Warning: the following contains spoilers for School Spirits season 2 finale.School Spiritsco-creators address whether Wally (Milo Manheim) crossed over in the season 2 finale. The second installment follows Maddie (Peyton List), a high-school student whose body is swapped with a ghost, who develops a romantic relationship with Wally, a lovable ghost who died in the 1980s during a football tackle. At the same time, she is attempting to get her body back. In the season 2 finale, Maddie chooses life over being trapped in school as a ghost, even though it means leaving Wally behind. However, the final episode also shows Wally seeing the light in his scar.
In an interview withUs Weekly, show creators Nate and Megan Trinrud discuss what the light means for Wally. Nate Trinrud explains thatthe ending was “ambiguous on purpose.“However,there are “a lot of clues"that point to where this is going. The creator further teases that with Janet Trinrud choosing to stay instead of running toward the light, Wally does have a choice here. Check out what he said below:
It was definitely ambiguous on purpose, because you know, we live [for] cliffhangers and to also devastate people, but you know, there’s a lot of questions that come along with that. Like, what does it mean to really lose somebody? But also, do you ever lose anybody? All I can tell you is that there are a lot of clues in the finale that I think if you look closely at you can sort of see where this might be going. But yeah, that’s a big question mark. All we can say is, look, Janet was able to leave and she chose to stay, so who knows what could happen. Anything could happen.
Megan Trinrud points out the importance of the light, sharing howit symbolizes Wally’s progressand his ability to change “in death” and work through “his generational trauma.” The show creator also explains how much Wally has opened himself up to receive help from others. Nate Trinrud echoes her sentiment, adding that at the start of season 1, Wally is a people-pleaser, who makes “decisions for the happiness of others,” but in season 2, episode 7, he voices what he wants for the first time. Read their comments below:
Megan Trinrud:I think it’s a testament to how much work Wally has done on himself. I think that part of what we want to reiterate is, like, this is a person who came from a very toxic time in a lot of ways and has been able to grow and change in death in a way that a lot of people aren’t afforded when they’re alive. And it’s so important to have been exposed to all of these people around him and instead of just holding on to his generational trauma, Wally opened up to all of these people and I think that even on a small level it’s important to recognize that Wally really did some work.
Nate Trinrud: Wally in season 1, in his scar we sort of are exposed to this, but this is a guy who’s really trying to please a lot of other people. He’s making a lot of decisions for the happiness of others. I think that’s such a beautiful thing sometimes, but it’s also really detrimental. One of my favorite parts of season 2 is in episode 7, Wally for maybe the first time in his life, or afterlife, says what he wants: he wants [Maddie] to stay. Finally Wally knows what he wants and he is so clear about it and he’s advocating for himself and it’s not about other people. And he knows he probably can’t get it, but he really does have that kind of breakthrough, and I think that’s so important for that character’s growth
What This Means For Wally’s Fate In School Spirits
The Light Is A Testament For His Growth
As the co-creators point out, Wally has come a long way since season 1. His story arc does come full circle in the season 2 finale, with episode 7 serving as a changing point, when Wally finally advocates for himself. The light is a reward, but it also serves as a choice. With Wally knowing that he can’t be with Maddie forever in the afterlife or the land of the living, Nate Trinrud’s commentstrongly hints at a “breakthrough,“where he chooses to let go.
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School Spiritsseason 3has not yet been confirmed, which means that whether Manheim will return as Wally is uncertain. Nate and Megan Trinrud’s comments lean toward the light having a personal meaning for Wally. However, his fate might be affected by other factors in the show. The season 2 finale leaves on an ominous note. The right flashing light and whether Simon is in the afterlife point toward something else happening on a greater scale, which could put the entire Split River in danger and potentially affect Wally’s crossing.
Our Take On Wally’s Fate In School Spirits
Wally’s Choice Is Clear But He Might Be Forced To Stay
Wally is a fan-favorite character, and through two seasons,School Spiritshas explored Wally’s lifebefore and after death. Wally went from being a bully in the ’80s to an advocate for his friends. He constantly tries to lift others' spirits and helps solve others' problems. It isn’t until falling in love with Maddie that he starts thinking about what he wants, even though his wish likely won’t come true.
In theSchool Spiritsseason 2 finale, Maddie wakes up in the hospital, having returned to her body, meaning that her journey as a ghost might be over. However, Simon is seen in Janet and Mr. Martin’s joint scar, and what it means is yet to be explored. It doesn’t make sense for Wally to choose to stay, given that he has helped Maddie get her body back, and if he stays, it’s likely due to external force.
School Spirits
Cast
Based on the graphic novel, School Spirits is a supernatural mystery-drama series set in a high-school setting focusing on the afterlife. When teenage Maddie finds herself in the afterlife, she spends her idle time trying to investigate why she went missing. However, her high-school sleuthing leads her down a path that only yields more questions and uncovers a more sinister plot underneath her own demise.
