Etymology of the Denouement

Some explaining is in order:

"Denoument"

- Noun

• The final part of a play, film, or narrative in which the strands of the plot are drawn together and matters are explained or resolved.
• The outcome of a situation, when something is decided or made clear.

From mid-18th century French dénouement, from dénouer ‘unknot’.

At the time of writing, I am a month into (hopefully) a year of world travel with my wife.

And it is my first significant break from the well trodden path that a generation of of us have followed. Those children who did well at school with the expectation of 'going to university' - whatever that means...

So 12 years of schooling. Another 4 years in an undergraduate degree. And another 4 years in a post-graduate degree.

20 years.

All before even starting a career. And mostly having no idea what one is doing.

This guarantees a knot.

In which the plot will be unclear.

And the strands of the story impossible to follow.

A knot of ideas, expectations and half-formed plans.

A knot that is tight and confusing

We are all trying to untie our knots.

So the Expedition Denouement is my attempt.

Not to quit.

Not to flee.

Not to unravel in despair.

Just to take the time.

To organise the strands of the plot.

To make matters clear.

To untie the knot.

P.S. This is not a coded messgae of 'untying the knot' of marriage or anything. She still likes me...

P.P.S. - 'The Hotel Denouement' features in the 'Penultimate Peril' of 'A Series of Unfortunate Events'...IYKYK