Varun Patel
‘Freud’ is a German-language television series that can be streamed on Netflix after careful, intrinsic consideration. To be clearer, the edgy show is not for the faint-hearted and easily qualifies as one of the most disturbing productions in recent times. The show portrays a young, fictionalized Sigmund Freud attempting to avert a supernaturally murderous conspiracy.
The densely-plotted narrative comes to an epic conclusion in the final episode of the series. Throughout the first seven episodes, the character of Fleur is depicted to be gradually sliding into psychological disturbance and demonic possession. The Hungarian aristocrats, Sophia and Viktor Szaparys’ plan of using her powers to cause a killing frenzy at a royal ball is finally materialized in the season finale.
Freud Finale Recap:
The police, under the directive of Georg’s father, comes looking for Kiss at Freud’s house. In a moment of genius pragmatism, Kiss tells the police that he has information on a planned attack at the Schönbrunn Palace. Sophia and Viktor kickstart their plan by hypnotizing a couple of attendees. Then, all hell seems to break loose…
There is confused fighting as a swashbuckling frenzy ensues. The Emperor is escorted away from the hall and to safety. A possessed/hypnotized Rudolf runs behind his father to kill him. Luckily, Kiss, Freud, Fleur and the police arrive at the right time to save the day. Fleur breaks the hypnotized attendees out of their trance. Then, Viktor and Sophia are open fired at.
Rudolf chases the Emperor to the hedge maze outside the palace. Freud manages to catch up with the Emperor. He advises him to say “Taltos orders you to sleep.”Rudolf calms down and drops his sword when the Emperor shouts the phrase multiple times.
Upon returning home, Freud tries to look for Fleur desperately. He does not notice that his partner, Martha is there. The two eventually meet. Freud writes a book on his experiences with hypnosis and Fleur. Martha reads it and asks Freud who Fleur is. Freud tells Martha that he did not mention all the details of his relationship with Fleur in the book. Martha tells Freud that the parts that are not included in the book must be unimportant.
Three Imperial guards summon Freud to the palace. The Emperor takes Freud to Rudolf’s room where a guard is given the duty of continuously shouting “Taltos orders you to sleep.” Freud tries to explain Rudolf’s condition to the Emperor. He tells him that one theory is that Fleur has supernatural powers. Another theory revolves around the inner demons that haunt Rudolf and others involved in the case.
He tells him that Rudolf’s condition has to do with the animal that was caged within him and unleashed by Fleur’s hypnosis. Freud then proceeds to hypnotize Rudolf. Rudolf shares how he has always been made to feel like he was not enough. He admits that him forcing himself on multiple women had been an act of demonstrating his manliness and superiority.
The Emperor takes Freud to another room. He tells Freud that Fleur will have a target on her back. Freud urges the Emperor to spare Fleur. Moreover, the Emperor informs Freud that information regarding the event will be suppressed. He threatens Freud to not publish his book and offers him his old job and a year’s rent in return.
Kiss goes to his superior’s office and kills him. Freud’s family visits him and Martha announces that Freud and she would be getting married. Kiss is at Freud’s house and tells him that Vienna needs his services. Freud burns his book. Kiss goes to the canals after emitting an animalistic roar.
Freud resigns from the psychiatric hospital. Then, Fleur meets him secretly in a carriage. She tells him that she wants her story to be suppressed since Taltos does not haunt her anymore and has become a fire inside her that she can control (presumably speaking metaphorically). She urges Freud to not write books about her, but write because of her instead. She makes him say “therapy over, next one please.” When he returns home, Freud remembers the people he encountered while being involved in the conspiracy and shares how people’s deepest desires often come to the fore one way or another. Martha tells Freud that he has a patient waiting for him…
Freud Ending Explained
The ending of ‘Freud’ turns out to be surprisingly conclusive. It is a very closed ending, not leaving much to the viewers’ imagination. Hence, it feels extremely satisfying, having tied up the plot neatly. Moreover, the conclusion feels positive, in stark contrast to how dark the rest of the series is. But what does the end signify?
Well, from my point of view, the ending depicts how Freud wants to change the world and how it views psychological problems. Not being able to publish the book might actually be a blessing in disguise for Freud. Vienna needs him, as Kiss puts it. Freud would be able to make the most amount of change by providing his services to those in need as opposed to being banished or killed and not be able to do anything.
Moreover, Freud is constantly depicted to have an issue with what his family thinks of him. Perhaps, by the act of settling down, Freud is taking care of this deep-seated desire of stability. Perhaps, his decision to resign and start his own practice is a sign of Freud standing up for himself, unfazed by the work or views of others in the field.
On the other hand, Kiss is depicted going to the canals. This connotes how he has embraced his inner, animalistic side. The conclusion to Kiss’ story does not serve to be ethically justified. One can argue whether Kiss is doing the right thing or not. However, one thing that Kiss is certainly doing is listening to his deepest desires: something he has not done too openly.
Read More: Where Was Freud Filmed?
