Mixed Emotions Surround Adulting’s Final Episode: A Bittersweet Sendoff

Please note: This article contains major spoilers from Episode 12 & 13 of Adulting Season 3.

The Adulting journey has been nothing short of iconic — a Showmax Original that delivered on every front, from strong storytelling to powerhouse performances. From Season 1, Episode 1 right up to Season 3, Episode 12, the show was a masterclass in South African production. It gave us laughs, tears, fights, love, growth, and brotherhood in its most complex and relatable forms. So when it came time to say goodbye with Episode 13 — the final episode of the final season — many fans expected nothing less than perfection.

But for some, including myself, the ending left a bittersweet aftertaste.

Let’s be real: Adulting was already emotionally charged by the time we witnessed the death of Eric (Nhlanhla Kunene) in Episode 12. It was heartbreaking. It was powerful. It was enough. Watching the brotherhood reel from the shock and pain of losing one of their own was deeply moving. So much so that it almost felt like the show could have ended right there — at Eric’s funeral, or perhaps with the birth of Bonga Tembe’s (Thembinkosi Mthembu) son, who is symbolically named after Eric. That moment alone felt like the perfect full-circle ending. Poetic. Emotional. Done right.

Episode 13, however, didn’t hit the same. While it aimed to celebrate Eric’s life — showing the guys coming together as brothers, sharing memories, and honouring their fallen friend — the emotional weight and pacing felt off. It was as if the show had already reached its emotional peak, and now we were simply prolonging a goodbye that had already been perfectly said.

Yes, it’s true — these men have always stood by one another, no matter what. They challenge each other, call each other out, and show up when it matters most. Their bond is what carried the series from start to finish. But maybe, just maybe, the celebration could’ve been imagined differently… or omitted altogether. It wasn’t that it was bad, but it simply didn’t live up to the sharp and poignant tone the show has kept up until that point.

Eric’s story arc deserved every tear it earned. The pain felt by his friends and family resonated deeply — especially if you’d followed his journey from the beginning. And the moments that followed, like Bonga naming his son after Eric, were filled with the kind of love and legacy the show did so well. That could’ve been the final note.

While many fans took to social media to share how satisfied they were with the ending, not everyone agrees. And that’s the power of storytelling — it’s deeply personal. For some, it hit all the right notes. For others, like myself, it felt like the song was over but the band kept playing.

Still, we can’t overlook what Adulting has done for South African television. It raised the bar. It told our stories — the messy, complex, beautiful, painful ones — with honesty and style. And even if the final note didn’t land for everyone, the entire composition remains a triumph.

Relive the journey of Adulting Season 3 with our related coverage:

• Women Take Control in Adulting Season 3
• Thembinkosi Mthembu on Navigating Marriage & Masculinity
• Luthando ‘Bu’ Mthembu Talks Vuyani’s Life Shift & Bromance
• Thabiso Rammusi on Mpho and Adulting After Divorce
• Nhlanhla Kunene Unpacks Eric’s Journey