‘The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart’ Recap – ‘Part 5: Desert Oak’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Sebastián Zurita and Alycia Debnam-Carey as Dylan and Alice Hart in Episode 105 of ‘The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart’ – ‘Part 5: Desert Oak’. (Photo Courtesy of Glendyn Ivn/Prime Video.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Five of ‘The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart’. To revisit the previous episode, click here. This article also contains discussions regarding domestic violence and abuse, which may be triggering to some individuals.
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It is definitely safe to say our journey through the world of The Lost Flowers on Alice Hart on Prime Video, has been harrowing and uncomfortable in nature and understandably so. After all, this is a series that has showcased the lasting impact of trauma via abuse in every form, and what it has showcased… has left us wondering how anyone that’s suffered from abuse as a child or even as an adult, can function. Since we now know the pain, it provides is devastating and at times debilitating in nature. But people do move forward in life with it, and they can thrive, in part because… the pain and the suffering aren’t always there. Because life does indeed go on.

In fact, there are good days and moments of agency and freedom from it, believe it or not, and there are moments of epiphany and progress regarding it, and those days were put on display in the next episode of the show. For instance, ‘Part 5: Desert Oak’ took the time to showcase how standing up to the person that abused us can have a positive impact upon our lives, and perhaps theirs. Since June being confronted by so many, combined with a devastating and terminal cancer diagnosis allowed for her to finally ponder upon her past and her actions and think at last, upon a better way forward. To enjoy some measure of peace and happiness and a broken cycle of abuse in her final days.

Not to mention, Alice herself enjoyed better days through and through. Because she was away from the abuse and on her own and able to forge her own path and that put her in a wondrous place mentally. Wherein she was able to get a job as park ranger using her vast knowledge of flowers in combination with an employment white lie and in that moment, she was happy. For she had agency at last, freedom, and her own path was indeed being carved out. Plus, she was able to be with Dylan at last and just live. All of which spoke to how we function and thrive when we suffer from severe trauma. Because we either find the way forward or we find little pockets of happiness that help us breath the emotional oxygen we so desperately need.

But alas, while it was nice for the show to take a break from the heavier stuff and offer up perspective and an understanding how folks that suffer from such pain cope, make no mistake about it… without real confrontation and resolution, that peace does not last. Which was explored in greater detail through Alice regardless. Because she unfortunately put herself into a relationship with a person that… harbors abusive tendencies. Since Dylan exhibited some supremely concerning behavior here, the kind that Alice was quick to work to quell through submission and deference. Because she had no understanding of red flags or that she was gravitating toward something toxic because of the engrained nature of trauma, she only knew that someone was offering her something seemingly positive and she needed more of it.

Which sets the stage for real trouble down the line for Alice since Dylan is likely just getting warmed up. But while we wait to see where this toxic paradise of a relationship is going to take this duo, we can celebrate another brilliant chapter of this tale. One that showcased how exactly life goes on when we suffer from trauma and how it guides us into unique and troublesome situations when we carry it into the core of adulthood, and the show deserves a round of applause for once again speaking honestly to that journey, and for also setting the stage for redemption for June, and potential growth for Alice. Since that will offer up what we really want from this story, a chance to see those mired in darkness, find the light. Until next time.

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