The Executions of Grady Finch - Recap

Protestors are gathered outside the prison where Grady Finch is being prepared for execution. His alleged victim’s son, Nathan Park, goes on the air to ask that Grady confess to the killing. Inside, Grady insists to his lawyer Liz that he’s innocent, and was convicted on the testimony of a junkie who made a plea bargain. Liz tries to reassure him without success. Warden Tobey comes in to inform him that the governor isn’t issuing a pardon. Grady is taken to the execution chamber to die by lethal injection. He’s given the chance to make a final statement and insists that he’s innocent. In the observation gallery, Nathan pounds on the glass and demands that he tell the truth. As the execution proceeds, Grady hears a woman’s voice say “Not yet.” The phone rings and a technician informs the warden that the injection machine has frozen up: they’ll have to postpone the execution.

Back in his cell, Grady waits as Liz arrives to tell him that in the case of botched executions, it can be argued that it’s cruel and unusual punishment to executive him a second time. Grady tells her what he heard but she’s skeptical. The warden comes in to tell them that they need to proceed with the execution before midnight or the governor will have to issue another execution order. He assures Grady that this time the execution will go as planned.

In the execution chamber, Grady hears the same voice… and faints. An alarm goes off indicating an electrical fire and the warden is forced to evacuate the prison. Outside, some of the religious protestors believe that God is giving a sign to spare Grady. The story makes all the newspapers and Grady tells Liz that he’s wondering if some higher power is trying to stop his execution. The state continues and prepares him for a new execution, by electrical chair. Grady hears the same voice saying “not yet.” This time they activate the chair and the entire system shorts out. Grady laughs triumphantly as he realizes what’s happened.

Later, Liz visits Grady, who has taken up nicotine. He’s increasingly confident and can keep food down, now that he knows he has a guardian angel. He explains that he saw a vision of his angel when he was in the chair and has a drawn a sketch. Liz tells him that the state’s primary witness has decided to recant his testimony based on the publicity of Grady’s failed executions. They go to a press statement and Grady tells them about his angel, and his belief that he thinks he has a destiny to fulfill. Grady insists he’s proof that there’s a higher justice, and it will be his duty to spread the word to the innocent who are falsely imprisoned. Liz is upset that he went off script, but as they leave, Nathan pulls out a gun and tries to shoot him. Grady hears the woman’s voice, and the gun jams. As Nathan is taken away, Grady is confident that he’s now unkillable.

Grady and Liz go back to court for his retrial. One woman asks if there’s any hope for her husband on death row, and Grady says to tell him “not yet.” Inside, Grady insists he has a message that needs to be heard and asks Liz to help him spread the message. Liz insists that it’s luck and coincidence but Grady insists there’s a reason for his newfound invulnerability. The case goes to the jury and Grady is found innocent.

As Grady and Liz prepare to leave the courthouse, Grady boasts privately to Liz that he killed Nathan’s father. Liz is shocked to hear it, but Grady says there’d be no point because now he can’t be killed. Liz says “Not yet,” and Grady agrees. He steps out to meet the press and his adoring fans, and remembers all the failed executions. Above him, a rope snaps and workmen look down in horror as a statue falls on Grady, crushing him to death. A statue of Nemesis, the Goddess of Vengeance.

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