How Does Netflix The Watcher End?
The Watcher is Netflix's latest adventure into true crime. The seven-episode series is based on the shocking true story of Derek and Maria Broaddus, who received threatening letters from an anonymous author after purchasing a New Jersey mansion in 2014. The Ryan Murphy-produced series left viewers with a slew of unanswered questions after tuning into the show's cliffhanging finale.
Unlike the Broaddus family, who did not officially move into the real 657 Boulevard home in Westfield, New Jersey, Netflix's Dean (Bobby Cannavale) and Nora (Naomi Watts) Brannock were met with cryptic messages delivered to their mailbox from the time they moved in and settled into the seemingly picturesque neighborhood. As the series progresses, viewers uncover that the picture-perfect neighborhood the Brannocks and their three children moved into wasn't quite what it seemed. All of the tension builds up in the finale episode of the series.
If you're wondering what happened to the Brannock family and who was responsible for sending them letters, read ahead for a comprehensive explainer on the ending of Netflix's latest true crime series, The Watcher.
What Happened to Theodora in The Watcher Finale?
Episode seven begins with Nora and Dean attempting to get a fresh new start in New York City. The couple's new beginning took a turn after they discovered their private investigator, Theodora Brich's (Noma Dumezweni) cancer worsened, so they went to visit her. Nora later discovered that Dean has continued to look into possible theories to identify The Watcher, causing another wedge to the growing list of problems for the couple. Amid their marital woes, Theodora urged the couple to visit her again, where she confessed to Dean that she was indeed The Watcher. Theodora claimed to have concocted the idea after she lost out on the home due to her expensive cancer treatments.
Despite Nora's bedside confession, the Brannocks learned that she was not being truthful. While attending Theodora's funeral, her daughter revealed to the Brannocks that her mom's dying message to Dean was an attempt to help the couple receive closure since she was unsuccessful in uncovering the author's true identity.
How does The Watcher end?
Real estate agent-turned-Brannock family enemy Karen Calhoun (Jennifer Coolidge) used her connections in the media to publicize the theory that the Brannocks were actually sending the letters to themselves, which Dean ultimately admitted to. Nora urged him to apologize if he wants to preserve their strained marriage, and he agreed.
Karen officially moved into 657 Boulevard but had a very unwelcoming first night. The bathtub somehow overflowed, leaving hot water flooding throughout her floors. She later discovered that her dog was killed before watching a hooded figure pop out from underneath her staircase. One night in the seemingly haunted house was more than enough for Karen, who quickly fled the home.
Dean and Nora attended a therapy session where he said, "I keep trying to make this story have a happy ending, but it's not going to." The last scene of the series followed Dean, who lied to Nora about being at a job interview, as he watched a new family move into 657 Boulevard and told the new owner, "Congratulations." While Dean drove away, he noticed the new owner retrieve a letter from The Watcher out of the mailbox. Nora, who had been following Dean for some time, pulled into the parking space as he pulled out, with her own hopes of uncovering The Watcher's identity.
Was The Watcher's identity ever revealed?
Much like the true story of Derek and Maria Broaddus, Netflix's The Watcher ends with an open-ended mystery. The identity of The Watcher was never revealed.
You Might Also Like
