when I saw The Graduate the first time, it was on VHS. So the ending in Pan and Scan just had Dustin by himself at the back of the bus. I went away thinking he was isolated again like when he arrived at LAX in the opening. Took a decade to see it in 35mm and realize there was a change.
I thought the ending was excellent except one big flaw. Wouldn’t both of them just leave through the door, especially considering the fact they know they are doomed if they stay? They discussed it earlier in the episode and Helly gave a speech midway point through the episode about it.
iMark saved Gemma, but now he's gotta save Helly. Their situation is desperate and bleak. If either of them leave the Severed floor, they're never coming back. They're dead. So they're both going to try and stay down there for as long as possible. They've got to bury themselves deep down in Lumon.
I think Season 3 is going to take place mostly in the Severed floor and mostly from iMark's perspective as they go deeper. They have to start a strike. If they convince the departments to have a sit-in, that'd be devastating to Lumon. That many people can't be disappeared.
It will buy them time, meanwhile Mark's going through accelerated reintegration. iMark's going to learn about Gemma. oMark's going to learn about Helly and severed life. They're both going to fall in love with them. It's going to get really messy and I can't wait.
1 I don’t think that was Helly, by her walk and posture. 2 Season 1 lovers tragically unaware of each other. S2 M saves G. S3, oh hell yes the damsel absolutely must save the prince. Also Irvin will not desert his friends. He’s had a secret agenda the whole time. And what’s up with doc AND Kobel?😉
Certainly S3 will see roles reversed in which Gemma's will be to save outie Mark, trapped on the severed floor. And yes, Irving's role will resume. It wasn't resolved with his investigations.
Very interesting point about if it was indeed Helly at the end. Helena has her own agenda too. I'll rewatch.
In my opinion, that wasn't a flaw. It elevated the episode to beautiful brilliance. Running together, hand in hand, in anguished freedom, not knowing their fate was magnificent. The freeze frame zoom it closed on was genius.
S3 will see Daddy Eagan preserve Helly as she has 'the fire of Kier'
Comments
They can run through the halls, but if they open the wrong door...
It was a very stylistic finale, Stiller knows his movies history
Very interesting point about if it was indeed Helly at the end. Helena has her own agenda too. I'll rewatch.
Regarding outie Mark, I expect Lumon will discredit Gemma's accusations by accusing Mark of the murder of Drummond
But, alas—if they do that, you don’t get the evil bad guy tension & drama because Lumen is out of the picture!
S3 will see Daddy Eagan preserve Helly as she has 'the fire of Kier'
Even someone minor like Mark’s sister is really good!