I know as usual that I’m a few weeks behind the true fans, but I just started watching Rectify this week, and it’s really moving me. I think that it might be the soundtrack, which hits all of the right heartstrings at all of the right moments. Even the introduction song kills me.
Basically, it’s about a man, Daniel, who was put on death row after being convicted of raping and murdering his girlfriend. At the time, he was 18. Nineteen years after his conviction — and five appeals later — he is released on a DNA technicality. He returns back to the small town in Georgia where he was raised — to his mother, who sent him books, to his sister, who fought for his life, to his half-brother, whom he’s never met, to his step-brother’s wife, whom he calls his Beatrice.
After thinking so long that he’ll never look out a window; never touch a woman; never walk on grass; never feel love, he founds himself back in the world, in its entirety. Every little thing is a miracle.
The plot is moved by a re-trial — although Daniel’s been released, he hasn’t been exonerated. It’s not clear what has happened to his ex-girlfriend; I have a sense that Daniel, whose affect reminds me of John from Cincinnati, might be less innocent than he seems. Still, you feel for his character so deeply.
The season pass for the show is only $9.99 on iTunes — or you could watch it illegally, I’m sure. It’s worth it if you’re looking forward to a show for the weekend. It’s only on the sixth episode.
