Thoughts on the Show Rectify
This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through links on my site, I may earn a commission at no cost to you. For more information, please see my disclosure policy.
I want to share some thoughts I’ve had about the show Rectify. What I thought about most while watching this show was Daniel’s naïveté upon his release from prison.
What Is Rectify About?
Sundance Channel’s first wholly-owned scripted series stars Aden Young as Daniel Holden. In the story, he spends nearly 20 years on death row for the rape and murder of a teenage girl, before new DNA evidence nullifies his conviction. He returns home, but he’s far from welcomed.
Daniel returns to his small Georgia hometown, where whispers of guilt, fractured family ties, and personal trauma linger. He’s now an outsider in a town that remains divided by his alleged crime.
Contributing to his uncertain future is the fact that the man who prosecuted him is riding that notoriety to become a state senator and is plotting to reopen the case.
How His Family Reacts To Him:
As he struggles to adapt, Daniel is comforted by support from his younger sister, Amantha Holden. She has always believed in his innocence and has worked her entire adult life to secure his release.
Daniel’s stepbrother, with whom he has no relationship, does not believe in his innocence. Insecure and manipulative, Ted is skeptical of Daniel’s motives and will do anything to protect his family.
Daniel went into prison at age 18 and came out at 38. He did not experience what most boys do as they transition from adolescence to adulthood.
The Repercussions of Being in Prison:
Imagine losing 20 years confined to a world where everyone you know goes on living without you. And your own limited world consists of a small cell with no windows.
As a prisoner, Daniel had virtually no rights. He was at the whim of guards who didn’t much like him to begin with.
And if he made friends on the other side of his wall, he often ended up losing them to the death penalty that put them all there in the first place.
When he goes home, Daniel seems strange to everyone. But then, how could you possibly be normal in such a situation? Especially when you’re wondering if they’re going to charge you again and throw you back into jail.
What Daniel Once Again Experiences:
At home, Daniel re-experiences what we all take for granted.
One scene depicts him falling back into the grass and feeling the sun warm his face. He stands in the rain because he did not hear rain or thunder on the “inside.”
Daniel did not experience the passage of a season, see a flower bloom, or smell freshly mowed grass. Those are the little things that become important when you no longer have access to them. He lost all that.
There’s no making up 20 years for a crime you didn’t commit. The anger would have to be immense and formidable. And to be set free, and not be accepted, was almost as hard as being inside.
Rectify: A Quiet Masterpiece You Shouldn’t Miss:
When most people think of gripping television dramas, they picture fast-paced thrillers or crime stories full of twists. Rectify takes a very different path—and that’s precisely what makes it so unforgettable.
Why Viewers Love Rectify:
Unlike typical courtroom or prison dramas, Rectify isn’t about solving a case. It’s about what happens after. How does someone rebuild a life stolen from them? How do families heal from decades of grief, resentment, and doubt?
The show’s meditative pace allows viewers to feel the weight of these questions, making it a profound and compelling drama.
A Critically Acclaimed Drama:
Critics have hailed Rectify as one of television’s most thoughtful and beautifully crafted series. It has earned near-universal acclaim, with some calling it the most poetic show of its time.
Its slow-burn storytelling and raw performances from Aden Young, Abigail Spencer, J. Smith-Cameron, and others create a hauntingly authentic experience.
Themes That Stay With You:
At its core, Rectify is about redemption, forgiveness, and identity. It explores:
- Grace and forgiveness in the face of uncertainty.
- Family dynamics that are strained by trauma and doubt.
- The passage of time and the fact that lost years cannot be reclaimed.
- The human spirit is fragile yet resilient.
This isn’t just a show you watch—it’s a story that lingers long after the credits roll.
If you enjoy slow-burning, character-driven dramas like The Leftovers or Breaking Bad’s quieter moments, Rectify is for you. It’s not about action, but about emotion, healing, and reflection.
Rectify premiered on Sundance TV, then found a home on Netflix, allowing a broader audience to discover its brilliance. Availability may vary by region, so be sure to check your Netflix library.
Where You Can Watch Rectify:
Currently, you can watch “Rectify” on AMC Plus (Apple TV Channel, Amazon Channel), AMC+ (Philo, Roku Premium Channel), or for free with ads on Pluto TV.
The first episode aired on April 22, 2013 (USA), and the final episode aired on December 14, 2016.
Brenda
Have you tried the Gazania flower. I do dead head and water daily. But such beautiful multi color. They do well in full sun too and boy has it been hot in North central Indiana this year.
I hope for you a wonderful day! You can buy the plants for a small price. I am watching from now on for plants/flowers that can take the heat.
Loved this series. Glad you like it.
This looks like a great Netflix series. I will have to check it out. I bet it is very hard for someone put in jail so early in life to then be put in society that has evolved while he was in prison. So I am sure all the new technology and way of living is hard to adjust to. Thanks for sharing I am going to check this out.
Kris
I never watch tv. My set died and I haven’t bothered to replace it. I know it sounds a bit different maybe even weird but I read to get my news and for my entertainment. I’ve just finished a pretty terrific book titled “ The Weight of Ink”. The title intrigued me and I bought it browsing through Barnes & Noble. It’s a book about a Jewish girl growing up in the 1600’s in England and has references to the Inquisition and to the Black Plague. It’s actually two stories being told at once as the young Jewish girl’s life is being discovered by two present day historians. Great book with lots to teach us from history… contrary to what a recent congressman had to say about history. Hope all have a great day today.
I really didn’t watch TV either before I got Netflix, which I sometimes watch on this laptop. But I really like the quality of series Netflix has.
I wonder if this doesn’t account for the high rate of recidivism?
I would imagine it is very difficult to acclimate to the world “outside” especially if you were incarcerated at a young age. And with all the technology that has come to the forefront of our lives just in the past 2 decades.
Interesting topic.