Burden of Truth Review: Standing By Peaceful Water (Season 4 Episode 8)
The final hour sees the aftermath of Joanna’s life-changing decision, unexpected reunions, and big moves on a quiet and substantially emotional farewell Burden of Truth Season 4 Episode 8, “Standing by Peaceful Water.”
What makes this series finale interesting is that while the penultimate episode, “Where The Shadows Lie Waiting…,” provided that high-tension, fast-paced storytelling, the final episode provides a sense of closure for everyone in a way that you rarely see in finales.
The closure also brings a sense of peace throughout the hour, offering every character a wonderful, well-earned emotional moment as they embark on their new adventures.
Luna’s spirit naming ceremony is one of the perfect examples of that closure bringing about peace with a burst of emotion that stays with you after the hour closes out.
The young law student spent most of the second half of the season contemplating Nevin’s offer to join his firm and what it would mean for all she believes in. It’s a conversation with Nevin outside of Joanna’s hearing and a talk with Owen that leads her to the ceremony.
Nevin: Being a lawyer doesn’t change who you are. It amplifies it.
The entire scene, beautifully filmed and profoundly important, clearly denotes the gravity of getting her name from the ceremony.
Luna’s name even perfectly encapsulates her being and whom we’ve seen her grow into over the last four seasons: the wise one.
Meanwhile, Joanna and Billy await the reveal of her professional fate in front of the disciplinary board. Though she previously announced her resignation, Joanna begins to consider the reasons why she willingly resigned.
This introspective aspect of the story allows Joanna to examine her past actions from CTS to her work in Millwood in the light of an important question posed both by her mind and the board’s attorney: is she a good person?
The question becomes central to everything Joanna’s done and everything that’s happened over the series and the season. What’s unexpected, and in hindsight, was hinted at through her postpartum anxiety is the exploration of Joanna’s relationship with her father.
Billy: If you don’t face your past, you will never be free from it, and I will be right there beside you.
There’s something simultaneously so quiet and big about Billy questioning her about Joanna and David’s dynamic while working at CTS. The fact that he calls it abusive is startling but rings true.
Kristin Kreuk’s impassioned monologue about the definition of character, goodness, and essentially integrity evokes a well of emotions as you find yourself rooting for Joanna and remain just as invested in her legal future as she is.
Though seemingly a little unrealistic, the board’s determination is a perfect note to end Joanna’s legal arc for the season and the series while offering her a break to explore family life and find other ways to do good in the community further.
Joanna being the one to propose to Billy after getting his first proposal interrupted, is perfect. Their vow-like “counter-proposals” are so very lovely and highlight what made their relationship so wonderful to watch over the years. They push each other to be their best and build their relationship on mutual admiration, respect, and love.
Elsewhere, Owen struggles with the right things to say in the face of Kip’s rejection of his adoption offer. Thanks to Dianne, though, there’s a perfect solution – sincerity and open communication.
What results is a beautiful, quiet moment between the three of them in Owen and Diane’s kitchen with a new offer. There’s a warmth, sweetness, and sense of family at this moment that leaves you misty-eyed and happy that things don’t end on a sour note.
Taylor’s been spending most of the season reconciling her sense of morality with what her job entails, so it’s a surprise to see that the finale has her dealing with her tumultuous relationship with her father and opening that old wound.
But much like Joanna, it’s what she needs to genuinely move on and embrace the next chapter in her life, offering her that sense of peace she’s been missing all these years.
“Standing By Peaceful Water” ends the series on a hopeful note with the promise of the growth these characters have exhibited being used wisely to open a world of possibilities for their futures.
Random Thoughts
- Was there a part of me losing hope that we’d learn baby Crawford-Chang’s name as the final needle drop? Yes. It’s what makes that quick moment with their little family in their home office looking at Billy’s brief so delightful.
- We should have had more Hank. But I do appreciate his involvement with Billy, his granddaughter and Joanna, making Billy calling Hank his father even more indicative of what their relationship from now on will look like.
- Billy’s momentary doubt in his legal abilities is heartbreaking but the affirmation from his dad and his moment proving exactly what Hank and Joanna knew about his abilities was a wonderful way to close things out professionally for him.
What did you think of the Burden of Truth finale? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Brianna Martinez
Brianna spends her time away from briefs, legal research, and pleadings, watching TV and writing about it. She generally has a lot of feelings about TV, which you can read about here and on Twitter.