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| It’s Not Like That Ending Explained: Prime Video Series Finale Recap and What Lori’s Choice Really Means. (Image via: PrimeVideo) |
Prime Video’s eight-episode drama It’s Not Like That (2026) closes its first season with an emotional finale that mixes relief, unresolved tension, and quiet character growth. The series follows newly divorced Lori and recently widowed minister Malcolm, two longtime friends raising teenagers while slowly realising their bond may be more complicated than either of them expected.
By the final episode, the Jeffries and Soto families have weathered grief, conflict, and difficult truths, but the season ends with the biggest question still hanging in the air: what exactly are Lori and Malcolm to each other?
The finale delivers answers to several storylines while leaving the central relationship deliberately unresolved. Instead of offering a tidy conclusion, the series chooses to focus on healing, accountability, and the messy process of rebuilding families after loss.
The finale begins with the aftermath of the frightening accident involving Merritt and Flora. Episode 7 ended on a nerve-racking cliffhanger, and the final episode opens with the families anxiously waiting for news. The immediate relief comes quickly: both teenagers are safe. Yet the emotional impact lingers across the episode.
For Malcolm, the situation triggers painful memories of losing his late wife Jenny. Flashbacks show how deeply that loss shaped him, and why he clings so tightly to the support he finds in Lori. Seeing his son hurt forces him to confront how fragile his family still feels.
When Lori and David arrive at the hospital, tensions rise instantly. David’s reaction is sharp and emotional, particularly when he learns that alcohol played a role in the accident.
Once he confirms that Merritt is physically okay, his concern turns into anger. David openly confronts his son about drinking and the dangerous path he might be heading toward.
The confrontation is harsh but honest. David recognises the signs because he has lived through addiction himself. His words land hard, and Merritt feels judged and misunderstood. For him, the accusation carries another painful implication: that his father sees him as a danger to Flora, someone unworthy of being around her.
Lori eventually steps in to calm the situation, preventing the argument from spiralling further. The conflict between father and son has simmered all season, and the episode shows how difficult reconciliation can be. They talk, they listen, but the relationship still feels fragile.
While Merritt’s struggle with alcohol is acknowledged, the finale only begins to explore the consequences. We see him withdraw into himself slightly, hinting that his journey toward recovery is far from finished.
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Meanwhile, the two families continue their long-standing tradition of celebrating Christmas Eve together, even though recent events suggest both households could benefit from time apart.
That choice perfectly captures the show’s central theme: the families lean on each other for strength, but sometimes that closeness creates new complications.
During the Christmas gathering, Flora prepares to sing at church for the holiday service. Her quiet conversation with Merritt is one of the episode’s most heartfelt moments. The two clear the air and reaffirm their friendship, reminding viewers that their bond was built on mutual understanding.
Elsewhere, Penelope finally breaks away from the toxic influence of Dakota, a classmate who has been undermining her confidence throughout the season. When Dakota reacts coldly to Flora’s accident, Penelope realises the friendship was never genuine.
She reconnects with Casey, who has always supported her. Their reunion highlights a major theme of the series: growing into your own identity often means letting go of people who hold you back.
Another emotional highlight involves Justin, whose grief over his mother resurfaces when he struggles to recreate her famous holiday cookies. Forgetting the key ingredient makes him realise how much he fears losing the little details that connect him to Jenny. His siblings rally around him, turning the moment into a shared act of remembrance.
The final twist arrives in the complicated romantic triangle surrounding Lori.
Throughout the season she has been caught between three men: adventurous outsider Cuppa Joe, her ex-husband David, and her closest friend Malcolm. By the finale, it becomes clear that Joe never truly stood a chance.
His lifestyle clashes with Lori’s responsibilities as a mother, and his surprise visit on Christmas Eve feels more like a comedic interruption than a genuine romantic development.
The real emotional tension lies between David and Malcolm.
David begins the season trying to rebuild his life after mistakes that damaged his marriage. Over time he demonstrates genuine growth, taking responsibility for his actions and recommitting to sobriety. His love for Lori remains clear, and the finale shows that Lori still cares deeply for him as well.
Malcolm, meanwhile, has slowly realised that his feelings for Lori extend beyond friendship. Yet their relationship has always been deeply intertwined with family responsibilities, shared grief, and emotional dependence.
The finale closes with Lori uncertain about what she truly wants. Malcolm finally accepts that he should pursue happiness rather than waiting endlessly, but the timing is complicated. The final moments leave their future unresolved, setting up the possibility of a new chapter rather than a definitive answer.
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The ending of It’s Not Like That is intentionally open because the story is less about choosing a partner and more about learning how to rebuild life after loss.
For Malcolm, the finale represents the first step toward moving forward from Jenny’s death. His feelings for Lori are real, but they are also tangled with grief and familiarity. The story suggests he needs to rediscover who he is outside that emotional safety net.
For Lori, the finale reflects uncertainty rather than indecision. She has spent most of the season supporting everyone else: Malcolm, her children, and even David’s recovery. The ending implies she now needs time to figure out what she wants for herself.
David’s arc may be the most complete. By acknowledging his mistakes and actively working toward sobriety, he begins rebuilding trust with his family. Whether that leads to reconciliation with Lori remains unclear, but the path toward healing is now open.
Ultimately, the finale suggests that relationships built on shared history and family ties cannot be rushed. Real change requires patience, accountability, and space to grow.
Scott Foley as Malcolm
A widowed minister still grappling with grief while raising his children. His emotional dependence on Lori becomes a central tension as he begins to imagine a future with her.
Erinn Hayes as Lori
Freshly divorced and trying to balance motherhood with personal independence. She finds herself caught between loyalty to her past and uncertainty about her future.
J. R. Ramirez as David
Lori’s ex-husband whose journey through sobriety and accountability drives one of the series’ most compelling arcs.
Caleb Baumann as Merritt
David and Lori’s son whose struggles with alcohol and identity highlight the pressures teenagers face while navigating family expectations.
Leven Miranda as Flora
Malcolm’s daughter, whose quiet strength and friendship with Merritt bring emotional grounding to the series.
Cary Christopher as Justin
The youngest member of Malcolm’s family, representing the lingering impact of Jenny’s absence.
Cassidy Paul as Penelope and Liv Lindell as Casey
Friends who rediscover their bond after Penelope breaks away from a toxic social circle.
Tyner Rushing as Jenny
Though gone before the story begins, her memory shapes nearly every decision the characters make.
It’s Not Like That ends its first season with a heartfelt but unresolved finale. Merritt and Flora survive their accident, family tensions slowly ease, and Lori faces a complicated choice between Malcolm and David.
The series focuses less on romance and more on healing after loss, identity, and family bonds. The open ending leaves emotional threads hanging, suggesting the story is far from over. A warm, reflective drama that prioritises character growth over dramatic twists.
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Did It’s Not Like That end with a happy or sad ending?
The finale lands somewhere in between. The families come through the crisis stronger and more honest with each other, but the central romantic storyline remains unresolved.
Does Lori choose Malcolm or David?
No final choice is made in the finale. Lori’s feelings toward both men remain complicated, leaving the story open for future development.
Will there be Season 2 of It’s Not Like That?
A second season has not been officially confirmed. However, industry chatter suggests the creators may have a longer story planned. If the series returns, the next season would likely explore Merritt’s recovery journey, Lori’s romantic decision, and Malcolm redefining his life beyond grief.
What could happen in Season 2 if the series continues?
Potential storylines include Merritt confronting his drinking problem, David continuing his redemption arc, and the long-awaited resolution of Lori and Malcolm’s relationship. The show may also explore how the two families adapt as their bonds evolve.
Is the series meant to end with Season 1?
Reports suggest the creators have a broader ending in mind, but not immediately. A second season could act as the final chapter if the series continues.
The first season of It’s Not Like That leaves viewers with lingering questions rather than tidy answers, and that may be exactly why the story resonates. Relationships, family healing, and personal growth rarely follow a neat timeline.
Did the finale satisfy you, or were you hoping Lori would finally choose between Malcolm and David? And if the series returns, which storyline are you most eager to see explored next?