So much of the Dekalog circles around the issues of death and sex. The first episode is about the death of Pawel. Episode two features two possible deaths and the sexual relationship that occupies space between them. In episode three, Ewa contrives to relive an affair while letting chance decide whether she lives or dies. Episode four resides in the shadow of a mother’s death, her sexual indiscretion, and the mystery of desire and parentage. Five features the series’ only two killings. It’s one allusion to sex being a creepy come-on towards a young girl from the cab driver who will become the murder victim.

In six, there is self harm and a loss of virginity. Seven grows out of a sex scandal featuring a teacher and student, and carries fears of mortality into the final scene. Episode eight — while haunted by thoughts of death in a character’s memory — is the only episode lacking sex or imminent risk of harm, which might account for its lack of tension. And now we come to the conclusion of Dekalog 9, the story of adultery. It has featured medical issues so far, but death hasn’t hung over the story (with the possible exception of the proto-lingering over the story — but viewers wouldn’t fear her mortality without seeing a movie that hadn’t been made yet.)

Hanka has to wait for a tedious payphone conversation to end before she can try the phone again. Meanwhile Romek has composed a suicide note and left it on the phone. He’s about to leave the apartment when the phone rings. He stares at the phone, but does not pick it up.

Needing to get home right away, Hanka cuts in line, then talks her way onto a bus to Warsaw even though she doesn’t have a return ticket. Romek is back on his bicycle, racing quickly through the Warsaw streets — passing the Watcher along the way.

We see Romek’s eyes closed, pushing himself physically to the brink. The screen cuts to Hanka, her eyes closed on the ride home — at least in thought, perhaps in prayer. We then see Romek cycle off an overpass, what looks like an unfinished road under construction. He flies off the pass in slow motion and comes crashing to the ground. But it’s not immediately apparent how bad he’s hurt, or if at all, since he lands on what looks like a pile of soft sand.

The camera cuts to Hanka in the bus, staring straight into the camera, as if she’s aware of what has happened. The Watcher sees Romek lying there, but just rides off. I certainly hope he went for help.

Hanka arrives home, calling out to Romek (she alternates calling for Roman and Romek.) Finally, from across the apartment, she notices the enclosed letter propped up on the phone. She slides down next to the phone looking at it.

The film cuts to black. When it returns, we are in the hospital. A nurse goes to Romek — who is on a table, his body filled with bandages — and tells him that his wife is not at the ski resort, she returned to Warsaw this morning.

Now we see Hanka reading the letter, she puts it down, devastated. She starts to cry. Romek then gives the nurse his home phone number. She dials and puts the phone up to his ear. Hanka hears the phone ring and slowly rises from her heads down collapse. She is reluctant to pick up the phone, fearing the news on the other end.

She eventually picks it up and says hello. Romek answers back “Hanka.” She says “You’re there. Oh God, you’re there!” He responds “I’m here.” And the episode fades to black.

Only episode one has a sadder ending. Romek has survived, but we don’t know what kind of recovery he will have — will he be able to work as a surgeon? Will they adopt a child? He has also just attempted self harm — who’s the say he won’t try something else again.

But Romek has survived, maybe with a new perspective. It’s the best we can hope for them both.