Barry

[Gideon58]

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81uO40NzlGL._RI_.jpg

I'm four episodes in on another winner from HBO. Former SNL regular Bill Hader plays a professional hitman who comes to Los Angeles for a job and follows his mark to an acting class where he gets hooked and decides he now wants to be an actor. Unfortunately, like the mob, once you're a contract killer it's pretty much impossible to walk away. This deliciously dark black comedy works thanks to extremely smart writing and a really great cast where Heder has finally proven his ability to be a leading man and Henry Winkler has reinvented his career playing the teacher of the acting class, a role that has already won Winkler an Emmy for Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. Not for everyone, but really enjoying this one so far.

[Yoda]

I like it fine. I'm into the second season, and it just feels...okay? Almost never thrilling, or hilarious. Just moderately dramatic, pretty well-made, sometimes funny. I'm not quite getting enough of either "half" of the show to like it that much, though. I think it needs to lean into the dark comedy thing.

The goofy eyebrow-less gangster seems so, so much like the kind of offbeat character that was kinda revolutionary in these prestige shows 15 years ago, but almost feels formulaic in his oddness now.

I'll keep watching because it's decent, short, and because I love Bill Hader. For now, at least.

[Gideon58]

I am now six episodes into season 1 and to be perfectly frank, they're beginning to lose me.

[Gideon58]

I just watched the season 1 finale and they pulled me back in...I almost gave up on this one and I'm so glad I didn't. Cant wait to start season 2. Bill Heder is killing it, this guy should be winning all kinds of awards for this.

[ynwtf]

Recent interview with Hader on NPR: Fresh Air, if anyone is interested.
https://www.npr.org/2019/06/20/734410139/bill-hader-on-barry

[ynwtf]

I just started the show based on the interview. I think I'm 4 episodes in. I'm glad to see Winkler playing straight (mostly) and so sinister with his sexual interest of the detective. This one was avoided mostly expecting it to be a Dexter clone. It's borderline and so much of it feels already done. I'm jazzed for Bill Hader and the cast, but it does feel kind of generic or maybe 7 or more years late to the game. Still enjoying it for the most part. NoHo cracks me up, but nothing new yet. I have a similar feeling as I did with Crashing. I finished that one and will probably also finish Barry, for as long as it goes.

[Yoda]

This show took a big leap forward a few episodes into season two. I think most people who've caught up will know about the time I mean. The entire second half of the season was better than basically anything that had come before it. Glad to see it found its stride.

[ynwtf]

Just finished s1ep7 and things took a turn I was not expecting. That was a good episode and I'm enjoying the fantasies he keeps blanking out on.

[doubledenim]

This show took a big leap forward a few episodes into season two. I think most people who've caught up will know about the time I mean. The entire second half of the season was better than basically anything that had come before it. Glad to see it found its stride.


Hader did a pod in regards to S2. A lot of the discussion centered around one episode and what a change of pace it was. Hader remarked that it will be an episode that people talk about, new people will watch, but it is not anything like the others.


Fun to hear him talk about how he directed while being in the scenes...or was he?

[Yoda]

I think I know the episode you mean. And yeah, that's the one everyone's gonna talk about, though the one before it was when the show got really good, I think.

[doubledenim]

If HBO lets you dL like Netflix, I'll probably take Barry on a trip.

[Gideon58]

Congratulations to Bill Hader on winning his second Emmy for Barry.

[Allaby]

Barry is back! Season 3 finally premieres tonight!

[Allaby]

Loved tonight's season premiere! Fantastic episode. Bill Hader killed it! ;)

[Deschain]

The premiere had some great moments. Waiting until Monday so I can watch this back-to-back with Better Call Saul makes for a wonderful night of television.

[Gideon58]

LOVED the first episode of third season. Anthony Corrigan was brilliant in that interrogation scene. Elizabeth Perkins' character was SO creepy....was this her first appearance? That initial shot of Sally entering the movie studio was amazing...had no idea studios were that big. That phony gunshot on Sally's forehead made me jump out of my chair. The relationship between Barry and Hank is the best...when these two do a scene together, anything else wrong with this show becomes irrelevant. Gene's scaring me...I can't believe he's still so freaked out about Janice's death. That last scene with Barry and Gene was bone chilling.

[Gideon58]

Just watched ep 2....Bill Hader literally scared the hell out of me in that first scene. really unsure as to why getting Gene an acting job is going to ensure his silence. I don't remember how Sally got COMPLETE control over this television show, probably addressed in season 2 and I forgot. Gene's right...Barry's plan does suck. Henry Winkler's monologue at the halfway point was wonderful. Love all the backstory we got on Gene in this episode. How did Barry get to Gene's son's house before Gene did? Seriously? How did he even know where his son lived? This episode ruled!

[Allaby]

I agree, great second episode.

[Gideon58]

Just watched ep 3...Gene is totally creeping me out. Fuches is right not to trust Hank. I can't really tell if Barry feels guilty about killing Janice. Is Barry insane or just devoid of conscience. Hank's boyfriend isn't going to be around much longer. Loved when Gene smacked Barry. Loved the reveal that Gene threw hot tea on a PA on Murder She Wrote. How did Hank know where Fuches is. Loved that first shot of Barry at the Kraft Services table. Can't believe Barry really thinks he's "working things out" with Gene. Loved when Gene struck back and realized almost immediately what a mistake it was. Henry Winkler should submit this episode for his Emmy reel. Creepy episode.

[Gideon58]

The twist for Gene that opened ep 4 was genius and I loved the always dependable Stephen Tobolowsky as Gene's agent. Loved Joe Montegna's cameo (who looks incredible). Hope we get the backstory on the restraining order. I love all the names being dropped for Gene's backstory. Really don't want to see that mother and son get hurt. Sally's slo-mo arrival to the premiere was extremely effective. I lost it when Barry had to call customer service for assistance with the detenator app. I do not want to see No Ho Hank dead...if they kill Hank, I'm outta here. Maybe it's just me, but Sally becomes less likable with each episode. Can't believe she thanked Barry in her speech...can't remember the last time they spent more than five minutes together. Never seen a mother and son buying a gun together before. Excellent episode.

[WHITBISSELL!]

I'm not getting what the point was of Sally breaking up with Barry. I do get the why of course. She has a history of being with abusive guys and Barry came off as unhinged when he wandered in and asked her to cast Gene in her show. But why did it take hearing it from her costar Katie to make her realize? I also get that Sally is self-centered and kind of oblivious when it comes to anyone else's needs.

Was this meant for fans that see Barry as a sympathetic character? I mean, he was taken in and totally manipulated by Fuches (the single most repugnant character in the show). I keep looking for hidden layers behind everyone's motivations but could it be that simple? Or are they setting this up for further twists? It's a clever and well written show so I will be extremely disappointed and disheartened if they don't.

[Gideon58]

If you look for specific points for everything that happens on this show, you are going to be disappointed on a regular basis. This show does not follow any basic rules of entertainment.

[WHITBISSELL!]

If you look for specific points for everything that happens on this show, you are going to be disappointed on a regular basis. This show does not follow any basic rules of entertainment.That's what I meant by clever and well written. It's just that I can't help but feel that whole thing with Sally, Barry and Katie had an underlying relevance that I'm simply oblivious to. Katie being troubled by it and finally speaking up and then Sally almost immediately acting on it. I just hope it wasn't as facile as it appeared.Oh well, I'm fully expecting them to expand on it in future episodes.

[Gideon58]

Don't count on it. I've found all kinds of unanswered questions watching this show, but the show doesn't allow you time to ponder about things that confuse, you just have to keep your eye on the prize and not think about it too much.

[Deschain]

I'm not getting what the point was of Sally breaking up with Barry. I do get the why of course. She has a history of being with abusive guys and Barry came off as unhinged when he wandered in and asked her to cast Gene in her show. But why did it take hearing it from her costar Katie to make her realize? I also get that Sally is self-centered and kind of oblivious when it comes to anyone else's needs.

Was this meant for fans that see Barry as a sympathetic character? I mean, he was taken in and totally manipulated by Fuches (the single most repugnant character in the show). I keep looking for hidden layers behind everyone's motivations but could it be that simple? Or are they setting this up for further twists? It's a clever and well written show so I will be extremely disappointed and disheartened if they don't.


I read it as one of two things. Either she was in denial about it until Katie brought it up and that’s what made her realize she is in an abusive relationship. Or as someone creating and promoting a show about getting out of an abusive relationship, if other people think she is in one it might undercut the message of her show or make her look like a hypocrite.

[WHITBISSELL!]

I read it as one of two things. Either she was in denial about it until Katie brought it up and that’s what made her realize she is in an abusive relationship. Or as someone creating and promoting a show about getting out of an abusive relationship, if other people think she is in one it might undercut the message of her show or make her look like a hypocrite. Hmmm. Either one of those could be the reason. But she has been shown to be a calculating, ambitious person and the second one sounds exactly like something she would do.

[Corax]

Don't count on it. I've found all kinds of unanswered questions watching this show, but the show doesn't allow you time to ponder about things that confuse, you just have to keep your eye on the prize and not think about it too much.


The point of the show is the premise. EX: The point of The Fugitive is for Richard Kimball to pursue the one-armed man and flee from Gerard. The point of Barry is for Barry to be wacky, confused, violent, leaning towards the light, and desperately trying not to get caught. Social commentary is thrown in on the side with some mini-arcs and surprise deaths, but they're just trying to keep their plates spinning. That's TV save for a few special efforts (e.g, Breaking Bad).

[Gideon58]

OK, as usual, I feel like I missed something, who the hell are these guys Barry was moving in with at the opening of ep 5? How did they find this ex-soldier to help hunt down Barry? Seems way too convenient for me. It's terrific seeing Gene get the career opportunity of a lifetime but things are going too good to be true for him. Elizabeth Perkins was brilliant in that scene where Sally found out about Joplin being cancelled. Cannot believe that shootout at the grow house in broad daylight, that was awesome! Henry Winkler was brilliant in that scene at Joe Mantgena's house. On the other hand, what happened with the mother and son was totally bizarre. Great show.

[WHITBISSELL!]

Tonight's episode was especially awesome. I thought it was quintessential Barry with the unexpected and random eruptions of violence and unhinged hilarity. It's kinda like watching a Buster Keaton movie. With lots of bloodshed.

[Deschain]

It was a weird-ass episode which I mostly liked. :)

[Gideon58]

Just watched ep 6 and, as usual, feel liked I missed something...Chris and Sharon...was this Sharon's first appearance on the show. LOVE the Asian guy who used to serve with Barry in the army. Don't understand the connection between Laura San Giacomo's character and Gene. Loved Barry's audio text in the outlet store. That was so weird when Vanessa Bayer popped up because earlier in the show I was thinking how much Sally's partner/agent/whatever resembled Vanessa Bayer. Sally needs to get over herself and take what she can get. Don't really get that Mexican girl's attraction to Fuches...love the actor playing her father though. Where have I seen him? I really must have lost track of Fuches' story cause I really don't know where his head is right now. LOVED the guys surrounding Barry in order to identify him before killing him. That highway motorcycle chase was AWESOME! OK, didn't see that final scene coming at all...anyone care to help clarify?

[WHITBISSELL!]

OK, didn't see that final scene coming at all...anyone care to help clarify?I had all sorts of question about that too. At first I thought it was some sort of guilt fueled dream sequence on Barry's part. But then what about spotting Fuchse's Kenneth Goulet business card? I'm not sure if Barry has prior knowledge that it's Fuchse's alias. I think he does because I kind of remember Cousineau mentioning his name to Barry. If that's the case then it was a waking dream. Or the woman actually tried to poison him. He'll survive of course in surreal, improbable and gratifying fashion. I do love this show.

[Gideon58]

Once again, ep 7 made me feel like I've totally missed something. What was all that with Sally about? She's on the writing staff of one show and her bestie stole her idea for another show? That meltdown in the elevator was terrifying because I have no idea where it came from. The opening to Gene's new show was hysterical but I'm surprised that he seems to have been given this much artistic control over the show. Gene was killing me with that shirt/tie combo. Loving Laura san Giacomo's character...what a hot mess she is. Love Robert Wisdom as Janice's father, though I'm not so sure he should be trusting Fuches. I'm beginning to wonder if Sally is nuttier than Barry. I think Sally's on-line apology did her more damage than good. How does Fuches know Albert? Didn't understand any of what appeared to be Barry's out of body experience with the guy in the church in the opening scene. Impressive direction from the star.

[WHITBISSELL!]

Once again, ep 7 made me feel like I've totally missed something. What was all that with Sally about? She's on the writing staff of one show and her bestie stole her idea for another show? That meltdown in the elevator was terrifying because I have no idea where it came from. Not quite sure either. If the intent was to show that everyone involved in the entertainment industry are profoundly screwed up human beings then ... okay.

Love Robert Wisdom as Janice's father, though I'm not so sure he should be trusting Fuches.There's zero danger of that I think. Unless it serves the narrative and the show's contrary way of kicking the audience's feet out from under them. So it would fit right in that a former ninja level PSYOPS/black ops operative could be taken in by a blatantly transparent doofus like Fuchses.

I'm beginning to wonder if Sally is nuttier than Barry.Maybe not on a nonchalantly-killing-people-for-money level but the first season did set her up as self-absorbed and indifferent to other people's problems.

How does Fuches know Albert? Barry obviously filled him in about his wartime experiences.

[Deschain]

It was either this episode or last episode Sally’s agent offered Sally a job on the writing staff of New Medusas and had to talk her into taking it. I think the reveal with her friend was supposed to be a surprise to the audience to help us understand Sally’s shock and betrayal. Loved Sally’s blowup in the elevator, it was very similar to Barry yelling at Sally at the beginning of the season.

[Gideon58]

How did Janice's father find out Barry killed Janice? Who was that guy who attacked Barry and Sally? Anthony Corrigan was incredible in Hank's escape scene. I still don't understand why, after everything that has happened, why Gene is trying to protect Barry. I don't believe that everything Barry did for Gene will go up in smoke if Barry goes down. Barry may be a contract killer, but he doesn't have any Hollywood juice. Final scene was superb...interesting to see where this will go.

[WHITBISSELL!]

Wow. Just ... wow. I have no earthly idea where you take a series from this point forward but there is a season 4 coming. But I do trust Hader and Berg to deliver big. Plus they're letting Hader direct all 8 of the final episodes. I'm really jazzed about the last season.

[WHITBISSELL!]

Loved Sally’s blowup in the elevator, it was very similar to Barry yelling at Sally at the beginning of the season.At first I thought it was a direct callback to that but now I'm not sure. I also thought that when he saw Gene and Sally in his "coma dream" he assumed it was because he was in danger of dragging them down with him. Which is why he did what he did with Sally. That first time he said "I did this" to her I thought he was saying that he knew that he had set events in motion that had led to that moment. He did of course so maybe it had a double meaning. So he did what he could to save Sally then of course tried to do the same with Gene only to have it blow up in his face. It was all powered by the overwhelming guilt he's been carrying around with him. The writing on this show never fails to amaze me. They turned the season finale into a Shakespearean tragedy.

[Gideon58]

Thanks for confirming that was the season finale...I kind of suspected and I agree with you, can't imagine where a 4th season would go, but can't wait to find out.

[WHITBISSELL!]

How did Janice's father find out Barry killed Janice?He talked to the cops and they told him that Gene had fingered Barry for it but that they were convinced that it was Fuchses AKA The Raven. So he met with/confronted Gene and, being the boss level interrogator type, easily saw through Gene's lies which led to that impressive garage scene between Henry Winkler and Robert Wisdom.

Who was that guy who attacked Barry and Sally?It was the same guy who shot Fuchses out in the desert and tried to mow down Barry with that machine gun during that highway chase scene. The surviving member of the dirt bikers.

I don't believe that everything Barry did for Gene will go up in smoke if Barry goes down. Do you mean the ruse Gene used to lure Barry to Jim Moss' home? Or the fact that his entire comeback got rolling when the media aired the misleading story that he helped out a young veteran suffering from PTSD? Since his newfound success hinges on that then yes, it could all disappear just as quickly as it materialized.

[WHITBISSELL!]

Season 4 (Final Season) trailer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veF9eiG3Mqs

[AKA23]

Like Yoda said earlier in the thread, I like this show, but don't love it. It's worth watching, and I'm looking forward to seeing how this last season ends and the resolutions that happen for the main characters. My favorite part of this show is Henry Winkler's performance. It's nice that this show has brought a bit of a career resurgence for him as an actor.

[WHITBISSELL!]

I think these first two episodes of the final season mostly served to refresh our memories on just how screwed up all the characters are. Narcissists, hustlers, sociopaths and psychopaths. And all of them bouncing off each other like pinballs, forever altering each others trajectories. At the center is always Barry though as both catalyst and unwitting victim. But he's also the most altruistic player. I can't begin to guess how they'll wrap this up. Really looking forward to the rest of the season.

[Gideon58]

That phone call from Barry to Gene that opened the fourth season was beyond creepy. Loved the way Sally summarized her life to her mother in one sentence. Sally's little meltdown was a little over the top though. I think Fuches would sell his own mother down the river for the sweetest deal. Just for the record, I'm pretty sure iRL Sally wouldn't have been able to get her message through to Barry without accepting the charges, a small nitpick, I know. Loved the scene where Sally was watching Joplin with her parents. Hader nailed that scene in the bathroom, though the sympathetic corrections officer was a little hard to swallow. It's becoming clear that Barry doesn't do confinement too well. What the hell is going on with Gene? Solid fourth season opener but could have used a few less fantasy elements.

[Gideon58]

I was surprised that ep 2 seems to be continuing in this fantasy mode initiated in ep 1. This is a show that I always felt was grounded in reality, a deadly and violent reality but reality just the same. Didn't realize until this season that Barry and Fuches' relationship goes all the way back to when Barry was a child. Was this mentioned before and I just missed it?Fuches seems to be assuming a lot now thinking that he and Barry are friends again just because Barry said so. Barry may have a plan that involves Fuches that Fuches doesn't know about. Henry Winkler was absolutely brilliant in that scene where he acted out the story of him and Barry for that reporter. The scene where Sally visited Barry was a surprise. I knew she would visit him at some point, but I didn't think it would be so soon. Love that Hank is planning to break Barry out of jail, but Hank's another one who needs to watch his back where Barry is concerned.

[Gideon58]

Ep 3's reveal that Barry has already cut a deal came as a surprise to me...who is he going to give up that would let him walk on a murder charge? Does Barry really expect sally to go into witness protection with him? Can't believe that reporter expected Barry to talk to him. That scene with the reporter was superb. How did Fuches get hold of a cell phone in jail? That scene in the yard was strange. If guards arranged for Barry to be alone out there so he could get killed, how was he able to just walk away? If it wasn't arranged, why would he be allowed alone in the yard in the first place? Loving Stephen Tobolowsky as Gene's attorney. I liked that Sally's berating of that actress backfired on her. Why would Hank kill Gene for Barry? "Thee day you get out of prison is my f*cking birthday, man." That final shootout was awesome and so was Fred Armeson. Boy, Barry Berkman really has an angel on his shulder.

[Gideon58]

Fuches arranged the hit on Barry? Gene is a selfish prick for putting his family at risk. Really starting to hate Gene as this show progresses. Glad I was wrong about Fuches? Nice cameo by Oscar winner Sian Heder (CODA). They seem to be trying to evoke sympathy for Gene, but that ship has sailed. Mega Girl's resemblance to Chelsea Handler is uncanny. Looks like sally is going to become Mega Girl and will have no interest in running off with Barry. The sand trap was awesome but why did Hank do that? The scene with Fuches in the dining area, what was that about? The Hank/Cristobal break up scene was superb...Anthony Carrigan is amazing, how has this guy not won an Emmy yet? Not sure what Sally meant by "Let's Go", but if she meant it literally, she is out of her mind.

[WHITBISSELL!]

Don't know how to feel about the flash forward. It's been used before on other shows. Remains to be seen how it'll play out here.

[Corax]

Don't know how to feel about the flash forward. It's been used before on other shows. Remains to be seen how it'll play out here.


I think it shows backbone. But, that doesn't mean they'll stick the landing. Even so, I respect change-up.

[Iroquois]

Fuches arranged the hit on Barry? Gene is a selfish prick for putting his family at risk. Really starting to hate Gene as this show progresses. Glad I was wrong about Fuches? Nice cameo by Oscar winner Sian Heder (CODA). They seem to be trying to evoke sympathy for Gene, but that ship has sailed. Mega Girl's resemblance to Chelsea Handler is uncanny. Looks like sally is going to become Mega Girl and will have no interest in running off with Barry. The sand trap was awesome but why did Hank do that? The scene with Fuches in the dining area, what was that about? The Hank/Cristobal break up scene was superb...Anthony Carrigan is amazing, how has this guy not won an Emmy yet? Not sure what Sally meant by "Let's Go", but if she meant it literally, she is out of her mind.

I don't think this show is trying to evoke sympathy for Gene in and of himself - he might be the most "normal" of the principal characters, but his glory-hound tendencies always backfire on him and have caused severe collateral damage (traumatising the reporter, accidentally shooting his own son).

I don't know where you got the impression that Sally was going to end up becoming Mega Girl - after Sally successfully delivers the monologue, Sian Heder straight-up tells her she needs that level of acting skill to be coming from Kristen instead. Meanwhile, Kristen's agent points out how obvious it was that Sally was (unsuccessfully) trying to steal the part and tries to cut her a lucrative behind-the-scenes deal instead complete with potential for acting roles (though nothing like the attractive leading part that Kristen herself is playing). And of course Sally is out of her mind - the past couple of seasons have established just how much she can sabotage herself for one reason or another. In this instance, her own narcissism won't allow her to accept this deal where she would basically have to support others instead of being the star herself, so of course she decides to go with Barry instead.

Also don't get "why did Hank do that" since there's a scene in episode 3 where Batir returns and tells Hank that the Chechens will return and wipe out Hank, Cristobal, and their entire sand operation they've built if Hank doesn't co-operate with their takeover. Hank does it under the pretense that it will save Cristobal and himself.

Fuches in the dining area is meant to put a cap on his time in prison - from the moment he got in, he's been trying to establish himself as a power player (playing up his reputation as "the Raven") but has mostly been treated as a pathetic, selfish joke without the brawn (Barry) to back his word up. That he's taken so many beatings from the prison staff without squealing on Barry has actually given the prisoners a genuine reason to respect him, so them watching his every move and responding in kind is meant to reflect that newfound respect and potentially indicate that he might actually become a powerful presence within prison after all.

[Gideon58]

It just seems to be a very weird time in this story to have a flash forward. That wig on Sally is the worst. This whole flashing forward thing seems to imply that the writers are unsure of where to go with the present story. So future Barry finds religion? Why do we care? What was with the baseball videos? That scene in the restaurant bathroom...what was that all about? It's no surprise that at some point Barry would be living under witness protection but the road leading to it would be a lot more interesting than this was.

[Iroquois]

Gideon, I'm very intrigued by these posts from the previous page...

If you look for specific points for everything that happens on this show, you are going to be disappointed on a regular basis. This show does not follow any basic rules of entertainment.

Don't count on it. I've found all kinds of unanswered questions watching this show, but the show doesn't allow you time to ponder about things that confuse, you just have to keep your eye on the prize and not think about it too much.

...because I find there's very little about this show that screams unanswered questions, whether in the short or long term. Many of the things you've brought up are either addressed within the same episode, set-ups for future episodes, or following up on earlier episodes' foreshadowing.

It just seems to be a very weird time in this story to have a flash forward. That wig on Sally is the worst. This whole flashing forward thing seems to imply that the writers are unsure of where to go with the present story. So future Barry finds religion? Why do we care? What was with the baseball videos? That scene in the restaurant bathroom...what was that all about? It's no surprise that at some point Barry would be living under witness protection but the road leading to it would be a lot more interesting than this was.

I do think the flash forward is an interesting choice because it does shake up expectations - this is technically the happy ending that Barry has dreamed of (and audiences may have wanted for him) for the entire show, but there are still another 3-4 episodes left for it to unravel and so it's now a question of how the show is really going to end.

There's also the matter of how Barry has worked to establish this perfect life for himself and all the little ways he tries to maintain control over it. So much of his new persona seems like a deliberately-constructed idea of what a loving family man should be like - it's debatable as to how much he sincerely believes in religion or just sees it as part of the image he's trying to uphold. This also explains the baseball videos - when he finds out his son is interested in baseball (something that exists outside of his immediate control and would allow his son to develop as an independent human being), his first instinct is to traumatise him into never wanting to play it again in order to regain control over him.

As for Sally, I think it's a matter of her having had to put up with life on the run with Barry for years and being sick of it. The bathroom scene is interesting because on the one hand it would make sense in the abstract for her to cheat on Barry with her co-worker but he's just another in a long line of abusive men and her instinct is no longer to passively endure it like with Barry or her ex-husband but to actually try to choke him herself. It seems to be foreshadowing that she's going to break away from Barry at some point in the next few episodes, which is bound to have consequences.

In any case, I don't see the case for witness protection being a more interesting direction than Barry becoming a fugitive. That might end up being too neat and conclusive for him, whereas if he's still a fugitive like this then there's an added level of tension that threatens him at every turn (case in point - the scene of him standing outside all night with a gun after hearing a knock on the door) and also pushes the story forward much more efficiently.

[AKA23]

I think that because of the COVID pandemic there are many shows that are ending before they may have originally planned to do so. I think given the delay, for the actors and creators, they are likely ready to do something else, so even though it feels like we're just getting back to normalcy as audiences watching these shows, for those making the shows, they've been in limbo for several years. I think given that the shows are ending before they were originally intended, many of these last seasons feel compressed and rushing towards the end. It feels like they are trying to tell the same story they always wanted to for the series, but in a much shorter period of time. Sometimes it feels like these stories could be season-long arcs. I think the use of flash forwards is a device to accomplish the goal of speeding up the story so they can get to where they want to go, and end the show in the time they have left to tell the story.

[WHITBISSELL!]

That's a solid theory. But then this show has always gotten a kick out of confounding viewer's expectations. I still think it's a got a lot of twists and turns left and that the culmination will leave us satisfied.

[Iroquois]

I definitely got the sense that Hader was looking to move onto other projects since he had managed to finish writing seasons 3 and 4 during the pandemic with that in mind, but I'm inclined to think that this is a feature more than a bug. Barry is a show that made brevity a strength and that's only becoming clearer as it finally approaches an endgame. You could definitely see the ending of S4E4 as a season finale cliffhanger on its own, but it wouldn't really be worth an extra four episodes of Barry being stuck in prison just to get to that point (nor, I suspect, would you really need extra episodes of him in exile like in S4E5).

[Corax]

Show seems to be cribbing from Breaking Bad a bit with the King in Exile thing. Instead of the natural result being "He lived unhappily ever after in prison" or the sudden snap of a rope or bang of a gun ending things with an exclamation point, we journey with the character into the underworld and we find the shade of Achilles finding a faded world of food without flavor: I’d rather serve as another man’s labourer, as a poor peasant without land, and be alive on Earth, than be lord of all the lifeless dead. Walt scramble back from his death shack to close his story. And it appears Barry will also go out with a bang. The point seems to be that even if they got what they wanted they'd still lose. Walt is dying of cancer anyway you cut it. And Barry is so broken that he can't really make the family thing work.

[WHITBISSELL!]

Six episodes down two to go. There will be no happy endings for anyone. I don't envy Bill Hader. His show will ultimately be judged on how creatively he doles out a fitting end to all involved. I'm thinking he'll just go Old Testament on everyone's ass.

[Gideon58]

Does Barry really think killing Gene is going to give him the closure he really wants? If the truth be told, my mind is still reeling that sally agreed to run off with Barry. Fuches out of prison is definitely a changed man. "Gene Cusineau...the DA would like to see you. Take two bites of that salad and come with me." Kind of scary that it would be that easy to buy a gun in the future. The "murder is not a sin" theme of this episode was kind of disturbing. A little backstory on how Hank got where he is would have been nice. Gene is just now apologizing to his son? I liked that the arrival of Gene's grandson stopped Barry cold. Not sure whether that scene with sally and the house getting hit by a truck was a dream or not. Stephen Root was excellent in this episode. All I can say about the final scene is WTF?

[Iroquois]

Does Barry really think killing Gene is going to give him the closure he really wants? If the truth be told, my mind is still reeling that sally agreed to run off with Barry. Fuches out of prison is definitely a changed man. "Gene Cusineau...the DA would like to see you. Take two bites of that salad and come with me." Kind of scary that it would be that easy to buy a gun in the future. The "murder is not a sin" theme of this episode was kind of disturbing. A little backstory on how Hank got where he is would have been nice. Gene is just now apologizing to his son? I liked that the arrival of Gene's grandson stopped Barry cold. Not sure whether that scene with sally and the house getting hit by a truck was a dream or not. Stephen Root was excellent in this episode. All I can say about the final scene is WTF?

It goes back to what I was saying before about Barry needing to maintain his delusions by any means necessary - in episode 3 he even tries to convince Hank to kill Gene simply out of revenge for telling his side of the story to the reporter. Besides, the scene where Gene meets the studio exec and tells her not to do the movie anyway is meant to underline the futility of Barry's mission - the movie is slated to go ahead with or without Gene's involvement so killing him wouldn't change anything. Even so, Barry does feel conflicted enough that his favourite religious podcast is advocating against it (and him switching to a different podcast and waiting for its clearly-unhinged host to give even the slightest justification for murder before making his move is a dark little joke all its own).

I don't think we needed any more backstory on Hank's new business - it was basically what he and Cristobal would've built if the Chechens hadn't intervened, and the scene of Fuches getting a tour of the company is meant to underline how much of it was down to Hank feeling guilty about what happened to Cristobal.

I think the scene with Sally is mostly a dream - she's also been having her own creeping delusions (the man she killed at the end of season 3 shows up at least once or twice before this) so that would explain the man in black, though the truck could just be the diner guy from last week.

[Gideon58]

OK, we're getting flashforwards and we still didn't find out what happened to Cristobal? Did Fuches have something to do with his death? Daniel Day Lewis wants to play Gene Cusineau in the movie? Yeah, right. Those guys went after Fuches and ended up headless? Mark Wahlberg as Barry? I believe that before Daniel Day Lewis. Hank attempting to blow up Fuches' compound had me on the floor. Is Gene going to go down for Janice's murder? Barry is on the egde...not sure of what, but he's definitely on the edge.

[Iroquois]

OK, we're getting flashforwards and we still didn't find out what happened to Cristobal? Did Fuches have something to do with his death? Daniel Day Lewis wants to play Gene Cusineau in the movie? Yeah, right. Those guys went after Fuches and ended up headless? Mark Wahlberg as Barry? I believe that before Daniel Day Lewis. Hank attempting to blow up Fuches' compound had me on the floor. Is Gene going to go down for Janice's murder? Barry is on the egde...not sure of what, but he's definitely on the edge.

Cristobal was already shown being killed off by the Chechens back in episode 4 (which is before the flash forward) for walking out on Hank after Hank had murdered all their new associates - Fuches had nothing to do with it. It was also established that the DDL/Wahlberg thing was just a ruse by Jim Moss to entrap Gene so it ultimately doesn't matter how plausible it actually is - I'm guessing that pinning Janice's death on him is how they wrap up his part on the show so that the final episode can focus on resolving the Barry/Hank/Fuches conflict.

[WHITBISSELL!]

Well, it's over. Not really disappointed in how it wrapped up. I did have a notion that was how the Fuchses side of things would end. I mean he was such a despicable individual it only made sense for it to wrap up like that. All of the character's ultimate fates (except for one) were hinted at throughout the run of the show so I suppose it was a fitting end for them. Does that make it predictable? No. I don't think it does. Did the finale cement the show's stature or did it detract from it? I really don't know.

[Iroquois]

Fuches makes for an interesting contrast with Barry in that he ultimately accepts that he is a villain (and his final exchange with Hank was all about getting him to admit that about himself too) while Barry was constantly rationalising his actions up until the very end. That he was still willing to protect John and return him to Barry might have been a move to get Barry to leave him alone, but it also shows that he still had a sliver of humanity that Barry was definitely missing by that point.

[Gideon58]

That tracking shot of Barry walking out of the supermarket strapped down with rifles and nobody even noticing was all kinds of awesome. That scene where Sally tried to explain her life with Barry to her son was wonderful. Part of me really wanted to see Barry step up where Janice's murder was concerned. Can't believe the way Gene's son has completely turned on him. It's hard to tell if Barry really doesn't know what doing the right thing is or he doesn't care. Very odd finale. I don't regret watching the show, though.

[Iroquois]

I think he doesn't know anymore - judging by the way he listens to Christian podcasts and prays by himself, it's clear that he's actively bought into his newfound sense of religion and believes that anything he does is justified as a result. It is interesting how Sally tells him that the only way he can make things right is to turn himself in and he rejects the notion but when Gene's lawyer suggests the same thing he actively starts to consider it.

[AKA23]

I finally caught up with the series finale. I didn't really like it. I thought this whole season was too dark and tonally off from the rest of the show. What do you think the creators were trying to communicate with the fake movie at the end, and why did they decide to have Cousineau go to jail for the murder of Janice, which he did not commit? I think there was a deeper subtext with the fake movie in particular that I may have missed that was likely intended, so would love others interpretation of that. Thank you!