Top of the Lake Closes Its Run: Did It Work for You?

Now that Top of the Lake, the seven episode dramatic series has finished its run on the Sundance Channel – I’m left with more questions in the ‘post resolution aftermath’ than I had before the series ended. Whether or not this was the intent of the series creators Jane Campion and Gerard Lee is a question I can’t answer.

Though the questions of what happened to Tui did get resolved, there’s a whole slew of other head-scratchers for we viewers to ponder. Reader FD and I are going to sit down to discuss the show, and with no specific agenda in mind – we will just see where our talks take us.

***** MAJOR SPOILER WARNINGS GOING FORWARD*****

JMM: In the last three minutes there a number of questions left unanswered. The first one is what actually happened at Al’s house, 2) what was Robin rinsing out in the lake (was it Al’s blood?), and 3) GJ walks off as the show ends. Without specifically tackling those questions, were you happy with the way the show ended?

FD: I was impressed by the cinematography and the cast, particularly Elizabeth Moss (Robin), Holly Hunter (GJ) and Peter Mullan (Matt), but I was unimpressed with the plot and the editing. Even though I guessed who the villain was early on, each episode made less sense to me than the previous one. And like you, I have a shipping container full of unanswered questions.

Here’s a few of them: 1)Were Robin and Johnno really related or was Al also lying about their DNA test? 2) Why did Matt whip himself repeatedly at his mother’s grave site? 3) Why didn’t Matt suspect Al might have been involved with Tui getting pregnant? 4) Why did Matt try to shoot Tui’s baby if it wasn’t his? 5) Why did GJ decide to go to Reykjavik? (to get as far away from this story as possible?) I could list a lot more questions, but, my biggest question is: What was Ms. Campion thinking? Didn’t she notice any of these loopholes?

JMM: To respond about the five questions you just listed: 1) Matt told Robin that he was her father making Johnno her half-brother. Johnno said that was a Matt mind game. Then Al told Johnno that Matt wasn’t his father – making it even more of a puzzle. 2) I have no idea about why Matt whipped himself – guilt I suppose. Because surely he had so much to be guilty about. 3) & 4) Not sure about either of these – need an explanation. 5) GJ was all about money – at least in the closing episode. Seems like that was tossed in as an after-thought. However it all seemed so extraneous. And what was the point of her leaving – especially as the closing image.

Tui intercepts GJ, but moments later, GJ will walk off anyway as the closing shot

Maybe it was all symbolic – NZ: bottom of the world, Iceland: top of the world. Maybe GJ was a stylization of Campion herself – you know, in it for the money. Big emphasis on the maybe. So the key element must be the program Al was running to rehabilitate the kids – because it was clearly something else entirely at least below the surface.

FD: I don’t think there’s a way to perfectly explain this story. Some things were purposely left ambiguous. Other aspects seem to have been inadequately tied up at the climax. But, here’s my quick attempt to summarize. 1) Al was involved in child porn/prostitution, which paid for his two million dollar home. 2) Al also ran a training program for the local kids getting them employment at the cafe/restaurant. April Stephens was a child sex victim who became a murder victim when she knew too much. Al investigated and declared Stephens’ death a suicide. Bob Platt saw the videos made at Al’s house (the terrible thing his wife talked about) and wound up dead (this could have been done by Matt when he dragged him behind his boat but Al’s investigation failed so he may have been involved in the second murder). When Tui disappeared, Al made Wolfie his third victim (scapegoat for Tui’s disappearance/pregnancy).

Tui said “no one” got her pregnant because she was drugged and didn’t remember any sexual encounter (this is supported by Tui later saying she didn’t know how the baby got insider her). This is the basic plot line, but there were many subplots and diversions, most of which undermined the central story’s power. Before we discuss these, do you buy my analysis?

JMM: Yes, the plot line is clear in the aftermath and yes there were some obvious clues early on. But I’d rather approach the story from questions than stating what happened. For example – why was Bob Platt at the house where the videos were made and even got himself in front of the camera. Was he an investor in the video production or a customer?

Director and creator of the series Jane Campion, explains to Elizabeth Moss what she wants from Robin in this scene

FD: I don’t know. As I said, there were many inexplicable scenes. We could pose questions for Ms. Campion till the cows come home. I’m more concerned with answering the question of whether the show worked. In some ways, I think it did — the acting, location, cinematography were terrific. The show held my interest even though it tried my patience and left me feeling dissatisfied. What worked well for you and what was your takeaway feeling? JMM: Well the locations selected were fabulous – as they said in the show – Laketop was a playground for the rich. The actors were fine – especially the women – although some of them were a bit too one note – Moss’s Robin was great. Matt was great.

But none of the other actors caught my fancy. My takeaway if that this was a good story (at the outset) and was spoiled by all that followed. I’m going on record by saying that seven hours was a bit too ambitious.

FD: I thought everyone in the cast was very good — and several actors had really challenging characters like the seven-minute woman. Al’s character was difficult to pull off — he didn’t quite nail it.

Holly Hunter took her character far beyond the plot requirements. I don’t know how you evaluate a performance for such a distinctive, but ultimately, unnecessary character.

Like you, I loved the New Zealand location. But, when I started out, I expected to see a mystery. A drama, perhaps, but still a “who done it” story. Well, I figured out who done it by the second episode. After that the show used sleight of hand tricks and over-the-top characters to maintain my interest. In the end, the drama overpowered the sense of mystery I was hoping for. I think this was caused by stretching the story. I agree there’s a gold nugget here, but it was covered by too much silt.

JMM: Well – I disagree here and there with your last remarks. The seven minute woman wasn’t acting it was writing. If Al was meant to be the killer/villain then you couldn’t have figured that out in the second episode because Tui had not gone missing yet. Al was colorless – and if that was his style choice than he did it well. If it was Campion’s choice to make him innocuous early on then clearly she worked her sleight of hand. Mind you – it was not difficult to perceive Al as the perp – just not as early as you stated.

Oozing creepiness

Anything else you’d like to cover or ASK?

FD: Yes, I stand by my spotting Al as the perp even before Tui disappeared. He just oozed creepiness — which is why I said the actor didn’t nail his purpose. And I beg to differ about the seven-minute lady. These actors had very unlikely characters and it’s very hard to make that seem believable, regardless of the quality of the writing.

A few of the girls living it up in Paradise

Holly Hunter’s delivery and Peter Mullan both worked magic while Campion was more of a trickster. But, Campion did at least one thing really well. And we haven’t mentioned it.

Look beneath the mud, and you’ll find the hidden gold. Top of the Lake appears to be a story about a detective trying to find the father of a young girl’s baby. But, it’s really the story of the detective finding her own father. By hunting for Tui’s child’s father, Robin discovers her own. This is good writing. All I would ask is that Campion should have stayed more focused on her main idea.

Now, I’ll leave it to you to bring closure to this murky tale.

Every home in town had one hanging on its wall

JMM: Well I absolutely agree that the charm of the story was the parallel or mirrored stories. Robin’s past and Tui in the present. Of this there can be no disagreement.

One picture tells it all. This is Tui – both ‘before’ and ‘after’

I also loved the deception that was played on us during the ‘chase’. However closure is an altogether different thing. Since we can only guess at GJ’s motives for leaving Paradise (I’m ticking the box marked money) I think that most of the murkiness came from the stretching of the story – which may also be a money thing.

I’d like to see more of Robin. Possibly as a sex crimes detective in Oz, but I doubt that will happen.

I’d also like to thank reader FD for his erudite answers and analysis. Now as far you readers – I am sure that while this story has reached a conclusion, it seems quite likely that you may have some questions of your own about the series. You are invited to post them as comments.

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For a different perspective, have a look at the write up of TOTL over at the Feminéma website.