This recap of the Apple TV+ series Servant season 3, episode 10 (finale), “Mama,” — the ending explained — contains spoilers.
Read the recap of the previous episode.
What a finale. We shouldn’t be surprised by the ending. Leanne versus Dorothy was an intriguing prospect after a season of tensions between them. Episode 10 sees the scenario unfolding in the Turner household peak, and it doesn’t end so kindly for Dorothy.
Servant season 3, episode 10 recap – the finale
Episode 10 opens with a couple checking out a property in the neighborhood. A man looks over to the Turner household, the one house on this street with a strange, subdued energy.
And then the finale shows Dorothy waking up, but looking subdued. The drugs that put her to sleep in the last episode have finally worn off. She heads downstairs for breakfast, and everyone is rushing to accommodate her. Leanne speaks and explains to Dorothy that even though she tried sending her away, she’s only here to help. She asks Dorothy to stop fighting her and asks for a fresh start. Surprisingly, Dorothy admits she took things too far and apologizes. As it turns out, Dorothy was playing the long game.
And Sean could sense the long game too. Privately, he asks Dorothy what she’s planning. He can sense that she’s plotting. However, Dorothy explains that she is helpless and felt upset when Sean did not trust her around their son.
As marital problems continue to be repaired, Leanne heads inside the walls and checks out the skeleton of Aunt Josephine. She touches one of the hands of the skeleton and it disintegrates into dust. And then, Leanne heads outside and speaks to private investigator Roscoe — he explains to her that they still have not found Milo. Leanne believes the Cult is behind his disappearance and wants justice.
Late in the night, a drunk Sean asks Leanne if she had anything to do with the death of Isabelle — he’s worried because he feels that Dorothy is angry. He asks Leanne not to hurt Dorothy if she does anything. Leanne is dismayed that Sean would think like that and walks away. As she does, a photo frame falls from the wall and as Sean checks it out, there’s a lot of dust. It turns out Sean’s fears were true, but this was the start of the house falling apart as George foreshadows near the end of the finale.
The next morning, Leanne invites Dorothy outside for a walk with Jericho. She takes her to the homeless camp, which is essentially her own cult. She wants to prove to Dorothy that she is a safe person and reveals that Eleven News is looking for a news anchor and describes it as an amazing opportunity with a good work/life balance. Leanne is trying to prove that they are on the same side. But, it’s clear at this point that Dorothy has made her mind up. Later on, while sharing a bath with her baby, Jericho shouts out “mama” and Dorothy is initially excited at hearing his first words. However, after this exciting moment, Dorothy looks towards the bathroom door as she sensed someone was there. Was Jericho calling Leanne “mama”?
At this stage of the finale, it’s easy to be convinced that Dorothy has been persuaded by Leanne in this psychological face-off. Dorothy makes a meal for the family and she gets out a rare bottle of alcohol that her mother owned. At first, Julian does not want to open the bottle due to its sentimentality (and because he’s gone sober recently). However, Dorothy argues that opening the bottle means a fresh start. The table tastes the alcohol and describes the flavor, which makes them all share a laugh. Outside, something is brewing. This could be the last normal meal the Turner household has.
After the meal, Dorothy continues convincing the audience and her family that she is on their side. She even apologizes to Sean for being angry at him, and the couple shares a kiss.
Meanwhile, outside the house, Roscoe talks to Uncle George, who makes a welcome return to the story. Roscoe explains how he’s managed to gain Leanne’s trust. George states that “Her story begins” and talks about the darkness growing stronger each night. He raises how the house is decaying and is filled with parasites. He calls it “the end.”
The ending
The finale ends in dramatic circumstances, leaving viewers wondering where this leaves the story for Season 4.
Dorothy leaves a sleeping Sean on the sofa, grabs a photo frame, and places it into a bag of money. Outside, a car is waiting for her as she grabs a crying Jericho — she’s trying to flee. However, Leanne stands in her way and asks Dorothy if she can join her; she wants to follow her wherever she goes, but a frustrated Dorothy wants to leave the Turner household without her, and even tells Leanne she can have everything that is here.
Leanne grabs Dorothy by the waist and screams for Sean. Julian and Sean appear and see the commotion. Dorothy reveals her true self and calls Leanne delusional, stating that she needs help. Sean asks Dorothy if he can hold Jericho but Dorothy insists she’s leaving. And then, it happens. Despite Leanne promising no harm will come to Dorothy, she takes action. She says sorry to Dorothy, and then, the banister that Dorothy is leaning on snaps, and she falls down to the bottom of the house. Sean is in anguish and distress, screaming to Julian asking him to call an ambulance.
The finale ends with a severely injured Dorothy looking up the staircase and seeing Leanne looking down at her.
Even if she does survive the fall, Dorothy will have no way of stopping Leanne now.
What did you think of Apple TV+’s Servant season 3, episode 10 (finale), and the ending? Comment below.
