Luigis

Seen it twice now, and am now waiting for the dvd set to let it sink in a bit more.

The reason I think Gene won't go into the pub (despite his want/need to help others) is the fact that he would need to come to terms with his own death.
Even then, I think he could only enter the pub as the 19 year old he was when he died. which is why he wouldn't go in with Chris, Ray, Shaz and more to the point Alex. He knows deep inside he is still only 19.

Gene said it all when he was explaining how he died. He was this kid, so full of bravado. That its this that has kept him going, when he first arrived in the 'genieverse' he would have been the same age as when he died. I think he would have worked his way up through the ranks, as he originally envisioned his life to be. So the LoM backstory would fit.

This is a place where you come to terms with your life/death, and then move on. Gene cannot come to terms with his death, so cannot move on 'yet'. So has resolved to help others, despite forgetting who he is/was and seeing himself as a complete part of this world, as he will have spent the majority of his existence in this world.


I hope this makes sense to someone other than me.

Cried my eyes out, especially at the poor Quattro.
"YOU MURDERED MY CAR!"
Lmao, the kiss was needed (the Galex fan inside me wanted a bit more of a smooch or for Alex to stay or something, but never mind) and I'm glad it appeared. Loved Nelson. Sobbed at Ray's "You are, and always will be, the Guv."

Watched it five times since. Doesn't get old.

And as much as I've hated Jim Keats, Daniel Mays has been FANTASTIC.

Beautiful end to a beautiful 5/3 years

I've been so obsessed with GALEX that I haven't even mentioned any of the other great moments from this episode so feel I need to mention a couple of things that stood out.

1) Shaz's death - that chilled me the most as I found it the most violent and such a waste of a young life. Heart wrenching when she started saying she wanted to see her Mum.

2) The expression on Gene's face when he realises it's his body - his jaw hanging lose - my God that was a powerful image

3) Keat's Exorcist-like moments - very disturbing... also very powerful, especially with the look of shock and disbelief on Alex's face as Keats trashes CID

4) Chris totally oblivious to what was happening when he was walking to the pub - asking what Gene wanted - pint, whisky chaser, crisps, scratchings... and then the corker - "Nelson's got Ringos" - Ringos - remember them!!!!! they were lovely

5) Ray's emotion when leaving the Guv. He gulped... dare I say he was choked (no pun on his cause of death intended) AWWW.. It was my husband who noticed and hubby even appeared to get emotionally involved at that point (for a second or 2 anyway )

I've mentioned all the strong Alex ones in context of GALEX in previous posts

I hate to say it, but I actually kind of laughed as the Quattro was getting torn to pieces in a hail of gunfire. I don't know, but I sensed it would have to happen sometime. But heck, at least they gave it a spectacular seeing-off instead of just having it crashed and then written off. Multiple angle shots, slow-motion film speed... what more do you want?

Yes, I had my suspicions about Keats too and they were definitely solidified with the death of Viv. He just wasn't kosher, was he?

By the way, the Ashes to Ashes episodes were taken off BBC iPlayer tonight. I guess that really is it now. Nonetheless, I gave the last episode a good going through on iPlayer once more... glad I did. Helped clarify some things, especially with all the reading I've been doing, and I got chance to enjoy some classic scenes and lines one last time ("Goodbye, Jimbo!") before I have to shell out for the inevitable Ashes to Ashes Series 1-3 boxset in a few months from now. A purchase I shall not regret.

Best regards,
i_like_1981

Well I've watched the ep many many times now and all I have to say is wow! I think that may have been the best hour of tv since the end of LoM! Gene's reaction at the shallow grave was so moving, Cris not wanting Shaz to see her tape, Shaz telling Chris she would love him forever and a day, the whole bloody thing! Each actor gave it their all and I even found myself admiring Daniel Mayes the way he left it to the last minute to take the evil slightly OTT! I love the fact they've left it open so that if they want to they could go back and tell more. I personally think that even though it does appear that they've moved on they can move back to Gene's world should they be needed. I know we are supposed to think that Alex was 'dreaming' Sam at the office window but what if she wasn't? What if he knew Gene needed Alex to believe in Gene and to go to the grave because wothout her Keats may win?

Over all I'm happy at the ending but I'm a lottle sad it had to.

Well, being in Australia , I'm a bit late watching the final ep. Have held off coming onto Luigi's as I didn't want to spoil things for myself by reading too mayn theories or discussions of the eps I hadn't seen.

My friend and I watched last night, pre-armed with tissues, and I must say I was quite stunned by the time the end of the credits rolled. Took us about 10 seconds to say anythign to each other, although we both had a good tear up.

My thoughts:

Phil Glenister's acting at the field and the farmhouse was fabulous and heartbreaking. Leeley handled it so well, too. BIG scene.

When Gene was briefing for the sting at the aircraft hanger, CID didn't seem to include our usual CID bunch, like Poirot? Not sure what that was about.

I agree that it's so sad that Gene and Alex weren't going to be together in the end but it's "helped me" (if that's the right way to put it) to have read a lot of the postings here. Gene has a job to do to help coppers to get to the Railway Arms safely and away from Keats. That danger is still there as Keats was not entirely defeated. Alex has helped already with Chris, Ray and Shaz and it's her turn to go now. Feeling much better about it this morning.
Would have liked longer kiss, though!!

I though last night as I was watching when Gene got back to CID that he'd realise he wanted to move on too, that he'd resolved his stuff and was ready to be happy, but I guess he was there to help others so...

LOVE seeing Nelson! I just loved him in LOM. Brilliant.

Bit of smugness: As Gene opened the door when iPOD man had arrived I said, "word in your shell-like" and he said it!!!!!!!

I think are are going to be things we all like and dislike about the ending but I'll certainly be thinking about it for some time and both shows were so great. I'm grateful to Matthew and Ashley for doing such a great job and I loved all the performances of the central cast.

INCREDIBLE.

And of course big thank you to the Luigi's administrators. You are brilliant!!

Me Too!!!!

It makes total sense, IMO. :)

The other thing Gene has to sort out is finding an authority figure/mentor he can trust completely, who won't disappoint him. His real-time one got drunk and abandoned him on the job, which ultimately led to Gene getting a shotgun blast in the face. Althway took a backhander and, eventually, hanged himself. Supermac turned out to be corrupt. Once he does that, perhaps he can move on.

I also saw that one coming. I mean, what better way to let Gene Hunt bow out than in the exact same way he came in?

Best regards,
i_like_1981