Laura, I was struck by this exchange, too.
Cassie has so embraced that trauma, it has become a defining aspect of her life. Quite literally for *years*, she has obsessed over Nina's…
Laura, I was struck by this exchange, too. Let me ask this question: Do you think in trying to "fix it," i.e., the inexcusable trauma which caused Nina to kill herself, exact revenge, what Cassie may *also* be saying is, "I'm just trying to fix me."
Cassie has so embraced that trauma, it has become a defining aspect of her life. Quite literally for *years*, she has obsessed over Nina's death and her (Cassie) loss.
This again leads me to think that as controversial as the ending is - Cassie being killed - there is a kind of inevitability to it. That even if she were to kill Al, that wouldn't "fix it" or "fix her." That the only way Cassie could achieve closure -- I'M SPEAKING AS A WRITER ABOUT A CHARACTER, NOT ABOUT THE HORROR OF HER DEATH AS A HUMAN BEING -- is to die.
Indeed, check out Cassie's final words in her post-mortem text to Ryan: "You didn't think this was the end, did you? It is now. Enjoy the wedding! Love, Cassie & Nina."
Cassie & Nina. Together again.
Cassie's life and ultimate fate is intimately tied to Nina, perhaps more aplty *inextricably* so. Which provides a nifty segue to my dialogue selection (see next post).