James' fate was finally revealed in The End of The F***ing World
5 November 2019, 11:21
Did James live or die at the season finale of The End of The F***ing World season 1? Season 2 settles the heart-stopping cliffhanger early on.
The wait is finally over. The End of The F***ing World returned to our screens after two long years away and immediately plunged viewers right back into the understated drama of James (Alex Lawther) and Alyssa's (Jessica Barden) complex relationship. Last season's big cliffhanger left viewers wondering if James had died in episode eight's final moments and now we know the answer.
READ MORE: The End of the F***ing World: What happened in season 1 again?
Warning: Spoilers for The End of The F***ing World season 2 ahead
Before the suspense absolutely destroys you, yes, James is alive. As traumatising as the police standoff was, James actually survived the end of season 1.
The End of The F***ing World season 2 picks up with newcomer Bonnie (Naomi Ackie) and her difficult upbringing. Pretty soon, though, we learn the details of what Alyssa and James have been up to since we last saw them.
Since everything went down, Alyssa and her family have sold their house and moved in with her aunt. Alyssa gets community service for her part in the crimes committed and she is now working as a waitress. We also learn that Alyssa is engaged to Todd, a guy she met while working at her aunt's diner.
Meanwhile, James has been through the ringer since the end of season 1.
What happened to James in The End of The F***ing World?
James managed to survive his gunshot wound and spends a great deal of time in hospital recovering. Unsurprisingly, James and Alyssa are not allowed to see one another after their season 1 escapades. During James' recovery, Alyssa's mum also comes to the hospital and asks him to write a letter telling Alyssa he never wants to see her again.
James is reluctant to write such a letter but agrees when Alyssa's mum makes it clear that Alyssa needs a fresh start.
Eventually, James gets better and is able to walk again. He also manages to avoid prison time for his part in last season's crimes because he was acting in defence of another person.
During James' hospitalisation and recovery, he and his father become closer and James even grows to properly like him. Then, unexpectedly, James' father dies during a game of bowling.
Grief-stricken, James is unable to return to his family home and lives out of his father's car – with his dad's ashes in tow.
Eventually, James tracks Alyssa down but ends up semi-stalking her because he doesn't have the courage to approach her now that she has a new boyfriend and plans to get married.
One day, while working late at the diner, Alyssa sees an unfamiliar car and goes out to investigate it – even though she has no clue who is inside. When she forces the car occupant to reveal themselves, Alyssa and James come face to face for the first time in two years.
WHEW, what a whirlwind!
James and Alyssa might be reunited, but the rest of the season proves that they're definitely not out of the woods yet. Bonnie presents a whole new set of obstacles for the young troublemakers and, well, they handle it all with their signature chaotic survival skills.
