The Ending of 'Baby Reindeer' Explained

baby reindeer ending explained
'Baby Reindeer' Ending ExplainedNetflix

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If you need a new series to binge-watch on Netflix this week, then you need to put Baby Reindeer on your list. But, what happens to Donny and Martha?

The drama follows the real life story of comedian Richard Gadd, who writes and stars in the series, as his life is turned upside down by a stalker who harasses him after he gave her a free drink at the pub he worked in.

Already hooked? Yep, so are we! The series has had everyone talking, and if you're as obsessed as we are, then here is the ending to Baby Reindeer explained.

baby reindeer netflix ending explained
Netflix

Donny confesses to his parents

At the start of episode seven, Donny is on a career high after his stand-up video goes viral. But, this is soon brought to a halt after Martha gets his number and calls him, threatening to tell his parents about the video.

So, he goes back to Scotland where he tells his parents about Martha, Terri, him being assaulted, his sexuality and more. "I didn't want you to think less of me as a man," he says to his parents, to which his father replies, "Would you see me as less of a man?"

He adds that he grew up in the Catholic Church, alluding to him also being assaulted. Then, Donny and his parents hug and he goes back to London feeling better.

Martha is arrested

Donny goes to the police about Martha's harassment, to which an officer suggests that he should wait until Martha says something incriminating. So, he begins listening to hours and hours of her voicemails over months.

During this time, he also goes to Teri's apartment but sees her leaving with another man. Soon, Donny finally finds a voicemail where Martha threatens violence against his family, so he reports it to the police and she is arrested and charged with stalking and harassment.

a person sitting in a chair
Netflix

The case goes to trial and in court, she cries and pleads guilty. Donny and Martha look at each other for the final time, and she is sentenced to nine months in prison and a five-year long restraining order.

After Martha goes to prison, Donny falls into a dark place to which his housemate calls Keeley and she visits him. Here, she sees his police-style investigation into Martha and encourages him to move back in with her mom, Liz, which he does.

Donny visits Darrien

At Liz's, Donny finds an old script with notes from his assaulter, Darrien, which prompts him to visit him. Here, Darrien calls Donny's viral confession "brave" and offers him work by saying "it won't be like last time". Donny agrees, but leaves and emotionally collapses.

He then starts listening to some of Martha's flattering voicemails for some kind of comfort and ends up in a pub, where we finally learn what Martha’s pet name for Donny means.

baby reindeer
Netflix

So, what does Baby Reindeer mean?

In one of her many voicemails, Martha tearfully tells Donny that she had a cuddly toy of a baby reindeer when she was a child that she kept for all of these years.

She described the toy as the "only good thing" about her childhood and said she would hug it when her parents fought. Then, she says that Donny is the spitting image of her toy reindeer and that it means so much to her, as does Donny.

Donny cries and goes to pay for his drink, to which he realizes that he doesn't have his wallet. Then, the bartender says it's on him in a scene that echoes the first episode of Donny paying for Martha's drink.

Baby Reindeer is streaming on Netflix now.


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