‘The Idol’ finale: The ten most WTF scenes

The Idol wrapped up its reign as essentially the most WTF-worthy present on TV with an absolute doozy of a finale.

Titled “Jocelyn Perpetually,” the fifth and last episode of The Idol‘s first season noticed pop star Jocelyn (Lily-Rose Depp) seemingly finish her relationship with cult chief Tedros (Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye), obtain nice success, and kick off her world tour. Nevertheless it wouldn’t be an episode of The Idol with out some completely bonkers twists alongside the way in which.

From Jocelyn’s expertise present to a really baffling ending, listed here are the ten most WTF second from The Idol‘s finale.

Jocelyn stands as much as Tedros.

“Jocelyn Perpetually” opens with a pleasant change of tempo. As an alternative of regularly bowing to Tedros’ whims, Jocelyn seems fully bored of his antics. “I’m finished with you,” she tells him. Spoken like a real viewer of the present.

As nice as it’s to see Jocelyn lastly arise for herself, her change in angle comes virtually out of nowhere. In episode 4, we noticed her distraught on the reveal that Tedros and Dyanne (Jennie Ruby Jane) engineered her first encounter with Tedros. Now she’s simply cool, calm, and picked up as she takes over his cult? It undoubtedly looks like some connective tissue is lacking between episodes 4 and 5, so we begin the finale off on very wobbly footing.

Jocelyn throws a expertise present.

Ramsey in “The Idol.”
Credit score: Eddy Chen/HBO

When Dwell Nation consultant Andrew Finkelstein (Eli Roth) tells Jocelyn he has issues about her tour, she springs into motion. She recruits cult members Chloe (Suzanna Son), Izaak (Moses Sumney), and Ramsey (Ramsey) to be her openers, and tells them they’re going to “placed on the best fucking present they’ve ever seen.” The entire sequence has big “we have to placed on a present to save lots of camp” power — besides as an alternative of camp, it’s a tour price thousands and thousands of {dollars}. And as an alternative of a cute musical by campers, it’s a lineup of seedy musical performances filled with awkward gyrating and dry humping.

The scene would possibly have been bearable in fast montage type, however what we get is an interminable sequence that lasts over 20 minutes. In between performances (the place even Troye Sivan’s Xander will get in on the motion), Jocelyn’s staff lauds how proficient these singers are and Tedros’ “genius” in bringing all of them collectively. Nikki (Jane Adams) even says she desires to work with Tedros. The place did this come from? What are we doing right here? Why do I really feel the urge to by no means hearken to any of those artists ever once more?

Jocelyn’s ex Rob is falsely accused of rape.

Lily-Rose Depp in “The Idol.”
Credit score: Eddy Chen/HBO

Because the expertise present slogs on, Leia (Rachel Sennott) tries to get Jocelyn’s consideration a few breaking information story regarding her ex Rob (Karl Glusman). Seems that Xander and cultist Sophie (Sophie Mudd) orchestrated a suggestive picture with Rob in episode 4 to fabricate a false rape accusation and smash his profession. When Jocelyn hears about this, she is aware of instantly it was Tedros’ doing. It’s the ultimate straw for her, and he or she will get Chaim (Hank Azaria) to kick Tedros out. (Why didn’t she do it prior to now? Who is aware of.)

I like nothing greater than seeing Tedros get ousted, however is The Idol actually the present to attempt to sort out false rape accusations? It is a present that’s made intimacy coordinators the butt of a joke(opens in a brand new tab) and been labeled “torture porn.”(opens in a brand new tab) With its rape storyline, it perpetuates myths of false accusations(opens in a brand new tab) for a wierd facet plot.

Chaim tells a fairy story.

Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye in “The Idol.”
Credit score: Eddy Chen/HBO

You understand what I actually wanted from The Idol? Story time with Chaim. He tells Tedros a model of Little Crimson Driving Hood that’s alleged to be threatening, all intercut with Jocelyn making ready to carry out for Andrew. (The Idol loves chopping between scenes greater than Jocelyn loves brooding whereas smoking cigarettes.) Identical to the expertise present, the story goes on for too lengthy, till Chaim concludes with the assertion that he’s the hunter within the fairy story. Cool. Simply say that and get Tedros out of right here.

Jocelyn performs her new track “Dollhouse.”

Lily-Rose Depp in “The Idol.”
Credit score: Eddy Chen/HBO

The expertise present lastly winds down, which suggests it’s time for the primary occasion. Jocelyn performs her new track “Dollhouse” for Andrew, and it’s…quite a bit. She writhes and crawls alongside the ground, in choreography I can solely describe as “lap dance meets The Exorcist.”

Props to Depp for committing absolutely to the theatricality of the efficiency although, and props to Roth’s deliciously slimy supply of Andrew’s response. “As a father or mother determine, I couldn’t fucking be extra happy with you,” he says as Jocelyn kneels suggestively between his legs. Sure, it’s wildly on the nostril, nevertheless it did earn a serious snort from me.

Dyanne will get screwed over.

Jennie Ruby Jane in “The Idol.”
Credit score: Eddy Chen/HBO

The Idol appears to have a tough time remembering that Blackpink’s Jennie Ruby Jane is on this present, as a result of we barely see her character Dyanne within the finale. (Or within the present’s different episodes, to be sincere.) In “Jocelyn Perpetually,” we get one fast scene of her, the place Nikki reveals that Dyanne’s profession will take a backseat whereas her report label offers with authorized troubles in regards to the single “World Class Sinner.” Dyanne clearly is aware of Jocelyn had one thing to do with it, however earlier than we get extra of her response, she’s despatched off in an elevator to who-knows-where.

Given Blackpink’s draw and Jane’s starpower, Dyanne’s storyline looks like main wasted potential. We may have explored a brand new starlet’s rise to energy, or the competitors between Dyanne and Jocelyn. However no, we have now to make room for the Chloe/Xander/Izaak/Ramsey live performance from hell. Can we no less than get “World Class Sinner” (Dyanne’s Model)?

The time leap.

The forged of “The Idol.”
Credit score: Eddy Chen/HBO

With Tedros out of the image, The Idol jumps six weeks into the long run. Jocelyn is about to open her tour, her singles have all been smash hits, and Self-importance Honest reporter Talia (Hari Nef) printed an exposé about Tedros. All of that is revealed in sloppy expositional dialogue from Jocelyn’s staff. “Your workers stage a walkout claiming Jocelyn’s music is misogynistic and also you weren’t scared?” Nikki asks Andrew. Later, she says: “‘Fill the Void’ jumped 8,000 % simply that day.” Truthfully, I might have been way more considering seeing these scenes play out and Jocelyn’s preparations for her tour as an alternative of all of the Tedros mess. (Additionally, how did Jocelyn manage a tour in six weeks off of three profitable singles? She didn’t actually have a music video six weeks in the past!)

Jocelyn and Tedros reunite.

Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye and Lily-Rose Depp in “The Idol.”
Credit score: Eddy Chen/HBO

And simply once we thought Tedros was gone… he comes crawling again. Jocelyn invitations him to her tour, and the world is worse off for it. “None of this implies as a lot with out you,” she says as they reunite in her dressing room. “I don’t like being aside.” Jocelyn, come up with your self!

The worst second of the entire episode comes when Tedros finds the hairbrush Jocelyn’s mom used to beat her with. “It’s model new,” he says, eliciting a smirk from Jocelyn. Apparently, she’s been mendacity about her mom’s abuse this complete time, manipulating Tedros when he thought he was manipulating her. Not solely is that this a ridiculous plot twist — it additionally makes completely zero sense.

Jocelyn brings Tedros onstage.

Lily-Rose Depp and Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye in “The Idol.”
Credit score: Eddy Chen/HBO

Jocelyn takes the stage in a white robe, greeting her followers with Tedros’ culty catchphrase: “Good day, angels.” After that, will we get to see her carry out and unleash any of her star high quality? Completely not. As an alternative, she introduces Tedros because the love of her life, brings him onstage, and kisses him earlier than telling him he’s hers ceaselessly. Her staff seems to be on in horror in what must be the only most relatable second of the season.

One, Jocelyn is operating again to her abuser, albeit underneath the pretense that she’s been in management the entire time. (I don’t care what The Idol tells us, there isn’t any approach I’m shopping for that assertion.) Two, how does she assume that is going to play out? Tedros was torn aside in Talia’s Self-importance Honest article. He’s misplaced his membership, the IRS is after him, and he or she desires to publicly align herself with him? It’s a career-ruining transfer. (Though the screaming followers weirdly appear to recommend in any other case.)

The Idol ends with…a montage?

Lily-Rose Depp and Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye in “The Idol.”
Credit score: Eddy Chen/HBO

As Tesfaye croons over The Idol‘s closing credit, we’re subjected to a montage of clips from the present, behind-the-scenes footages, and bloopers — together with pictures from the notorious Rolling Stone clip that by no means really made the present. You understand, in case you need to relive all of the mess we simply went by way of.

The Idol is now streaming on Max.(opens in a brand new tab)