Apple TV+’s Sugar season one episode eight, the season finale, answers 99% of our lingering questions while leaving the door open for a second season. After a slow build, episode seven finally filled in the blanks regarding who John Sugar is, what he’s doing on Earth, and why Olivia was taken. John found Olivia as the penultimate episode ended. Plus, episode seven revealed that the aliens are being called home.
And now, the season one finale recap:
As the episode begins, John (Colin Farrell) is basking in the warm glow of finding Olivia and being able to reunite her with her family. He calls Melanie (Amy Ryan) and she rushes home, pulls Olivia in for a hug, and comforts the traumatized young woman. John leaves so they can have time alone.
Later, he confesses to being glad the case is nearly over but is a bit melancholy about the idea of endings. He’s hung onto the CD labeled #44 and admits he’s still obsessing about the loose ends.
He leaves very good boy Wiley alone in the motel room and heads over to Ruby’s. She claims she’s happy John found Olivia, but John doubts that’s true. John and Ruby (Kirby) are both aware humans are now hunting them since John exposed the human trafficking ring. Ruby reminds him they need to leave Earth today and that last call will be at sunset. She also confirms Miller is on his way to the meetup location.
Meanwhile, Miller (Paul Schulze) is pulled over on a deserted highway. Before he realizes what’s going on, the officer shoots him in the head.
John walks through Ruby’s place, which is full of moving boxes. Henry (Jason Butler Harner) is there, still jotting down his observations. They both admit to having mixed feelings about leaving this planet. John is actually there to pick up a CD player from Henry. As Henry searches boxes for it, he says Senator Pavich’s son, Ryan, has been all over the news. Ryan’s accused of raping and torturing dozens of people, and John confirms they got the right person.
However, John’s got a feeling there’s more to this story than meets the eye. Henry asks if John can stop by later and give him a ride to the pickup, and John agrees.
John hasn’t driven far before he pops CD #44 into the player. It’s a recording of Ryan describing what he likes to do. Ryan seems to enjoy hammers and uses one to silence a screaming woman.
John’s heard enough for now and turns off the CD player. He pulls up to Jonathan Siegel’s estate and pauses to stare into the sky. Before speaking with Jonathan, John offers Margit (Anna Gunn) his condolences over the death of her son, David. She’s still not sure why John was so obsessed with Olivia’s case, and John has to stop himself before they get into an argument.
Jonathan (James Cromwell) greets John warmly; he’s apparently recovered from his heart attack. Jonathan offers John a job as the head of his security, indicating he can set his own salary. It’s an easy job but John has to turn it down. (He’s only on Earth a few more hours.)
John glances out the window and smiles as he sees Olivia looking much better and talking to her dad, Bernie. Jonathan admits there’s no way to express his thanks for what John’s done for his family. John wonders if Olivia’s spoken about her experience, and Jonathan insists she hasn’t—not a single word.
John has decided to assume Jonathan made Clifford’s body disappear. He’s discreet, and Jonathan appreciates that. John also didn’t call the cops until he had Olivia out of Ryan’s house. It’s obvious there’s still something on John’s mind and Jonathan assures him he can relax now.
John hands over the Polaroids of Rachel (Jonathan’s daughter-in-law) wearing the same dress Jonathan’s deceased wife wore in The Winds of Change. John knows Jonathan took the photos, and Jonathan calls Rachel a free spirit, just like Lorraine. He and Rachel broke off their relationship after Rachel got pregnant, and Jonathan realizes John believes Olivia is his daughter – not his granddaughter. John corrects him and says it doesn’t matter. All that is important is that Olivia is loved.
Jonathan compliments John, saying, “Grace and sensitivity to the end.”
A flashback fills John’s thoughts, taking him back to his planet with his sister. He smiles at Olivia and Bernie before pulling out of the driveway.
Ruby calls John and asks about Miller. Neither has heard from him recently. She’s heading to the evacuation point now, and John explains he’ll be there soon. He has a few more stops to make before picking up Henry.
John presses play again and listens to Ryan talk about his life. “Whatever this is, what I do, more than anything else, it makes me feel alive,” says Ryan into the mic.
On a happier note, John drops Wiley off at Melanie’s and she’s more than happy to have a new furkid as part of her life. Melanie refuses to take no for an answer and makes John come in for a lemonade while they say goodbye. John won’t say he’ll never be back, but it’s not likely. He finally explains that he won’t be seeing his sister on his home planet because she was taken by somebody a long time ago. They don’t know who took her. That’s why he’s a private investigator now.
He pauses and looks toward the sky, contemplating telling her more about himself. He makes up his mind and asks that she hold his hands. Melanie can see his world through his touch. She silently cries at its beauty and strangeness.
John drives off while reminding himself he was never supposed to allow a human to see that. But he’s glad he did.
Ruby calls with a warning that humans are actively hunting them. Humans don’t want their pact exposed. She warns him to be careful and to get to the meetup as soon as possible.
John turns the CD on again as Ryan confesses he hates the part where his victims beg for their lives. Suddenly, John realizes Ryan is speaking to someone else who’s not one of his victims. He returns to Jonathan’s estate and asks to speak with Olivia, believing she can fill in a few blanks. John hates putting her through it, but he needs to know more about what happened in the basement. Bernie agrees to let him ask, but it’s up to Olivia to talk.
John delicately asks if Ryan had someone else with him in the basement. Olivia says there was another person there, but they kept a light on her face so she didn’t see him clearly. Also, he never spoke.
She is certain there was another man there because she could hear him writing. John realizes the man never spoke and only took notes. He thanks Olivia for her help and wishes her a wonderful life.
John pulls away, hitting play once more. He listens as Ryan uses the same words that Henry used while describing his wants and needs. John returns to Ruby’s now empty house as the phone rings. It’s Henry. He assumed John would piece the clues together, and John can’t believe that Henry just sat and watched Ryan torture and kill innocent women. Henry attempts to justify his actions, saying they were only supposed to watch and learn.
Henry is aware they’re being hunted by humans, but he’s decided he’s not returning to their home planet. He believes he fits better in this world with all its anger, confusion, and darkness. John insists Earth is so much more than that, but Henry thinks John belongs here too.
“I left you rose petals,” says Henry before hanging up.
John follows the petals on the floor to a closet. Inside is the outfit his sister, Djen, was wearing when she was abducted. John now knows that Henry took Djen, but he doesn’t know if she’s alive or if she’s here on Earth.
John believes Henry is trapped in a cycle of violence. But then he wonders if he’s different from Henry as he has flashbacks of attacking and killing humans. (They deserved it, but that’s beside the point.)
“I like being here. How I can feel, hurt, taste, touch, dream, love, hate,” thinks John. “Have I become more human, like Henry?”
John’s standing on a beach, shoes off, toes in the water when he decides he needs to find Henry Thorpe. No matter how long it takes.
John makes it to the rendezvous and Ruby confesses she knows Henry was observing Ryan. They all went along with it for the mission. However, she had no idea that Henry took Djen. She asks about his hand and the voices, and John claims he’s fine. A noise in the sky interrupts and their ride home has arrived.
John’s made up his mind to remain on Earth. Ruby reminds him it will just be him and Henry on Earth, and that it’s likely Djen’s already dead. John understands that but needs to stop Henry from learning from – and teaching – other psychotic killers.
John confesses he’ll miss his home, which he loves, and he’ll miss Ruby and the others. But Earth and its people are calling to him. He genuinely likes humans.
John wishes Ruby safe travels and drives off in his beloved Corvette.
“The End” screens from multiple films flash by as John acknowledges that you always know a movie ending is coming. Still, you’re surprised when the credits roll.
And that, my fellow Sugar fans, is it. John heads off into the sunset, determined to track down Henry. Will he take Jonathan up on his job offer? Maybe. But more importantly, John can now remain a part of Melanie and Wylie’s lives.
Sugar Season 1 Recaps:
- Sugar Season 1 Episode 1 “Olivia” Recap and Review
- Sugar Season 1 Episode 2 “These People, These Places” Recap
- Sugar Season 1 Episode 3 “Shibuya Crossing” Recap
- Sugar Season 1 Episode 4 “Starry Eyed” Recap
- Sugar Season 1 Episode 5 “Boy in the Corner” Recap
- Sugar Season 1 Episode 6 “Go Home” Recap
- Sugar Season 1 Episode 7 “The Friends You Keep” Recap
This post was last modified on October 2, 2024 1:35 pm