It is a foregone conclusion that the penultimate episode of "Dispatches From Elsewhere" will make waves as one of the most divisive season closers of the year. It's a daring and unapologetic way to conclude a show, one that may meander a bit before arriving at its point but ultimately delivers a commendable message and a unique perspective. While those seeking definitive answers to the show's grand mysteries will undoubtedly leave disappointed, in an era of cliffhangers, cookie-cutter stories, and rushed conclusions, "Dispatches From Elsewhere" offers enough to satisfy that it has been a distinct and unusual small-screen experience.
The season 1 finale commences with a brief introduction to the young boy in clown makeup we last saw. He steps onto the stage for an audition and captivates the judges, who exploit him for profit at the expense of his well-being, despite the chocolate milk he's given to try and keep him going. Realizing this is his final performance, the boy takes to the stage for one last show but it's not without incident; he stumbles spectacularly and lands flat on his face. He's given a bag of money for his efforts, dropped off by a man named Octavio (not our Octavio) and left to ponder the what-ifs.
This brings us back to our familiar cast of characters, where Peter follows Simone to the Barn of Beautiful Things where she happens to be living. After admiring her belongings, she hands over a postcard and urges him to take a chance. He decides to heed her advice and heads to a hotel called Divine Nonchalance where he's greeted as Jason Segel and given keys to the Jejune Suite. After receiving a peculiar call, he follows a series of clues that lead him to a strange diner and an arcade machine after chasing a milkman. Playing the game labeled "Dispatches From Elsewhere," Janice arrives and they talk on the roof, their conversation punctuated by the sounds of the arcade machine below.
As the final credits roll, Peter embarks on a journey back home, where we witness the little clown boy as an embodiment of his own inner self—a brave facade masking the need to "mature." Confronting his selfishness and self-indulgence, he acknowledges his mistakes, and it's enough for the little boy to depart. Peter steps onto the stage, sharing his quirky idea with Fredwynn, delving into how we're both different and yet the same. As Fredwynn agrees to seek help for him, the camera pans out to reveal Peter watching himself in a revelation that it was all a grand movie. He discusses these ideas with the others, with Fredwynn mentioning a shocking twist—that Lee was Clara all along, and the Clara we saw was merely a facade.
Peter continues to speak about their collective endeavor and the strange journey they shared as a team. The camera pans out, showing the cast and crew, before Octavio returns for the final epilogue, telling us that we're all unique. Change stems from community and finding one another, and as Octavio reminds us, the game and everything else falls by the wayside. Instead of the "you" we've heard so much about this season, it's replaced by "we," for we're in this together, culminating in a polarizing yet striking finale.
The 15-minute black-and-white segment that opens the episode boldly sets the stage for the finale but may feel a bit too protracted in reaching its core. While it's undeniably intriguing, it seems ill-placed after last week's cliffhanger. Dispatches From Elsewhere, unlike Game Of Thrones, lifts the veil and subverts expectations with a story that's actually about community and coming together. The game, mystery box elements, and everything in between don't matter; with each other, we can achieve anything.
This message may feel on-the-nose at times, and the clown segment's admonition to "grow up and stop being so selfish" might seem like a personal jab by Jason at himself. Nevertheless, there's much to admire in this show. It certainly won't be for everyone, and Fredwynn's comment about Lee being Clara could have been better demonstrated earlier in the episodes. But as a unique way to end a TV show, Dispatches From Elsewhere delivers a polarizing finale that's unlikely to be matched this year for its unusual yet effective conclusion.
