La Brea: Season 1 finale “Topanga” leaves major cliffhangers

La Brea kicked off its run by introducing a massive sinkhole in Los Angeles and several strangers meeting in the aftermath. The series had set up several questions throughout the first season. The finale, “Topanga,” simultaneously addresses some of the more significant questions while preparing mysteries for season 2.

“Topanga” found Gavin and Izzy closer to reuniting with Eve and Josh than ever before. So they go to Seattle, the location of the next sinkhole, hoping that is the answer to finding their family again. But, unfortunately, while they do jump into the sinkhole, they are in the wrong location, arriving in 10,000 B.C Seattle rather than Los Angeles, meaning they still have a long journey ahead of them.

Meanwhile, the sinkhole’s residents are in a race against time to safely get Isaiah, who will grow up to be Gavin, through the 1988 sinkhole to ensure Josh and Izzy’s survival. Luckily, they do succeed, but their victory is relatively short-lived.

Lilly’s arrival with the map brings the group back up to the 1988 sinkhole, and when it disappears, it takes people with it. Lilly, Josh, and Riley, who had been standing closest to the closing sinkhole, are taken when the green light disappears, leaving the question about where they ended up and what will become of them when season 2 returns.

However, there are other questions about this moment as well. Will Lilly, Josh, and Riley remember their identities when they come out the other side? Gavin, as an adult, had no memory of his childhood in 10,000 B.C until after the La Brea sinkhole opened. Lilly’s older counterpart also could not remember being in 10,000 B.C. So, does that mean walking through the portal results in memory loss?

Scott, who always seemed to know the most about history, finally started getting hints toward answers when Aldridge brought Scott to a building, suggesting there was far more going on than the group initially anticipated.

Otherwise, “Topanga” did not end positively for everyone. Veronica ended the season stuck in a trap waiting for help, and Marybeth succumbed to a stab wound in the woods beside her son’s pleas for her to wake up.

When La Brea returns to NBC, season 2 has a lot to answer for.