Dead to Me
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How did we get here?
In the end, what wasDead to Meabout?
Jen may have lost her husband, but that event led her to a powerful force for optimism.
It was a bumpy road in terms of quality.
Sometimes the most painful days in the world lead to the best ones.
The episode opens with Nowhere to Run playing as the ladies, well, run.
Theyre just going to relax and drink for three weeks while everyone thinks Judy is in the clinical trial.
(Again, a littleThelma & Louise, right?)
The Greeks drop their guns and get in the car, and Jen and Judy drive away.
They make it to their destination, a Wood vacation home with a gorgeous view.
Steve and Judy used to come down here all the time.
Its the only place they had good memories and a good sex life.
(Bangtown City to describe vacation sex is kinda funny.)
Jen and Judy enjoy themselves for the first time in years.
They walk on the beach.
They even watchThe Facts of Lifein Spanish, a nice callback to the formative days of their friendship.
Is Judy going to die in Mexico?
Jen thinks she may have already when she wakes up to find Judy gone.
She took the boat out.
Then they find something strange: Steves 66 Mustang in the garage.
Judy swears they dismantled the car that killed Ted, but there it is.
Maybe Steve put it back together?
It looks like nothing ever happened.
This is the car that Jen was hunting for so long.
Does she want to beat it up with a golf club?
Its just a car.
It feels like a bit designed to show Jens growth from unbridled angry grief to acceptance.
Jen is the first to suggest that maybe they never leave.
They can live Judys final days in Mexico.
Wont the FBI come for them?
And what about Ben?
Judy refuses to let Jen be there for the final days.
She doesnt want to force her friend to go through what shed gone through with her mom.
Jen has to go back even if its just for a Holy Harmonies concert.
And, more important, the baby in her womb needs to know its father!
Then Jen notices shes bleeding a little.
Okay, they didnt do it.
It turns out to be a false alarm.
The baby is fine.
And the baby is a girl.
He finds out that hes going to be a dad, and Jen finds out that Moranis is dead.
That was a fast plot dump.
Oh, they think that the Greeks killed Steve too.
Then the other shoe drops as Judy hits the floor.
Youve changed my life, says Jen.
She never felt that way until now.
Thats whyDead to Mecan now end Jen Harding has found peace.
It really could have ended there, but a few final beats for the characters feel needed.
Jen goes to see Henry and the Holy Harmonies as they sing Get Happy.
Lorna and Charlie are there.
Its a sweet moment made sweeter by the arrival of Ben.
Its a chance to get everyone together under all of Judys paper cranes.
She will always be flying above them.
Then were back where we began: Pastor Waynes grief circle.
Jen has a new grief now, but she has a stronger skill set to deal with her pain.
And a new baby named Joey (not Judy that would be too obvious).
Later, Ben and Jen sit by the pool in a moment of familial happiness.
Ben tells Jen that he feels like this is all more than he deserves.
She pauses, and its clear whats coming next.
Or will a show built on cliffhangers go out on one more just for fun?
Ben, I have to tell you something, says Jen in the final line of the show.
Extra Counseling
Of course, the big question is about the end, right?
I choose to believe that Jen gives a full, truthful confession about Steve and that Ben accepts it.
Jen has earned her happy ending.
This was such a rich part for her to display her range from ace comic timing to dramatic beats.
Whos the season and series MVP?
Shes so good at those Judy Hale beats where the pain or concern pushes through the optimism.
