'Adolescence' Ending Explained: It Can't Get Better Overnight

One of the best-limited series ever put on TV is blowing up on Netflix right now. It's called Adolescence, and it's a British crime drama show by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham and directed by Philip Barantini.

The show follows a 13-year-old schoolboy who is arrested for the murder of a classmate. Each episode is shot in one take.

There are four total, each around an hour, and they pack so many emotional gut punches you'll have to take a walk in between, and you'll need a hug after.

Today, I want to go over the end of the series and explain what happened.

Let's dive in.

The Plot of 'Adolescence'

Like I said at the top, Adolescence is a British miniseries that delves into the disturbing circumstances surrounding the murder of a teenage girl, Katie, by her classmate, Jamie.

Unlike a typical crime thriller, the show reveals Jamie's guilt in the first episode, which is centered around his arrest and his family's early reactions to the accusations.

At the show's core is the search for the complex psychological and societal factors that might have led a child to commit murder.

The narrative unfolds over four episodes, each shot in a single, continuous take, creating a raw and immersive viewing experience and heightening the tension and emotional weight of the story.

The series begins by establishing the aftermath of Katie's murder, introducing the key characters and the somber atmosphere that permeates their lives. Jamie, the perpetrator, is quickly identified, and the investigation shifts its focus to understanding his motivations.

His family is so shocked to learn this, especially his Dad, Eddie, who was sure of his son's innocence.

As we get into the second episode, we follow the police who are interviewing kids at school. we see the school as a hostile place where there's constant fighting and teasing, In this environment, we can see how violence could escape, especially from kids who are on the end of the bullying.

In that episode, we learn Jamie was bullied in school. and that other kids are being bullied as well. The show meticulously dissects the potential influences that shaped Jamie's actions.

There's a pervasive impact of online culture on these kids, who are trying to find their masculinity during the inherent vulnerabilities of adolescence.

Jamie's interactions with his peers, his online activity, and his family dynamics are all examined, seeing how they played into Jamie's violent actions.

In the third episode, we see a therapy episode where Jamie talks to a professional about his life and why he committed these crimes. This episode is full of big reveals, like Jamie's resentment and a distorted worldview due to being seen and teased as an ugly guy and an incel.

We learn Katie was also bullied at her school for leaked nudes that went out, and that the nudes got leaked by Jamie because she was bullying him.

In an attempt to reconcile with Katie, he asks her out, and she rejects him and teases him more, which eventually sets Jamie off.

The final episode of the series examines the impact of the crime on Jamie's family, showcasing the devastating consequences for those left behind. They are shown to be a normal family, with no obvious signs that could have predicted the crime. The series emphasizes that evil actions do not necessarily stem from an evil upbringing.

the episode takes place 13 months after Jamie's arrest. The viewer sees the judgment placed upon them by society, and the self-doubt they all experience.

The family is constantly reminded of Jamie's crime, like when Eddie, Jamie's father, receives a birthday card from Jamie while in the facility and when someone spray paints his van.

He's having trouble getting work and getting by in society with everyone recognizinging and harassing him.

The family is shown to be forever changed, and the father Eddie, breaks down in grief and blames himself for his son's actions.

Adolescence Ending Explained

Adolescence concludes by solidifying Jamie's culpability in Katie's death, shifting the viewer's focus from the act itself to the underlying motivations.

The series meticulously explores the "why" behind his actions. Eventually, through all the episodes, we're able to create a portrait of what happened.

We can see that toxic masculinity, the corrosive influence of online culture, and the tumultuous nature of adolescent development with an emphasis on bullying and social media warped this kid's brain.

His parents were not bad, but really had no idea what was going on behind their backs and on his phone, where most of the bullying took place.

As far as episodes go, the ending of the fourth episode is harrowing, with Eddie breaking down and blaming himself for his son's actions.

The show emphasizes how the murderer's family's lives are forever changed. They may not deserve what comes with all of this, and it is impossible for them to lead a normal day or even get work at times, because of the burden of what happened.

It also shows us society's view on the, with Eddie dealing with some of the worst parts of people, even those who think they're on his side.

There is no easy ending here. You can never move on from this, you just have to deal with it. and the show, which is steeped in reality, gives us an unfiltered look at the challenges faced by contemporary youth.

It urges audiences to confront the societal issues that can culminate in such tragic outcomes. That means talking with one another and empathizing.

Because there are no easy answers or resolutions.

Summing Up The Adolescence Ending Explained

Shows like this stick with you forever because they teach you a lesson. This one gave me a greater understanding of empathy for these people and made me want to examine online behavior and the echo chambers we find ourselves in without trying to hear and see people as human beings with real feelings, thoughts, and opinions.

Let me know what you think in the comments.