'Baby Reindeer' Ending Explained: Martha's eventual fate puts Donny Dunn on a guilt trip
Contains heavy spoilers for 'Baby Reindeer'
LONDON, ENGLAND: In Netflix's latest mini-series, Richard Gadd, in the capacity of a creator and actor, portrays his real-life ordeal with a female stalker that extended up to three years.
In 'Baby Reindeer', Gadd portrays Donny Dunn, who meets Matha (Jessica Gunning), a lonely, depressed woman at the bar where he works as a bartender. He empathizes with her and offers her a free cup of tea.
Little did he know that this simple act of kindness would initiate a series of bizarre entanglements with the woman, who is revealed to be a previously convicted serial stalker.
The seven-part series delves into Donny's daily interactions with Martha, showcasing his genuine discomfort alongside a conflicted enjoyment of the attention she bestows upon him.
However, it is only a matter of time, before he realizes that it isn't healthy and it begins to impact his relationship with his trans lover.
How does Donny Dunn get rid of Martha in 'Baby Reindeer'?
In 'Baby Reindeer' Episode 7, Martha resumes her harassment of Donny as she finally discovers his phone number and keeps calling him repeatedly.
Donny loses his calm and reports her to the police station where the cops aren't of much help. However, he is advised to keep receiving Martha's voicemails until she says something threatening that could be used against her in court.
Donny follows the advice and Martha eventually issues Donny a threat which serves as enough evidence to arrest her.
In the court hearing, Martha pleads guilty to all charges and Donny is finally free from the stalking ordeal.
Why does Donny Dunn feel guilty in 'Baby Reindeer' climax?
As Martha tearfully pleads guilty, a wave of emotion washes over Donny. Tears well up in his eyes too, and despite everything, he maintains his empathy towards her.
In the final moments of the series, Donny visits Darrien 'O'Conner the man who sexually assaulted him. Much to his surprise, Darrien has no remorse for his criminal act and instead asks Donny to start working with him again.
As Donny leaves his house, he is seen shaking up with fear and past trauma and eventually finds comfort in Martha's voice and laughs through her recordings.
Somewhere in his heart, he feels guilty for not reporting the man who abused him while putting the woman behind bars who saw his pain and comforted him in moments of despair.
Why did Martha stalk Donny Dunn in 'Baby Reindeer'?
Donny continues to decode the pattern of her emotions and finally stumbles upon a recording where she confesses why she is obsessed with him.
Martha opens up about her childhood, sharing that she had a cute fluffy toy that brought her comfort during her parents' constant fights. It was the one good thing in her life, a source of solace amidst turmoil.
Martha explains that Donny's facial features and presence reminded her of that cherished toy, making her feel happy and safe in his company.
With this revelation, Donny breaks down and realizes that Martha too has been a victim of trauma, just like him.
'Baby Reindeer' trailer
'Baby Reindeer' is now streaming on Netflix.