‘The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart’ Recap – ‘Part 3: Lantern Bush’

9/25/2023

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Sigourney Weaver as June Hart in Episode 103 of ‘The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart’ - ‘Part 3: Lantern Bush’. (Photo Courtesy of Hugh Stewart/Prime Video.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart’. To revisit the previous episode, click here. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist. This article also contains discussions of emotional abuse, which may be triggering to some individuals.

The vast majority of stories that feature domestic abuse or emotional abuse, even the ones that are designed to be an in depth look at such matters, tend to push through that abuse or amplify it, and it makes sense as to why. Because the prevailing belief is that audiences don’t have any desire to sit through the awful realities of abuse. So, if a story features a shocking scene showcasing it, or it is intense and brief in nature, those at home, or on their couch with their remote and/or book in hand… can get the gist of how bad it is, feel their feelings on it and move on. But there is a titanic shift happening in the industry now, wherein creatives making those types of stories, now understand that glossing over abuse isn’t helpful in the slightest. Because in reality, those types of abuse, need to be showcased from beginning to end, so that the world can understand the process, the pain they engender, so we can stop it dead in its tracks.

Because people turn to stories to learn as much as to be entertained and that is precisely why The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart on Prime Video, continues to be such an important show. Because it is showing us every single aspect of emotional abuse, and what it does to people and why it is toxic and damaging and never was that more evident than during its next episode. For ‘Part 3: Lantern Bush’ took the time to showcase… how some people weaponize rewards and abuse others in doing so to control a person or control a narrative and that was handled in this story by June. Because Alice was ready to talk, for Alice wanted answers regarding the lie she was told. And rather than apologize and speak the truth and offer Alice trust and respect… June opted to flip the script. By demanding that Alice speak, for that would be the only way she would receive answers and that… was horrifying to watch play out.

For we watched in real-time how that demand, did a number on Alice’s psyche. Where she felt frustration, and a sense of worthlessness and was uncertain of how to proceed to have some level of understanding of life and her family. All of which showcased the subtle steps that abusers will take to have what they want, and how hard they are to outwit and beat, because they must have that control, they must have that power, and this episode truly painted June in a gross new light. One that made it clear that regardless of how many things she does in the name of good, she will forever be an abuser and a person that resides in darkness and shallowness. Unless she changes course, which she likely won’t. But what matters more is that this story took the time to painstakingly showcase something this uncomfortable and this cruel, and it deserves our respect for wanting to show us the impact of abuse on a person and this… is the proper way to do it.

But while that made for some powerful and uncomfortable moments, this is also a show that understands it is important to show how folks in this situation move from one point to the next in their unique journey and that was handled by way of Sally Morgan. Who reconciled her mistakes in this episode and came to realize… she had a chance to do something special in life. Something that could heal her soul and heal another life; if she took the time to adopt Alice away from June. Which prompted her to engage with lawyers and engage with June and make clear her intentions and things to come. All of which informed us that perhaps the next chapter is picking up the pieces for Alice and the difficulties that come with that. But while we wait to see what is on the horizon for this poor girl, we can celebrate one honest and powerful tale.

One that held nothing back in its examination of abuse, and how those little digs, no matter what tone they come in… tear people down and rattle them deeply. A storytelling decision that only added to the power and gravity of this tale and definitely gives the audience pause. For that is a lot to process for a viewer, but that is how the discussions start and how we begin to put a stop to this type of generational abuse. Plus, we’d be foolish to not point out, that this episode showed us a new side to Sigourney Weaver’s acting range. Since she sold the ‘evil’ of this act with a conviction that was frightening. But that is what happens when we are in the hands of a true master and well, now that we’ve reached the end of this harrowing chapter in Alice’s journey… we are cautiously eager for more. To see what ugly lessons lie ahead and to see if Alice can break the cycle and heal, as this powerful journey continues along. Until next time.

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