I May Destroy You: Ego Death

 "The alliance is spicy, blud..."

This final episode, even in the context of the eleven episodes that precede it, is extraordinary. We are presented, in a bravely non-linear finale, with three alternate endings before the simple ending is revealed.

The first ending, while chaotic, consists of simple, violent revenge... and goes too far, because anger and hate are dangerous. Then we have a more nuanced revenge ending in arrest and justice, yet the rapist here (David) turns out to have been an abused child, still traumatised. And this is the problem with crime, punishment and revenge: there are cycles of abuse. People are not born evil; they become so through suffering. An eye for an eye makes us all blind, prison brutalises, and judicial punishment just outsources violence to the state. It's progress from vendettas, as per the Oresteia, but society needs to move beyond such things. The answer lies in rehabilitation and understanding, not in "punishment".

The third narrative has Arabella consensually seduce and shag David, which is deliberately awkward and provocative in context. On the surface, Bella is taking control, but there are all sorts of problems here, not least that men like David would never be capable of such bedroom etiquette. 

The ending, finally, shows true wisdom, as Bella decides not to go to Ego Death. After all, the rapist doesn't matter. He is nothing. Far more important to live her life, publish her novel, be awesome. And, yes, to recognise that flsatmate Ben is lovely and give him a hug.

This is beautiful, understated, complex drama.