Turn of the Tide Season 3 Ending Explained: Why the Final Chapter Is About Unity, Not Tragedy

Turn of the Tide Season 3 Ending Explained: The final season of this Netflix crime-drama series, starring José Condessa, features a slew of crime, corruption and vigilante justice, all wrapped in one. Three years after Eduardo went to prison, he came back home to find everything had changed. He, along with his friends, takes things into their own hands to get the justice that they deserve.

The third season has 6 episodes, each with a runtime of around 45 minutes. The series is based on a real-life incident that took place in Rabo de Peixe in 2001.

Turn of the Tide Season 3 Ending Explained

Plot overview & what happens in the end?

The season features Eduardo and gang trying to get justice for their stolen drugs, while also bringing the corrupt politicians and policemen in Rabo de Peixe to justice. They target all the big names who have gone unchecked over the years, including a few policemen. However, Eduardo’s main objective is to find the one who framed him and took his money.

Meanwhile, there’s an election taking place where candidate Brum makes a lot of tall tales; however, behind the scenes, forces threaten to take over the local economy by taking all the land and displacing the families.

Does Paula find justice?

Paula’s arc has been a devastating one to witness, and this season, she finally gets the justice that she deserves. Trying to find her missing daughter, who was abducted by people who broke into her home, Frias has been searching for her identity for months. With Eduardo’s help, she finally holds those responsible for her daughter’s murder – Natercia and Billy Bob.

She threatens to murder them if they don’t show her where her daughter is, and is devastated to find her body in the woods. She eventually goes to the person responsible for her daughter’s death, including a lot of other illegal activities in Rabo de Peixe, Banha, who is finally taken into custody.

Who stole Eduardo’s drugs?

As it turns out, it was actually João Canto Moniz who stole the drugs, sold them, and used the money to buy all the land on the island and then sell it to make a port. The Night Vigilantes expose the truth, using Brum, who also benefited from the drug money, which ultimately brings both of their doom in front of the whole town.

Do the friends break apart?

No, the friends stay together, stronger than ever. The story recentres itself on the core friendship, showcasing how nothing can break them apart. The four friends work together towards a common goal, with unity being their strongest weapon. Thus, despite all of their wins this season, it ends on the note that they are simply happy to have one another.

Themes and Interpretation

What is Night Vigilante about?

With the corruption, economic exploitation and power imbalance rampant on the island, the Night Vigilantes were formed to give the islanders some sort of justice in a corrupt world. However, as the episodes move on, we see that the group turns into a symbol of resistance and unity, like when Eduardo is arrested with Moniz and the entire town comes together to get him out. Despite the morally grey territory in which it operates, it becomes a symbol of hope for the people, which reflects the community’s desperation to reclaim control. Thus, this isn’t about condemning or glorifying and, thus, remains open-ended.

Eduardo’s character

Eduardo’s journey comes full circle this season as he started the series chasing a better life and ends up accepting his life there. After facing the consequences of chasing his dreams too fast, he realises that his life with his friends, doing the right thing, is the most precious to him, and thus, he tells his friends that his goals of going to America have changed. He is, thus, neither a hero nor a villain – he’s simply a leader shaped by the experiences he has gone through.

What happens to the island?

The last shot shows the volcano on the island rupturing, and a mandatory evacuation order is in place. The friends escape by boat, happy to be alive and together. This symbolises the island getting rid of the bad players and reinventing itself for something better – symbolising starting over.

What are your thoughts on Turn of the Tide Season 3? Let us know in the comments below!

Also Read:

• Turn of the Tide Season 1 Review: Great Acting and Locations Overshadowed the Cliche Story
• Turn of the Tide Season 3 Review: A Gritty Finale That Struggles to Stay Afloat
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