‘See’ Recap: ‘I See You’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series finale of ‘See’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
​
One particular storytelling element that is present often in science fiction epics, is the outright incredible ending. Where massive events and revelations take place and where heroes fall, and great change comes to the world we are leaving behind, and it makes sense as to why this is often found in science fiction storytelling. Simply because an epic story deserves an epic ending and going intimate just seems akin to letting the audience down. So, it is best to let the explosions fly and for the audience to walk away breathless and well… that particular ending is top of mind today, simply because for a time… it appeared as though that was where the series finale of See on Apple TV+ was heading. 
​
For ‘I See You’ is a story that wasted little time in following up on the big-time setup for the final fight that the last episode featured. For Baba Voss and Ranger were inside Sibeth and Tormada’s nightmare camp and were slowly bringing down those false leaders’ rogue soldiers one by one, all while the rest of the family worked to escape the tunnel and make a last stand. For Sibeth did her best to unleash more hell upon the good people of Pennsa by dropping more bombs from the sky and that conflict allowed for a satisfying moment to come to life. Wherein Sibeth and Maghra Kane faced off one last time, and Maghra emerged victorious, putting an end to a three-year nightmare… before the really big moments came to pass.

For shortly after the once and future pain passed into the next realm, everyone converged upon the camp to try and stop the bombs and to put an end to Tormada so this would never happen again. Which was not an easy task. For he had grenades handy as well, and some angry soldiers at his beck and call. But evil never wins in a story like this and once he was properly blown to pieces thanks to Ranger’s quick thinking… the last real epic moment of this story took place. Wherein a badly wounded and desperate Baba Voss sacrificed his own life to keep his family safe, all by detonating the bombs in one fell swoop with soldiers near him. Ending this fight at last and making it seem as though this story would quickly fade to black with some quick words regarding his sacrifice.

---

But instead, this series opted to really go beyond his heroic act and give us an intimate and moving ending. One where Maghra genuinely expressed her pain and sorrow over losing her love often, and where life began to return to normal in Pennsa, complete with frosty relations with Trivantes over the queen’s sighted children, who also went on a unique and powerful journey here. Wherein Kofun decided politics was his calling and opted to live life without sight if it meant serving the people, and where Haniwa and her bride Wren decried how sighted individuals were treated still and opted to move off onto their own adventures toward something quite unexpected. In that, with a little help, they came across a sighted community at the Museum of Natural History in New York City, giving rise to the realization that sight would eventually reclaim the world, something that Tamacti Jun spoke to as well in a very philosophical and powerful manner.
​
But what mattered more here, is that See really did opt to break with the norm of a sci-fi epics ending and give us one that was low-key in nature when all is said and done. One that spoke to how life works in chapters and how people change and evolve, even in a future where a basic function that most human beings are privy to, isn’t present. And it also reminded us of the fact that the human condition is a flawed experience that is always in motion and always evolving and changing, and forever working toward a better iteration than the one that exists now, and that it is important that we continue to try and better ourselves and hold onto the best parts of us along the way. So, we never lose our essence or our beauty. For that is what binds us and transcends us and truly unifies us, regardless of our strengths or weaknesses.

Which is a beautiful way to close out this saga, one that was bold and brave from the beginning and grabbed hold of us and never let go and well… before we go… it is best we offer some thanks. To the talented production team and writers’ room and the producers of this series for taking a chance on a grand story and for bringing it to life. To Dave Bautista and Alfre Woodard for turning in powerhouse and memorable performances that we craved more of regardless of how their character’s journeys ended. To Eden Epstein and Christian Camargo for reminding us that redemption is there for anyone who wants it through their performances. To Nesta Cooper and Archie Madekwe for teaching us that family transcends everything with their work on screen. To Sylvia Hoeks for giving life to an iconic villain for a bold new era of television. To Hera Hilmar for always reminding us to take the high road through her portrayal of the queen and of course… our thanks to Jason Momoa. For using his skills as an actor to remind us to always be brave and fearless in this life, regardless of the odds and well… that’s it nerds and geeks. The time has come to say farewell to one of the boldest and bravest television shows out there, one that we will fondly remember and likely revisit now and again.

---

Powered by JustWatch