Iâm forever grateful in how they handled this scene.
A lesser show mightâve had Merstede swim to the surface holding onto Ed, literally rescuing him. As it is, they donât even touch, yet itâs so visually powerful. The mirroring, which says, I see you, I am you, âyouâre safeâ.
But most importantly, the narrative allowing Ed agency to decide for himself whether to live or die after being offered emotional safety.
Later, Ed tells Stede, âYou saved my life.â Whilst Stedeâs voice, handhold, and little chest thumps is certainly a catalyst, itâs Ed who reaches out, undoes his rope, knocks that ring, mirrors back, and takes it over the line.
Itâs just the most perfect moment of tv, and most days, I still canât believe it exists.