The End (Australian TV series)

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The End
GenreDrama
Created bySamantha Strauss
Written bySamantha Strauss
Directed by
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes10 (list of episodes)
Production
Producers
  • Carol Hughes
  • Louise Smith
Running time30 minutes
Production companySee-Saw Films
Release
Original network
Original releaseFebruary 10, 2020 (2020-02-10) –
present (present)

The End is an Australian television drama series which premiered on Fox Showcase and Sky Atlantic in February 2020. The 10-part series was created and written by Samantha Strauss and produced by See-Saw Films. It was directed by Jessica M. Thompson and Jonathan Brough.[1] The show was praised in Australia for its depiction of ageing and exploration of complex themes including euthanasia and suicide.[2][3]

Synopsis[]

Australian doctor Kate Brennan (Frances O'Connor), a senior registrar specialising in palliative care medicine, is passionate in her opposition to euthanasia. Her mother, Edie Henley (Harriet Walter) who lives in England, is just as passionate about her right to die. After an incident occurs, Kate must bring Edie out to Australia to be closer to the family. Edie is placed in a nearby retirement village, which is her worst nightmare. Kate struggles with her own problems and children, while trying to find a way back to a relationship with her mother.[4]

Cast and characters[]

Harriet Walter (pictured)

Themes[]

Euthanasia[]

The End explores the topic of Euthanasia and what it means to die with dignity.[6] Euthanasia in Australia has been subject to significant political and public debate.[7][8] At the time of the shows creation, Queensland, where the show takes place, was the only State in Australia to have not considered any bills relating to Voluntary Assisted Dying.[9] Since the show's release, Queensland has introduced legislation surrounding Euthanasia.[10] The new Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2021 is scheduled to come into effect in 2023.[10]

Episodes[]

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date [11]Australia viewers
(millions)
1"Do Not Resuscitate"Jessica M ThompsonSamantha StraussFebruary 10, 2020 (2020-02-10)N/A
Recently widowed Edie Henley, tries to take her own life but is unsuccessful, burning her house down in the process. Edie's daughter Kate flies her out to Australia to be closer to her family.
2"Toxic Shock Syndrome"Jessica M ThompsonSamantha StraussFebruary 17, 2020 (2020-02-17)N/A
Edie meets Pamela, a free spirit who changes her perspective. Kate fights for her reputation after the death of one of her patients is investigated.
3"**** Christmas"Jessica M ThompsonSamantha StraussFebruary 24, 2020 (2020-02-24)N/A
Art has gone missing. Oberon is lovesick. Edie agrees to be Pamela's back-up singer at the retirement village's annual Christmas show.
4"Polar Bear"Jonathan BroughSamantha StraussMarch 2, 2020 (2020-03-02)N/A
Having turned sixteen, Oberon has the right to start hormone treatment. Kate clashes with Oberon's father over their future.
5"To Be / Not To Be"Jessica M ThompsonSamantha StraussMarch 9, 2020 (2020-03-09)N/A
Edie gets a new lease on life. After a trip to Art's new hospice Edie asks Kate for help. Kate and Josh take a new step in their relationship.
6"Art vs. Life"Jonathan BroughSamantha StraussMarch 16, 2020 (2020-03-16)N/A
Kate is outraged by Edie's proposition. Kate's relationship with Josh continues to grow.
7"Blood Sandwich"Jonathan BroughSamantha StraussMarch 23, 2020 (2020-03-23)N/A
Kate and Eddie work together. Oberon turns to Edie after a romantic encounter on a camping trip goes wrong.
8"Metastasized"Jonathan BroughSamantha StraussMarch 30, 2020 (2020-03-30)N/A
Oberon and Kate are at odds. Edie and Pamela take things to a new level.
9"With Sparkles"Jessica M ThompsonSamantha StraussApril 6, 2020 (2020-04-06)N/A
A struggling Kate turns to drinking for the first time in years. Oberon deals with heartbreak.
10"Picking Scabs"Jessica M ThompsonSamantha StraussApril 13, 2020 (2020-04-13)N/A
Edie and Kate make amends after a tragedy. Edie realises there are some moments worth living for.

International release[]

In United States, the series premiered on July 18, 2021 on Showtime.[12] It is also available to stream on Crave in Canada as of July 18, 2021.[13]

Reception[]

Critical response[]

Rotten Tomatoes, a review aggregator, reported an average approval rating of 7.2 based on 16 critics. The website's critic consensus reads "The End's cynical take on life and death may not be as deep as it thinks itself to be, but sharp performances and a few genuinely surprising insights almost make up for it".[14] The End holds a weighted average mark of 59 on Metacritic based on 8 critics.[15] Globally the show received mixed reviews. One review for the Boston Globe reported that the storyline is "too dense at times" but the shows writing is "consistently perceptive".[16] A review for Variety reports the show "can't quite find its tone" but also praises the performance of Harriet Walter and Frances O'Connor for having a "purifying effect".[17]

Awards and nominations[]

The show received a 2021 AACTA Award nomination for Best Miniseries.[18] Noni Hazlehurst received a 2021 AACTA Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama for her role as Pamela Hardy.[18]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c White, Peter (26 September 2018). "'The Crown's Harriet Walter & 'Mr Selfridge's Frances O'Connor To Star In Sky/Foxtel Family Drama 'The End'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  2. ^ Northover, Kylie (2 February 2021). "Profound and playful, The End is a comedy ... about euthanasia". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  3. ^ "The End review – spiky, witty drama on death that sometimes shifts into the absurd". the Guardian. 1 February 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d Byrnes, Holly (26 September 2018). "Foxtel will tackle the euthanasia debate in a provocative new drama series, The End". news.com.au. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o The End (Drama), See-Saw Films, 18 July 2021, retrieved 2 December 2021
  6. ^ "The End review – spiky, witty drama on death that sometimes shifts into the absurd". the Guardian. 1 February 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  7. ^ White, Ben; Willmott, Lindy (23 November 2018). "Future of assisted dying reform in Australia". Australian Health Review. 42 (6): 616–620. doi:10.1071/AH18199. ISSN 1449-8944. PMID 30465706.
  8. ^ Kresin, Tracee; Hawgood, Jacinta; De Leo, Diego; Varghese, Frank (24 November 2021). "Attitudes and Arguments in the Voluntary Assisted Dying Debate in Australia: What Are They and How Have They Evolved Over Time?". International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 18 (23): 12327. doi:10.3390/ijerph182312327. ISSN 1660-4601. PMC 8656893. PMID 34886053.
  9. ^ Andrew, Willmott, Lindy White, Ben Stackpoole, Christopher Purser, Kelly McGee (2016). (Failed) voluntary euthanasia law reform in Australia: Two decades of trends, models and politics. Law School, University of New South Wales. OCLC 1287981136.
  10. ^ a b "Queensland becomes fifth Australian state to legalise voluntary assisted dying". SBS News. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  11. ^ "The End – Listings". Next Episode. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  12. ^ "Showtime(R) to Debut Dark Comedy "The End" on Sunday, July 18" (Press release). Showtime. 20 May 2021 – via The Futon Critic.
  13. ^ Wilner, Norman; Ritchie, Kevin (24 June 2021). "What's coming to Crave in July 2021". NOW Magazine. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  14. ^ The End, retrieved 14 December 2021
  15. ^ The End, retrieved 16 December 2021
  16. ^ Staff, Matthew Gilbert Globe; July 20, Updated; 2021; Comments, 3:50 p m Share on Facebook Share on TwitterView. "Drawn to the light in Showtime's 'The End' - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved 14 December 2021.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ D'Addario, Daniel (18 July 2021). "Showtime's 'The End,' a Dark Comedy From Australia, Can't Quite Find Its Tone: TV Review". Variety. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  18. ^ a b "Winners & Nominees". www.aacta.org. Retrieved 10 December 2021.

External links[]

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