The dramatic climax of the series is reached in this penultimate
episode 5 as characters reach a state of bliss, each in their own way,
momentarily releasing from the struggle of life. Arthur’s bliss is felt
immediately after the violent boxing fight with his father. He feels reunited
with a father who abandoned them in this intense “love/fight" that is an embrace
as well as a bloody beating. It’s confusing and exhilarating for him. In this
euphoric state he would do anything for his father, even steal from the family
fortunes. He does not count the cost or consider his own position.It's beyond self-interest. He gives
because he loves, that’s all.
Inspector Campbell feels bliss when he is released from his
professional relationship with Grace, freed to propose to her on a personal
level, declaring his love. It’s a painful moment to watch because we know his
love is not reciprocated. He risks his dignity and reputation, his face opened
up with vulnerability. In rejection his face closes down again, hardens as his
bliss evaporates into the contained rage of revenge. (amazing acting control
from Sam Neil here).
The IRA man risks everything to avenge his cousin’s murder in
his love of family. His eyes are fixed and brimming with this intense driving
force as he realises he has his aim in sight, verbally fencing with Tommy, a
fight just as dangerous and menacing as anything physical that follows .Later,
in their fight together as they roll across the floor we see the bliss of
violence on Tommy’s face in this intense struggle that erupts into a frenzied
orgy as Tommy bashes the other’s head in repeatedly.
Aunt Polly also has her moment of bliss. After months of a
family power struggle Tommy affirms her status by supporting her in her
eviction of the wayward father. Tommy stands behind her and this sense of unity
gives her a sense of well being expressed in the mysterious radiant smile
suffusing her face as harmony is restored to the household. She beams as she
descends the stair and the lighting changes in the room.
As Tommy and Grace open up and come together in the realisation
of their love for each other, their love making becomes a fight, both tender
and dangerous, a mixture of opposites, like the love/fight between Arthur and
his father. These two love fights are central to the episode, one illuminating
the other. The bliss is on their faces as they climax and also on Tommy’s face
in the morning because this is the first time he has slept without nightmares. When
Tommy returns to work next day he is radiant and the final shot shows him
walking into the light. It is blinding for the audience, but also sadly
tempered by the dramatic irony of the excruciating knowledge that Grace is a
spy unknown to Tommy.
All these characters are brought to a moment of climax in the
drama which is also a moment of Bliss. They achieve it through the power of
Love which comes to them despite themselves and whatever their intentions. This
is something in the human spirit that cannot be controlled or eradicated,
something that survives the horrors of existence, something that defies Reason.
After intense struggles this moment of bliss comes as a moment of grace, not
planned but granted, given, a gift .It uplifts everybody and suffuses the sets
with light.
Grace, by name, is of course, the “gift that comes to town” in
her green dress, arousing hope and humanity in Campbell and Tommy, both of whom
are world weary and brutalised. She risks everything including her life for the
sake of avenging her father, and later for saving Tommy. She is a healing grace,
“the barmaid who doesnt count” but who is in fact the one thing that does
count, who changes everything.
Tommy risks his life to meet her as the IRA man has risked his
life to avenge his cousin, as Campbell takes a risk to declare his love for
Grace and risks his job to annihilate Tommy, as Arthur risks his reputation and
dignity in his adoration of a father brutalised by Life which culminates in
Arthur’s self-annihilating suicide
attempt. It’s Tommy who restores Arthur to life and well-being as he gives back
some power to his older brother in the form of a business partnership, giving
out of brotherly love, selflessly, “You’re one of three shareholders now, equal
partners”, he says.
As one gives to another beyond self-interest they all gain more
than they give. For a moment the human spirit shines through at its best, triumphant
over the dehumanisation around them. Disaffected characters begin to feel
again, transformed by the energy of love into the experience of bliss. Their
lives are literally lit up, demonstrated in the use of lighting in the final
scenes. It’s an act of grace .It just happens, inexplicably.
“Open up” says Aunt Polly at the beginning of the episode and
that is what happens as the words of another Nick Cave song say “let love in”. Tommy
says to Grace, “people look different when they are off guard...will you help me with life, with everything, we can help
each other, I found you and you found me”. “The fighting is over” say the men
to Arthur who is still looking for a fight. “Last night something changed
inside me” says Grace, “the hatred went and I no longer feel the need to avenge
my father, I resign.” Campbell says, “Lately I feel my admiration for you has
changed to love”.
One wonders, with dread, what is about to follow in Episode 6.
Grace comes to town
