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How a Heartwarming Memory Turned into a Devastating Reality in Adolescence’s Finale

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The British miniseries titled “Adolescence” has been Netflix’s standout series this season, and it’s no surprise why. Co-creator and writer Jack Thorne, whose previous works include “Best Interests” and “Toxic Town,” delivers another gripping social drama on American streaming services within just two months. This compelling tale of a 13-year-old boy accused of killing a female classmate resonates deeply with the influence of social media and the paradoxical concept of “incel culture” on vulnerable adolescent minds.

The ensemble cast, spearheaded by co-creator Stephen Graham (“Peaky Blinders”), features outstanding performances from Ashley Walters of “Top Boy,” Graham’s co-star Erin Doherty (“The Crown,” “Chloe”), Christine Tremarco from procedural dramas, and newcomer Owen Cooper playing the young defendant. This collection of British television talent often goes unrecognized but shines brightly here.

“Adolescence” is also a technical marvel, with director Philip Barantini’s camera seamlessly capturing each episode in a single, dynamic shot as it follows the characters in real-time.

Over the course of more than a year, the narrative unfolds through distinct moments. The first scene depicts the early-morning arrest of Jamie Miller, Cooper’s character, and Eddie Miller’s (Graham) heart-wrenching discovery, upon viewing video proof, that his son is indeed guilty. In the following sequence, DI Luke Bascombe, played by Walters, and his partner, DS Misha Frank (Faye Marsay), delve into Jamie’s school, a place already fraught with tension, now plunged into complete turmoil due to the murder. The gripping third episode primarily takes place within a single room, where Doherty’s psychologist is assigned the task of assessing Jamie. Lastly, we catch up with the Millers over a year after Jamie’s arrest, as they strive to move past their ordeal and social outcast status just enough to celebrate Eddie’s 50th birthday. Despite its somber tone, Adolescence includes one poignant moment of levity in the finale—a moment that stands out for me, perhaps because it is also incredibly heart-rending within the story.

The story begins with Manda (Tremarco), the family’s matriarch and peacekeeper, preparing a full English breakfast for her husband. A heartfelt birthday card from Jamie, adorned with an impressive likeness of Eddie, brings a moment of pride to the parents. However, this brief optimism is dashed when their daughter, Lisa (Amelie Pease), informs them that someone has graffitied “nonse” [sic] on the van, which serves as both Eddie’s work vehicle for his plumbing business and the family car. Enraged, Eddie attempts to clean it off with soap and water, but the teens on bikes who mock him as they pass offer no relief from his anger. As the black pudding cools, he gathers everyone for an unexpected trip to the hardware store in the van.

During this car ride, the Millers become more relaxed and decide to make the most of the day by watching a movie and enjoying Chinese food. As Lisa searches for music on her phone, Manda encourages her to play something by A-ha, reminding her of her childhood favorite band. This leads Manda to share a story about one of her and Eddie’s early dates. She remembers that Eddie “wanted to test me” by showing up in a “silly pink wig.” Although others may have laughed at him, Manda recalls that “your dad never cared when people laughed at him.” At the time, they were both around 13 years old and attending a school dance. Most of the kids were too shy to dance, but when “Take On Me” played over the speakers, Eddie confidently took to the floor and started dancing alone. According to Manda, the laughter continued; however, Eddie remembers that the other kids “loved my Northern Soul dance moves.” In front of all their peers, he slipped, fell on his nose, and got up covered in blood. “Everyone was laughing uncontrollably,” Manda says, but then Eddie exclaimed, “I’m bleeding here!

40 years ago, an event that sparked laughter back then has now transformed into a cherished, humorous memory for the couple – Eddie and Manda. Eddie chuckles modestly as Manda recounts the story. That incident, which was more of a mishap for him, brought them even closer. On that evening, Manda stayed by Eddie’s side on the sidelines during the dance. When he dropped her off later, much to their daughter’s embarrassment, he says they shared a deep kiss.

As a film enthusiast, I found Manda’s story to serve dual purposes in this episode: it validated the idea that a character like Jamie could have stemmed from a nurturing household and provided a momentary calm amidst the turbulence – a pause between Eddie’s furious reaction to the graffiti and his sudden outburst of aggression when the bike gang passed by the hardware store. Beyond that, it offered a glimpse into the relatively innocent milestones that Jamie’s parents shared at his age.

Admittedly, 13-year-old Eddie made quite the spectacle that night, and his peers taunted him with “I’m bleeding here!” for years to follow. However, I believe it was all in good spirits. He had enough self-assurance to brush off the jeers. Moreover, this incident solidified his age-appropriate bond with Manda, whose affection undeniably lessened the pain of humiliation.

If only that fateful night had occurred today, I’d undoubtedly be there with my smartphone, capturing Eddie’s fall instead of just watching it unfold. That video, without a doubt, would have been instantly uploaded to social media for everyone to see and comment on. The cruel remarks would have flooded in, not sparing Eddie or even his friends like Manda.

The video might have gone viral, turning Eddie into a global laughing stock. It could have even been turned into a meme, haunting him online for years, much like the Star Wars Kid meme did. In such a situation, Manda, also just 13 and vulnerable to peer pressure, might have felt compelled to end their relationship to avoid being associated with the joke.

In this digital age, Eddie could have gotten so angry about the whole ordeal that he might have shared explicit images of Manda, which would not only embarrass her but also qualify as child pornography. Those images might have lived on in the darkest corners of the internet, just like the topless photos Katie had sent to a classmate that Jamie had seen.

Eddie and Jamie are clearly distinct individuals, without a doubt. When Jamie confronts Briony in Doherty’s story, it becomes clear that he is not athletic like his father, which might explain his low standing in the junior high social circle. Qualities such as charm and kindness, which Eddie seems to possess, don’t appear to have been passed down to Jamie. However, both father and son share a quick temper. Eddie’s sudden, intense outbursts in the finale mirror Jamie’s abrupt verbal attacks on Briony; despite his small stature, the intensity of his anger is overwhelming. In these instances, it’s often the women who are near these enraged male characters who must either calm the situation or bear its brunt. The discomfort, fear, and humiliation they experience seem to hold little weight for the men consumed by their own emotions. Unfortunately, in Katie’s case, being the target of Jamie’s anger cost her her life.

The gap between Jamie and Eddie is primarily due to their age difference, and it’s important to note that Eddie’s father was physically abusive during an era where such behavior was more socially acceptable for men in authority. Thorne, who is roughly the same age as the adult Eddie, has noted that the primary distinction between himself at 13 and Jamie was that Jamie had access to the internet for late-night reading, while he had Terry Pratchett and Judy Blume. If Jamie had grown up in the 1980s, he may have been just as angry and bullied, but without the influence of online misogynistic communities (often referred to as the “manosphere”) that can radicalize young boys, or the public ridicule from classmates on social media platforms like Instagram. As teenagers, they all face unique struggles, but what makes Manda’s recollection poignant is the suggestion that under different circumstances, Jamie’s and Katie’s stories could have had a more positive outcome.

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2025-03-24 23:06

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