The more I thought about all of the amazing things that are going to take place in the final film of 2015, from fulfilling my wishlist of getting the Postables to Washington, vising the National Postal Museum and the National Miss Special Delivery Pageant, the more my mind started to drift to the very real possibility that this could be it---this could be the end, Postables.
It seems fitting that now would be the time the Postables came to Washington. It would bring the series full circle in a lot of ways, and you know that Martha is savvy enough in the face of uncertainty to make sure she weaves the ending this beautiful story deserves.
I'm not saying that this is the end for Signed, Sealed, Delivered. In fact, you know I think that Hallmark Movie has plans in the works. I also pray daily for the show, the network, the cast, the crew and Martha. I know that there is a lot that could be done beyond the next two films, including more traveling.
But when you look back over all the things that might take place in this film, there are a lot of endings, all of which could lead to new chapters and new beginnings.
Rita & the pageant If you remember from Rita's house rule, I posited that it was her decision to live out her dreams rather than write about them that ultimately led her to become the vibrant, confident woman we saw in From Paris with Love. I also explained how, throughout her journey, both her dream of winning the pageant and building her relationship with Norman ran parallel to one another. In SSD3, those path, for the first time, have the potential to diverge. If Rita wins Miss Special Delivery, there's a world tour waiting for her, likely for a year, as most pageant reigns and duties typically last. She could be forced to choose between love and the crown. The ultimate demonstration of her growth will be the decision Rita makes to control her future and decide what to do next. If we're the author of our own stories, this is her chance to decide her next chapter. |
Norman & his dream Norman's house rule required him to pursue his dream, which we quickly determined was to find the courage to tell Rita how he felt about her. He finally found the courage to do so in From Paris with Love, and all signs from filming so far seem to indicate that their relationship is still going strong. But, if we take the possibility of Rita winning the pageant into consideration, Norman's dream is in jeopardy. He, too, will have a decision to make. While he would surely never ask Rita to pick between him or being Miss Special Delivery, he may decide his best course of action is to follow her on her trip around the world. It would mean giving up his duties at the DLO and leaving everything behind to pursue his dream of being with her. Can you imagine him going to Oliver and resigning? |
Oliver & the exhibit Perhaps the most anticipated moment next to a ShOliver kiss is Oliver's return to the place that literally changed his life forever. For all intents and purposes, this is where it all began. His experience here is the first thing he shares with Shane about himself on a personal level. And, despite divorcing Holly, may still be a place he needs to make peace with, closing one chapter and allowing himself to open another one. |
Shane & the homecoming As she said to Oliver in "A Hope & A Future" she has a "wealth of life history" about which we currently know very little, especially when it comes to her admittedly brief time in Washington, D.C. It seems only appropriate that we return to the place from which she came, because, in a lot of ways, it's her transfer to Denver that set the entire Signed, Sealed, Delivered story in motion. Doesn't it make sense, then, that it be the way the story ends, coming full circle? On a character level, coming back to D.C. might finally give us the insight we need to finally find out exactly why Shane was transferred to Denver, and maybe even what brought her to USPS in the first place. If Steve is a character in this film, we'll get the opportunity to find out what relational hangups Shane might have and need to work through in order to enter into a relationship with Oliver. |
But putting this trip to Washington into perspective is an important exercise, and one we should engage in sooner rather than later. Whether the end of the road, or the end of a chapter, Washington is a big deal. It's going to be one.crazy.ride.
On Board for Whatever Happens Next,
~C