Alex included. Gene Hunt recalling his own death, so quietly played. And Keats, so wonderfully and unashamedly delighted at finally getting to be evil and having a ball with it. And the Quattro! Putting in one final performance! Wub, the loss of the Quattro was as bad as seeing the others enter the Great Pub in the Sky. Poor Quattro, but at least you got a hero's exit!

And now with this knowledge, there are rewatches to enjoy, new things to look out for, new interpretations to think about.

But in the end the Guv is still there, shepherding the dead and the dying and battling with Keats for their souls, with his whiskey and his boots and a brand new car (a Mercedes-Benz too, classy).

Yes. It works.

Comments

[polly1esther.livejournal.com]

Gene Hunt recalling his own death, so quietly played.

Oh dear, I was a mess when Gene pointed his gun at Alex when she was digging his grave. Even though I still didn't understand at that point what was going on, the look on his face was heart breaking. And then when he in the next scene talked about the young copper, like he was someone else, I was bawling my eyes out. Both of the actors played it beautifully.

[bibliodragon.livejournal.com]

That was the moment I started sniffling. Gene is usually so bombastic and larger than life, seeing so restrained was heartbreaking. Phillip Glenister delivered a BAFTA winning performance there.