Adolescence Finale Recap: We Made Him

by

Everyone makes mistakes; that’s why parenthood can be quite daunting. If you ask any parent, they’ll likely confess that their goal is to improve upon their own parents’ methods. Most of us strive to do just that. However, it’s important to acknowledge that we all carry our own unique baggage into our parent-child relationships. This can encompass genetic traits such as a propensity for duck feet or snoring, learned behaviors like procrastination or biting one’s nails, or conditions that bridge both realms, such as mental health issues and the willingness to seek help or medication. Some of us may be naturally lazy, dislike sports, or have a fear of germs. Unknowingly, we pass on these traits and experiences to our children.

The finale of Adolescence makes sense because it’s something we should have anticipated. As parents, there are moments when our children do or say things that make us realize, “Oh, I see now, that was my fault.” (Like the first time your child uses inappropriate language in public.) We understand the potential for mistakes as parents, but we’re often juggling so many responsibilities – work, cooking, cleaning, running errands, managing relationships, and more. Every parent is striving to do their best, even if they aren’t always succeeding. They are aware of their goal.

It’s truly devastating to witness Eddie and Manda experiencing all their emotions in the finale of Adolescence. Although Eddie seems to be having a good 50th birthday with a hearty English breakfast, thoughtful birthday cards, and plans for later intimacy, his day takes a turn when his daughter wakes up early and spots his van. The van bears the word “Nonse,” which is a misspelling of the British slang term “nonce,” a word used to refer to individuals who are alleged or convicted child sex offenders.

Discuss a significant inconvenience: Having your van repainted can cost thousands of dollars, and to add insult to injury, you’re left driving around town as if you’ve got a billboard announcing that someone found you distasteful enough to graffiti your property. It becomes clear that the culprits are a pair of disrespectful teenagers, but the damage is already done. It’s like a massive scratch on a record spoiling an otherwise pleasant day for the entire family.

In no time, Eddie finds himself in a state of distress, splashing soapy water about the house as he strives to remove the paint. Finding this method unsuccessful, he essentially drags the entire family into the van for a trip to Wainwright’s, reminiscent of British Home Depot. The journey turns out surprisingly tranquil; Eddie seems to have regained his composure or is nearing the end of a manic phase. During the ride, they discuss basslines in songs, Eddie and Manda’s lasting relationship, and A-Ha’s unquestionable brilliance. Lise expresses skepticism towards the mushy sentiments, but her yearning for normalcy is evident. The family’s casual discussions about a movie outing, a large Chinese meal, and a bucket of popcorn leave one pondering, “If this was how things were when Jamie was present, what could have possibly gone wrong?

Despite some improvements, life is still challenging for Eddie and Manda since Jamie left home. They’re undergoing therapy, and the “pictures and a meal” approach is one of the strategies Eddie has been working on, which essentially means dealing with the present issues. They understand they can’t escape the consequences of Jamie’s actions by moving away, but that doesn’t make things any easier. It’s important to remember that this difficult situation has been their reality for quite some time now. In essence, they are living in a self-inflicted hell, yet they can’t be fully blamed for it. Initially, the community might have shown sympathy, but now, it’s turned into jokes and frustration. Their previous identities — like the local plumber, the fun mom, or the cool high school nerd — have been overshadowed by their relationship with Jamie, the murderer. They are now primarily recognized as Jamie’s family members outside their immediate circle.

It’s not making things easier that there are landmines around every corner, such as the clerk at Wainwright’s who persistently corners Eddie to spread conspiracy theories about Jamie’s innocence and offer unsolicited advice on hiring a better lawyer. (“If you crowdsource it,” the suspicious clerk suggests.) Seeing the kids who damaged his van outside Wainwright’s doesn’t help the situation, either, as it sets off a chain reaction of events. Once Eddie identifies them, things spiral out of control. He seizes one and violently shakes him up (which, to be honest, could land him in legal trouble), scolding him in front of customers and onlookers. Then he storms back to the parking lot, uses a screwdriver to open the can of paint he had purchased earlier, and carelessly splashes it all over the “Nonse.” It partially covers up the word, but it also gets everywhere, including the windows and asphalt, leaving Lisa and Manda visibly shocked.

It’s tough to tell if Jamie was referring to this degree of frustration when he spoke about his father dismantling the shed. However, considering the recent context, it seems likely that such instances have occurred more frequently in the last year than ever before. As the van departs, Eddie begins to weep softly, and an uncomfortable silence ensues among everyone present. Yet, things seem to take a turn for the worse when Jamie phones.

I make an effort to present a positive front for Jamie, with me stammering out my appreciation for his card and joking about our dinner plans at the Chinese restaurant. However, Jamie unexpectedly shatters the calm by revealing he intends to plead guilty in court. This startles me into momentary silence, but Manda and Lise eventually join the call to offer their support, a move that seems to surprise him a bit.

It’s a bit confusing to me how Jamie feels about his relationship with Eddie, his father. Manda mentioned that Jamie admires Eddie, but Jamie also chose Eddie as his “appropriate adult” due to not being judged. However, he also shared the soccer story, which implies some judgment on his part. Could it be that Jamie found it easier to confide in his father rather than women in his family? Or is he sharing this information because he spends more time with Eddie in meetings and hearings? Or could it be that he saw a video and his mother hasn’t yet? It’s not entirely clear.

It’s unclear how the family feels about the decision; they appear stunned and sad. When Manda and Eddie retreat to their bedroom for a conversation, Manda suggests that perhaps it’s a good thing Jamie has decided to plead. However, Eddie is uncertain, and it seems as though he doubts whether the family will manage to get through this difficult situation or survive at all. If he were a drinker, he might find solace in alcohol, but instead, his response is to lash out when faced with something beyond his control.

However, that’s the crux of the matter. They believed they had Jamie well in hand, thinking he was merely retreating to his room after school, silent and asleep. Yet, they were unaware of his online activities or any street-related mischief. To them, Jamie remained the innocent boy who sketched monsters at the kitchen table and left chocolate ice cream smears on his face. Eddie muses, “It feels like it was just yesterday,” to which Manda simply agrees, “Yes, it was.

The recurring dilemma for Eddie and Manda is this: they understand that they shouldn’t blame themselves, which I imagine has been emphasized countless times, but at the same time, they feel responsible because they created Jamie – genetically and emotionally. They didn’t mistreat or neglect him, yet something went terribly awry, leading their son, their beloved child, to commit an unthinkable act of violence against a classmate by repeatedly stabbing her.

It’s quite significant when Manda and Eddie express their sentiment that they might have made better choices in the past, suggesting a willingness to consider this possibility. They acknowledge that perhaps it’s acceptable for them to think this way, despite having overlooked something with Jamie. Interestingly, they parented Lise in the same manner, yet she blossomed into a wonderful individual who even lightened their somber moment with some humor. Lise is undeniably struggling as well, enduring bullying at school, but she’s resiliently pushing forward, relying on her family for support during these tough times.

In a temporary change, they might not be able to visit the movies and may need to eat Chinese takeout at home instead of dining out for a while. However, they’ll have each other as their constant companions. At home, they can find solace in pretending life is almost back to normal, aside from the closed bedroom door upstairs that hints at Jamie’s return tomorrow. When Eddie enters the room, it’s reminiscent of a time when things were better. The made bed, teddy bear, and lined-up computer games all suggest a sense of normality. Yet, Eddie cries deeply into Jamie’s pillow because there’s little else to feel but sadness, anger, guilt, and sorrow – not just for Katie, but for the son he thought he understood and the life they once shared. As he tenderly kisses Jamie’s teddy bear goodnight, Eddie whispers, “I’m sorry, son. I should have done better,” causing viewers at home to weep along with him. It’s true that he could have done better – a fact that makes the pain so acute because we all recognize our own shortcomings.

Read More

2025-03-19 04:55