Whether or not you have seen this English series which is currently a hit on Netflix, you have probably asked yourself the question of the title: why My Little Reindeer is her name like that? The answer lies in the heartbreaking final scene of episode 7.
It all begins with a banal cup of tea, offered in an outburst of charity to a smiling but broke stranger. This bar scene, although ordinary, will lead to a nightmare lasting several years for Richard Gadd.
This actor, author and creator of My Little Reindeer on Netflix recounts in this autobiographical series the real ordeal he suffered: long harassment from a certain Martha. But what does this enigmatic title mean? My Little Reindeerwhich seems closer to a Christmas comforter than to the hell of stalking At first glance ?
Warning, spoilers ahead in the remainder of this article on the end of the series.
My Little Reindeera nickname full of meaning
During the 7 episodes of the series, Martha nicknames Donny, the fictional alter-ego of Richard Gadd, “my little reindeer” (Or “baby reindeer” in VO). Even in its most violent messages and moments, the stalker thus shows him his unhealthy affection thanks to this mysterious qualifier.
You have to wait for the final scene of the Netflix series to understand the true meaning of this nickname. Donny, then seated at a bar, listens to one of the many voice messages that Martha has left him over the years. The stalker then explains that when she was a child, she had a little stuffed reindeer that she always carried with her. A comfort blanket that brought him a little comfort every time his parents argued.
Then, Martha details the appearance of this plush toy: “big lips, huge eyes and a soft little butt”. She draws the parallel with Donny, whom she considers to be the ” spitting image “ of this reindeer, still in his possession today. She ends by declaring that this comforter means a lot to her, like the one she is harassing. This very intense end of the series allows us to show the tragic vulnerability of Martha’s character, and especially the empathy that Donny feels for her, despite everything.
What does the end of My Little Reindeer ?
During this final sequence, Donny bursts into tears, then realizes that he forgot his wallet when paying for his drink. The bartender then decides to offer it to him. A scene mirrored with the one where Donny offers Martha a cup of tea, at the start of the series. Could history repeat itself, with the victim in turn becoming a harasser? It is with this terrifying question that we are left My Little Reindeer. Creator Richard Gadd thus chooses an ambiguous finale, with several possible interpretations.
The most likely, given the overall message of the series on the devastating consequences of harassment, remains to think the worst: Donny, who in turn already harbors an obsession with Martha, could indeed, too, become passionate about a simple bartender who shows him sympathy. A deliberately disturbing conclusion, which reminds us to what extent the psychological effects of stalking are deeply complex.
A season 2 of My Little Reindeer is it planned by Netflix?
No, no season 2 of My Little Reindeer is not considered by Netflix, which presents the production as a mini-series. And for good reason: it is adapted from the true story lived by the main actor and creator, who also made it a one-man show. There is therefore no continuation of this story after the end of the last episode. The ending of the story varies from reality, however, in which the real Martha is not doomed.
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