Unbelievable
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When was the last time a prestige drama ofUnbelievables caliber ended on a happy note?
Parker isnt a villain (who really needs another one with Christopher McCarthy hanging around?).
Hes immediately chastened, telling Rasmussen, You hear about bad cops …
But Marie isnt settling.
Throughout seven episodes, she has quietly accepted vilification and condescension and neglect.
That spark is gone, but Parkers visit and the measly $500 check light a fire underneath her.
Who do you want to sue?, Maries former defender asks.
Pretty much everybody, she replies, but I thought Id start with the city.
And the crowd goes wild.
But Marie doesnt want to make a statement or squeeze the government for every nickel she can wrangle.
McCarthys other victims get their own forms of justice too.
For Amber, that thats just observing his sentencing hearing without anyone forcing her to testify or confront him.
Shes scared all the time, she explains, and no friend or security camera can change that.
No testimony can change that either.
Prevention is surely the best procedure.
Taking women like Marie seriously and following up on any and all leads is second-best.
But 327 years in jail isnt a bad third place.
Women dont walk around this country feeling safe.
We keep our drinks pressed tight to our bodies at parties and bars.
We fake phone calls to keep strange men at bay.
We take longer routes home to walk under streetlights.
We text friends from bus stops and after weve locked our front doors.
We turn on location-sharing lest a date turn ugly or violent.
We reconsider running shorts when its blazing hot just to keep the catcallers silent.
Frankly, its exhausting.
We know what level of care a victim of rape is due.
We know whats possible.
She gets to say her piece to Parker.
She gets that apology.
But most movingly, she takes herself to the beach and reclaims it.
When she calls Duvall, shes back on the beach, the weight lifted.
Both women want to see the good in the world.
I wake up now and I can imagine good things happening, Marie says.
And she lives happier ever after.
