By Merrick · 1/5
Summary — Strong directing and performances can’t cover up writing that feels manipulative and emotionally dishonest.
I just finished the Season 2 finale of Barry and honestly thought it was badly written.
Nothing Barry did felt psychologically believable. It didn’t come across like a man snapping — it felt like the writers forcing the character to do whatever was needed to wipe the slate clean for Season 3.
Same with Sally’s theater piece. The show treated it like this raw moment of truth and empowerment, but it felt obviously fake and self-mythologizing to me. The reactions from everyone around her felt completely artificial.
The directing and performances were great, but the actual story felt manipulative instead of earned.