The Ending Of Trese Season 1 Explained

Netflix has gone all-in on producing its own original anime shows. From "Pacific Rim: The Black" to "Yasuke," there's something for everyone whether you've watched anime your entire life or have just gotten into the medium. Now, Netflix has released something designed for all horror lovers out there who have grown tired of watching the same old monsters grace their screens. 

"Trese" draws influence from Filipino folklore, and even though it's not a strict anime, it does take inspiration from the style. The show's plot pits the occult detective Alexandra Trese (Shay Mitchell) against all kinds of demonic creatures. As you watch the series, you'll notice it follows a monster-of-the-week format to an extent, with each episode detailing a different crime that requires solving. However, there are far more dangerous machinations at play, and it all comes to a head by Season 1's finale. 

The final episode of the season throws a lot at the audience, complete with an epic battle and a healthy dose of exposition. Here's all you need to know about the last episode of Season 1. 

Contains spoilers for the "Trese" Season 1 finale

After believing Mayor Sancho Santamaria (Lou Diamond Phillips) was behind the string of magical attacks on mortals, Datu Talagbusao (Steve Blum) makes himself known. He reveals that he's been the one all along pulling the strings and orchestrating everything to lead to this moment. Alexandra and her allies do their best to get rid of him, but he's too powerful, and once he regains control over his sons, The Kambal (Griffin Puatu), to apprehend her. 

Once Talagbusao has Alexandra as a captive audience, he engages in some lengthy flashbacks. Part of this involves revealing that Alexandra is actually the sixth child of the sixth child. This prophecy first came to light in the first episode of "Trese," but at that time, Alexandra states that she wasn't the sixth child in her family. Later, she discloses that a twin would've been born with her, but she was stillborn. However, as Talagbusao shows her in the finale, her sister was actually born, technically making her the sixth child in her family. 

According to the God of Death, that means Alexandra is the one destined to pass judgment on humanity, a task she staunchly refuses. So naturally, the God isn't about to give her much of a choice in the matter, but after he kills Captain Guerrero (Matt Yang King), Alexandra discovers newfound power to fight back. 

After The Kambal are back on Alexandra's side, they spend time distracting Talagbusao just long enough for the detective to establish a portal spell. Typically, this allows her to travel between different locations and even dimensions. Since there's no way for her or her teammates to kill Talagbusao, the next best thing is to leave him in this unknown realm where he'll forever be unable to return to Earth. She manages to save herself by creating one more portal, allowing her to leave while he continues to fall perpetually. 

Of course, that doesn't stop Talagbusao from ensuring that he'll find a way to come back and force Alexandra to fulfill her end of the prophecy. Netflix hasn't confirmed whether Season 2 of "Trese" is in the cards, but in the event it does receive a renewal, one would expect Talagbusao to come back in some capacity. But, of course, there are all kinds of magical beings out there, so anything is really in the cards. 

For audiences to understand the significance of the Balete tree in the "Trese" Season 1 finale, they must learn about the role it has within Filipino folklore at large. Balete trees are essentially parasitic plants where they attach themselves to other foliage within the vicinity until it finally dies. Various myths surround these trees that mention everything from serving as home to monsters to functioning as a portal between realms (via Philippines Insider). Some myths even mention a "White Lady," a figure that played a role in the first episode of the season. 

There are two main scenes where the Balete tree factors into the Season 1 ending. The first is when we see Alexandra enter the tree for her trials. While she's there, various supernatural entities gather, wanting to kill her. They believe that as long as she lives, the worlds remain in danger. However, Alexandra's father refuses to sacrifice another child and has all of his former allies killed. 

The second scene comes in at the very end. After Alexandra escapes the portal where she trapped Talagbusao, she returns to the Balete tree, where she sees a vision of all of those who have died. Then, those visages disappear, and Alexandra is again all by herself. It serves as a painful reminder for her of all the sacrifices others have made to protect her. 

You'll definitely want to stick around after the credits for the last episode of "Trese." A scene starts depicting two dock workers walking along when a mysterious creature appears and kills both of them. It's a bloody scene, indicating a horrific new threat has arrived in Manila. After the bloodbath, we get our best look yet at the creature, and whatever it is, it knows about Alexandra, as all it says is, "Trese." 

There's not a ton of information provided on the creature; however, judging from its fangs and the paper talisman on its hat, we'd have to say it's a jiangshi (via History Answers). A jiangshi is a vampire-like creature from Chinese mythology who only goes out at night and sleeps in a coffin. It's interesting to see a potentially Chinese creature make its way to the Philippines, but perhaps that's all part of the master plan for Season 2. Perhaps the creators want to go international for future episodes. 

Netflix hasn't confirmed whether "Trese" Season 2 could come to fruition, but it's clear the creators envisioned plenty more stories for Alexandra to take. In addition to going up against a presumed jiangshi, there's a ton of inspiration for the writers to borrow from with outside materials. "Trese" started as a series of comic books, and there are plenty of stories within the pages that could receive adaptations in future seasons. 

For example, one case file, "The Association Dues of Livewell Village," involves Alexandra investigating a series of suspicious electrocutions that take place in a village that otherwise seems to have otherworldly luck. Numerous stories have come out since 2005, and the books remain ongoing. 

"Trese" has only begun to scratch the surface of Filipino mythology, and other monsters could lurk around the corner. Whatever ends up happening, Alexandra's tribulations have only begun.