Beth Harmon visits the basement of the orphanage and finds a photo of her and Shaibel

[@warforglory]

he was her father in a sense. most beautiful scene in the series. Full of emotion. Hats off to the director.

[@alexnagy4520]

Hats off to Walter Tevis...the book is incredible! ~~~

[@matinhosmatos]

Hats off to the actress too, Anya was fenomenal in this scene

[@sydneyhunter660]

Is her father ever mentioned

[@djhappy8668]

100% agree, breaks me down every time I watch

[@impactium_8508]

Now that I think about it, he really was. It's too bad he didn't adopt her first, he would have been a better foster father

[@MindGameStudios]

I truly believe she was Mr. Shaibel's greatest pride.

[@levyan4718]

She was, even if she never knew until he was gone.

[@bizzarebanana3041]

Yea no shit

[@Kevin-fd6bt]

I agree. It’s what makes it so sad

[@darthnoid]

Indeed. As a teacher all I find so hard to explain and put into words the pride (the good sense of it) I feel when my former students achieve their goals. I´m not happy for me, but purely for them.

[@stephenboud1711]

I would of said achievement instead of pride

[@Sssssssss86]

I realized that she didn’t even cry when her mother died/crashed the car. Really shows how much he actually meant to her

[@evaforsberg6761]

i think with the sadness that comes with her moms death was compressed and stuck in her, it needed to come out and i think this helped it

[@isaccpetrikov6704]

@@evaforsberg6761 yeah, and also she was assimilating what happened before because she was only a kid when she lost her mother

[@SinhaUrv]

When my father died I was only 11 and a half years old... I didn't even shed a single tear.....now my heart cries for him everytime. At that age understanding that we lost someone forever is difficult.

[@S0ulinth3machin3]

she didn't cry when her mother died because her mother was trying to kill both of them

[@damontan4749]

I think she cried because of the regret of not coming back to visit him even once when he was alive, after she became big

[@gmonroy852]

I believe so too..... but also the feeling of losing a father as well. She never knew how much he cared until that board was revealed.

[@Shiftry87]

It is understandable she not wanting to come back to the orphanage as most kids do not have many happy memorys from such a place. But seeing that board really sparked the few happy memorys that she hade to life from that place and the regret instantly hits her hard now when it´s to late.

[@TLinnNguyen]

I keep wondering that during her first photoshoot at home, her mentioned Mr. Shaibel taught her how to play chess. That shows she did miss him, but never once visited him until now.

[@Outland9000]

mhm. Mr Shaibel showed her a door to a whole world and devotedly followed her exploits in that world until he died, a stoic man who was so proud of Beth's achievements.

[@ehstronghold]

It's a shame that Beth and Mr. Shaibel never crossed paths again after she left the orphanage.

[@Mertbaba]

Yeah just dissapointing

[@anyeong1246]

My biggest frustration in the series 😭😭😭

[@DatVo-tl2dw]

ugh yess! But I do think Never crossing paths again + beth finding out he passed away (but always kept track of her achievements) gave a bigger payoff when she finally beat Borgov

[@TheGS013]

that's poetic justice, for the script.

[@anyeong1246]

@Black Solid bitter truth 😔

[@Larph13]

When she sees that Mr. Shaibel has been saving news clippings of her news, pictures or articles about her, and cries, it hit me the same..

[@idfwurudy6169]

It was one thing to see something that reminded her of him that would’ve been sad, but seeing as he’s been keeping up with her hits home

[@LeahWalentosky]

He never cared about the 10 dollars he just wanted to see her fly

[@davidgaritta9195]

that's what I was thinking as well. I think it was the bigger picture of seeing her develop rather than being paid back the money. Of course the principle of paying someone back is there but I believe Mr. Shaibel didn't mind too much.

[@JasmineBella]

@@davidgaritta9195 I agree, it's as if she owed it to Mr. Shaibel to not give up.

[@fabriciopucheta8109]

@@mustard5382 agreed

[@dark_rit]

Not entirely sure if Shaibel would have felt insulted if Beth sent him the money after the tournament she won. The money wasn't the important part. The fact that Shaibel sent her the money with no hesitation because he fully believed in her ability is what the money was saying when sent to her. If she sent it back after winning it's still a victory for both of them and is a contract fulfilled. If Shaibel hadn't kept up with her chess career sending the money back would have been a sign that she had succeeded at the tournament too.

[@raginbakin1430]

@@mustard5382 that’s a great point

[@professionalbeats.6382]

He watched her grow from that basement....

[@VejmR]

You can say like that too

[@professionalbeats.6382]

@@VejmR and also because she thought that he didn't care that he was a mean old man. She didnt even expect him to give her the money. And now she has to go on without paying him back the money or in a way never see him again.

[@neokarma5736]

I think she cried inconsolably because she just realised how she is making a mess of Mr. Shaibel's legacy with all her drinking. The revelation that Mr. Shaibel was rooting for her silently made her realise, her success is not just her own business... She had responsibility towards others who helped her. She cleaned up her act immediately after this.

[@Valentine-jo7ls]

exactly and it all comes full circle when all her friends help her win the last game

[@nickmulcahy9199]

Mr Shaibel introduced her to drinking -- remember? Plus there is the picture of the two of them on the bulletin board. Mr Shaibel looks like a stricken man -- by what, who knows. But stricken nonetheless. And yet, he changes her life (but was unable to change his?). There is an air of tragedy about it all -- and then throw in her neglect of him and you gotta a very sad girl.

[@mcdune6758]

​@@nickmulcahy9199 maybe, you are the sad one 😂

[@bedlambikes]

A magical moment in modern filmmaking that you simply don’t see much of anymore.

[@clintbrunke2074]

100 percent agree. This in my opinion was the best moment filmed for either tv or film all of last year .

[@Mar6008]

Indeed

[@AA-qe9hm]

Completely agreed! Bittersweet magic. There’s a moment in ReadyPlayer One at the very end when he holds the egg, sheds a tear and his enemy sees the look in his eyes and doesnt kill him, simply smiles. Or in lala land, the ending. Movie magic eh?

[@levyan4718]

This took many years to come to fruition... Many executives did not care for this series when pitched to them, glad someone had the guts to do it and my god it is perfect

[@jackheris687]

@@levyan4718 They were thinking about making it a movie instead.

[@shinyanon7839]

I cried so hard during this one

[@iz723]

I cried

[@mark-assbrownlee2216]

Same

[@ThanhNguyen-kt4zs]

me too :'(

[@tetref]

yo, same here

[@joshboy88420]

yup. i get teary thinking about it

[@vivaespana5310]

+

[@t.c.wilson647]

The movie left out how she always felt bad that she didn't pay Mr. Shaibel back as she promised in her letter. But this is a wonderful scene, and the first time you really see her facade crack and let her emotions out. As an emotionally abused child she learned to repress her emotions and hide her hurt. For all its sadness, this is a wonderful scene because she's finally letting some of it out.

[@alexnagy4520]

You didn't read the book, did you? ~~~

[@professionalbeats.6382]

Actaully she says it to jolene in the show . She said it during the funeral. And Jolene laughs and beth says "joleeene"

[@levyan4718]

@@alexnagy4520 it didn't leave out anything, she didn't have the correct emotions, her mother sheltered her and could not raise a child... She killed herself so that her child could have a chance at a better life than being poor and abandoned by her father, she could not provide the emotional support of support of any kind to Beth, this changed Beth to be extremely unemotional and naive about love... In the end she found all of that but it came at a price ... However she did overcome all that by having this breakdown and ditching the drugs and gaining back her friends she lost along the way

[@HaNguyen-yy7ke]

She did state that she felt bad about the 10 bucks tho. It was during the funeral scene with jolene

[@S0ulinth3machin3]

@@levyan4718 her mother was trying to kill both of them. If she was only trying to kill herself, she would've crashed without Beth in the car.

[@wangry]

They were truly father and daughter, complete with awkward family photo (brilliant payoff from when it was first taken early in the series and just seemed at the time as a funny awkward moment). I liked that she took it with her from that basement. She may never have paid him the $10, but he wouldn’t have cared. Knowing his student went on to become a champion must have brought him so much pride as a lover of the game.

[@gmonroy852]

Can you imagine being in Beth's shoes at that moment. Walking down into that basement, sitting down in your former teacher's chair, probably reminiscing all the games played opposite of that chair, and then looking towards the wall and unexpectedly seeing all your accomplishments pinned alongside a picture of the past. Every emotion hitting you at one time. Then realizing this teacher cared more than you ever thought.

[@tvscribe]

Absolute catharsis. A brilliant set-up to take the picture so early in the series, and have it pay off later.

[@wwolfmanbro9399]

This scene is absolutely beautiful. I got high hopes she’d see him again. Then he died. She had already been on a self destructive spiral then hears her mentor and dear friend passed away. Owing him $10. Never once seeming like she mentioned him or had any gratitude to his teaching of her. She sees that he thought of her as his pride. And realizes she was throwing it all away. The picture was where I sobbed. Just beautiful.

[@valasi2576]

@Steven I felt bad, ik he didn't care whether she mentioned him or not but I feel like if he saw her say something about him in an interview it would've made him happy :(

[@smarkslowplay3512]

Who tf cares about ten dollars? Seeing her hit it big was priceless to him

[@S0ulinth3machin3]

she mentioned him to the press. They never printed it.

[@MyDearlyFragmented]

spoiler!

[@vladefman5413]

One of the most powerful scenes I have seen in a TV Show

[@kainimation8034]

it’s even sadder that no one even paid a visit to his funeral 🥺

[@Adino1]

The one that mattered the most did.

[@kainimation8034]

@@Adino1 yess

[@thegreenreaper6660]

I hád hoped that Beth would have spoken a few words at that funeral. From all the people there, how she knew him and what he ment to her.... starting the story with: ' ten dollars'... Then reciting how she asked him for those ten dollars to enter her fírst real chesstourney... how Mr Shaibel was the man who taught her éverything about chess, and saw something in her. How the Chessworld actually got a hold of her, after that first tourney that Mr Shaibel 'borrowed' her the fee for, and what a brilliant mentor was hidden in that 'unknown concierge' of that orphanage.

[@clintbrunke2074]

This show had so many great moments and it was really good at subverting expectations. But this moment is a stand alone moment. It is as close to a perfect moment caught on film as you can get. You know when she goes down there she will find something , many predict it will be their old chess board. And you expect whatever it is to be some big reveal and big dramatic moment, but they instead have a slow reveal they let Beth explore they let her feel, she doesn't break down right away. And when she finds that picture Beth and the show give us the audience a few moments to catch up with her emotionally. So that when she does break down in the car our minds have raced for those few moments, our minds have thought about this proud man who loved this young girl as his own. This moment is everything. On top of how they played the emotions. It's such a beautiful scene, the lighting the camera just beautiful.

[@nashjah]

If she had sent him the 10 dollars he would have framed that too

[@gmonroy852]

I was thinking the exact same thing. It was never about the money. I believe he was proud she made something of herself. The fact that he played a small part in her finding that success is a reward in itself

[@Wasserkaktus]

100%. He would have framed it with her letter.

[@Diablo84]

This scene still makes me cry.

[@Spazticspaz]

The love of a stoic, from beyond the grave... His love reached her when she needed it most... Her final lesson: Heart.

[@gkoll2005]

When beth went to the funeral she thought "oh I owed him 10 dollars", but when she went to the basement she thought"I owed him my career and my life", this is arguably the best mini series that I have ever watched, really great cast and great writing

[@shorty4704]

I'm not crying, you're crying!

[@katrintatevossian375]

i am crying

[@nishasnyder]

No... Maybe... Goshdarn yes

[@bigmike11559]

I don't know why I rewatched this in the office. Ugly crying at my desk hoping that my employees don't come in too early.

[@horseoperamarker]

yes

[@adri_31]

I cried this entire episode the thought about mr shaibel never being able to see her become the world champion broke me

[@MadsyTTV]

This moment in the series wrecked me...I lost it the second you see the collage of newspapers articles and photos...he followed her journey the whole time.

[@war2theren227]

I cried during this scene, so beautifully done.

[@coryt93]

I knew right away that this was my favorite scene in the series as I couldn’t keep myself from tearing up. The final episode was amazing in general. I absolutely loved this show so much and really hope in some way they can make a season 2.

[@Adino1]

This made me way more emotional than I was expecting.

[@hayleejayoma1279]

This is a beautiful scene. It got me teared up seeing how Mr. Shaibel had been keeping news, articles, and pictures of Beth as she clawed her way up in the chess game and became famous.

[@Kevin-fd6bt]

Such a beautiful masterpiece of a tv show.

[@mCHRIS76]

This series is the perfect example that when even an average story is directed perfectly the result is awesome. The fact that she lets go and cries when she is at the safety of her friend's company and not before is what makes this scene perfect for me.

[@markilsemann950]

One of the most touching and -- if I may say so -- spiritually enlightening scenes, ever.

[@luisernestorm]

No matter how many times I watch this scene I end up crying at the same time as Beth starts crying, so sad, so emotional 😭

[@westmezzanine4321]

To this day, still the only scene in TV that has ever genuinely made me cry. Others make my eyes watery and I feel like crying, but I don’t genuinely start doing it. This scene was just something else, I wasn’t ready for it at all when I saw it the first time

[@sudhisira]

Very moving scene. There are many things in life that you get only one chance to get right. If you don't take it, there are no second chances. All you have is regret. How you deal with that is what decides the rest of your life.

[@marcoerazo1439]

While her step mom wasn’t watching, and thought that no one was. He was always watching and keeping up with her

[@Il_Principe_Delle_Tenebre]

I am 17. I haven't cried for over 10 years by watching a movie or a series but while I was watching these my tears has fallen again!!!

[@pedroetla]

Cinematic language at its best. Can't hold my tears back

[@levyan4718]

This scene is so damn good... I cried my eyes out

[@TheGS013]

A fitting alternative ending could have been: Beth returning with Borgov's King piece (that he gave her after his defeat) and placing it on top of a ten dollar bill at Mr. Shaebel's Tombstone.

[@philipgates988]

You should write a screen play. Please do !

[@lilahermosa5971]

This was one of the beautiful scenes i have ever seen. Mr. Shaibel didn’t care for the money, he cared for her, supported her all the way because he saw potential. He believed in her. And Beth did actually thanked Mr. Shaibel through the statement she made in Moscow that a janitor from the basement taught her chess...she wanted the world to know that Mr. Shaibel is as brilliant as USSR grandmasters and that she is not Beth Harmon, the World Chess Champion without the Mr. Shaibel. She is forever grateful to Mr.Shaibel and him in return would be forever proud of her.

[@TheLyricsGuy]

The first time since her mother that she felt truly loved.

[@rahree]

This was brilliantly directed, Mr. Frank

[@VanLightning900]

I want to cry so much whenever I rewatch this scene but my body won't let me. It actually hurts

[@edmontonboy99]

The first two times watching this I didn’t cry, the third time I did start feeling goosebumps and something about to unleash from my eyes.

[@allenphilip5384]

Honesty this scene made my day... Really emotional. You should remember the way you came. Also the music makes it more nostalgic sort... . Hatsoff 💯

[@StimYuLus]

best scene in the show by far

[@haziqzaini6689]

Mr Shaibel was an old, lonely and miserable man. Watching Beth succeed helped bring meaning to his life.

[@MrBreadisawesome]

One of the best scenes ever. Absolutely genius story telling.

[@reginefatimamorada4190]

I cried so hard when I watched this scene and even played it back, it's just so touching and heartbreaking she didn't get a chance to visit him when he was still alive. And that she realized, the importance of her talents, and the one who first helped her to show it to the world. demn

[@chrismenser6600]

Notice the letter where she asked for money. She couldn’t bear looking at it. The guilt made her look away from it.

[@meixizou86]

Mr. Shaibel is truly a father-like figure to Beth. This scene is so emotional.

[@verbalkint4258]

He was the only true father she ever had honestly, he was always there to support her when she had no one else during her childhood.

[@hypersphere]

Nice try! Not watching this scene again!!

[@Anonymous-nj2ow]

She never knew Shaibel kept such a record of her, she broke down realizing she wished she had kept in touch better, to update him on her chess performances almost like a father she never had. What an intense and tragic moment.

[@ccaeser]

I have seen this more than 15 times, and I cry every time!

[@floku8950]

This scene was sad in all the best ways

[@coryt93]

Don’t you love when series wrap it up with how it started off? Just makes the experience feel so complete.

[@daydreamerbreeze]

a very beautiful scene. Sometimes we forget where we come from being busy going forward. And it is also the right thing. But then, suddenly, something happens taking us back into the memories to realize how far we got. Also, seemingly small acts and conversation can lead to very big things.

[@kiraw7564]

I’ve cried two days in a row 😭

[@twochampsboxing]

So powerful. The Nostalgia portrayed in this scene is incredible. Going back the the very beginning of the journey is powerful in itself. Along with seeing her mentor in a way she didn’t until he was gone. And seeing it as an adult, how much he cared and followed her and impacted without her knowing.she is literally in her past looking at The reasons she is who she is. I have seen something like this done very few times in movies and tv. And In a short series They make the viewer feel like they went all these years with Harmon. Brilliant writing and directing. They are marvels.

[@GreyMatterEnergy]

Single most emotional moment in the series IMO.

[@teglath-phalasariii4025]

The scene with the music is amazing, with the varations on the theme ave stella maris, the break when she come back in the car

[@rahree]

Best Christmas gift ever

[@comalab2387]

Fantastic scene, acting and writing.

[@abbywolffe4114]

I love the score here, just the weepy choir as it turns into the violin. You really feel the emotional weight of her coming back.

[@bighotman3266]

i loved this moment it was a turning point for beth and kinda like a realization

[@swimbait1]

She should have taken the entire collection of clippings he had saved.

[@egb50000]

She was the closest he had to a daughter, and he was the only good father figure she knew and had.

[@LaProfondeurDuCiel]

I loved that following this moment, when being interviewed in Moscow she made a point to immortalise Mr Shaibel in the press as the man who taught her to play chess, so that he would be remembered.

[@Mick116]

I'm not crying, I have something in my eye.

[@WJen8]

Damn it I knew I shouldn't have watched this on the bus, now I'm crying my eyes out and people are getting concerned...

[@lucy4614]

CRYING 😭😭😭😭😭

[@chris.72.25]

I cried when I saw this scene. I couldn't finish the episode until the next day. That's when you know a show is good

[@pedromago2755]

Y llorar, y llorar, y llorar. Una de las mejores escenas que he visto en mi vida. 10/10.

[@MellSayzHi]

When I first saw this scene I was fully convinced he had bought tickets to watch her in moscow and bawled. I know that's not what happened but the.idea made me cry as much I'd in it's intention form

[@naamanoona]

no matter how many times I watch this scene it always makes me cry

[@RonGerstein]

Beth Harmon was adopted at age 15 in 1963, and Mr. Shaibel died in 1968.

[@Kashby281]

I can't remember the last time I cried as much while watching a tv show than during this scene. Such a bittersweet moment seeing how much Mr Scheibel loved Beth

[@danielstewart8106]

I don't know if there is any significance to this, but when she goes into the basement she sits in Mr. Shaibel's chair. If she had sat in "her" chair, she probably would not have seen the board.

[@Anggieisgood]

it’s too good to met the good teacher in the limited lifetime. At least, her new mother and Shaibel encouraged Beth to live her life confidently and bravely.

[@RainAngel111]

Beth really ended up with one great father and one great mother despite being an orphan. If only she'd had more time with them

[@willkinney5051]

I really wish there had been a post-credit scene after the last episode where Beth went to the cemetery and left a $5 bill and the king from her game with Borgov at Mr. Shaibel’s grave.

[@YKim-dv3be]

Later at her press conference in Russia she names Shaibel and asks the press to print his name. It was her chance to repay the debt.

[@KevinChantal]

Because of this show I have learned that smoking is bad. And that playing chess in the basement is the perfect place to find new friends.

[@bennettjamin]

absolutely got me when it shows the letter she wrote asking for the $10 to compete pinned up

[@alexnagy4520]

It was just as powerful in the book, which I *highly* recommend you read if you liked/LOVED the mini-series! ~~~~

[@tachibanarui2572]

Can i ask you is the ending in novel different from the netflix's ending?

[@alexnagy4520]

@@tachibanarui2572 Sure! It's well over 90% true to the novel. More like 95%. Having read the book multiple times, I *was* acutely aware of the small (make that *very* small) differences. Okay, it's a common refrain in my household for me to say, "In the book..." when pointing out things that differ in movies. I never felt all that motivated to do that with THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT, it was that close. However, there were some *things* which were notably changed/added, but I will limit my comments to what you asked about...The Ending. In the book... 1) There was no American CIA goon sent with Beth. 2) When she defeated Borgov, he signaled his resignation by standing up, and extended his hand holding the King: "Take it." 3) There was a banquet afterwards that Beth attended, with lots of Press, but she gravitated to the Old Lion Ex-champ, who shared a moment with her, "This...THIS isn't chess." 4) She left...but asked the driver to pull over near a park, one lined with people playing chess along the sidewalk. She got out, and pulled her coat closer, putting her hands in her pocket...feeling the King piece that Borgov had given her. *It filled her with warmth.* She saw an old man sitting alone before a board, one all set up for play. She sat down across from him, he looked at her quizzically. *He didn't recognize her.* In her best Russian, she asked, "Would you like play chess?" And now I'm in tears. Please, read the book, you'll love it!

[@porpedroiiebertrand]

never cried so hard. never will cry so hard again.

[@FredHenry1850]

There may be some, but I don't know anyone who didn't cry at this scene. I cried like a little baby.

[@nadinegomez8858]

Bruh this made me BAWL 😭😭😭

[@quilmesdave]

This, for me, was the scene of the series.....I fucking cried my eyes out!!!!! She can't repay what he did, for her.

[@alexanderfedderly]

Right in the feels.

[@Howraman_7]

it was so sad when she saw the old photo of her an MR.shaibel T_T :(

[@xC4N4D14NB4C0Nx]

He didn't teach her to play because he thought she would be great. He taught her because she was capable of learning. Great men plant a seed, knowing they will never see the tree grown.

[@kfcbandit4713]

I love this scene for all the emotional weight it has but also the whole butterfly effect theory. Who would’ve thought teaching a nosey and bad tempered child chess who basically spawn the greatest player of the time. You can also feel her shame almost like she lost her way and never really paid respect to the man who set her on the path. Didn’t matter to him though. He was so proud of her and she became what he knew she could be. Best Netflix series hands down!

[@erruelcarpena953]

beth owed him $10. but when she went to the basement she realised she owed him everything

[@sasajovanovic6262]

Truly amazing scene, i can't help myself to remember if ever got hit by emotion so much like in this scene, heartbreaking.

[@HaNguyen-yy7ke]

I cried in tnis scene, it just struck me too hard

[@ahmadalshakargi2281]

I don’t think a movie ever made me cry since I was a kid, this scene truly hit me.

[@Youtube_Globetrotter]

I rarely cry at movies. But I do to this scene. And Hatchiko