Warning: This article contains discussion of sexual assault which some readers may find distressing.
Netflix show Baby Reindeer has become the most-watched series only a week after premiering on the streamer - but many people may be left wondering at the title.
Viewers have been sucked in by comedian Richard Gadd's drama inspired by his real-life experiences. Gadd plays Donny, a standup who starts being stalked by Martha (Jessica Gunning) after a chance encounter at the pub he works at.
The seven-episode series makes for a tough watch as both Martha and Donny open up about traumatic incidents in their live, including Donny being sexually assaulted by his 'mentor', TV writer Darrien (Tom Goodman-Hill) — again, a real-life occurrence for Gadd, who was raped when he was in his 20s.
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In the final episode, one such revelation from the stalker herself explains why the show is called Baby Reindeer, looking back on a prized possession from her childhood.
(Major spoilers ahead if you haven't watched the finale of Baby Reindeer just yet.)
In episode seven, Donny has got a restraining order against Martha, prompted to go to the police after she threatened his family in one of the multiple voicemails she's sent him.
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After finding notes from Darrien on an old script, Donny pays him a surprise visit, but the moment doesn't give the comedian the closure he'd hoped for as his abuser calls him 'brave' for his viral confession and offers him work.
The show then leans into the twisted relationship between Donny and Martha in its final moments, with the comedian going back on her voicemails for comfort in a really dark moment.
In a message in the 'Not Listened To' folder, viewers finally find out the origin of Martha's pet name for the protagonist.
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"I had this wee cuddly toy when I was young," Martha says in the message. "Went with me everywhere. Earliest memory I have, I think, was Christmastime.
"This old photo of me, sitting with this paper hat on my head and this baby reindeer beside me.
"Anyway, this reindeer was this cuddly, fluffy thing. It had big lips, huge eyes, and the cutest wee bum.
"I still have it to this day. It was the only good thing about my childhood. I’d hug it when they fought. And they fought a lot, you know?
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"Well, you are the spit of that reindeer. The same nose. Same eyes. Same cute wee bum. It means so much to me. You… You mean so much to me."
The chilling moment closes the show just before it goes full circle with a distressed Donny going into a bar and realises he's forgotten his wallet, and is offered a drink on the house.
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact The Survivors Trust for free on 08088 010 818, available 10am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-3pm and 6pm-8pm Monday to Thursday, 10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-3pm on Fridays, 10am-12.30pm on Saturdays and 6pm-8pm on Sundays.
Topics: Baby Reindeer, Netflix, TV And Film
Stefania Sarrubba