'70s TV: Daschell Hammet's The Dain Curse (Part 3 of 3)

 At long last, the Finale!  I mean, if you've waited 5 Decades to see this, what's a few weeks?

If you need a recap, go to the first 2 Reviews.
Let's just jump right into the Final Part of...

In the aftermath of Gabrielle being returned, Nash and his friend try to piece together the clues.

Meanwhile, Data...I mean, Brent Spiner returns, saying that he needs to talk to Nash.

He pleads his innocence about the more salacious Cult goings on when a bomb goes off!
Owen was inside!

If Father Karras dies, who will be in The Exorcist III (unquestionably the best Sequel)?!?

He survives, but just barely.  Phew!

While he recovers, Nash has a simple, but also very difficult goal- to ween Gabrielle off of her morphine addiction.

It's not an easy thing.

Thankfully, the case doesn't have any major goings on.
This way we can get Beatrice Straight that Emmy Nomination (she didn't win, sadly).

On the actual case, Hector Elizondo questions the wounded man and he claims that he heard 'glass break' just before the bomb went off.

Oh s**t, it was Stone Cold Steve Austin!

It's not easy, but Gabrielle seems to beat her addiction.

She just needs some harsh truth and the chance to reject a chance at getting more of the stuff.

Now case stuff, yes?

Nash earlier revealed that he knew who the culprit was, which offends the lady from the Cult.
In spite of her trying to shoot him, he lets her go.

When Owen is recovered (well- as much as he will be), Nash reveals that he knew the truth all along.

The 'glass' story was a lie.
The bomb was left by Spiner, worried that Owen would betray him like he did the kidnapper- whom he hired!

The final part of the Mini-Series is now...a Courtroom Drama?  Alright.

It's all about Owen's Trial and you can see him going for an insanity defense.

However, Nash sees through the ruse AND the twist (Owen wants him to say that he's sane and be revealed as super-smart).

On the stand, he says that Owen is crazy and he's locked up.

He goes off to solve more crimes...but he's an unnamed Character in the Books, so...he doesn't.  The End.

What an odd, but quite good all the same Finale.  

Seriously, the structure here is curious.

We go from seemingly wrapping up the Plot to a sudden turn...and then all of the focus is on Gabrielle's personal journey.  It is worth noting how good Straight was here.  She plays an unlikable- even if you understand why- character as she's going through withdrawal.

It is a risky, but wise Acting choice.

Coburn is also great here, playing a serious character that really does have a soft spot for her.  It's only when he acts like, well, himself that things can really improve for her.  
He also knows that all of his work will net him nothing- as she's obviously way too young for him.  Mind you, the age difference is, in a rare case, played UP for the man (as Coburn was not 'half her age' as he says).

When things all come together, the Film gets really good.  All of the parts fall into place and it all makes sense.
The turn to legal drama is, again, a weird one.

In spite of that, I heartily recommend this one to fans of this Era and this kind of Film.  Good-bye, Movie- I'm finally setting you free into the wild (aka Goodwill)...

Next up, a new Segment is born. 
As for the next proper review, well, who knows?  Stay tuned...