The End (I) (2020) User Reviews

Quirky TV series from Australia

[paul-allaer · 6/10 · 19 July 2021]

"The End" is 2021 release from Australia, with 10 episodes of about 27 min. Each. As Episode 1 "Do Not Resuscitate" opens, we see an older woman jump out from the second floor window as her house is burning down. Turns out that Edie was in fact trying to kill herself, but alas, she survives. Kate, her grown-up daughter and mother of 2 kids, moves Edie into a retirement community nearby. Meanwhile, Kate has her own troubles in the hospital where she works as a doctor... At this point we are 10 min. Into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: this TV series is billed as a "drama" and while certainly there are dramatic moments and events, based on the initial 2 episodes (Episode 2 is billed as "Toxic Shock Syndrome") that I have seen so far, this is more of a a quirky show that mixes dark humor with astute observations about life. Besides Edie and Kate, the show also shadows the 2 kids (boy of 13-14, girl of 10-11), and a number of other characters including at the retirement community. In fact, again based on the first 2 episodes, this show packs a LOT into its half hour episodes. I could very well understand why certain people might not like it, yet others liking it a lot. I'm gravitating towards the latter group.

"The End" aired on Australian TV in early 2020 (and it was clearly filmed before the pandemic hit). The first 2 episodes aired on Showtime this weekend. These episodes are now available on Showtime On Demand and other streaming services. New episodes air Sunday evenings at 8 pm Eastern. If you are in the mood for something else, perhaps something quirky, I'd readily suggest you check this out and draw your own conclusion.

Recommended!!!

[li0904426 · 8/10 · 11 September 2021]

Instead of treating suicide, death, palliative care, euthanasia and other morbid subject, this series celebrate life, pleasure, acceptance, that's never too late or too early to (re)discover your self.

Yes, there is death but before that live and enjoy every moment, pleasure and discomfort, love and hate, sweet/sour, day/night and also never too late to have the best orgasm of your life.

Hoping abrupt ending means a second season is planned.

[drmaf17 · 8/10 · 1 April 2021]

Great show I was predisposed not to like, but gave it a chance and it paid off. It dealt with really difficult subjects with sensitivity and humour. The major disappointment was the failure to allow Persephone, whom I found one of the most interesting characters, to develop, after the tampon-throwing incident in the first episode I foresaw great potential for her, but she became basically rather annoying wallpaper in every episode and remained a faintly disturbing cipher until the end. The very abrupt ending was a shock but I earnestly hope it means a second season is on the cards.

Praying for a second season

[elaineobrien82 · 9/10 · 21 April 2020]

Given the subject matter, which includes suicide, euthanasia and palliative care, this should be extremely dark and depressing. However, it is wonderfully funny, moving and life-affirming. And the acting! Wow. A true gem that's worth seeking out. Really hoping for a second series.

Tackling the hard questions and challenging taboos

[philippa_brogan · 9/10 · 12 February 2021]

A fabulous cast who all rise to the challenge of their roles. Films like 'Me Before You', 'Breathe' and 'Last Cab to Darwin' explore end of life but this series is not scared of showing the not so pleasant consequences. If you have ever had to watch someone slowly die from a chronic condition, or had to make the decision on behalf of a loved one to place them into aged or palliative care you will know all the feelings of guilt, uselessness and frustration you experience in the process.

'The End' however is not all gloom and doom. The coming of age arcs of the teenagers, the broken or failed relationships and strengthening of relationships is interwoven with black humour. you don't leave this series feeling morbid.

Excellent and daring

[Marc-Drost · 9/10 · 12 February 2021]

Before I started watching, I read the reviews and was intrigued by the great gap between high and low appreciation. Now I understand and I find myself on the high end.

The story telling is very compelling. There are numerous threads which come together in the main character, a female Dr. who is facing her ethics about dying. Yes, the writers pushed it to quite an extreme, but with the episodes being 30 min. I find they did an great job at keeping my attention. It's drama AND a bit of comedy, not a documentary. A story is being told to tackle the theme of death, dying, euthanasia... As I see it, the balance is pretty perfect; it's quite serious at the basis, and there is enough relief in the story not to make it too heavy. The acting is first rate, the visual conception is quite to the point.

It would have got more stars but...

[jiballini64 · 7/10 · 25 April 2021]

I loved some of the characters but loathed others. Call me old fashioned, but children who speak to their parents like the ones in this show make me so angry! They also threw everything but the kitchen sink into this show: transgender, lesbians, suicide attempts, the whole catastrophe. I think it was a couple of nods to the woke crowd too many. I mean, really????

Other parts of it were vastly amusing and the mother/grandma character is fantastic. The doctor daughter/mother is a bit too highly strung, disorganised and ineffectual as a mother for me to identify with. But that seems to be the norm now (see Mare of Easttown).

I'll watch a second season if there is one.

Excellent show

[wlwheel · 9/10 · 31 October 2021]

Love this show. Don't understand some of the disparaging remarks.

I don't know what else to say other then the Australians and English make the best and most thorough shows out there. American shows have gone way down hill.

Overhyped

[shaun-35238 · 3/10 · 15 March 2021]

Started watching and gave up. I didn't get that far It was awful

A Fabulous Australian Cast & Stunning Performances That Tackles All The Big Issues With Complete & Utter Success!!!

[jewelzped · 10/10 · 2 October 2021]

I binged watched this magnificent series The End in about 5 hours & loved, loved loved it!

It has become one of my all-time favourite Aussies Series with a star studded cast that shines & shines a light on every highly debated topic that can tear family & friends apart.

The writer's tackle just about every major taboo topic & issue facing modern Australian society today from assisted death, attempted sucicide, plativie care & the inhumane suffering that goes along with it to young love, elderly love & relationships, grudges & judgement of parents to child & child to parents. One major story arc is about parents allowing a young teen wishing to transition from female to male & how hard life is for our young in the LGBTQI+ community. It takes us through both teens, adults & the elderly experimententing sexually & the ways we all try to find love, care & companionship. The mistakes we make, the good choices we make & how we punish ourselves. It also follows the lives of the residents in a retirement community with a tongue-in-cheek look & humour at all that goes on.

It also gives us insight into the heartbreaking palitve care industry & the mental & physical toll the pain, the indignities & suffering takes on everyone involved from the patients, their partner's & family, to their doctors, nurses & staff & their families away from work, the patient's friends & community & exactly what goes on in our nursing homes in Australia.

So beautiful written & performed. This series should be a must watch for all senior high school children, nursing homes & communities.

I don't understand why it's taken so long for legislation to be passed in this country for assisted dying with dignity, especially when will not allow our pets to suffer in pain & agony & have taken care of their suffering since the dawn of time, but not the same can be said for our human family members who have had harsh laws & governmental polices forced on them our most treasured loved one's until recently when laws were changed in 2021.

This should be each individuals freedom of choice & family members should have no say in the matter just like with a woman's body, no one else gets a say in the matter but the woman.

After all this is just another heath choice, but probably the most important of all.

Awful prople

[gladys64 · 2/10 · 6 February 2021]

The topic of the series aside. all the character's are the most awful unlikeable bunch of character's I've seen. They have no redeemable qualities. I have no empathy for any of them. Felt sorry for the daughter for a brief moment then she had the incident in the pool with the tampons. Didnt see any point to thst scene except to add her to the list of awful people. Oberon needs a good clip round the ear. They want him to be a trans gender character and his family support him so why oh why does he have to be so awful and entirely unlikeable.

Important themes and worth a watch!

[cdwalker-738-153292 · 10/10 · 16 September 2021]

The casting and acting in this show is amazing all the way through. The different topics all handled so well that your are drawn in and feel for all the characters. This show definitely needs a season 2 and more with such great characters. Worth watching!

Great acting

[pek1232 · 9/10 · 6 February 2021]

I loved this series the actors were amazing and it managed to address a very complex issue without lecturing to people. Hopefully, there will be another season!

Loved this series and looking for season 2!

[debonator · 8/10 · 14 April 2022]

I loved this series and waiting for season 2. It is one of a kind facing real life. Harriet is perfect in this role, and her relationship with Noni is life affirming and healing.

Excellent show

[rpuhar2 · 9/10 · 26 February 2021]

This is the most honest Tv series that I remember watching it.Life is what it is and that's it.

Decent, but could have been better if...

[sonnybatson-57277 · 5/10 · 16 August 2021]

It had not been necessary to gratuitously check all the sexuality boxes. This trend is becoming tiresome particularly when, as here, most of the sexual spectrum added nothing to the story. Just there to be there and keep as many groups as possible placated.

The kids needs some serious discipline. Oberon is an over-indulged, self-centered, spoiled teen by a mother unwilling to set limits. Agree and indulge- not a great parenting model.

Assisted suicide is an important subject. My body, my life- nobody, especially the guvment, has the power to control what I wish to inhale, inject, smoke or in any other manner introduce any substance I choose to use- or to determine the time of my passing from this miserable world. Medicinal or recreational. From that perspective, the series presents a valid argument.

Delightful treatment of a sensitive topic

[Siddhartha14 · 10/10 · 9 February 2022]

You would not think a series about death and dying and assisted suicide could be light-hearted but this one pulls it off beautifully. A thoroughly enjoyable, sweet, charming series - surprisingly so given the topic.

Too many subplots make it confusing

[qui_j · 4/10 · 2 June 2022]

The series deals with all the issues that can occur as people age, but it also throws in a lot of other issues that really have little relevance to that main theme. The editing is choppy and scenes are often disconnected. The soundtrack is one of the most annoying ever heard! There is a lot of sex of every type carried out by pretty much all the characters. As is common with "Wokeism" of today, the main character's family has to be dysfunctional, struggling with gender identity issues. It's just too much! By episode 8, the series starts to lose it's grip on reality and starts to become more fantasy. The creators needed to just pick a focus and a theme for the series and work on that. The series does not need to be all things to everyone e.g, aging, gender fluidity, mental health etc! One can only wonder if there'll be another season!

Amazing show

[ang066 · 10/10 · 10 August 2021]

This show touches on a delicate topic and it is done well. The acting is great. No complaints. Definitely deserves another two seasons. Please watch!

They Nailed It!

[johnfineberg · 10/10 · 13 July 2021]

I'm not known for giving out compliments freely. So, when I do so (without prompting), you know they're sincere. And let me say, without one iota of hesitation, I loved it! We loved it! Loved, loved, loved it! From start to finish.

From the writing to the directing. And, again, without hesitation, what a fabulous ensemble of actors!

Oh, and, did I mention that I/we loved Harriet Walter, personally, in the role of the grandmother? She ABSOLUTELY nailed it!!!

Good on you. Very Australia

[tuananhnvh1 · 10/10 · 15 May 2021]

It is one of the best Australian show that I've ever watched. Very light hearted and charming.

Yeah right

[gettingyoustartedtoday · 10/10 · 9 February 2021]

At last real issues of the aged generation, finally a series that grandma can take heart with. Then BAM. Make the sex so graphic that grandma is too afraid to watch it. What a turn off. Do we really need to see oral sex? And was that anal sex? I couldn't watch, didn't want to know.

The Doctor Ruined It

[pascomarcia · 5/10 · 21 June 2022]

She is a terrible mother. Look at her children She is a terrible daughter. Look at her mother. She is a terrible doctor. Look at how she takes advantage of her dead patient's husband for sex.

She has no friends.

She is a narcissist.

The only redeeming quality in this series is her mother's character. If she were my daughter, I would kill myself too .

I watched because I was fascinated hy her evilness and the thought the viewer was supposed to feel something for her .

I did. Loathing.

The Dog!!

[gettingyoustartedtoday · 10/10 · 5 February 2021]

Why have a blue cattle dog kill a possum? Is this supposed to add drama to the show? These dogs need to be worked, totally unsuitable as a suburban pet. Next it might be a cat or a baby. We've been taught on the farm that once a dog draws blood on an animal that's the end of the dog. An entirely unnecessary murderous act in an otherwise wonderful program.

UPDATE I've since seen the comparison of killing an animal to put it out of its misery but not euthanasia.

Totally revised my earlier review

[gettingyoustartedtoday · 10/10 · 17 March 2021]

This program faces the challenges of old age and the wish that we all had an option to pull out of life when the physical body passes its point of usefulness. I love Oberon and feel for her.