This is an episode of false endings although, musically speaking, I’m still not entirely sure what the point of them is. I think they work best if the coda is in a different tempo or takes off in an entirely new musical direction. That can be very satisfying. When they first started, Arcade Fire (not featured here) used to pull off that sort of thing very well.
They probably work best in films. Less so in books because you can tell how much book is left. And probably these days you’re watching the film on Netflix and have worked out whether you can fit the running time in before a weekday bedtime. So you know there’s still 38 minutes left. But in the cinema it works.
‘Alien’’s a good example. Horror films generally, perhaps. It’s almost a calling card to leave the possibility of a sequel open. The camera pans back to see the archvillain pov. He did not actually get destroyed in the fall from the tall building, no. He’s still lurking in the shadows, haunting everyone’s dreams, ready to go again in Part 5.
If it’s a 10-parter and the action is all wrapped up halfway through Episode 9 you can guess we’re not done yet. Colombo used to do this sort of thing rather well in the detective genre. Pausing in the doorway, shuffling round before taking his hat and leaving. “There was just one other thing I noticed …” In fact well constructed whodunits on the classic pattern descend into a long series of false endings from halfway through. The police congratulating themselves on closing the case when there are still 75 pages left.
A false ending is quite brave to perform live. Not everyone knows the song. People will always start clapping as the song apparently comes to a close. The cognoscenti can feel smug sitting on their hands. Maybe that’s a reason it’s done?
So, false endings. It’s a fun episode. They think it’s all over - two minutes later, it is now.
Tracklist:-
Tidal wave, MX-80
Flame, Sebadoh
City hell, Jockstrap
Pneumonia, Fog
Passing over, Nice Biscuit
A paw in my face, The Field
Safe European homes, The Clash
No surprise, Fugazi
Shady lane, Pavement
John Doe #24, Mary Chapin Carpenter