Everyone Else Burns – Season 1 Episode 6 Recap, Review & Ending Explained

Episode 6

What special occasion marks the day for the Lewis family?

The finale of Everyone Else Burns begins on a special note for the Lewis family as Aaron is all set to be baptized. There is a tinge of nervousness in his disposition. But David assures him that nothing will go wrong. And, that his baptism will mark a new chapter in his life.

Fiona is still reeling from her incident with Andrew’s plant from the previous episode. Melissa has decided to use the opportunity of the baptism to sell more merchandise. Many different Orders are assembled later at a single place for their event of the year.

Joshua pens a heartfelt note for Rachel, apologizing for not telling her about Julia and himself. Rachel is still unsure of what happened and he asks her to get Julia to explain. Rachel is under enormous pressure and gets restless as Julia does not pick up her phone.

Is Joshua allowed back into the Chapter?

The finale brings the biggest surprise of the season when it is revealed that Joshua is actually Samson’s son! Few know about this information and Elder Abijah isn’t one of them. Samson acts like he has superior moral ground and questions him about the twelve sessions of preaching he had in the past few weeks. It is indicated that Samson knows that it was Rachel who went to his house. But he asks Joshua to tell him the truth. When he does so, Samson walks out, not specifying if Joshua is back or not.

Joel, Susie’s ex-boyfriend and the Order’s latest convert is all set to have his ceremony that day. It is going to take place at a warehouse where the Orders have put up different stalls. The whole affair is like a fete but infused with religious and spiritual competitiveness. Samson takes the lead in ruffling feathers with other leaders of the Orders. 

What major parenting decision does Fiona make for Rachel?

Andrew is still not over what Fiona did to the plant. She is selling merchandise at one of the stalls at the fete. When she sees him, Fiona offers her apologies once again and Andrew does seem a little more “together.” He explains that since Joel is his mentee, the sense of occasion gives Andrew some respite, even though he still isn’t over what Fiona did.

Rachel learns from Susie that her Uni application has been deleted, which makes her furious. She confronts David at the fete, who has no memory of doing it. However, he doesn’t deny the accusations either, admitting that he might have accidentally deleted the application.

Fiona overhears this and tells Rachel the truth. She screams expletives in her frustration, startling Fiona. Rachel accuses her of being a hypocrite, citing how Fiona bent the rules to start her own business. This leads her to make a big parenting decision.

Right before the ceremony, Joel gets cold feet. He mistook it for a private, intimate affair and is now overwhelmed at how he is being paraded as an achievement.

Ending Explained:

What does David tell Joel that makes him convert? 

David, who had the responsibility to use the tannoy to make announcements, forgets to switch it off as he talks to Joel. Many in the audience think it will be another embarrassing moment for him. But David proves them wrong with his insight. It is a moment of clarity that we have all seen David stumble his way to from the beginning…and a proud one as well. David concedes that he isn’t perfect. The last few days have made him understand that there is much to be learned about himself and others around him.

As they emerge, Joel is convinced to go ahead with the ceremony. A rapture of applause welcomes David. Samson is impressed as well and offers him the post of an Elder. However, it is quickly revoked as David allows Aaron to “fraternise” with another kid from a rival Order. But David is quaintly cheerful even so. He has come a long way indeed! Fiona pleads with Samson to allow Rachel to go to Uni. 

What does Rachel decide?

He meets Rachel alone – and that means with Abijah – giving her two options. One, remain in the order on penance with a gazillion restrictions. Or, go to Uni and be excluded, ensuring that she can never talk to her family again. Samson also antagonizes her by saying that Joshua gave her up when it is clearly not the case. As Rachel joins her parents for the baptism, Fiona gives her an option to resubmit her application. However, Rachel decides not to and stays with her family. 

Susie shows up at the ceremony and renews her intimacy with Joel. David and Fiona have emerged as better parents for sure. The former has shown remarkable improvement, although there is a long way to go yet. For now, it seems like Rachel and Joshua are on a pause. Will they find a way back to each other? Or will the evil Elder Samson prevail? 

The Episode Review

Everyone Else Burns ends on a satisfying note. The finale is riddled with a few surprises but it is mostly business as usual. The most pleasant one is undoubtedly David’s self-improvement. The culmination of his arc from the previous episodes is genuine and fulfilling. We knew he had a tough road ahead but Aaron’s companionship has nudged him in the right direction. Fiona redeemed herself to an extent as well, although her realization came late.

Would the family have left the Order to allow Rachel to go to Uni if that hadn’t been the case? Who knows, but Rachel’s sacrifice for her family is certainly appreciated. That priceless smile on Fiona’s face might rejuvenate her relationship with Rachel while also mending ways with David. And that is the most divine thing that could truly happen to the family. 

The British sitcom has entertained with every new episode. Its characters’ journey of finding each other in themselves has been beset with rich examples of epiphanies and sacrifices. Kudos to the entire team for giving us a wonderful time.