13
by TC
seems like i'm the only one here who watched this show. or, probably more accurately, the only one here. anyway, the series finale landed friday night, so we finished the season. i'd say this season is back to being very strong. yes, there are some shortcuts with regard to timeline and the reality of legal process, etc. - and probably finance stuff, but that's all greek to me anyway - but the drama of the show is so well-crafted that you don't focus on those things. this feels like, from a construct and writing standpoint, it's back to Shakespearean-level execution. very wordy but piercing. absolutely validates the return of Axe, who we've gravely missed. (speaking of which - his first appearance back on US soil being scored by Slayer's "Angel Of Death" was pitch perfect). while he's been missed for a couple seasons, i think in the big picture, it was necessary to make this payoff that much more meaningful. almost all of the key cast members from the course of the series are called back to make a farewell appearance, and they all feel natural, not forced. the one that that i kept calling out is the fact that bobby has an ex-wife (Malin Ackerman, who i definitely miss) and kids, all of whom we haven't seen or heard mentioned in many seasons. it's ridiculous. so while they did bring the Rhoades children around a few times so we remember they exist this season, i guess we're all just supposed to forget that bobby left a family a few years ago. outside of that, i'd say this wrapped up quite nicely. i think it will go down as one of the great high drama shows. sure, there were some low points (like s5, mentioned above), but the awkwardness of last season do now seem kind of necessary to create the payoff this season.
if you didn't watch the show, it's now complete and you should go back & give it a shot. some great writing and performances here.