Season 3 finale made clear that there's nothing redeemable about Barry Berkman - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 06-14-2022, 03:25 AM

https://www.mic.com/culture/barry-se...ale-redemption

"Barry doesn’t deserve to be saved," says Brandon Yu. "Yet, because of the intrinsic qualities of pathos and endearing charisma that (Bill) Hader embodies as an actor, we’ve nevertheless wanted him to be; it’s the driving force of the show’s premise." Yu adds: "When I reviewed this new season in April, I wrote, based off of the first six episodes that were available for review, that the show, while nevertheless still superb (aside from its deft and singular balance of dark comedy, it’s one of the most cinematically enriching shows out there), was somewhat rockier for potentially pushing Barry’s darkness too far, to a place that strips him of his status as a tragic figure. In the final two episodes, though, the grander purpose and tone here clicks: it is in fact exactly about shaking us into seeing that there is nothing redeemable about Barry at all."

ALSO:

Don't bet against Barry: "After the extraordinary season Barry just completed.... I have learned to stop betting against Bill Hader," says Alan Sepinwall. "Season Two was, again, almost oppressively dark at times, yet Season Three managed to bring back the humor without undercutting the thematic or emotional points...What a season. What a finale. How in the world can Barry continue after this? I can’t wait to see them attempt it."
Barry's season finale violence was brutal and exacting: "Throughout the stomach-ache-inducing episode, Barry forces us to confront the aftermath of violence in uncomfortably close quarters," says Annie Lyons. "Hader keeps these moments from being gratuitous though, instead telegraphing their impact by lingering on characters’ changed faces."
Barry finally reached its breaking point: "If there’s one thing that stands out from the totality of Barry Season 3, it’s the idea that messiness is somehow more jarring and unsettling when it’s presented with complete control," says Steve Greene. "As the life of Barry Berkman (Bill Hader) becomes an increasingly damp sand castle losing a new turret week by week, the HBO show has been laser-focused on it crumbling in his hands."
Five burning questions after the Season 3 finale, including: "How can Barry possibly get out of this?"
Sarah Goldberg was "glad we were able to stretch it out as long as we have": "That’s the success of their dynamic," Goldberg says of Barry and Sally's relationship. "Her myopia, and her obsession with her own career and her own life and success, make her the perfect partner for a hit man, because she’s probably the only person who wouldn’t smell a rat. She just wanted somebody who was obsessed with her, and he needed someone who wasn’t truly interested in him and what he was doing for a living. I’m glad we were able to stretch it out as long as we have, but it felt like it was time for the worlds to cross."

06-14-2022, 03:25 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 127,216	Season 3 finale made clear that there's nothing redeemable about Barry Berkman https://www.mic.com/culture/barry-se...ale-redemption "Barry doesn’t deserve to be saved," says Brandon Yu. "Yet, because of the intrinsic qualities of pathos and endearing charisma that (Bill) Hader embodies as an actor, we’ve nevertheless wanted him to be; it’s the driving force of the show’s premise." Yu adds: "When I reviewed this new season in April, I wrote, based off of the first six episodes that were available for review, that the show, while nevertheless still superb (aside from its deft and singular balance of dark comedy, it’s one of the most cinematically enriching shows out there), was somewhat rockier for potentially pushing Barry’s darkness too far, to a place that strips him of his status as a tragic figure. In the final two episodes, though, the grander purpose and tone here clicks: it is in fact exactly about shaking us into seeing that there is nothing redeemable about Barry at all." ALSO: Don't bet against Barry: "After the extraordinary season Barry just completed.... I have learned to stop betting against Bill Hader," says Alan Sepinwall. "Season Two was, again, almost oppressively dark at times, yet Season Three managed to bring back the humor without undercutting the thematic or emotional points...What a season. What a finale. How in the world can Barry continue after this? I can’t wait to see them attempt it." Barry's season finale violence was brutal and exacting: "Throughout the stomach-ache-inducing episode, Barry forces us to confront the aftermath of violence in uncomfortably close quarters," says Annie Lyons. "Hader keeps these moments from being gratuitous though, instead telegraphing their impact by lingering on characters’ changed faces." Barry finally reached its breaking point: "If there’s one thing that stands out from the totality of Barry Season 3, it’s the idea that messiness is somehow more jarring and unsettling when it’s presented with complete control," says Steve Greene. "As the life of Barry Berkman (Bill Hader) becomes an increasingly damp sand castle losing a new turret week by week, the HBO show has been laser-focused on it crumbling in his hands." Five burning questions after the Season 3 finale, including: "How can Barry possibly get out of this?" Sarah Goldberg was "glad we were able to stretch it out as long as we have": "That’s the success of their dynamic," Goldberg says of Barry and Sally's relationship. "Her myopia, and her obsession with her own career and her own life and success, make her the perfect partner for a hit man, because she’s probably the only person who wouldn’t smell a rat. She just wanted somebody who was obsessed with her, and he needed someone who wasn’t truly interested in him and what he was doing for a living. I’m glad we were able to stretch it out as long as we have, but it felt like it was time for the worlds to cross."