
Once the turkey-coma had finally subsided, the DVR was almost as full as I was. I promise the rest of the week won’t be catch-up, but for today, we have to spend a moment reminiscing on BBC America’s first run of the tasty Hotel Babylon which ended this past Wednesday. Babylon has been on for what seems like a year – not that I mind, but BBC’s unspoken decision to lump the first two seasons together left me wondering when it was all going to end.
Well, it’s a good thing they waited. The season one cliffhanger of Charlie’s shooting seemed so forced that the drama barely registered. I honestly didn’t even remember it when they aired the conclusion the next week. The season two finale, and the episode in question, serves as a much more fitting end for its current run. A super fancy (and super snotty) hotel magnate is finalizing his plans to buy the Babylon. He only wants to hire Rebecca, but gives her the opportunity to keep on two of her staff. After much deliberation, she fires everyone but Charlie. Everyone is so upset that they stage a small coup. And no one has sex! When it turns out that the mass firing was a stall tactic to keep the Babylon out of the wrong hands, Rebecca has already lost everyone’s trust. She takes this as a sign for her to leave her post and recommends that Charlie be her replacement. He runs after her to change her mind, but she is unswayed. A teary goodbye and snoggage ensue.
Cliffhangers of this sort are easily resolved – typically. We’d expect Rebecca to return next season… possibly in a lesser capacity… maybe forced to work back up the ladder? Not the case. Actress Tamzin Outhwaite has jumped the HMS Babylon in hopes of a film career. Sad on so many levels. Rebecca was not an expendable character. Her relationship with Charlie had too long of a build up for such a little payoff. Most of the characters on Hotel Babylon are caricatures at best, but Rebecca had depth. A woman so out of touch with those around her, she barely registered as human. It should also be said that Outhwaite’s bizarre speech patterns and frequently raised eyebrows were a highlight of the show. We will miss her, but at least the door is once again open for a Natalie/Charlie reunion.
