“The Night Manager” Season 2 Finale: A Tragic End and a Dark Setup for Season 3
*SPOILER ALERT: This post contains spoilers from the Season 2 finale of “The Night Manager,” now streaming on Prime Video.Â
Nearly a decade after it first premiered in 2016, “The Night Manager” has closed out its belated second season with a pair of tragic deaths and a bruising set-up for its final chapter.
The Prime Video spy thriller, based on the works of author John le Carré, brought back its troubled intelligence agent Jonathan Pine (Tom Hiddleston) for what was initially pitched as a new mission into the depths of Colombia and the treacherous world of young arms dealer Teddy De Santos (Diego Calva). But rather quickly, the series from creator/writer David Farr revealed it wasn’t as divorced from its first season as it wanted viewers to believe.
By Episode 3, Jonathan learns that his nemesis from Season 1, the vicious arms dealer Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie) hadn’t died at the hands of his enemies as he had believed — and hoped. Instead, Roper had faked his death by blackmailing Jonathan’s former handler Angela Burr (Olivia Colman), and disappeared into the jungles of Colombia for cover as he planned his next act. Helping his cause was the son he’d fathered as a young man but largely ignored until he needed something — Teddy, who was eager to help the father he always longed to know. But Jonathan’s infiltration of Teddy’s operation as a Hong Kong businessman managed to get him close enough to the hot-headed young kingpin to develop a relationship with him, one that blurred the line of romance and danger. Ultimately, Teddy’s affection for Jonathan allowed him to see that he was just being used by his father as a means of resurrection. He is a vestige of Roper’s youth and would never be acknowledged as his legitimate son like Danny (Noah Jupe), his younger offspring who is toiling away at a boarding school with a chip on his shoulder about his supposedly dead dad.
In the finale, allegiances have flipped. Jonathan’s former informant into Teddy’s operation, Roxana (Camila Morrone), has defected to Roper’s side, even going as far as to try and orchestrate Jonathan’s assassination. Teddy, meanwhile, has gone all in on his devotion to Jonathan, while still playing the dutiful son for Roper. In the hope of righting the wrong of helping Roper fake his death, Angela has also cornered Mayra (Indira Varma), the MI-6 chief who is in cahoots with Roper. But Jonathan, Teddy and Angela’s plan to divert Roper’s purchase of an electromagnetic pulse device meant to plunge South America into chaos is thwarted when Roper catches on to Teddy’s love for Jonathan. Their planned ambush is turned on them, and ultimately Roper puts a bullet in Teddy’s head for his defection.
Jonathan manages to get away, albeit beaten, bloody and devastated by the loss of his partner (in all senses of the word). What he doesn’t know is that Angela has also been gunned down in front of her young daughter, in Roper and Mayra’s latest attempt to tie up loose ends.
It took Farr years to crack the code of restarting Jonathan’s story, and Teddy was the key to doing it. It’s why there was never a doubt in his mind that the character had to die by season’s end in order to set up the final chapter of his trilogy of Jonathan and Roper’s battle.
“Roper had to make the most brutal decision,” Farr tells Variety. “I felt he needed to win in some very dark way. But I didn’t just want it to be a plotty thing: It needed to have a very dark emotional cost, so it was always inevitable for me.”
Below, Farr breaks down the complicated relationship between Jonathan (whom he calls by his last name, Pine) and Teddy, why he is adamant it was a love story (to a degree), whether Angela was always on the chopping block and what Season 3 might look like –– when he is done writing it.
Looking back on the second season now, what was the biggest challenge in resurrecting this story after a decade?
The reason we didn’t do it for ages was that I was very anxious about just suddenly plowing into something without a worthy reason to do so. I wanted to find a way to extend this story in a satisfying way that I felt justified it being a trilogy. As is often the way with writing, it helped that I finally had one very clear idea, which was the whole Teddy story. The notion that Roper, as a young man, could have been a gunrunner in Colombia felt right to me. He was cutting his teeth there and had a kid, and in his time of need after the Syrian situation, that’s where he would naturally go for cover and figure out a plan. Once I figured that out, it just happened.Â
It also reflects that fathers-and-sons dynamic. It opens up Teddy as an alternative son, and Pine as a surrogate son. So suddenly this whole thing, this very le Carré theme, just fell into place.
It’s a heartbreaking moment, and one that really solidifies Roper’s character as a ruthless and unforgiving individual. Despite all of his flaws, Teddy was still his son, and to see him meet such a tragic end at the hands of his own father is truly tragic. It’s a moment that leaves a lasting impact on the audience and serves as a reminder of the brutal reality of the world they inhabit.
Overall, the second season of “The Night Manager” delves deeper into the complexities of its characters and their relationships, offering a more nuanced and emotionally resonant storyline. The exploration of themes such as love, betrayal, and redemption adds depth to the narrative, making it a compelling watch for fans of the series. With stellar performances from the cast and a gripping plot, the second season proves to be a worthy continuation of the story that began in the first season. It will be interesting to see where the story goes next in a potential third season, as the characters continue to navigate the dangerous world of espionage and intrigue.
Season 3 will definitely be a winner-takes-all showdown, but it may not be as straightforward as one might expect. There will be twists and turns along the way that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
Overall, the decision to kill off certain characters in “The Night Manager” was not taken lightly. It was done in service of the story and to create emotional impact for the remaining characters. The deaths of Teddy and Angela will have lasting effects on the characters moving forward, shaping their actions and decisions in Season 3.
As the series moves forward, new characters like Sally will step up to fill the void left by those who have passed. The legacy of characters like Angela will continue to be felt in Season 3, adding depth and complexity to the storyline.
With Season 3 on the horizon, fans can look forward to a thrilling conclusion to the story of Jonathan, Roper, and the other characters caught up in the world of espionage and intrigue. The stakes will be higher, the tension will be palpable, and the resolution will be satisfying for viewers who have invested in the journey of these characters. Jonathan’s journey has left him scarred in more ways than one. Physically, mentally, and emotionally wounded, he is struggling to come to terms with the events that transpired in the last season. But what about Roper? Did the notorious villain suffer any damage that will affect him in the upcoming Season 3?
Roper is often portrayed as the worst man in the world, a heartless and ruthless individual. However, according to the creators of the show, there is more to him than meets the eye. While he may have committed unspeakable acts, he is not devoid of emotions or vulnerabilities. The impact of his actions is yet to be fully realized, and that uncertainty adds an intriguing layer to his character.
As the writer delves deeper into Roper’s psyche, it becomes clear that there is more to him than just a cold-hearted criminal. His past, his motivations, and his inner turmoil all play a role in shaping who he is. The upcoming season promises to explore these aspects of his character, shedding light on the complexities of his personality.
In an interview, the creators of the show hinted at the challenges that Roper will face in Season 3. His past misdeeds will come back to haunt him, forcing him to confront the consequences of his actions. How he deals with these challenges will not only test his character but also provide new insights into his true nature.
As the story unfolds, viewers can expect a deeper exploration of Roper’s character, uncovering the layers of complexity that make him more than just a one-dimensional villain. His journey may be fraught with obstacles and conflicts, but it is through these challenges that his true self will be revealed.
In conclusion, the upcoming season of the show promises to offer a fresh perspective on Roper’s character. His journey may be different from what viewers expect, delving into the depths of his psyche and unraveling the complexities that define him. As the story unfolds, it will be interesting to see how Roper navigates the challenges that lie ahead and whether he will emerge unscathed or forever changed.
