Exclusive Revelation: Physical Season 3's Jaw-Dropping Finale Decoded by Creator
An insightful explanation of the enigmatic conclusion and final scene of Physical Season 3, revealing the creator's intention to balance conflicting desires and motivations in a thought-provoking manner
Warning: The article contains major spoilers for the Physical season 3 finale, "Like a Prayer"
Summary
In the concluding scene of the Apple TV+ drama Physical, Sheila is depicted joining Bunny's aerobics class. The show frequently blurs the boundary between reality and Sheila's imagination, leaving certain viewers pondering the authenticity of this reconciliation.
According to creator Annie Weisman, the reconciliation between Sheila and Bunny did happen, but the scene shifts into a symbolic and metaphorical memory space as they dance together.
Annie Weisman, the physical creator, sheds light on the ambiguous final scene of the Apple TV+ drama. The drama, led by Rose Byrne, returns to its origins in its closing moments. Initially, Sheila (Byrne) has a tense conversation with Bunny (Della Saba), the aerobics instructor who initially taught Sheila and guided her on the turbulent journey of self-discovery portrayed in the show. Sheila expresses guilt for taking credit for Bunny's teachings, which led to the closure of one of Bunny's businesses by Sheila's lawyers. Bunny reveals that someone else taught her aerobics and that it is not solely her own. In a unifying moment, Sheila joins Bunny's aerobics class. As Physical comes to its conclusion, the last shot shows Sheila alone in an empty studio in Mexico. Bunny is not there, nor is anyone else.
The Apple TV+ drama frequently blurs the boundary between reality and Sheila's tumultuous imagination, prompting speculation about whether Sheila truly made amends with Bunny. Weisman, in an interview with TVLine, affirms that the reconciliation did indeed occur. Please see Weisman's complete statement below:
The reconciliation was genuine and tangible. It undeniably took place. However, as the music begins and they connect and dance, we aimed to transition into a more abstract recollection. I suppose I wanted to have the best of both worlds. [Laughs]
How Physical Season 3 Wraps Up Sheila's Story
The third season of Physical concludes with a time jump, transitioning from 1983 to 1986. This mirrors the premiere episode, which also featured a flash-forward. Sheila and Greta (Dierdre Friel) have achieved great success with Body By Sheila, turning it into a multimillion-dollar franchise. However, despite her professional achievements, Sheila still battles with feelings of loneliness, which are temporarily eased in a scene with Bunny. These feelings of loneliness are further intensified by Sheila's visions.
In these visions, Sheila imagines a joyful and fulfilling relationship with John (Paul Sparks). This parallels her previous vision of Kelly (Zooey Deschanel), suggesting that Sheila's success has not freed her from her old patterns. It is when Sheila crosses paths with Tyler (Lou Taylor Pucci), Bunny's ex, that she decides to seek resolution. Through acknowledging her past with John and finding closure, Sheila is able to reconcile with Bunny to some extent.
In the final scene, this is made evident as Sheila gazes into the mirror and notices a blemish on her face. However, instead of allowing this to negatively affect her as it has in the past, Sheila exudes a newfound sense of confidence. The voiceover emphasizes the strong community that the main character has discovered. Furthermore, after receiving clarification from the series creator, it becomes apparent that Sheila's solitary moments at the end are not intended to be pessimistic. Perhaps, for the first time, Sheila has achieved inner peace.
