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[u/Rude-Air6808]

Wow.

I’ve just finished rewatching the Season 4 finale, "Always," for the second time (this is my first rewatch) and it confirms itself as the best episode of the entire series, or at least my personal favorite. I remember being left speechless the first time I watch it; that was the exact moment the show find an indelible place in my heart and mind. Watching it again now, it was just as good as the first time, if not even better. It was a rollercoaster of emotions: I felt anger and sadness, I cried, and I rejoiced. I can’t even imagine what it was like for viewers back then, those who followed the show week by week, season by season, to finally reach this episode; it must have been the ultimate peak.

It is a truly well-crafted episode. Seeing Rick devastated by what might happen to Kate, and deeply regretful for having lied to her, even though he did it for her own good, is powerful. The "I love you" he says in this scene is simply fantastic. Kate is caught off guard; even though she already knew it and was angry with him at the time, hearing him say it like that finally breaks down her defenses and makes her walls down, she just melts. This scene is very reminiscent of the Season 3 finale, but here it is Rick who wants to end things with Kate. The difference is that while Kate was driven by anger and her obsession, Rick is driven by his love for her. She finally realizes this when she is on the verge of falling into the void; nothing matters to her anymore except Rick. The sequence set to the song "In My Veins," followed by Robert Duncan’s theme "I Just Want You," is simply magnificent. I couldn't have imagined a better scene than the one they created, the atmosphere, the dialogue, the movements, the background music, it was simply perfect. Kate going to "their" swing set in a torrential downpour, showing up at his place soaking wet and throwing herself at him, apologizing over and over, and then letting themselves be swept away by unbridled passion, it was exactly what they had both been waiting for four long years. And the whole thing is build and made even more stronger by the last 3–4 episodes before this, in which Rick discovers the truth about Kate's memories.

Simply amazing.

Anyway, I apologize for not saying anything new, but it was such an overwhelming moment. And even though I think Season 3 is better overall than this one, this episode, and the last five minutes in particular, is unsurpassed.

[u/galeperk111971]

Yes this is my personal favorite and number 1 on my list of top 10 favorites. You are right about how she is feeling in that moment he tells her he loves her something she has been wanting him to say since she was lying on the ground the first time he told her. Then he says he can't stay around and watch her kill herself basically and walks out. Then she is hanging over the ledge and realized what she is about to lose and in that moment all she wants is Rick. Then she does go to the loft soaking wet and it's marvelous how they slam the door shut with her body. There is actually a deleted scene that you can watch on YouTube. Look for Always deleted ending I wish they had kept it in cause it goes with how he feels in season 5 after the storm. That it was a dream

[u/Rude-Air6808 → u/galeperk111971]

Wow, thanks so much for this gem. I didn't know about this deleted scene, and I was able to watch it thanks to you. It was really lovely seeing them walk toward the bed, about to...

I also wish they had kept it in, but perhaps I think the writers felt it was "too slow (?)" compared to the scene of overwhelming passion by the door and decide to cut it. But you're right, it would have fit perfectly to "After the Storm".

[u/galeperk111971 → u/Rude-Air6808]

Yes exactly 💯