Nothing ever ends. A theme that has played out through the Watchmen saga from the beginning. The sentiment feeling particularly poignant today, as we digest the final instalment of HBO’s Watchmen and are left wondering if this is, in fact, the end. There is no question that this is the end of a great season of television. One that dove deep into social issues while at the same time crafting a nearly flawlessly written story around jaw dropping film making. A season of television capped with a finale that stuck the landing on nearly all it’s plot lines like an Olympic acrobat at the end of their routine. A show so complex that trying to unpack it all can twist the brain and make you feel like a genius one moment and an idiot the next. It’s almost all too good to be true. Which leaves the only remaining caveat; will there be a season 2? There’s a real possibility that HBO’s Watchmen will only be remembered as a one-off television sequel to a best selling graphic novel. A series that was so unlikely to even exist, never mind be as amazing as it turned out to be, that it too could only be described as a thermodynamic miracle.

With the season drawing to a close we finally get our first look at Dr. Manhattan, and get to spend some time in what we perceive as his past. Much like the Watchmaker chapter from the original comic, the episode attempts to translate Manhattan’s perception of time by exposing the audience to interconnected and overlapping periods in his life. A conversation over beers with Angela provides a through-line as the episode jumps between various events; including a young Jon Osterman having his first voyeuristic experience, Veidt explaining his first plan to neutralize Dr. Manhattan, Jon adopting Cal’s existence, and Veidt’s retirement to Europa.

Back in 2019 Angela is forced to sacrifice her husband’s demure, family man persona, in order to warn Manhattan of the impending attack. While Jon reconnects with Angela, he is having his first/last conversation with her grandfather in 2009, and the pitfalls of “time travel” are displayed. With the 7th Kavalry descending on them time is running out for the indestructible man; once again, the most powerful being in existence is the prisoner of providence, and once again he is too late. Always has been, always will be. Too late.

Dan and Jeremy are back to breakdown the latest episode of HBO’s Watchmen series; the most appropriately titled episode to date, this week left us all in feeling shock and “An Almost Religious Awe”.

Angela relives some of her own memories as she comes down from the Nostalgia trip; Petey stumbles into the aftermath of Looking Glass’ last stand; Lady Trieu takes advantage of an elephant that never forgets; Laurie overplays her hand; Veidt faces day 365 of his trial; Bian’s true lineage is revealed; Joe Keene explains his master (race) plan; and, with the Doomsday Clock close to midnight, the bell tolls for Cal and Angela’s secret.