Erin Hardesty - Blog Posts

taeaura

3 months ago

Thinking about the end of TCM 2003

Listening to Televangelism and thinking about the scene from 1:28:10 to 1:19:20 in the 2003 TCM. Man..I know it's supposed to be a victorious moment for Erin, which it absolutely is - But God I can just imagine how stressful it was for the family. Not only did Thomas just lose an arm, but Charlie dies too? Henrietta loses "her" baby?

I can just imagine Luda rushing over to Charlie's body, not fully processing that she just lost her son / brother - Family member nonetheless. Someone she'd already lost him once {the war as well as his 'Hoyt' persona} - Only to lose him again - eternally. And on top of that; Her only surviving son comes home mutilated?? AS WELL AS having to re-home?

Henrietta was evidently attached to that kid; How she got her was wrong, but she loved her nonetheless. Hen has no idea where she is, how she disappeared - Her stress is through the roof when paired with the other tragedies.

What hurts the most is that just before Charlie's death - Just before the baby is rescued - We see a true moment of humanity within the Hewitts. All of them leaning to see the baby - Charlie showing up instead of Hoyt; His calmer, more open and affectionate qualities showing just enough. Henrietta cooing over "her daughter" - All whilst Luda Mae watches over. AND THE BIGGEST THING: We're introduced through a window. Through Erin's perspective. Why is this important? Because we're watching through a barrier. This is something the family is doing behind closed doors. As soon as the truck driver knocks, their expressions change. 'Charlie' turns into 'Hoyt' {via his serious and pestered expression} - Henrietta gets nervous and shields the baby whilst reassuring her - And Luda Mae's kind and patient demeanor immediately replaced by a guarded and defensive shadow.

Where do they go from here? The strongest member of the family is severely injured and with half the resources he previously had - Will likely be bed-ridden for weeks. The second-strongest, protective figure who ALSO went and 'lured' their main food source is dead. The only ones left are semi-mobile and frail. What else is there? And to think Thomas STAYS?? He stays at the house?? {if we go by the deleted / extended scenes.} The entire family dynamic has to be changed now - Most likely with Luda Mae at the top.

"This family has endured through adversity and pain. We have endured; We have prevailed. We will never go hungry again." Just repeating in Luda's mind as she clutches his hat in despair. Thomas finally coming home only to find his father figure, his main support system - dead and gone.

Y'all I kid you not I have so much going through my mind about this scene

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

As Thomas' chainsaw collided with the car side, he noticed "SHERIFF" printed on the side doors. Hoyt wouldn't have given up his car - or left the keys in a vulnerable location. Did she steal it? She had to - Hoyt wasn't that clueless. But how? He would've seen it, wouldn't he?

Thomas continued his sluggish walk to the community center; He would've lost so much that day - Mentally preparing to be scolded about "letting Erin get away" - Hoyt would glare upwards at Thomas as he did.

"How the fuck could you let her go?! You see what you've done, Thomas? Now where the hell are we s'posed to go?"

But that scolding never came. Banshee wails and hoarse cries flooded the asphalt road, growing louder as Thomas drew near. A semi-truck was blocking the back road, but not enough to cover Thomas' vision. As he landed closer he saw three silhouettes: One scrawny, mid-height woman clutching her chest as she sobbed near the community center door. Another woman, this time much older, hunched over a figure in the road - the source of the wails. It was his mother.

Her already disheveled appearance deteriorated in the shivering rain - Watered-down and streaky red pigment stained her fingers, which bled onto the sheriff's hat encapsulated within her hands. Though Thomas couldn't make out the wails, he deciphered "Charlie" a few times. Thomas was so perplexed - Charlie what? As he peered down, all confusion was plagued by a sense of shared torment.

Charlie's "uniform" was always covered in blood - But it was never his. Not until today. It had been ironed that evening - Crisp and warm underneath his raincoat. Instead of a dusty blue, his raincoat bled crimson - and mahogany.

Thomas would've taken a scolding over losing Charlie any day. He would've much preferred if Erin had killed him instead. Seeing his mother in hysterics - pleading with God to bring him back. Suddenly, Charlie was overseas again - And Thomas was checking everyday to see if he'd come home. He'd point to Charlie's picture then to his chair in the dining room: "When is Charlie coming home?"

Instead of the expected yelling - The screaming-vomit erupting from Hoyt - Thomas was met with Hoyt's silence. Instead of his furious eyes burning invasively into Thomas' skull - Thomas was met with empty, soulless eyes lost within the asphalt and glazed over with a garnet hue.

"Come on, Tommy, ain't no different than the slaughterhouse. Meat's meat; Bone's bone. Get it done."

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

.🫀.