Although the event of the month is the end of ‘Succession’, we cannot forget that other magnificent series are ending these days… and even another one from HBO. In this case we have also had to say goodbye to ‘Barry’, whose last episode has closed in a rather forceful way one of the best comedies (dramedies?) of the last five years.
One that until practically the last sequence has gone to explore the illusion of redemptionof the struggle between what one wants to be or how one shows what one really is, the presence of the shadows of the past and even, as it is verbalized, the state of denial about it. And even in the shocking epilogue with which the series closes, we find ourselves with enough about the strength of the story that we set up.
As I said (although I couldn’t go into details) in the review at the beginning of this batch, season 4 was divided into two halves. The reason? an eight-year time jump where Alec Berg and Bill Hader, top managers of the series, have a golden opportunity to evolve the characters and their circumstances.
In this way we have a novel scenario: a Barry (Hader) who has had a son with Sally (Sarah Goldberg) and whose goal in life is to be a good father and reflect in his offspring the best version of himself. But it will be the news of a movie about his case that will make must resolve the, so to speak, pending subjects.
Wonderful, but somewhat conveniently resolved
It is curious how this second half of the season also stands out from the first in its style. Removing for example some scenes from the sixth episode (all that sequence with Sally), there is less oneirism and, in fact, the narrative is much more direct. This does not mean, far from it, that the direction is less interesting or stimulating. Hader is positioned as one of the most interesting directors on television right now.
In this sense, perhaps where the final stretch of ‘Barry’ limps a little more is in how it develops according to which plot twists, at times notoriously made for convenience (if we are skeptical how Barry is freed from his captivity grates). This causes some frustration not so much because of how things end up but because of the shortcuts taken to do so.
We also know that there was a great rewriting of the last episodes and this is where more fluctuations are noticed in this regard. It is also true that from the beginning and although it is not noticeable depending on the sections, this is a comedy. And a very funny one, by the way. That is why it is allow these shortcuts and we, in turn, are lenient with them.
Actually they are small spots that do not prevent too much from enjoying what, on the other hand, is a wonderful series finale that is consistent until its, worth the redundancy, shocking ending. Barry ends up murdered by Cousineau (Henry Winkler) with his last words being “Oh wow.” We jump in time. Epilogue.
An epilogue that ends
‘Barry’ ends with a last sequence as an epilogue that shows us a John already a teenager (played by Jaeden Martell) secretly watching the movie about his father’s life that Hollywood has finally made. A rather benevolent tape with the figure of the murderer and that puts Cousineau as the criminal mastermind behind his misfortune. The typical end caps inform us that Barry has been buried with honors in Arlington while the other is serving a life sentence.
Once again the series presents us with facing the concept of being in denial. Of not recognizing things as they are. Here we can discuss if we are really looking at a vision of the future or if it is really the vision of a dying Barry and who, above all, wants his son to be proud of him. Either way, clearly John isn’t stupid and knows exactly who his father is…but it’s a curious note that he seems to choose that unrealistic version of things himself.
A choice that can also be ours even though we have much more complete information as spectators that we are. Not so much around why the character has fascinated us but also the series. If its (few) defects are enough to blur its (many) virtues. If this or that convinces us more or less. Of course, he has convinced me with a final season as incredible as promised.
In Espinof | The best HBO series in 2023