Rectify “The Source” 

I had to go back and re-watch the series premiere. We know George is lying, but is he lying about everything? And since we can’t really take his word on anything having to do with Hanna Dean or Daniel Holden, I thought I’d go back to the source material because I couldn’t remember what actually happened and I have no interest in believing Trey’s version of any event.

I’m actually really glad I went back to re-watch (the relevant parts of) the series premiere. I mean, it’s all relevant to the big picture, but I was specifically interested in the George/Trey interaction. I forgot that George wasn’t sure what the “truth” of that night was. He knows what they did to Hanna, though, and it’s poisoned his existence. I love that he asks Trey point-blank if he killed Hanna. Trey denies it, but Trey denies a lot of things. Maybe if he’d been less prickly or more forthcoming, Daggett wouldn’t have had such a hard time believing Trey’s version of events regarding just how George ended up dead. And now that Daniel’s started his banishment in Nashville, what will that mean for him? The series has already been renewed for another season, so it’s only a matter of time before Daniel has to come back.

Still Outside the Norm

This is the perfect way to describe Daniel. After living in a box for most of his adult life, is there really any way for him to be normal? And what’s so wrong about being strange? We’re all odd in our own ways. But the problem with Daniel is that a lot of people have preconceived ideas about him. I mean, we still don’t know if Daniel killed Hanna. I don’t think Daniel knows if he killed Hanna. But because most of Paulie seems to think Daniel did it and got off on a technicality, that colors their experience with Daniel. So, they are much less likely to give him the benefit of the doubt and I get it. Would I want to interact with someone I thought was a murderer or  live in the same apartment complex as someone I thought capable and/or guilty of murder? No. No, I would not.

I’m glad we didn’t get a maudlin goodbye between Amantha and Daniel, but we did get an emotional one. Considering everything they’ve both been through, I thought that parting handshake was a bit tepid. I know there’s so much unsaid emotion even in that, but when Daniel has to go back for his bag I’m glad they get a second chance to say goodbye. I needed that and so did they. Amantha promises to visit Daniel once he gets settled, but I wonder if she really plans to. She’s trying to move on. I honestly can’t imagine that she’d completely cut Daniel out of her life, but she finally seems to be living her life for herself and I have to support that 100 percent.

Jon says he wants to move on, but I understand why he can’t on a professional level. He still seems to be going to Boston – without Amantha, even though they love each other – but he’s not done with this case yet. When he goes to visit Foulkes, he makes it clear just how much he’s going to enjoy tarnishing Foulkes’ legacy and reputation. It’s evident that the police and Foulkes, when he was the prosecuting attorney, mishandled this case. When the police got that confession out of Daniel, that was it for them. They didn’t question witnesses, even though they were literally at the police station waiting to be interviewed. And do we know why it took so long to test that DNA sample? At the very least it’s sloppy, at most it’s a conspiracy. It makes me wonder what actually happened that night. Chris, Trey and George raped Hanna Dean, but what happened after that and before she was killed? Why did Hanna agree not to tell on the boys if they agreed not to tell on her? Why was it so important to Hanna that Daniel not know about the assault? I have so many (more) questions. And while I think Trey belongs in jail, it needs to be for a crime he actually committed. But did I get a little thrill when Daggett placed him under arrest? Talk about poetic justice.

Other Developments

Although I wasn’t too happy that things seem to be over between Daniel and Tawney, Tawney is clearly still struggling. She and Teddy are separated, but she’s back in their house. I think she’s smart to get the locks changed, but that’s not a reflection on Teddy. If he says he won’t bother her, I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. I think changing the locks is more about starting fresh. She just needs to get rid of her old life, in a way, so she can move on. But I think that’ll be hard if she’s having dreams about kissing Daniel. Yes, I know, the dream was about so much more than that. I actually love that she’s questioning God and her faith along with her feelings for Daniel. She’s lost and I’m not sure what she needs to do to find herself, but I hope she gets there.

I love that Ted Sr. and Teddy finish the kitchen reno together and watching this scene made me realize just how much both of these men have been neglecting this relationship, and for a long time. The fact that Ted comes clean about the end of his marriage to Teddy’s mom is great. I think Teddy needed to hear that his father had a bit of an emotional affair and didn’t do everything he could to save his marriage. It was also important for Ted to hear that Teddy blamed himself for his mom leaving and that he’s been worried his whole marriage that Tawney would leave him too. I don’t know what’s in the cards for Tawney and Teddy, but if it’s right for both of them, I do want to see Teddy fight for his marriage.

I don’t know if we’ve ever really seen a scene where Amantha and Teddy are getting along, so it’s nice to watch them reconnect a little bit over takeout and cards. So much time and energy has been focused on Daniel for so long that I think it was easy for their relationship to fall apart. Although I can’t say Teddy’s my favorite, I do understand him a lot more now than I did at the beginning of this series. And I think he’s worthy of love and respect. He doesn’t always make the best choices, but none of us do and I can see that he’s trying.

I love that Janet and Daniel decided to road trip to Nashville. It was great to see them interact in a way I don’t think we’ve ever seen. Janet has always been there for Daniel, but I feel like maybe they understand each other now. When Daniel wanted to take a side, side trip to the prison, I don’t think anyone’s surprised. But I love that he talks to his mom about what he’s thinking and that she understands his impulse to want to return to his box. But the most powerful moment between them has to be when they’re about to walk into the New Canaan Project house together, but Daniel tells her he needs to do it on his own. And he asks her to try to forgive herself. It’s such a powerful moment.

What did you think of the finale and what do you want to see in season 4?

Season 4 of Rectify will premiere in 2016.