‘The English’ Recap: ‘Cherished’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the finale of ‘The English’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Happy endings exist in storytelling for one reason, and one reason alone… to help us escape. Because in reality, we know that happy endings are rare. For the everyday world is filled with chaos and sometimes cruelty. The kind that goes unpunished for foolish reasons. So, to sit down and watch a story where they are brought to justice, gives us catharsis and peace… if only for a little while. But now and again, there are stories that arrive in print, or television or theater, that offer none of that. They simply speak the truth we don’t often like to hear, to give us a powerful tale that there is no escape from. Where we must find meaning from the darkness on our own, and one such show that accomplished that, is The English on Prime Video, as evidenced by its finale.
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That is, shortly after ‘Cherished’ took the time to answer the last of our questions. Such as what was going on in Hoxem regarding all the wanton murder and pain. Which as it turned out, related to both Melmont and Trafford fighting back against the past, alongside a surprise that related to Cornelia. Because we also came to learn, that one of the deaths, was related to syphilis. For all of the villains in this tale, celebrated their slaughter with a woman of the night, and contracted syphilis in the process. Which of course, Melmont gave to Cornelia, and thus… we came to fully understand her motivations as well. Since the illness ravaged her son and claimed him early and was slowly destroying her as well. Yet what was also impressive, is the darkness of the story didn’t end there… since it didn’t take long for just about everyone but Eli, Cornelia and Melmont to die through various circumstances. 

But that only helped to bring us to the point of the story, via a harrowing showdown. For Melmont didn’t suffer at Cornelia’s hands. Because despite the pain she carried, killing him would have accomplished nothing for her. Leaving her destitute and sorrowful, even after others stepped in to claim his useless life. Which in turn, left Cornelia in a hollow place. Where she could not spend her life with Eli because of her illness, and to keep the peace, forcing her to just head home… and spend her days in a sorrowful place. Where her body wasted away and where she pondered upon memories of a grand adventure and dreams of a life that could have been. And she was so broken and so shattered that even one good deed pained her greatly, since it too, reminded her of her current standing and days gone by.

Which meant, that Melmont won. For despite being gunned down, he caused Cornelia great pain in every sense of the phrase, and his recklessness and monstrous nature poisoned her body and her soul. Since she was consumed by thoughts of revenge that came to no peace when he died, and of course… disease ravaged her body, and the love she always wanted was far away. A sobering reminder of how happy endings aren’t always possible. Especially when it comes to the actions of men like Melmont. Since they take and do as they please without a penalty in the world because of their bravado and money and outright confidence. Because for some reason, we cherish those concepts and nurture them, and allow for so many get hurt in the process. 

That makes… for a bleak ending for certain. One that truly offered no catharsis, just tragedy and sorrow and much for us to ponder upon. Such as whether or not we would do anything differently if we were in Cornelia’s shoes. Since vengeance for the wrong imparted upon her, makes sense and quite frankly, seems like the right way to go. But our musings on this matter and our feelings upon it are ours to decide. Because this story simply wanted to tell us a dark story, one that showcased the ugly that wild west brought out in man and how it is best we remember that from time to time. Because our history and our darkness are as important to acknowledge as our victories, and that makes this a powerful story for certain. One that will stay with us for quite some time.

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