‘Darby and Joan’ Recap: ‘Episode 7 & Episode 8’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season finale of ‘Darby and Joan’. To revisit the previous two episodes, click here.
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Stories that explore what the search for truth looks like, and the impact it can have upon us, follow a fairly specific formula. Wherein the main character, discovers there is a truth that is being hidden from them and of course… they immediately quest after it, in an effort to learn it, in a supremely bold and noble manner. All before that same character finds peace and resolution in their quest by uncovering their truth regardless of whether it is good or bad. Which is a fairly simple way to present this quest, one that is genuinely designed to motivate people to go for it if this kind of curiosity comes into their life.

But while that is sound advice through and through, what is problematic about that formula, is that it doesn’t explore the troubles that accompany this quest. Because it is hard, it is scary, and it can rattle us to no end when we uncover a truth that is life changing and potentially horrifying. Which is why the Acorn TV series, Darby and Joan, has been such a breath of fresh air. Since this series has explored the harsher side of that quest. For Jack Darby and Joan Kirkhope have come to learn that facing the truth isn’t always a bold and noble quest. It hurts and it brings pain and strife and to top it all off… there is concern regarding what comes next when we finally learn every single fact we’ve been searching for.

In fact, it is that final stage that is of note today, because after weeks of traveling the country and digging into Ian/Rob’s sordid past… this dynamic duo finally uncovered the truth about this man and what happened to him in the middle of nowhere. Prompting a wonderful close to a powerful journey… and a look at what comes next after we learn the truth, but not before some other matters were handled first. Because this particular set of tales also took the time to explore the sheer fact that sometimes, our pursuit of the truth impacts others, and we need to square that. For Joan’s daughter, Rebecca, arrived in Australia to learn more about what happened and well… that prompted Joan to tell her the truth she’d learned so far. Because everyone deserves that, especially family, since secrets cause harm and it was good to see Joan do that and express that lesson.

However, once Rebecca headed home, the time arrived to really dig deep into the truth and uncover exactly what happened and as it turned out, Ian/Rob’s end… involved his own past catching up to him. Since we learned he had a son that he helped force into adoption by fleeing the country since he couldn't support the mother. Because while he didn’t kill that officer, he was involved and wanted to enjoy his freedom. But Summer, who was also there on that fateful day… wanted her own retribution monetarily for this and went after it years later. So, in the end, money and that sorted past brought about his death and well… that discovery brought forth that question of what comes next. Because the only good news to come out of this was that Summer was behind bars and a son met his absent father, and that Ian/Rob wasn’t a killer.   

But the show made it clear… that when we get an uncomfortable truth, all we can do… is accept it and reconcile it and make peace with it in our own special way. Because there is no easy fix to learning this kind of ugly truth and the trauma it brings. We just need support, and love and time and while that might not be the complex answer some want, it is the right one and it was the perfect way to close out this season. Since it gave Joan the closure she needed and direction toward a new chapter in her life, one that might involve supporting someone that means a lot to her. Since Jack got some answers regarding his own past and how to square it and that will hopefully be the focus of a second season, something we hope is greenlit soon. Because year one of this show was just refreshing and delightful and deep and meaningful, and these characters absolutely deserve proper closure to their adventures and the chance to heal more people through their unique brand of kindness.

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Darby and Joan, looking toward the future.

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