The end8230; not quite

Even something as mainstream as Beowulf lands on a question mark. And when Margot at the Wedding hits Detroit theaters in December, the questions will continue.

The essence of endings was debated mightily earlier this year when TV8217;s The Sopranos abruptly cut to black with its last episode. The initial response was outrage from a lot of people who were looking for some kind of big moral statement and hoping for Tony Soprano8217;s death or ruination.

But life does not come in a series of little boxes with bows tied on them. It goes on. The drama of existence doesn8217;t end on a happily-ever-after or with a cleansing bloodbath or in a big rescue scene topped with a romantic kiss. Characters end. The big story goes on.

What8217;s true in reality, though, doesn8217;t necessarily work in drama. Still, with the rise of long-form dramas8212;sequels, TV serials8212;the ongoing nature of existence, and the way that can be expressed, is being explored. The curtain doesn8217;t rise and then fall in two hours. So the way the curtain falls may need to be different.

Or not. There are times when a lack of resolution feels right, but there are also times when it feels as if somebody8217;s trying too hard to be different. Either way, the evolution of endings reflects our times and the way culture is changing. And for now, at least, when it comes to endings, it seems there is no final word.
-Tom Long NYT