The Spectacular

Later, Peter explains that Martinek recognized him at Radio City and lied to an usher, claiming that Peter was stalking one of the Rockettes. This effectively removed Peter from the theater. His fear and frustration over being separated from Marion caused him to speak and act frantically, worsening the situation. Russell compliments Marion on her leap and asks to speak with her the following day. Marion realizes that with the Big Apple Bomber caught, she might be able to work as a Rockette again without endangering the other performers. Ogden and Somers arrive, and it is clear that Ogden is in trouble for neglecting to convey Marion and Peter’s messages to Somers. The policemen report that Martinek has confessed to planting all the bombs attributed to the Big Apple Bomber. They take Martinek’s personnel file from Peter, enter it into evidence, and report that an investigation into the “dead” files will take place at Met Power.

Outside, Peter kisses Marion passionately, and she realizes how strongly she feels for Peter as the stress from the past few days melts away. The press interrupts Peter and Marion; Peter answers questions from reporters for a long while. Eventually, Marion leaves for the Rehearsal Club. The other Rockettes keep Marion up until the middle of the night, wanting to hear every detail. Just before Bunny and Marion fall asleep, Bunny tells Marion that she has finally decided to end her relationship with Dale for good. She feels inspired by Marion’s bravery and realizes that life is too short to waste on people like Dale. The following day, Marion meets with Russell and two other producers she vaguely recognizes. Russell introduces Mr. and Mrs. Hoag, who produce Broadway performances. Mr. and Mrs. Hoag want to hire Marion as an assistant choreographer for a musical they are creating about the creation of the Rockettes. Russell recommends Marion specifically for this role, but he reassures Marion that she is welcome to continue working with the Rockettes. Marion asks to meet with the head choreographer, Darren Noble, immediately.

Marion rushes to Darren Noble’s hotel, meeting him in the lobby. After a quick interview, Darren offers Marion the job of assistant choreographer, and Marion feels excited at the opportunity. She changes the topic of conversation to ask about Lucille, knowing that Darren worked with her mother in Boston. Darren provides essential background information about Lucille, telling Marion that Lucille requested a leave of absence every Sunday afternoon to visit her daughters in Boston and ensured that this detail was evident in her contract. Marion remembers her and Judy’s shared memories of seeing Lucille outside their schoolhouse. She asks why Lucille never approached her daughters during this time, and Darren explains that Simon threatened Lucille with sole custody if she tried to contact Marion and Judy while working in Boston. He intended to force Lucille into returning to him and devoting herself to simply being a wife and mother. Darren recalls the night that Lucille called Simon to end their marriage officially. Distraught, she stepped onto the road, where she was struck by a car and killed instantly. Marion thanks Darren for his honesty.

Later, Marion summons Nathaniel to the Rehearsal Club and ends their relationship, explaining that she is unwilling to forfeit her career in the arts even as she recognizes that Nathaniel wants a traditional marriage. Nathaniel asks Marion if she will be offended by his decision to continue working for Simon. Marion divulges the fact that Met Power might be displeased with Nathaniel’s connection to Simon, though she doesn’t reveal specific details. Later, Marion and Peter enjoy a celebratory dinner together, and Marion tells Peter about her job offer. Peter announces that the FBI has offered him a position profiling serial killers. Marion feels thrilled for him until she learns that he must move to Virginia to accept this job. The evening takes a sad turn when Marion realizes that she mistook a goodbye dinner for a romantic evening. Marion kisses Peter outside the restaurant, but he pushes her away. She leaves abruptly in a cab.

The following day, Marion signs her contract with Mr. and Mrs. Hoag. Her salary will allow her to rent a private apartment near the rehearsal studio. Marion takes the train to Simon’s house. He attempts to scold her for stealing Martinek’s file from his office, but she holds him accountable for his negligence. Simon discloses the pressure he faced from the other executives at Met Power to keep the old personnel files hidden. He knew the identity of the Big Apple Bomber was likely hidden among the files, but he didn’t want to be branded a whistleblower. Simon justifies his actions by claiming that he needed to support Marion and Judy after Lucille took the acting job in Boston. Marion then confronts Simon’s lies about Lucille’s commitment to her children, as well as his manipulation and threats against his wife. Simon admits he was wrong and apologizes profusely. His fingers tremble, and Marion asks about his health. Simon reveals that he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease several months ago. He will eventually require full-time care, and now that he has lost his care plan from Met Power, he is unsure how he will support himself. Crying, he sincerely apologizes to Marion, accepting blame for his actions.

Marion sits with Simon silently, eventually making him tea and leaving for the Rehearsal Club. She promises to see Simon at Christmas. Marion realizes that she and Simon possess different professional personalities. Simon prioritizes fitting in and doing what is expected of him over all else, even when his actions are morally wrong. Marion, however, stands out wherever she goes, resisting the status quo. She reasons that Simon felt desperate to provide a happy childhood for Marion and Judy after Lucille’s death. Peter arrives unannounced at the Rehearsal Club and asks Marion to walk with him. They admire Rockefeller Center and discuss the men who built New York City. Marion shares Simon’s Parkinson’s diagnosis along with her plans to return to Bronxville and care for her father while working as a choreographer. She admits to hating her father at times, but she also understands how Lucille’s death solidified Simon’s belief that women who stray from home put themselves in dangerous positions. Marion reveals that she loves Peter and asks why they can’t attempt to make a long-distance relationship work. Peter tells Marion that she deserves someone who will prioritize her over all else. Marion insists that she wants a caring and intelligent partner, and she accuses him of not wanting to be associated with her because Simon interfered with the Big Apple Bomber case. Peter stammers as he confesses to this accusation, and Marion knows that he is not being entirely honest. She walks away from him.

The narrative returns to 1992. Marion uses the restroom inside the lobby of Radio City. Being inside the building stirs old memories, and she thinks of Simon, who lived for 12 years after his diagnosis. However, he lacked purpose and lost all friendships when the Bronxville community learned of his shameful neglect in hiding Martinek’s personnel file. Marion cared for and provided for Simon during the decline of his physical health. She continued working as a choreographer, never allowing Simon to stand in the way of her dreams. In doing so, she was able to hire medical caretakers for Simon. Marion still thinks of Peter, though she realizes that she idealizes their brief relationship. In all the years since, she has never married or had children. After Simon’s death, Marion contemplated moving to Manhattan, but the city had changed and become more violent, so she remained in Bronxville, maintaining her childhood home until just recently.

Now diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease herself, Marion teaches movement classes to those with the same illness. She helps people feel more in control of their bodies, though she knows she isn’t providing anyone with a permanent cure. Although the disease progresses slowly for Marion, she knows exactly what to expect from her years of caring for Simon. Marion runs into Bunny, who is actively involved with the Rockettes’ Alumni Association. Bunny and Marion remain good friends, often getting together even though Bunny now lives in California with her three children and seven grandchildren. They sit together in the theater, admiring the sorority of women to which they belong. The show begins, and the program organizer summons Bunny to the stage, recognizing her for keeping the Rockettes well connected over the years. Next, the gathering observes a moment of silence for all those who were harmed by the Big Apple Bomber. To her surprise, Marion is recognized for capturing the Big Apple Bomber. The announcer summons her to the stage. Because she has difficulty climbing the staircase, two Rockettes assist her, locking arms with her in the same pattern as the famous kick line. Then, the announcer introduces Dr. Peter Griggs and reports his contributions to the capture of the Big Apple Bomber. Peter walks onto the stage.

Marion finds Peter at the gala after the performance. He hands her a glass of champagne and escorts her to the balcony, where they catch up on the past few decades. Both admit to following each other professionally and congratulate each other on successful careers. Peter, who never married or had children, successfully pioneered the field of criminal profiling and is responsible for capturing dozens of serial killers. Marion won three Tony awards as a choreographer. Peter confesses to lying to Marion on their final night together. Both his mother and grandfather were diagnosed with schizophrenia in their mid-30s, and because he believed that he would suffer the same fate, Peter didn’t want Marion to be responsible for his care in addition to Simon’s. Marion scolds Peter for not allowing her to make this decision for herself; however, she recognizes that their respective professional successes likely never would have happened if they had held each other back by navigating a long-distance relationship. Peter admits that he fell madly in love with Marion, and this is the reason he never settled down with anyone else. Peter takes Marion to Rockefeller Center again. He requests that she ask him to give their love a chance, just like she did on the last night they were together. Marion obligingly asks, and Peter enthusiastically commits to her for as many years as possible. He asks Marion if she is interested in solving more crimes with him in New York, to which Marion agrees.