So when trying to anticipate what would happen between James and Teresa I realize I made two mistakes.Ā
The first was assuming that because they spent the season building Teresaās love for James, we would get a confession by seasonās end. The flaw with this is that while their relationship has always had season-long arcs, those arcs are of course part of a bigger plan for their relationship. The season arcs have always determined whose side they are on, their trust, even their location (separating them or bringing them back together), etc. The emotional beats to their relationship, however, (when one started to like the other, fell in love with the other, etc.) have always been exempt from them and when those happen are determined by the larger, long-term plan. Teresa telling James that she loves him isnāt an episode 1 thing or an episode 13 thing. Itās determined by the moment.Ā
The second was not taking all the moving parts of this season into consideration. I was so busy looking to Camila and James and Teresaās fallout that I never once, I admit, stopped to consider Devon Finch. Finch, naturally, was not going to give up after Bolivia. Not once he realized his plan to nail Teresa failed and his mole was killed. After Kelly Anne was taken out, James went back to being Finchās only real line to Teresa. And of course, as weāve known since early season two, James will not let himself be used against her; heāll surrender, heāll put himself between her and whoever is trying to hurt her. So he gave himself up.
I think this was such a shock to me because it wasnāt even an option being considered or theorized, by anyone. The closest we got was suggesting he might leave to go to work for Camila again or just plain leave. Forfeiting his freedom to protect Teresa from the CIA (which absolutely will not work in the long run) was not on the table.
Now that Iāve had time to think about this, and possible directions that it might go in, Iām more intrigued by it. I am still disappointed that we didnāt get James and Teresa together; they both deserve a break and happiness even if itās short-lived. But I can see the value of this story line, I love what this says about his feelings for her (no one loves or will ever love Teresa like James does), and I love the opportunities it presents- especially for Teresa when she inevitably finds out what James has done.Ā
Iāve really enjoyed reading everyoneās theories about where this might go.