What are your hopes for the new season as it comes to Netflix? What are you looking forward to?
Shana: Oh, man. I just want THE FALL to hurry up and get all those new episodes on Netflix, but then I want it to never end. Somehow, I feel like that’s an unrealistic expectation…but whatever.
I think, more than anything, I’m simply looking forward to as much of the same as is possible. Obviously, I don’t want the plot to drag out — it’s time for Spector to be punished already — but aside from that, I’m very much of the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality. I can’t wait to see more of Stella Gibson being sick of incompetent men and educating the masses on how to treat women. I need her to teach me more about how “maleness is a kind of birth defect,” all while making sure one of the most vile of criminals is brought to justice. Or if, as is so disgustingly the case in the real world, Spector somehow goes free, I want to see what kinds of lessons we learn from that.
Although I’ve muted and blacklisted all things THE FALL on social media in order to avoid spoilers for the new season while it airs on the other side of the world, I’ve still managed to hear whisperings of the series’ new focus on providing more background for the main characters. If that’s true, I’m so ready for it. Stella Gibson has been somewhat of an enigma during the series’ first two seasons; I’d love to know more about what made her who she is. What’s with the mysterious journal entries? And how did she become just so…everything? I’m very much looking forward to finding out more about this character, even if it means slowing the plot down ever so slightly.
And, of course, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t simply ready to have more Gillian Anderson on my television, doing Gillian Anderson things. Bonus for more of Jamie Dornan: Anyone who looks like that but makes me hate him so completely is obviously doing his job of playing a creep very, very well.
Amy: I have not watched a single thing, so I am spoiler-free! I used to be a spoiler lover in my youth, but I find that I enjoy a show more if I remain mostly unspoiled. I hope for what Stella hopes for – that Spector lives so she can punish him and take him down in a war of minds and not of bullets. I’d also like her new boytoy not to die, but he probably will. I also want to see Stella getting the recognition in her department and in the media for being a badass – she is obviously not well-liked at work. She is efficient and doesn’t suffer fools, so of course these bros have a problem with her. Everyone has this sort of grudging respect for her, and I’d like it to grow beyond that.
Erin: The first two seasons delved into the relationships between children and their parents, as well as the effects a parent’s actions can have on their children. This has been one of the most fascinating subject matters addressed. I would hope to see how Spector’s children react to the events and how they are handled by the adults. How will Olivia react to Katie’s role in all of this? Or her mother’s? I would like to see how Stella’s past might relate to what’s happening. She seemed very anxious while in the room when Olivia met with Spector. It seemed like something was there, and I hope it is explored. Spector supposes Stella’s relationship with her father was somehow deviant. “It reads that way to me,” he says. His upbringing certainly played a part in the man he became: How has Stella’s? Stella suggests to Annie that she use the band on the wrist coping mechanism, that “it worked for me some time ago.” What kind of situations has she had to overcome?
I would like to see more Bad Ass!Stella and more Snarky!Stella. The little glimpses of those sides of the usually stoic woman were some of my favorite moments. She can scare the piss out of a gang of dude bros, and she can tease Jim about his shoe selection. She can say she has hundreds of degrees with a straight face and also put idiots in their place. “You should really and truly fuck off” was a thing of beauty.
I would like more one-on-ones between Stella and Spector. Their interactions, whether on the phone or face-to-face, were nothing short of riveting. I hung on every word. Every breath. It was captivating even when they weren’t interacting, but their scenes were intercut. Both seasons did this intercut between the two of them looking into a mirror. And all the discussions on doubling and mirroring was reflected (see what I did there?) in those sequences. I hope this theme continues.
I am interested in seeing the fates of Rose, Katie, and Sally Ann. If Rose survives, how will she confront everything that has happened? Will she blame Stella? How will Stella shoulder that guilt? Katie is so psychotic, I am curious to see if she cracks. I also hope she is brought to justice for her part and not overly protected because of the technicality of being a minor. Sally Ann has a long, hard road ahead. How will she deal with the betrayal of her husband and the damage done to her children? How will she deal with being guilty and being a victim? I hope all these issues are addressed.
Oh, and I hope we see more of Stella in uniform.
Laura: At Spoilertv, the team reviews UK-based shows as they air, (a good part of the team is from there). I’m reviewing the show up to the BBC dates, so I might have to sit this one out. Spoiler-free comment: It’s superb, and Gillian Anderson’s performance leaves you asking how she acts this well in every episode. It’s almost as if she has a superpower, and the subtlety in her tone of voice, looks, and portmanteau add more layers to the character. You just have to stare in awe.
Lizzie: I feel like, most of all, I want to enjoy it. I want them to give me a proper conclusion. Some shows I’m fine with open-ended; this one, however, is not one of those. I want everything to be squared away. Like, I need closure. I also want everyone on this show – and this planet – to realize what an absolute treasure Gillian Anderson and Stella GIbson are. And, I kind of want Spector to live and be punished. Death doesn’t even seem like enough at this point, does it? Maybe I just have this immense desire to see Stella win – and win BIG. Either way, I have the sense I’ll enjoy it. It’s been so good so far that, well, expectations. I have plenty of those.
Make sure to tune in when THE FALL season 3 begins streaming on Netflix in Latin America and the U.S. on October 29.
