THE FINDER Series Finale Recap: ‘The Boy with the Bucket’

Well, dang!  When I’m thinking of watching a TV show again, for me it’s always “Do I want/need to know more?” And while this season of THE FINDER has been up and down for me, when the final scenes were occurring — starting at the moment where Walter emotionally said goodbye to his father and ending with the final black screen – I kept thinking, I want more.

As you probably know, THE FINDER has officially been cancelled by Fox (details on this and other Fox cancellations/renewals found here), so there won’t be any more knowing, which is a bummer. I have to say though, Fox, if you are reading this, running an ad for THE CHOICE a new reality show you have on the books, during the closing credits of a show you’ve just cancelled seems cruel. WTF? Enough of that, let’s discuss the episode.

If I had to pick a theme for this episode, it would be a toss- up between family and identity. Additionally, the episode had three strong storylines:

1. Walter’s brother arrives to ask for his help in fulfilling their dying father’s wish — to find the mother who left them.
2. A local art curator tells Walter that a painting he found for them four years ago was really a forged version—meaning the item he was paid to find is still missing.
3. Willa receives an invitation to her own wedding to Timo. She must decide what to do.

There is a LOT to discuss, but the bottom line is that I really enjoyed seeing Walter reconnect with his brother Langston (played by Geoff Stults’ real life brother George Stults). His parents were less than desirable people, which I thought was interesting. Walter’s father was very negative, even expressing that he’s lost his son, and his mother was very emotionally spastic and unlikable. I didn’t care much for the way she treated either of her sons.

I also really liked the case portion of this episode. Patrick Fischler is a great actor who turned in some good work on BONES in season three and again in this episode of THE FINDER as the art analyst who convinced Walter, Leo and Isabel that the museum’s painting was either real or created by a clone of Winslow Homer.

As Leo and Isabel and Willa help Walter find the truth — in this case that a man in a psychiatric facility spends his time convinced he is Winslow Homer and recreating his works, Walter and Langston search for their mother. This puts them in a dangerous path, and some of Walter’s armed forces skills comes to light. Without Leo around to do the heavy hand-to-hand combat, Walter’s darker side is revealed.

Willa is the character I’ve liked the least, but in this episode, she was useful to the case while also feeling her way through how to deal with her future. It was an interesting turn of events when Uncle Shadrack told her she is worth an incredible amount to the family…worth three Timos, in fact. The entire arrangement to marry them off centers entirely on her. I wonder if that fact is what actually gave her the motivation to leave. I think she genuinely loved Timo, in some way, and she knew he’d never be truly happy with her. Eric Roberts (always great) was cruelly compelling as Uncle Shadrack and I’ve really enjoyed Amy Aquino’s progression as Willa’s annoyed then supportive parole officer.

Walter’s finder power, and its potential to do him harm if he CAN’T find what he’s looking for, has been a recurring theme this season. But (correct me if I’m wrong) I think this episode was the first to mention that he was very different before his accident. I always pictured Walter as somewhat of an eccentric, kooky kid, guy, whatever. That his laughter and fun (at times) personality is also a result of his accident is very fascinating and gives us another clue as to why he is so insistent at keeping that mojo intact — even at the loss of his natural family. That these new qualities of his are what endears him to his Ends of the Earth family could also play in to why he’s so keen on making sure they exist. Additionally, it gave more meaning to the impetus for the Walter/Leo relationship. Leo and Walter both have the physical strength to do a lot of damage to people. Leo has the heart not to, and Walter relies on Leo to do the hurting when necessary, which in turn prevents him from doing any hurting. It’s a good relationship until they are split apart, even for just one case.

The only negatives in this episode are the “heavy on the exposition” car scene between Leo and Walter and the awkwardness of Isabel’s characterization — she was never a solid character this season. I’m not sure if that was writing or acting or what.

The series ends with Walter being arrested as Isabel and Leo are forced to look on. Isabel has to turn in her badge and gun and neither of them can do anything while Walter resists. Only when he’s knocked to the ground does he catch sight of Leo and Isabel. This episode was full of some really, really good subtle work from Geoff Stults, and the final moment where he sort of relaxes and smiles at the sight of HIS “family” was very excellent—at least, that is what the look on his face represented to me. Thoughts from you?

Meanwhile, Timo delivers bad news to Shadrack and gets punished for it, and we see Willa on the road, trying to hitch her way somewhere…anywhere else, I’d imagine.

This isn’t the part of the post where I say THE FINDER never really had a chance to find an audience/get footing, etc. I think it had quite a few chances and guest stars and writers and directors, etc. It just didn’t stick. Tough business!

Enough from me. How did you like this episode? Which elements of “family” and “identity” stuck out to you most, if any? And since this is likely the last time we’ll discuss THE FINDER here, what are some of your favorite moments of the season?