Bill Hader Sheds Some Light On Barry's Latest, Surprising Ending

This article contains spoilers for "Barry."

Most water cooler talk (if that's even still a thing) about the latest episode of "Barry" will revolve around the shocking ending that culminates in the death of a major character. Bill Hader and crew have already taken the first half of the final season into some truly existential territory, allowing for Barry's time behind bars to explore more of the inner turmoil and guilt that he's feeling now that he has some time on his hands to really think about what he's done. Earlier this season, Barry already seemed to be seeing things in the prison yard when Sally and his acting class appear on the staircase as he fantasizes about the life he had. In dreamlike sequences, he finds himself on a beach surrounded by people who may or may not be his past victims. 

For Barry, life on the inside is causing reality to blur while he reflects on his life and contemplates whether or not he can come out the other side with the life he really desires. A lasting relationship with Sally (Sarah Goldberg) where the two of them are actually happy together is practically impossible now that Sally knows he is a killer, but Barry is more concerned with what Sally symbolizes to him just as Sally thinks that the only way she can feel safe is with Barry in some far off land away from all this chaos. 

While most people, understandably, will be talking about NoHo Hank (Anthony Carrigan) and that incredible appearance by Michael Ironside as the Chechen gangster Andrei, there's also a huge time jump that happens in season 4, episode 4 "It Takes a Psycho" that raises a lot of questions. 

Luckily for "Barry" fans, Bill Hader is always game to share some behind-the-scenes nuggets and bits of insight that let audiences know exactly what the endgame for the series is. Simultaneously, Hader wants to give Barry some sort of redemption arc while still belaboring the fact that any real chance at happiness and contentment is impossible. Hader spoke about the dichotomy of the show on The Ringer Prestige TV podcast and his carrot-and-stick approach to the characters:

"It's the last season, what if we showed these guys, these characters, what if we showed them getting what they wanted?' What if we showed them actually putting on, playing? Because the acting idea went away, but this idea of playing a part to be able to live with yourself and try to get a version of what it is you want, and can they hold on to that was an idea we had."

Hader also confirms that there is a substantial time jump, saying just how long has passed in the flash forward. "So the ending of episode 4 is an introduction to, yeah, we jump ahead 8 years." Whether that 8-year jump is actually based in reality is up for discussion, but Hader is asking an important question here: How long can Barry and Sally really play pretend? Can Barry shut off his killer instinct like a light switch or is he doomed to break character? Is Sally really willing to give up the trappings of Hollywood to lead a quiet life with Barry? In the flash forward, two kids are shown that, shockingly, turn out to be Barry and Sally's children. That's not a reality that seems workable or feasible in any way. 

Barry doesn't deserve that life and Hader knows it.