VII

I was hoping for a major twist and boy did we get it, and I say it won't quit because I'm still feeling disturbed by it days later, maybe I will for months. Like, especially like one other reviewer I read, I wasn't expecting that to be the real story. Omg! When I first watched it I was just so glad that they delivered such a great satisfying twist. But after the fact I keep experiencing the tragedy of it all - even though ultimately it was a fairly happy ending considering! Of course some of my feelings of wanting to vomit too might have to do with being the result of the US election at the same time. At least Disclaimer is a fantasy (even though we all know things like this happen).

If you haven't seen the series or last episode yet be prepared for your jaws to drop. Hard to know whether to say this contains spoilers or not as I haven't actually said what it is and mainly most of us will be thinking of all kinds of things. It's amazing with the disclaimer at the beginning of Disclaimer the show that we didn't see it coming. I know I did think it was her manipulation of the boy or other secrets were going to come out from the other characters. Not this! Is that a spoiler ? I'm still not sure. Anyway, an excellent series!

Whew! What a final episode! So much tension building to a sublime conclusion. I was blindsided when the truth was revealed. That possibility had never entered my mind.

So many people wrote reviews of their frustrations wondering how the mom/author of the book could've known what happened between her son and Catherine. Their frustrations stopped them continuing to watch because they thought it was all implausible. Well, come to find out, that was the whole point.

This story is an excellent reminder of how our own desires, insecurities, and beliefs shade the way we perceive the world and our interactions with others. These misinterpretations happen on a grand scale (such as how we view a political figure) to how we perceive our personal relationships. I can think of a number of times I misread someone's verbal language because of my own insecurity.

One thing that I didn't understand in the series was why everyone thought the lady/Catherine was such a horrible selfish person in the book they were reading. I never felt that way towards her. Even if the book was written accurately, I saw it as Catherine cheating on her husband and having a fling on her holiday. That certainly isn't right, but doesn't make her into a villian. I know this miniseries is based on an actual book so I wonder if the book captured her more repugnantly.

This series sucked me in. Each layer was delicious to uncover and I had eagerly waited for this last episode and watched it the moment it dropped on Apple. Fabulous!

Apple make great TV although I was a bit sceptical about this one as there was a lack of spacesuits.

Anyway this may be a spoiler but I don't think so, after watching the final episode I went back to episode 1 and began to rewatch and part way through the episode I got hit with a slam dunk, the narrative is the actual reading of the book... I think... I wasn't very good at English.

Currently on episode 2 again, and it's definitely worth a rewatch.

Absolutely fascinating picking up the snippets of clues on a rewatch, I felt I bit dumb at first but the first line of episode 1 basically tells us the whole story!

Enjoy.

Cinematic vibes paired with a gripping mystery-thriller flow define Disclaimer. This mini-series not only elevates the standards of TV storytelling but further proves that 'movie star' actors and actresses can shine just as brightly-perhaps even more so-on the small screen.

This script is based on the acclaimed novel by Renée Knight. I believe Knight herself would've admired how skillfully Apple adapted her book.

Cate Blanchett delivers what could be a career-defining performance as Catherine Ravenscroft. Her emotions feel almost tangible, infusing her character with the raw potential needed to portray her anxiety and fear with authenticity.

Kevin Kline (Stephen Brigstocke) and Lesley Manville (Nancy Brigstocke) are equally remarkable. As grieving parents, their performances add immense gravitas to the script.

The nuanced chemistry they share serves as a masterclass in how on-screen couples can elevate storytelling to new heights even in the absence of a serious romance angle.

Sacha Baron Cohen (Robert Ravenscroft) and Kodi Smit-McPhee (Nicholas Ravenscroft) create a poignant father-son dynamic. Cohen's portrayal, however, stands out in particular. His escalating paranoia and fury throughout the series are nothing short of riveting.

Meanwhile, standout contributions from Leila George (young Catherine) and Louis Partridge (Jonathan Brigstocke) keep tensions simmering, lending unique depth to the overall narrative.

At the heart of Disclaimer is a dangerous book-a so-called 'fictional' work penned by Nancy Brigstocke before her death. The revelations in its pages indirectly expose celebrated journalist Catherine Ravenscroft, plunging her into an intricate web of rights and wrongs.

Why Catherine, you may ask. That's because Catherine (who was a young mother at the time) and Jonathan (who was just a teen at the time) allegedly had an affair. It tragically ended in the boy's death, a sad event which his mother (Nancy) miserably bottles and later blames Catherine for.

The way she casts Catherine in a deeply sinister light bridges one revelation after the next, pulling me further into this haunting tale. The reasons surrounding the incident are systematically revealed in mesmerising detail.

The series crescendos in its final two episodes, tying together all loose ends and presenting jaw-dropping twists that are as unexpected as they are brilliant.

The mother of all plot-twists in this script solidifies Disclaimer as an unforgettable triumph, to say nothing of the ingenious way in which it portrays the power of perspective.

Yet, perhaps the biggest revelation of all doesn't necessarily revolve around the show's shockers. That 'honour' rests with the societal double standards it subtly but powerfully underscores.

Consider this: What if Robert Ravenscroft had been the one engaging in an affair with a younger woman? Despite being married, pursuing his own lofty ambitions, and showing distinct neglect toward his son, his actions-though unquestionably immoral-might feel comparatively (emphasis on the word) less criminal, less vindictive, than if Catherine Ravenscroft did the same.

And therein rests the biggest 'disclaimer' of all-the inherent bias and disparity in how society judges women, especially mothers.

--- --- --- Notable moments from Rob Jarvis (as DCI Duggins) and Liv Hill (Sasha).

The twist in the story was nice however, it was awfully unrealistic! Someone with "rapist" character is incapable of being selfless as the act of raping is rooted in selfishness! This person is simply incapable of sanctifying himself to save other's life! It just simply doesn't add up! I was expecting another twist that the father discovers the flaw in her story, especially when he approaches the fire to have a closer look on the burning picture however I was really disappointed with the plot! It is just such a shame as I really enjoyed the show until the very last episode and the terrible ending! I really wished that it had a better ending!