Question about the very last moment in Curious Incident

[tazber]

Posted: 5/1/15 at 8:02am

I have searched everywhere for a discussion on this, but I didn't see one anywhere.

 

So obviously ***********SPOILERS*******************

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When Christopher asks Siobhan "I can do anything, right?" (paraphrase) Siobhan doesn't answer. After the third time she turns to face Christopher and there is a moment of silence followed by a blackout.

 

That's a fine ending in its own right, but I was wondering if Siobhan said or did anything that I may have missed. It looked like she made a hand gesture, but I couldn't tell.

 

Anyone?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 5/1/15 at 9:07am

*SPOILERS*

I LOVE this ending, one of the reasons being that there are so many different ways to interpret it.

When I saw the show, the lights blacked out just as it looked like she was about to respond. I don’t think there is anything you missed – I imagine they purposely black it out right at the moment it looks like we might receive an answer.

[tazber]

Posted: 5/1/15 at 9:22am

"*SPOILERS*
I LOVE this ending, one of the reasons being that there are so many different ways to interpret it.
When I saw the show, the lights blacked out just as it looked like she was about to respond. I don’t think there is anything you missed – I imagine they purposely black it out right at the moment it looks like we might receive an answer."

 Thanks Gilmore! That's exactly what I saw, but my view was partially obstructed so I wanted to be sure.

It's a phenomenal ending that way.

[Steve721]

Posted: 5/1/15 at 10:43am

SPOLIERS

I sat in the third row, and after he asks the question for the last time (just before the blackout), she has this pained and sad expression on her face as if to say no, you can't.  From what I saw, I didn't think the ending was ambiguous at all, at least in terms of her reaction to the question.

 

[tazber]

Posted: 5/1/15 at 10:58am

No I didn't think it was ambiguous, from my seat it just seemed abrupt.

I think it's actually the perfect ending. It's such a better ending than the book.

 

I thought Alex Sharp was excellent, but at times he seemed a little affected. Would have loved to see Treadway in the role.

The actor who played his father was brilliant. So overlooked for a supporting nomination. Can't say enough about his performance.

I totally got the cacophony, and it's a brilliant way to get us into Christopher's mind, but they need to work on those sound issues. It's ear-splitting and prolonged at one or two points.

 

Oh, and of course I have to mention  (if you've read this far I'm assuming you have seen the show or don't care about spoilers) THE PUPPY!

 

 

Updated On: 5/1/15 at 10:58 AM

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 5/1/15 at 11:07am

I loved the ending.

This is a beautiful play and that was the perfect ending to it.  Compellingly raising the questions not only about Christopher's limitations, but everyone's limitations, and the honesty of "I can do anything" as a means of encouragement.

Unfortunately, my one and only criticism was what comes after afterwards, which I won't describe for those who haven't seen the show yet.  Personally I found it excessive and cheapening of what was otherwise a fantastic experience (the way one finds certain indulgent moments in otherwise great Spielberg movies).... it certainly didn't ruin my experience of this great play which I heartily recommend, but it didn't work.

Goes without saying, but just my opinion (although I've heard others say the same, and no doubt others will disagree).

[tazber]

Posted: 5/1/15 at 11:09am

Unfortunately, my one and only criticism was what comes after afterwards, which I won't describe for those who haven't seen the show yet.  Personally I found it excessive and cheapening of what was otherwise a fantastic experience

Henrik, could you elaborate with a SPOILER warning? Because I must have missed what happened after the blackout.

[Steve721]

Posted: 5/1/15 at 11:23am

"
Unfortunately, my one and only criticism was what comes after afterwards, which I won't describe for those who haven't seen the show yet.  Personally I found it excessive and cheapening of what was otherwise a fantastic experience
Henrik, could you elaborate with a SPOILER warning? Because I must have missed what happened after the blackout. "

 ********SPOILER*********

I assume he's talking about the coda in which Christopher comes back on stage and shows how he solved the math problem. I really loved that; different strokes for different folks I suppose.

[tazber]

Posted: 5/1/15 at 11:36am

I totally missed that.

thanks for clarifying Steve21!

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 5/1/15 at 11:55am

I agree – I was extremely surprised to see Ian Barford overlooked for a supporting nomination. I thought his performance was complex, nuanced, and fully realized in a character that, I would imagine, might be difficult to strike the right balance for.

*SPOILERS*

I, too, love the ending and think those few moments say so much. The idea that Siobhan has really been the only adult that Christopher has truly been able to rely on, who’s always told him truth, and the responsibility she feels to maintain that trust juxtaposed with also being in a position of providing encouragement. That moment also perfectly brings back the reality of Christopher’s situation – he may have succeeded in certain ways at that moment, but the challenges in his life are in no way over. It was one of those endings of a play that hit me so hard I think it may forever be burned into my mind. So much came across in just a few short seconds.

As for the coda, it did feel a little out of place after that ending moment. It didn’t take anything away from the ending, for me, and I found it to be a fun, joyous moment, but I can absolutely see how that moment might not work for some.

And, yes, THAT PUPPY. The second it appeared onstage some sort of mix between a gasp and a shriek escaped my mouth before I even had a chance to realize I was making an audible noise. That puppy just seemed to be so damn happy to see Alex, too, I just couldn’t take it.

[tazber]

Posted: 5/1/15 at 12:06pm

Bradford's character is so complex.

And he nails every bit of contradiction, nuance, frustration, anger, love, regret, and hope.

It's an amazing part.

That scene when he picks up Christopher, cleans him up, changes his clothes, and puts him to bed was one of my favorite moments of the season.

I got misty eyed at that point.

 

And given what he's done in the play (particularly the confession he makes in that scene), for me to come around and totally embrace him as a loving person who made some bad mistakes, is saying a lot.

 

I can't say enough about his performance.

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 5/1/15 at 12:35pm

*SOMEWHAT SPOILERS*

<i>And given what he's done in the play (particularly the confession he makes in that scene), for me to come around and totally embrace him as a loving person who made some bad mistakes, is saying a lot.</I>

Absolutely. I remember when I read the book, I had a really hard time getting passed what he confesses to. Yet Barford’s work onstage completely opened up that character in a totally different way for me. He made me believe that he could be someone who has both the capacity to do the awful, awful thing he confesses to as well as love and care for Christopher in the absolute best way he knows how.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 5/1/15 at 1:05pm

Yes, Steve, it was the coda I was alluding to.

And, of course, as you say, different strokes for different folks.

it's not that I really minded it all that much, but I did think it diluted the power of that beautiful ending.  It's a question of personal taste.  But, more importantly, it's small potatoes in what is a remarkable work of art.

[romain2]

Posted: 5/1/15 at 2:28pm

SPOILERS ABOUT BOTH THE PLAY AND THE BOOK

 

 

The coda is very true to the book which ends with Christopher solving this incredibly complex math problem that goes for pages it seems.  I for one was so happy they included it--and they keep referring to it throughout the show and he's told "later, later".  I saw Taylor Trensch in the role and I loved him during that section (well, I loved him from start to finish)--he looks so happy and confident and amusingly know-it-allish.  : )

[ggersten]

Posted: 5/1/15 at 3:41pm

Well, you don't have to stay for the coda.  In London, people did leave after the bows - and it would take "Christopher" a few more moments before coming back on stage.  People were milling around the door because of the reference to "stick around if you want to know how I got an A on my A Levels" and starting to leave because nothing was happening.  I don't know how much time elapses on Broadway between the end of the bows and the explanation.  

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 5/1/15 at 3:45pm

As I recall it came fairly quick at the NY performance I saw, ggersten.

[tazber]

Posted: 5/1/15 at 3:48pm

I don't know how long until he came back out, but we certainly weren't the only ones leaving the theater.

It sounds inconsequential. It changes nothing in terms of the impact the play has.

Updated On: 5/1/15 at 03:48 PM