Barry
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From the beginning,Barrywas about the stories people tell themselves to get by.
But the shows interest in performance was never particular to the film industry alone.
For everyone in this cast, performing isnt some inspirational calling.
Feel-good endings are Hollywoods bread and butter.
But he does get one more moment of honest heartbreak, crying that he just wanted to be safe.
Protecting John and safely returning him upon Barrys arrival is perhaps the best he can do.
Theres no longer a need for revenge on either side.
Thats not to say that Barry sees clearly now.
His biggest takeaway from the extraction mission is that God spared him and he has been redeemed.
If he doesnt, Gene will go down for the crime.
Barry clearly has no plans to take Sallys advice, and she and John are gone in the morning.
His first thought is that theyre with Gene, but they arent there when he arrives.
Tom, who answers the door, urges Barry to save Gene by turning himself in.
Its a watershed moment, even if it comes as a result of Barry losing everything he cares about.
OnBarry, its never too late to change … until it is.
That evening, John sleeps over at his friends house, where they finally watch the Barry Berkman biopic.
Perhaps that legacy is a sort of reward for Barrys last-minute change of heart.
Its his own fault that the truth bent in a different way than he anticipated.
Facts arent always, or even usually, what sticks.
Stories are what endure, and everyone can tell a story.
The title of this finale comes from Barrys final words as he sees the man who shot him.
Its a funny little moment and maybe the final illustration of Barry underestimating how much pain he has caused.
Otherwise, theres really not much humor to be found here, which doesnt really surprise me.
A Nice Meal felt like our final glimpse ofBarryas a comedy.
Sallys ultimate fate also reminded me of Henry in thenew season ofParty Down.
