What I’m Watching: The Staircase (Series Finale)

The Staircase: Season 1, Episode 8 “America's Sweetheart or: Time Over Time” (B+)

It’s definitely been easy to get lost over the course of this series regarding the specific moment in time being portrayed, and that was absolutely still true in this final episode. But what this hour did exceptionally well was to show how the passage of time really wears on someone, with Candace reading that same letter and a much more wearied, older Michael hearing it as he was finally about to have any penalties related to his alleged role in Kathleen’s death removed. It’s jarring to think of just how long this all went on, and to see the way that his family all reacted when he was released pending a retrial in 2011. But Clayton got that first reminder that it didn’t mean he was cleared, and his favorite restaurant was very ready to stand on ceremony that it wouldn’t seat convicted killers. But Michael also revealed his crueler, colder side when Margaret couldn’t decide what dessert she wanted, a reminder that, even if he is innocent, his demeanor doesn’t do him any favors. That was most on display when he was supposed to leave for Paris and lashed out at Sophie for being ready for something they had planned for so long. Ending on the note of him recalling the fact that he had to hide he was gay only served to emphasize that it’s hard to know who he really was since he always hid so much of it from the rest of the world. There remain many unanswered questions after this show, but it’s been very interesting and enlightening, with some terrific performances in the ensemble.

Series grade: B+
Series MVP: Colin Firth