How Did DTF St. Louis Series Finale Bid Farewell to David Harbour’s Floyd?
DTF St. Louis has finally disclosed the circumstances surrounding David Harbour‘s character, Floyd, and his tragic demise.
During the finale on Sunday, April 12, Floyd took his own life after facing rejection from Carol (Linda Cardellini), Tiger Tiger (Chris Perfetti), and Clark (Jason Bateman). Floyd’s stepson, Richard (Arlan Ruf), who contributed to Floyd’s Peyronie’s disease, witnessed Floyd ingest medication in his Bloody Mary can before signing “I love you” prior to his passing.
Showrunner Steve Conrad elaborated on the decision-making process for this ending in an interview with TV Insider, stating, “If you consider the numerous instances where Floyd faced assessments and rejections, there were many, but his solid connection was with Richard. Despite the unsuccessful therapy and repeated attempts to reach Richard, Floyd discovered a bond that summer.”
Conrad aimed to provide an emotionally charged conclusion.
“Had you asked him whether anything positive occurred that summer, he would have mentioned something wonderful, like the connection he forged with Richard while both were struggling to alleviate their collective suffering,” he articulated. This ultimately led to circumstances that Richard encountered by chance, exposing him to parts of Floyd’s life that should have been avoided for someone his age. This might not have transpired without that reckless summer, which made Floyd feel responsible for Richard’s presence,” he explained.
He concluded with: “Floyd believed that if he were a better man, this boy wouldn’t be left trying to make sense of what he was witnessing, even though what he was watching was innocuous and fundamentally understandable.”
Conrad also reflected on whether Floyd would have inevitably reached the same outcome, stating, “That’s an astute observation. We could have restructured the initial scene regarding Floyd. … You could see in Floyd’s final shot during that therapy session, conveyed through David’s performance, that it was only three months away from that moment, and it couldn’t have manifested for the first time there.”
The screenwriter acknowledged he was aware of “what Floyd’s fate might have been.”
“I believe Carol and Floyd would have divorced. His tax burdens were a weight he couldn’t help alleviate. Their intimacy had faded — they made efforts, but it had been a year. The decline in their intimate life, as portrayed in episode 6 during a bedroom scene, indicated that it was over, and I suspect they would have separated,” he shared. “I think Floyd might have kept in touch with Richard by sending letters every few months, maybe a Christmas gift, but over time that would dwindle, and ultimately, I envision Floyd facing a very sorrowful existence. He had an inherent sweetness but needed to realize he had to stand firm and fight when necessary.”
He continued: “Floyd lacks any significant self-assertion; he embodies kindness. Some individuals are just made that way, and their sweetness is a cherished quality. However, being partnered with someone like that while navigating challenging circumstances can prove to be very demanding.”
DTF St. Louis is available for streaming on HBO Max.
