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The Luminaries ending explained, and what it means for season 2

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

From Digital Spy

The Luminaries spoilers follow – including its ending.

Adapted from page to screen by author Eleanor Catton, BBC drama The Luminaries is as intricate and suspenseful as its synopsis promised.

Combining themes of romance, mystery and magic with the backdrop of the 1860s gold rush era in New Zealand; the series follows Anna Wetherell (Eve Hewson) as she fights to clear her name of murder while navigating a supernatural bond with love interest Emery Staines (Himesh Patel).

Secrets and lies unravel, and surprising connections and impossible circumstances are revealed.

The Luminaries finale, explained

Anna is facing the prospect of the death penalty as her trial begins. But she uses the letters of Crosbie Wells (Ewen Leslie) to his half-brother Alistair Lauderback (Benedict Hardie) to prove that the two had never met – verifying that Francis Carver (Marton Csokas) posed as Crosbie to buy the Godspeed. Carver then admits to killing Crosbie.

Having been presumed dead, Emery arrives to be with Anna. In his absence their magical bond has given her not only the ability to read, but also to produce Emery's signature on the deed of gold.

Emery confirms Anna's illiteracy in court, and gives a false testimony to exonerate her. He is sentenced to nine months of hard labour while Anna is cleared of all charges.

Carver is being transported to prison when Te Rau Tauwhare (Richard Te Are) enters his carriage and kills him en route as vengeance for his friend Crosbie.

Lydia Wells (Eva Green) is left alone and devastated. Anna has a few pointed words for her, before forcing her to take the gold Lydia had sewn into the dresses herself.

Anna moves on, knowing she will be reunited with Emery soon enough.

Most of the loose threads have been tied up neatly by the end of episode six, but there are still a few moments that don't quite add up.

Why did Lydia Wells avoid punishment?

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

There are two reasons the scheming Lydia is able to escape charges. Her lover, Carver, protects her by lying in court that she had no involvement in his crimes.

Emery also claims he stole Anna's purse. Lydia was the real thief, using it to ensure Anna would seek her out in episode one and then planting it to incriminate her.

While she faces a different kind of comeuppance, it still feels like Lydia is let off lightly. But with his focus on helping Anna, perhaps Emery knows that confessing himself is the best option – as they have no means of proving who is the guilty party.

From a storytelling perspective, Lydia keeping her freedom avoids a more obvious conclusion; so maybe the aim was to leave things open to interpretation.

But she is not the only character we are left wondering over.

The mystery of Te Rau Tauwhare

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

Tauwhare's presence throughout the six episodes keeps us intrigued - and confused - far beyond the central story.

Carver shoots Tauwhare after being caught leaving Crosbie's cabin but is stunned to later spot him alive and well. The only clue to the Māori's survival is his greenstone necklace, which apparently takes the bullet. However, if it is that simple, it is curious that the show presents it as a twist.

He also manages to get into Carver's carriage undetected - and is nowhere to be seen afterwards. Yes, he could just be an extremely agile, clever character, but somehow we doubt this is the only explanation.

The Luminaries season 2, and what might happen next...

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

Of course, the issues mentioned above can only be resolved if a second series is commissioned - something which has not yet been confirmed or dismissed.

The novel does not have a sequel, but as a show The Luminaries offers less finality.

There is plenty to delve into with Tauwhare's unexplained mystical activities, leading us to consider whether he has supernatural abilities of his own. Could his 'lifesaving' necklace be the source of the magic?

Or maybe he too is an astral twin; switching souls with another character. This could be why he escapes injury in the same way Anna did – and would make sense given that he believed her when others didn't.

There is more to explore with Lydia, too. All her energy and fight seems to have gone by the time the series ends, so there is the possibility that she could change her ways and become a better person.

Alternatively, if she remains focused on her greed, this could provide a new opportunity for her to face justice.

Not only would a second season answer all our burning questions, it would update us on Anna and Emery's lives, independently as well as together.

After all, Anna was last seen panning for gold, carving out her own future rather than just waiting for Emery to return to her.

Often there is no story to tell after a TV couple's happy ending, but these two are no ordinary pairing – and there is bound to be more ground to cover with their cosmic connection.

The Luminaries airs on BBC One and is available on BBC iPlayer.


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