: Just as Joe prepares to execute Penelope, Miguel intervenes. The Purge siren sounds, marking the end of the legal slaughter. Ending Explained
: Miguel and Pete the Cop fight their way into the school, using Joe's own explosives against attackers. In the chaos, Rick is shot and killed by a surviving guard, leaving a grieving Jenna to escape. : Just as Joe prepares to execute Penelope,
: Joe holds Rick and Jenna at his makeshift "courtroom" in Thomas Paine High School. He forces Jenna to shoot Rick to save herself, though the gun is revealed to be empty as a cruel psychological ploy. In the chaos, Rick is shot and killed
In a subversion of Joe’s "law-abiding" persona, Miguel shoots him twice and kicks him into a pool after the siren has already sounded. In a subversion of Joe’s "law-abiding" persona, Miguel
The episode centers on Joe Owens, whose true motivations are fully revealed: he isn't a hero, but a man seeking revenge for personal slights.
The season finale of The Purge , titled successfully bridges the gap between small-screen character drama and the high-octane violence typical of the film franchise. While some critics found certain plot points predictable, the episode delivers a satisfying conclusion to the central "trial" of its protagonists. Plot Summary: Joe’s "Final Exam"