‘Keeping Faith’ Recap: ‘Series 3, Episode 6’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series finale of ‘Keeping Faith’.

Audiences from all walks of life are big fans of happy endings in storytelling for one reason and one reason alone, because they are the pinnacle of escapism. Because deep down we know that happy endings are rare in the everyday world, so to be able to watch a show or a movie or read a book where everything comes to a close in a chipper and satisfying manner, provides us with incredible catharsis and peace. But while there is indeed something to be said about the healing power of the happy ending, there’s more to be said about stories that opt to buck that trend by taking their endings into more realistic and bittersweet territory. 

Because stories that go that route, are brave to say the least, since that really does go against the grain of what so many believe storytelling stands for. But sometimes, bittersweet and/or dark is the only way to go, especially when the story in question resides in that kind of territory and that’s why the series finale of Keeping Faith deserves a round of applause. Because from day one, this show has made a point of providing its audience with a realistic experience. One that reminds us that life can be cruel at times and that what comes next after tough times isn’t always constant prosperity, but peaks and valleys and well… let's be honest. Going the happy ending route would have betrayed everything this series stands for, but sticking to what makes this series great, allowed for a powerful and heartbreaking end to Faith's journey to come to fruition.

But believe it or not, it wasn’t all sorrow in our farewell episode to Faith Howells. Because she did manage to save Osian’s life by getting approval through the courts, with Mike’s help, to have the young man fly to France to have that tumor removed successfully, and it was wonderful to see that nightmare end in a beautiful and hopeful manner. But once his story was out of the way, there was the heavier stuff to deal with. Because in essence, Rose made her final push in this finale to assert control over Faith as part of her dying wish to be seen and viewed as a mother and she went so far as to even kidnap the kids and hold Faith and them at gunpoint when Faith came by to bring them home and well… that’s when the tough stuff came into play. 

For Rose revealed that Steve Baldini didn’t survive her plans and for that matter, neither did Evan. Because he actually took the time to do the decent thing in this tale and stand up for his wife and his kids for the first time in his life by trying to rescue them from Rose’s clutches. But alas, her desire for bloodshed and her fury over not being able to exert control of Faith, motivated her to pull the trigger and end Evan’s life and her own, leaving Faith in a shattered place and well, her only reward for putting up with so much pain and suffering, was that she was able to properly process the horror that the father of her children and the potential love of her life were gone. Which in turn allowed for her to hold her head high and move on. Which isn’t quite what we expected to see after three years of harrowing journeys with Faith… but it is the most fitting ending possible.

Because sometimes, when life beats us down emotionally, to the point where we think we can handle no more, all we can do is take it day by day and push ahead and look for the beauty of the moment. And that’s precisely what Faith did here, and her only solace is that the darkest chapter of her life has indeed come to an end. For her past has been resolved, as has her pain with Evan and she did get to love Steve if only for a moment and now she is off to greener pastures and the uncertain future that we both dread and embrace and well… that makes this a brilliant finale when all is said and done. For it brought three years of incredible storytelling together in a matter of minutes and it allowed for growth and closure to come into play and well, you really cannot ask for much more than out of a series finale. And while we may not know if Faith Howells will ever find the peace she craves, since she leaves home in a somewhat broken place… at least we know that whatever valleys await her next, will be a breeze for her to handle. For she came out of this incredible stretch of sorrow and hardships with unparalleled strength and resolve.

‘Keeping Faith’ is available to stream right now on AcornTV.

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