Helmed by Kristian Mercado and penned by Angela Bourassa, Peacock’s ‘If You Were the Last’ is a space-set rom-com. The plot orbits around two astronauts, stranded on a malfunctioning space shuttle, contemplating whether to elevate their friendship to a romantic level. The story takes a twist when Adam and Jane find themselves drawn to each other just as their chances of rescue seem to brighten. Naturally, viewers are left wondering if Adam and Jane’s romance reaches a happy ending. If you’re on the hunt for answers, we’ve got you covered. Be warned, spoilers ahead!
‘If You Were the Last’ Plot Breakdown
‘If You Were the Last’ kicks off with Adam Gherrity (played by Anthony Mackie) and Jane Kuang (portrayed by Zoe Chao), two NASA astronauts marooned in space, passing time with chess and music. As they float aimlessly in their spacecraft, they debate the value of rescuing a single person stranded in space, like in the movie ‘The Martian’, when the same resources could be used to aid many on Earth. Their game concludes with Adam’s victory, but their discussion ends with the grim realization that they too are stranded, with no rescue in sight. Their daily routine on the ship includes the company of a goat named Gertie and a group of hens they call “the girls.”
Their mission was to circle Jupiter, but after passing Saturn, their ship’s navigation and communication systems failed, leaving Jane and Adam adrift for nearly three years. A colleague, Benson, succumbed to the stress of being stranded and passed away. However, Jane and Adam chose to respect Benson’s body rather than use it for resources. Adam’s daily tasks include maintaining the ship’s self-sustaining ecosystem, and he spends his free time developing a blueberry-marijuana hybrid plant. Jane, on the other hand, is in charge of the ship’s systems and makes futile attempts to repair the comms and navigation system.
Jane and Adam start their days with a joint workout and enjoy dancing to music. They watch old movies in the evenings and engage in lively debates over films and music, given their differing tastes. One day, Adam proposes they have sex to alleviate stress. Jane initially dismisses the idea but eventually debates the pros and cons of hooking up with Adam. Despite acknowledging the potential benefits, Jane reminds Adam that they are both married and it would be unethical to cheat on their spouses. Moreover, Jane is not attracted to Adam and fears that sleeping with him might change that.
In the meantime, Gertie passes away, and Jane suffers a breakdown when her music files get corrupted. However, Adam sings for Jane and calms her down. After Adam runs out of Pop-Tarts, Jane cooks for him, lifting his spirits. Soon, Jane finds herself attracted to Adam, and they contemplate hooking up. While trying to repair the ship’s systems, Jane successfully restores the navigation controls. As a result, Jane can steer the ship back to Earth. Realizing they won’t die in space, Jane and Adam celebrate by hooking up. Over the next few weeks, Jane and Adam engage in passionate sex, but Jane insists their relationship lacks any emotional connection.
Eventually, Adam and Jane return to earth after three years and reunite with their spouses. They undergo a series of medical tests and are questioned about their experiences in space. They also report on Benson’s fate, who is revealed to have attacked Adam with a gun, forcing Jane to retaliate with an axe, resulting in Benson’s death. Jane avoids contacting Adam after returning home, fearing it would complicate things with her husband, Tom. Jane reconnects with Tom while Adam learns his wife, Savannah, has become the Governor. Jane and Adam return to their everyday lives but long for each other’s company.
‘If You Were the Last’ Ending: Do Jane and Adam Find Love?
In the film’s final act, Jane and Adam struggle to readjust to life on Earth, especially when it comes to reconnecting with their spouses. Jane learns that her husband Tom had tried dating other women in her absence but couldn’t move on from her. As a result, she is encouraged to pick up their marriage where they left off. On the other hand, Adam tries to support Savannah’s political career. However, Adam and Jane soon feel out of sync with their spouses. During the final moments, Jane and Adam attend a dinner hosted by the President of the USA, where they are asked to dance together. The tender and emotional moment reignites Jane and Adam’s feelings for each other, confirming their romantic inclination towards each other.
Moreover, Jane reveals she is getting a divorce, and Savannah realizes Adam has feelings for Jane. Ultimately, Jane and Adam recognize that the emotional connection they formed while in space cannot be replicated with their spouses and is unique. Thus, they decide to pursue a romantic relationship. The film concludes with Jane and Adam embarking on a trip to Iceland, where they play chess and discuss movies under the northern lights, confirming a happy ending for the couple. The ending underscores the idea that special connections can be forged in unconventional circumstances. While Jane and Adam initially dismiss their attraction and affection for each other as a byproduct of being stranded in space, they eventually realize their bond is special. This realization prompts Jane and Adam to get together.
Why Did Tom Leave Jane? What Happened Between Adam and Savannah?
One of the significant hurdles in Jane and Adam’s union is their existing relationships. Despite being away from their spouses for nearly three years, Adam and Jane remain committed to Savannah and Tom, respectively. However, the cracks in their marriages soon become apparent. This is evident when Jane asks Tom to take a dancing class with her, which he refuses. Jane also listens to the song Adam sang for her, which brings her to tears. Later, she confesses to Tom about her sexual relationship with Adam during their time in space.
Later, Jane reveals she is separating from Tom, citing their different personalities as the primary reason. Jane and Tom are fundamentally different people, enjoying different activities and having opposing comfort zones. As a result, their relationship was bound to break down eventually. However, Jane’s confession about her infidelity accelerates their separation. The breakdown of Jane and Tom’s relationship also highlights Jane’s earlier fear of emotional complications arising from sleeping with Adam.
Meanwhile, Adam feels neglected by Savannah’s focus on her career. Adam and Savannah decide not to discuss Adam’s relationship with Jane, despite Savannah hinting she is aware something happened between them while they were stranded in space. The lack of communication is a sign of an unhealthy relationship, which worsens when Savannah sees Jane and Adam dance together. No longer willing to stand in the way of Adam’s happiness, Savannah decides to step aside, paving the way for Adam and Jane to end up together.