Disclaimer episode 7 (series finale) review: What really happened to Jonathan?

As a gamer with a knack for psychological thrillers and a hearty appetite for dark narratives, I must say that “Disclaimer” on Apple TV+ has been quite the rollercoaster ride. I’ve seen my fair share of plot twists, but this one took the cake!

In this paragraph, we’re discussing that the final episode of the “Disclaimer” series is currently available for streaming on Apple TV+, wrapping up the psychological thriller. We’ll go over a summary of this episode to determine if our queries from episode 7 have been addressed.

Warning: This discussion may contain spoilers for those who haven’t watched the recent episodes of the Apple TV+ miniseries. It would be best to catch up on the latest episode before continuing here.

Under the guidance of Alfonso Cuaron, who adapted the 2015 novel by Renee Knight, the film titled “Disclaimer” focuses on Catherine, an accomplished journalist played by Cate Blanchett. Her professional success and personal relationship are put at risk when a book emerges that seems to be based on a past vacation she took with her son, casting doubt on their experiences and potentially damaging her reputation.

In this captivating novel, long-hidden truths about Catherine are unveiled – truths she had never shared before. It delves into the tragic event of Jonathan’s demise, a young man with whom Catherine had an intimate relationship. This revelation is certainly unexpected and leaves both Robert (portrayed by Sacha Baron Cohen) and their son Nicholas (Kodi Smit-McPhee) stunned. Interestingly, it’s revealed that this book was penned by Jonathan’s late mother, who pieced together the story using photos taken by Jonathan himself.

For quite some time, we’ve held the opinion that Catherine was a monster. This woman had an illicit relationship with a young, innocent teenager, and tragically, her son Nicholas ended up in the water due to Catherine’s apparent negligence. However, it was Jonathan who valiantly rescued Nicholas from drowning, only to be swept away by the waves himself before lifeguards could bring him back ashore, where he sadly lost his life.

Disclaimer episode 7 (series finale) review: What really happened to Jonathan?

What really happened to Catherine?

In Episode 7, the hidden reality about Jonathan unfolds, and it’s mind-blowing! Though I had my reservations regarding certain aspects of his story, the pieces finally fall into place. Remember, this narrative is constructed from a collection of photographs, which means there are always details left to our imagination. Furthermore, being penned by his mother gives the account an inherent bias towards her son. Yet, I could never have imagined the full extent of the revelations.

I, being Catherine, felt compelled to step into Stephen’s home to share my perspective – a revelation that left me stunned in its own right. Contrary to popular belief, I didn’t seduce Jonathan. Instead, I noticed his gaze and the photographs he took, finding the attention rather flattering. However, our exchanges never escalated beyond a fleeting glance or two.

Over time, it has become clear that Jonathan is not the innocent, sweet young man people thought him to be. He surprises Catherine at her hotel room without permission, wielding a knife and coercing her into taking explicit pictures. Fearing these images might be used for blackmail, Catherine remains silent about the incident. That night, Jonathan rapes Catherine repeatedly.

The reason Catherine felt so drained the next day and dozed off when Nicholas approached the water was because of this. As for why Catherine showed no concern when Jonathan seemed to be drowning, it’s because she realized he was in trouble, yet chose not to inform anyone about it.

Disclaimer episode 7 (series finale) review: What really happened to Jonathan?

Is Catherine telling the truth?

Absolutely! I find Catherine’s account trustworthy for the following reasons… Not only does her narrative make sense, but there were crucial details missing from the book written by Jonathan’s mother. The book was based on scant evidence. Even Jonathan’s father, Stephen, acknowledged that he was not as blameless as his wife portrayed him in the book. He admitted that she frequently defended Jonathan’s actions and went along with them.

There’s also the phone call Sasha’s mom made to Jonathan’s family. Sasha ended her vacation with Jonathan prematurely because her aunt had unfortunately passed away. However, it seems there was a falling out, and it’s evident that something Jonathan did may have contributed to their disagreement. Lastly, Catherine confides in Stephen that she snapped pictures of her wounds.

Ultimately, Stephen reconsiders his actions and chooses not to harm Nicholas. He opts to act honorably by informing Catherine’s spouse honestly about Jonathan.

Disclaimer episode 7 (series finale) review: What really happened to Jonathan?

A little too late for Robert

Robert is taken aback upon discovering the truth and seeks Catherine’s pardon. However, it appears that Robert’s opportunity for forgiveness has already passed. Catherine acknowledges Robert’s predicament but explains she can’t fully forgive him because he didn’t provide her an opportunity to share her side of things, instead choosing to believe Stephen over her. Catherine tells Robert that it was all too simple for him to accept Stephen’s story without giving her a chance to speak up.

It’s safe to say that Catherine and her son have mended their relationship to some extent. In fact, Nicholas takes the step of apologizing to his mother for past mistreatment and the unfortunate events that transpired between them.

It’s satisfying to watch a series that wraps up neatly, answering our questions and concluding the stories of its main characters. I particularly appreciated the concise nature of the miniseries, consisting of just seven episodes, which kept the story engaging without unnecessarily dragging it out. What were your thoughts on “Disclaimer”?

2024-11-08 15:28