Smith sees possibilities there, and even if looks bad now, it can be reborn. That’s what we’ve seen over the course of the series with the motel, what was initially deserted has become a home. Barry has taken the place where the worst moment of his life happened and turned it into something wonderful, the center of these peoples’ world. But, the darkness is still there, his fear manifested in the gray man sitting at the bar. Ultimately, we always have to deal with the bad stuff, but we must go on anyway. He may not see Shaun at the bar, but when he goes back in, he’s there.
All this would lead me to believe next episode will end with John bringing everyone together one more time, then disappearing for the foreseeable future. The episodes are called “His Visit” and it would make sense for the season to end when his visit does. If the series were to continue, we could jump ahead in time to the moment when he next returns. That would fit wonderfully with the themes, John’s goal was to show the characters what they could be, to be the catalyst for the halo effect, and then disappear when he is no longer needed, like the voices in the clinic. We see this literally in the speech sequence, where he gives us a brief glimpse of the Yosts in family portrait, happy for once. It’s still a long journey to get there, but it is possible.
So, keeping those two themes in mind, I’d argue that the central remaining issues are the rehabilitation of Cissy, and the reunion of the family. Cissy has a deep wound from her abuse of Butchie, and she’s completely unable to open herself up to him emotionally for fear of going back to that place. She deliberately keeps him distant, and yet keeps making comments that recall the moment. Here, she referenced him fucking himself, and has made similar references on other occasions. Subconsciously, she wants to apologize to him, but she can’t even find the words. Just going there would be too raw.
The same is true with Mitch, at first she doesn’t want him to help because she’s more interested in vilifying him than letting him make things up to her. It’s a surprise when he asks her what he can do to help, and ultimately he does wind up making things better. The Chemist also gives Cissy a reminder of who she once was, and who she could be again. He serves as a similar function as John, these characters don’t need people to act for them, they just need the prompting to act themselves.
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Article comments
1 - James
Thanks so much for writing, I am greatly excited by your words here. I feel very much as you do. I am so grateful for the depth of the show, the depth of each character's emotional lives, and so on. I am excited for day nine and hope we are able to see the relationships of the folks in IB further flower and grow in future seasons. As you make clear, these people have a lot of growing to do before they may be capable of healthy relationships, and it would be so thrilling to see how a greater community awareness manages to strengthen individual bonds and deepen personal awareness. (Communication -> Community -> Common Union)
2 - Savannah
Thanks, Patrick. That was thoughfully, and beautifully, written. You echoed my exact feelings about the show that I've been unable to articulate.
3 - Ayela
Patrick, I very much appreciate your perspectives presented here on the wonderful enigma, JFC. I love that you aren't trying to resolve the mysteries so much as explore and illuminate, much like the show itself. Thank you.
4 - JFC Fan
Thank you, I've been unable to explain or even understand why I find the show so compelling your explanation have really helped to enhance my appreciation of the show.
5 - Patrick
Thanks for the feedback, it's such a fantastic show, I'm always left with so much to talk about and reflect on, it's been such a wonderful build, I really hope we get the chance to see more of these characters in another season.
6 - Case
I agree with this analysis completely. I’ve read other reviews which seem express a dislike for the show because of the lack of quick and easy answers. That is what I like about JFC. Other would be viewers/fans are offended by the language, and seem to think that since there is 'off-color' language, that equates to a lack of spirituality. In fact I had a long conversation with a friend in which I was trying to explain the irrelevance of words in general. The fact that John repeats everything that others say exemplifies the lack of meaning in what he says; therefore how he says it is also irrelevant. I like this show. I hope it continues...even though I am somewhat dissuaded from watching at time due to the coarseness of the dialogue.
7 - Patrick
John's repetition is far from meaningless. By repeating things, he gives them a new context and forces us to actually consider the meaning of what we say. Plus, as we see Butchie and Kai discuss in this episode, his repetition is actually an attempt to use what he knows of our language to convey the complex ideas he's been sent here to convey. Milch is able to use words better than almost any other writer working today. Yes, there's a lot of profanity, perhaps a bit too much, but that's his style and other than in the pilot, I don't think it's been gratuitous.
8 - John (Real name, I promise)
Amen brother. Loved it!
9 - Lauren
wow, thanks for putting this together. as confusing as the show seems while watching it, the general themes presented are not at all complex, you just have to sift/think through a bit. (watching twice is big help as well.)
i pray HBO picks it back up. i am really starting to grab a hold of the characters and love this show!
p.s. how did butchie go from detestable to lovable in 8 episodes? he's my favorite character.
10 - Keith
It seems to be a second coming theme, but John is not Jesus. Shaun is the Christ figure. John is the "John the Baptist" figure. If you disregard Shaun's family, there are almost exactly twelve that have come into the community. If they are apostles, that makes sense. They certainly seem to be expressing a love for Shaun that goes beyond the normal.
In fact, Barry as Paul makes great sense. Paul was never married and had "a thorn in his side" and is fairly often thought to be gay. He also was the one who had a vision on the road to Damascus.
Tina, as Shaun's mother, would seem to be the virgin Mary. But Milch is either turning the virgin concept on it's head or combining the virgin Mary with Mary Magdalene in one character.
At any rate, according to the Bible, Jesus disappears for most of his teen years (and perhaps studies with the Essenes). It would seem Shaun has disappeared around the same age.
If so, the second season of JFC would probably be Shaun's return as an older Jesus figure. (I would prefer this, because the kid playing Shaun just can't hold his own with the rest of the cast.)
Maybe in this last episode, someone will deliver John's head? It certainly seems a possibility...
Another exciting thing about all this... If this is indeed what is going on, AND it is clarified in this last show, THEN, in spite of low numbers this season, I think the idea alone will generate enough interest that HBO will commit to a second season.
And that's good, because I LOVE THIS SHOW. Great characters. Great writing. Makes me think.