In June, after the last episode of Barry aired, Bill Hader disclosed that a scene in the finale had been altered due to a question raised by one of the actors regarding the chosen direction.
Initially, Hader had intended for Sally Reed to form a connection with NoHo Hank as he neared death following the confrontation with Fuches. However, Sarah Goldberg, the actress playing Sally, questioned the plausibility of such a bond, leading Hader to revise the scene for HBO's popular show.
Hader explained to Variety the original Barry scene and the reason for his change. He considered the meeting between Sally and NoHo Hank to be a significant moment in the show. However, upon reflection, he realized that it would not make sense for Sally to connect with Hank, considering the actions he had taken against her. Hader admitted that he initially wanted to please the fans with the scene and also wanted to introduce a hopeful element to the show due to concerns about its dark tone. After receiving notes from Goldberg, Hader decided to alter the scene. In the revised version, as NoHo Hank faced his impending death, he clung to the statue of Cristobal, his former lover whom he had killed when Cristobal refused to participate in Hank's return to the drug trade. This gesture symbolized that, despite Hank's choice to pursue an underworld lifestyle, his feelings for Cristobal remained unmatched and sincere - a heart-wrenching plot twist in Barry.
Hank and Sally had never been in the same room before he kidnapped her and her son in the penultimate episode of the show. The only interaction they had before was when Hank attempted to have Barry killed with Sally present, which ultimately failed. There was no logical reason for them to have any connection unless Sally suddenly developed Stockholm Syndrome.
These stories highlight the importance of listening to the actors on set. They have a deep understanding of the characters they portray and their insights are valuable. The finale of Barry was divisive among fans due to its bleakness. However, if it weren't for Goldberg's notes, the decision may have left the fans universally confused.
Barry can be streamed on Max.
Source: Variety