#rectify review

I kept thinking of the expression "sea change" while I was watching this episode. It feels like this immense change is coming for everyone in this story, and that it will be a change for the better.

(Photo Source: Sundance)

By: Liz Hannah, Contributor

Well, Daniel took the deal…sort of.

If you haven’t watched the season finale of RECTIFY yet – don’t read any further…

Tonight’s season finale of “Rectify” (though, thankfully not series) answered a some series-long burning questions, but did its very best to raise some new ones.  Though he took the deal, Daniel (Aden Young) then recounted his version of events surrounding Hanna Dean’s murder in a yet untold way.  He finally told the truth: he didn’t kill Hanna.  Nearly 20 years ago, he did take mushrooms with Hanna, but after a failed attempt at sex, he ran away embarrassed only to return and see her in a threesome with George (Michael Traynor), Trey (Sean Bridgers), and Christopher.  He watched them and they watched him.  Daniel then returned hours later to find her dead and covered her home with flowers to protect her from any indecency.

Warning: Probably some spoilers. Maybe. Not really. Well, kinda.

On Sunday I stumbled across this gem as all of you watched your digital cable and satellite connections to Game of Thrones.

Yes, I’m entirely jealous, but I’m putting that jealousy to productive use. 

Generally, I don’t ever feel like watching anything to do with prison life. I can’t really say why, I suppose it really depresses me. Eg. Green Mile, Escape From Alcatraz, American History X, The Shawshank Redemption, Alien 3, Deadman Walking. I tend to leave the incredible prison stories to the movies, that way I’m not watching more than 3 hours of something that rips my heart out and forces me to think about some of the reality of this kind of stuff. All that emotional deterring aside however, I decided to give this one a shot because of the show’s premise.

It’s a story about a Paulie, United States man’s readjustment to life outside of prison after spending 19 years in solitary confinement on death row after being convicted of the rape and murder of his girlfriend when he was 18 years old. So, it’s not entirely based in the prison and I found that was what piqued my curiosity. It’s not something you think about every day. After so many people being forced into confessing something they didn’t do, you’d think this kind of stuff would register with you. It doesn’t. This show brings up things you’d never think of, or maybe I should say we avoid thinking of. 

This is a Sundance Channel original awaiting to be watched by all of us Canadian Netflix users. The first episode’s description reads:

“After 19 years on death row, Daniel Holden is suddenly released. While he adjusts to life on the outside, Sen. Foulkes plots to reopen the case.”

In one day, I watched the entire first season (6 episodes) with my boyfriend. The show is brilliant. It’s so brilliant that I am likely going to watch them all a second time through. My boyfriend and I found ourselves strangely compelled to keep powering through the episodes not only because they were great, but we couldn’t help but want to know how the story pans out for Daniel. He becomes a character you are weary of, yet totally dedicated to.

The show has been green lit for a second season and after that last episode, that made me sob like a little girl, I have great expectations for it and am really excited for it. Also, I should probably mention it was produced by some of the same people who produce Breaking Bad.