Closing the story of ITV’s three-part domestic horror series, HIM ends on a real high, with some interesting developments that made last night’s instalment the best episode of the drama so far and a fitting end to the story.
“I need time to process this. It’s a lot to calibrate.”
The action picks up straight after the events of last week’s shocking cliff-hanger, with Afzal’s (Aaron Phagura) life hanging in the balance and psychiatrist Ross Brodie (Alec Newman) now aware of the extent of HIM’s psychokinetic abilities.
Having had something of a secondary role in the initial episodes, Newman is given real depth here as he shows fear, wonder and even a paternal nurturing towards HIM as Brodie, with many of their scenes being both key to the plot’s development and to the episodes enjoyment. His vitriolic confrontation towards a scientific associate who clearly plans to exploit HIM’s power is a stand out scene.
However, everyone is given something to do here. A key scene between HIM’s biological parents, Edward (James Murray) and Hannah (Katherine Kelly), goes some way to creating a thaw in their rift as they subtly draw a line under their failings as a couple and co-parents. Both play it in a remorseful and understated manner, which really draws you in. That it comes at a time when their troubled son is thinking of committing suicide is a bittersweet notion.
The contemplations of suicide are justifiable scenes, especially with Faith’s voice overs always speaking of HIM in the past tense and the net closing in on our anti-hero as people become aware of his ability. That they are subverted by the episode’s end and he gets a happy ending is actually a nice touch.
“Until he learns not just to accept his gift, but to celebrate it, he’ll never harness its full potential.”
Ironically, there is more unmissable viewing and development in this closing episode than there has been in the previous two. All the characters have development of some kind, be it Rose’s death, the birth of Beth and Edward’s twins or a reconciliation in Hannah and Victor’s fraught marriage.
However, one of my favourite scenes is where HIM uses his abilities to raise Afzal’s heart rate and bring him back to consciousness, as a way to help with the problem he created. It’s an unexpected and mature development, given how unlikeable HIM can be, but it is a genuinely atmospheric scene as well as a necessary character development.
“So you know it all now. This is best for everyone.”
HIM has been a strongly crafted, if somewhat flawed show, but this final episode goes a long way to tying up the storylines in a bittersweet, yet satisfactory manner for all concerned.
The supernatural elements used as a metaphor for the domestic angst suffered by these characters is a well worn idea, but it ends with something unique and thought provoking, anchored by some lovely performances.
Aired at 9pm on Wednesday 2 November 2016 on ITV.
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