Apple TV+ ‘City on Fire’ Episode 8 Review - Loose Ends and Lost Hopes

Episode 8 of 'City on Fire' is the highly anticipated finale titled 'In The Dark,' and let me tell you, it left a lot to be desired. Honestly, out of all the episodes in the series, this one ranks as my least favorite. I had high hopes for a thrilling conclusion, but sadly, it fell flat on its face.

Right off the bat, the episode defuses the bomb threat that had been building up all season within the first minute. Talk about a letdown! I was hoping for some nail-biting suspense, but instead, they decided to wrap it up swiftly and move on. Way to kill the tension, guys.

Detective Ali finally gathers Sewer Girl and Charlie to get the full story of what happened the night Sam was shot. Cue the flashback! Turns out, it was SG and Sol who pulled the trigger. Surprise, surprise! SG's jealousy over Sam's special treatment from Nicky drove her to commit such a despicable act. And poor Charlie, who had actually formed a bond with SG, ends up heartbroken and betrayed. Great, just great.

But wait, let's talk about the elephant in the room. What happened to Armory? You know, the mastermind behind all the chaos and despair? Well, he conveniently vanishes without a trace. Seriously? After being the primary antagonist throughout the series, he just walks away, leaving us hanging. Bravo, writers, bravo.

Oh, and let's not forget the inconsistencies that plagued this finale. SG confesses her involvement in Sam's shooting, and suddenly she becomes distraught because Charlie, the guy who's head over heels for Sam, won't speak to her. Really? That's the emotional response we're going with? It makes no sense and feels completely forced.

And don't even get me started on the never-ending wait for an ambulance when William is stabbed. Seriously, folks, you couldn't just take him to the hospital yourselves? No, let's sit around for hours and hope for the best. It's not like every minute counts or anything.

Also, the vision of William encouraging Sam to wake up from her coma. It left me scratching my head. Throughout the series, there was never a strong connection established between William and Sam. So why on earth did she see him in her vision, urging her to awaken? It felt out of place and left me thoroughly confused.

But wait, there's more! Nicky shoots Sol without any consequences. Yeah, that happened. And then we're left hanging, wondering what the fallout of such a significant event will be. Oh, wait, we never find out. How convenient.

The finale couldn't resist throwing in some clichéd moments as well. Characters stare at the starry sky during the blackout, as if it magically cleansed the city of all its problems. Give me a break. And the reunion of Regan and Keith, complete with an unnecessary and cringe-inducing sex scene. Seriously, did we really need that? A sweet and tender moment would have sufficed, thank you very much.

Now, let's find some silver linings in this disappointing episode. I must admit, the nurse and Sam's father delivered standout performances. With their limited screen time, they managed to evoke genuine emotion as they fought to keep Sam alive manually during the electricity blackout. It was a brief respite in an otherwise lackluster finale.

On another bright note, the subplot involving Regan and Keith's children getting lost and eventually finding their way home was quite adorable. Amidst all the chaos and confusion, it provided a heartwarming moment as young Will took charge and ensured he and his baby sister’s safe return. It was a small glimmer of sweetness in an otherwise disappointing finale.

And here's a twist that managed to salvage some of my frustration and even made me laugh out loud. The closure of Regan's baby storyline revealed that the child conceived from her unfortunate sexual assault was none other than Charlie himself. Talk about a full-circle moment. It was ironic and satisfying, providing a brief glimmer of brilliance in an episode that sorely lacked it.

Overall, 'In The Dark' failed to live up to its potential as a captivating finale. Unresolved plotlines, inconsistent character motivations, and an overabundance of clichés left me feeling unsatisfied and even a tad bitter. This episode didn't pull any punches, and neither will I. 'City on Fire' deserved a better send-off, plain and simple.

Final Score- [4.5/10]