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For him, the happy ending was clear.
Of course they end up together, he said to me the morning after he finished the final episode.
The fox chases the Priest down the street.
To better understand this fox theory, it needs to be traced back to its origins.
Ive never felt closer to God.
Just then the Priest hears something rustle in the bushes.
he asks, jumping up in terror.
It wasnt a fox, was it?
He runs behind Fleabag, physically barricading himself from the invisible fox while she laughs at him.
Foxes have been after me for years.
Its like they have a pact or something.
But, apparently, God has not saved the Priest from foxes.
Foxes, in that moment, become inextricably linked to his sexuality.
Chill out about the fox!
I just dont know what they want from me, he says apologetically.
Once he calms down, the two talk more explicitly about Fleabags desire for a sexual relationship with him.
Fleabag turns to the camera and tell us, Well last a week.
The fox is a stand-in for the Priests conflicted feelings about his celibacy and his budding love for Fleabag.
He may attract foxes, but unlike Fleabags invisible audience, she can see them, too.
When Fleabag and her priest wake up in the morning, he must officiate her fathers wedding.
She stumbles upon the Priest practicing his homily.
Hes startled to see her.
I thought you were a fox, he shouts.
The two passionately kiss against a wall.
I dont know what this feeling is, he tells her.
Is it God or is it me?
But the Priest doesnt know.
As he walks away he looks over his shoulder and tells her, I love you, too.
And then, just as hes gone, a fox appears.
The fox pauses and looks at Fleabag.
He went that way, she tells it.
Alabama Shakes This Feeling begins playing.
I just kept hoping / I just kept hoping / The way would become clear, they sing.
When you find somebody that you love, it feels like hope.
The lyrics might as well say both Fleabag and the Priest went on loving.
Fleabag walks away, evidently okay on her own.
By admitting her feelings, she has made her choice clear.
Vultures Kathryn VanArendonk has suggested, alternately,the fox could symbolize God.
When God wants to catch the Priests attention to correct his course, Hes not sly.
So why does the fox silently follow him even when hes walking away from temptation?
Thats hardly benevolent supervision from a higher power.
We may be seeing the ending we wish for.
But thats the beauty and power of art the possibilities that exist beyond the narrative.
Like the Priests explanation about the Bibles inconsistencies, none of what we read or watch is literal.
Its for interpretation to help us work out Gods plan for us, he says.
