‘Three Pines’ Recap: ‘The Hangman’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season one finale of ‘Three Pines. To revisit the previous episodes, click here.
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Anyone that has become a fan of the Prime Video series, Three Pines, can agree upon one simple fact regarding this show. In that, it has been a breath of fresh air for the crime drama. For its humanity, ingenuity and outright creativity has allowed for this show to really separate itself from other shows in this genre and provide us with an engaging and powerful experience. One that has undoubtedly motivated so many of us to settle in and watch this series as soon as possible on a Friday, to enjoy everything it has to offer. But while it has indeed been wonderful to engage with a series in this vein that defies convention, there is one universal constant when it comes to crime dramas, that no show in this genre can escape.
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In that, it is only a matter of time before convention comes into play. Because no matter how much creativity a crime drama injects into its storylines, eventually… the case must be solved, and the criminal must be confronted. But that doesn’t mean that creativity still cannot find its way into such an important moment, as evidenced by this show’s season one finale. For ‘The Hangman’ is a story that did indeed provide us with the confrontation and resolution we’ve known is on its way, in the most creative and thrilling manner possible, and only after… one last standard case took place in the somewhat disturbing little berg that is Three Pines. For a man named Jim, who went by the pseudonym Arthur Ellis, died horribly in the woods near the town after storming into the local bistro, demanding justice, and a spilling of secrets.

Which of course, brought Armand and his team to the town once again. Wherein they came to learn that Jim was indeed there to settle an old score, one that revolved around the fact that he was robbed of a future with his family courtesy of four drunken college students that slammed into his car one fateful night, killing his wife and child since they were in the car with him, and those kids of course… evaded accountability thanks to their ties to money and their ability to have a top-tier lawyer. But Jim knew that time was on his side, and he would indeed have his revenge and after killing two of the four people that ruined his life, he came to Three Pines to handle Angela and Mike Blake, the final two involved. But they clearly turned the tables upon him and met their end as well. For a high-speed chase when their identities were revealed, one spearheaded by an inebriated Jean-Guy, who was in a bad head space since his wife left him… brought forth that bitter and somewhat concerning end. For they were terrified during the chase and went off a bend and landed in a manner that killed them both. 

Which of course… is a move that will bring forth questions in any upcoming inquiry, but that will have to wait. Because the Two-Rivers case was finally solved in this episode, and ironically, it was Jim’s death that led to this. Since Blue’s family was searching for the area, they believed she died to find her remains, and found Jim instead and soon… clues in the area led to the reveal of a pair of bodies that belonged to Tommy and Blue, and the forensics… revealed a stunning truth. In that, Pierre Arnot, a man that Armand trusted implicitly… was involved in this heinous crime and even pulled the trigger on Blue. But despite Armand’s best efforts to bring Pierre to justice, he used his standing in the department to deflect and make it appear as though Armand was somehow responsible. Which brought forth that all-traditional showdown, courtesy of a tip from Yvette. One filled with tension and additional murder since Pierre crossed more lines. 

But where the show made sure to stand apart from the rest… was through the cliffhanger it sent our way. Because despite Armand’s best efforts to talk Pierre down and get him to agree to come in quietly, Pierre shot his old friend rather than be captured. Leaving all of us to wonder… if Armand Gamache will survive his wounds and of course… if the monster that took a life for no reason, will ever face justice and that… is a hell of a way to end an inaugural season of storytelling. For it did find a way to refresh the unconventional, and it of course… leaves us demanding more and hopefully we hear a season two announcement soon. So, we can have those burning questions answered at last and of course, to enjoy more of a quality crime drama, that is eager to provide the audience with meaning and original moments and inventive cases. But in the meantime, we can savor one epic finale and one amazing season of storytelling, one that gave us a gumshoe for the modern era, and a world that we cannot wait to dive into further.

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