The final scene of ‘Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen‘ shows Rachel driving away alone in a rusty pickup truck with “Just Married” written on the back. Just before the screen cuts, she smiles.
After everything that she went through over the week and given how things ended, that smile left us unsettled. Well, now, creator Haley Z. Boston has explained what that expression means and how it connects to Rachel’s final choice.
What Rachel’s Smile Really Means In The Final Scene Of ‘Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen’
Rachel’s smile comes at a point where everything is already decided. She has walked away from Nicky, the wedding, and the life she was about to step into. As it turns out, Haley Z. Boston connected that moment to a major change in Rachel’s mindset, especially in the final episode.
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The creator said, “She realizes the opposite of doubt isn’t certainty: It’s belief. You can’t be certain about any choice you make in life or what the outcome will be. So she takes that leap, and that’s her arc. She goes from having all these doubts to having belief. And Nicky (Adam DiMarco) f—ed it up.“
It becomes clearer during Rachel and Nicky’s argument, where she realizes she no longer believes in him or their future. “So she has to make that choice again and chooses herself instead of him,” Boston explained. “That causes all this chaos and mayhem, but she’s choosing herself.”
By the time she drives away, that decision is already made. The smile is kind of for the new beginning she finally got. “That smile is a mix of emotions,” Boston said. “Cami played it so well. She’s emotional, exhausted from the week, and then there’s this small smile of, ‘I got out. I made the right choice. Now I’m on to my next adventure.’“
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Rachel’s story may have reached a clear turning point, but the ending still leaves room to continue. Haley Z. Boston spoke about what could come next and didn’t rule out the possibility of another season.
The idea for the series came from a real fear she had, which she explored through the story. Boston sees it as a breakup story at its core, using control and chaos to explore an emotional and personal theme.
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She explained, “In choosing herself, Rachel becomes the new witness, a rebirth. You end a relationship, and there’s a mix of sadness and catharsis. She’s reborn and leaves the relationship behind. Metaphorically, when you end a relationship, those people are dead to you in a way. They’re no longer in your life. That’s why she leaves by herself. She’s on a new journey.“
Now, instead of continuing Rachel’s story directly, future seasons could explore different existential fears in an anthology.
As for Season 1, sure, Rachel walks away without knowing what comes next. But for the first time, she’s sure about one thing: she chose herself.
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