Summary
The finale brings a typical rom-com ending, which feels a little shallow and underwhelming.
This recap of Netflix’s Christmas Flow season 1, episode 3 — the ending explained — contains spoilers.
Will Marcus and Lila end up together? That’s the remaining question in this small 3-part series.
Christmas Flow season 1, episode 3 recap – finale and ending explained
Episode 3 opens with Marcus doing an interview about the article published by Womenista regarding his misogyny and plagiarism. It’s been a year since the incident in his family home, and his world fell apart. He’s also asked about his kiss with the other woman (Lila) published on Instagram. He claims he’ll never see her again. Of course, the finale is all about how Marcus and Lila end up together.
As for Lila and her friends, they are enjoying the wave sparked from that article. Their funder wants them to do a women’s Christmas event with guests, influencers, and artists. For some reason, Mel is brought in to be an advisor (and later to be revealed as CEO), and she advises that they bring Marcus to the event, which Lila shoots down as he’s still known for inciting violence against women.
Marcus heads to the Youth Center, apologizes to his friend (Verno) he betrayed with the plagiarism, and asks for help with his Christmas album. He plays a sample, and everyone laughs at him for the opera in the chorus. His friend tells him to release a great track before the Christmas release to steal his thunder. It’s an excellent strategy, to be fair.
But some complications can prevent love in episode 3; Lila reveals to her ex-colleague Jeanne that she has a boyfriend. She also wants her to help with the Christmas event, and in return, Womenista will support her work with the children.
Episode 3 moves to Alice’s apartment for a social gathering. Alice invited Marcus but neither Marcus or Lila knew they’d be at the same social event. It’s even more awkward that Lila has brought her boyfriend. Alice and Marcus’s friends believe they had something special, and think they need to give love a chance.
The meal between friends and frenemies is awkward. Marcus asks Lila if she regrets publishing that article. Lila talks about sticking to her principles and walks out. Lila’s friend Jeanne reveals that she published the article, and Lila was against it. Marcus meets Lila on the balcony for a cigarette. They talk about Jeanne’s revelation. Lila doesn’t think it makes a difference, but you can tell the love between them is still there as they catch up. Meanwhile, Lila’s boyfriend is inside, and he’s irked about Lila and Marcus’s history. At the end of the night, Marcus and Lila go to bed thinking of each other, pondering what could have been.
Lila and her boyfriend end up arguing about Marcus while looking at a house together. It’s clearly over between them as Lila says she doesn’t desire sex at the moment. She doesn’t want to move in with him.
Mel wants to talk to Marcus after he hasn’t been responding to her messages. She misses him, but Marcus is not interested. He heads to the youth center and tries out a new track with Verno by his side. It’s a romantic song, and Lila seems moved by it, and everyone is vibing to it. Mel sees this and rings Pascal about what she saw.
Afterward, Marcus chases after Lila — he tells her a lot of is on his mind. She tells him she is impressed he can make songs without impressing women. The pair look goofy around each other, and they finally kiss again and then enter the music room to have sex.
The next day, Marcus learns that Pascal has released the Christmas album early. Lila is also frustrated that Marcus is headlining the women’s Christmas event she has organized. Marcus thinks Lila doesn’t want anything to do with him, but Lila tells him to prove that he’s changed, and stop being a victim. Marcus walks away, believing Lila is ashamed of him. One last spanner in the works before the conclusion.
Pascal is upset at Marcus for making tracks behind his back, but he told him the album is a hit, so his career is back on track. Marcus isn’t impressed — he doesn’t like his new album. Lila learns that Mel brought the idea forward that Marcus should headline the event. They also learn that the funder has decided they no longer require her journalistic services. The digital magazine is no longer hers. The journalists have lost Womenista.
Lila and her friends decide to launch their own feminist event and rebrand back to “The Simones” to compete with the organization that got rid of them.
The ending
Marcus and Mel attend the Womenista event, but Marcus doesn’t care to be there despite headlining. Meanwhile, the less lively event with the Simones party is underway. But then, many kids from the youth center join, and it becomes more lively. Marcus leaves his event and tells Pascal he’s going to spend Christmas with the one he wants. Pascal tells him that if he leaves, it’s over. Marcus apologizes to Mel and walks off, leaving her heartbroken.
Marcus attends The Simones party, which is now full and lively. Lila and her friends answer questions about feminism on stage. Marcus grabs the microphone and asks a question, which shocks the audience.
Lila waits with anticipation. Marcus talks about an amazing friend who thinks they are too different to work. Marcus wants to know if they could try as he needs her and he’s madly in love. Lila accepts his proposal to give a relationship with him a try, and the audience applauds.
Six months later, Marcus has found success again with Lila by himself. A changed man, with full concerts. He also brings his sister MJ on stage to rap, and she sings about women taking over the world. It’s a happily ever after for everyone.
What did you think of Christmas Flow season 1, episode 3, and the ending? Comment below.
