The Perfect Couple's ending teases potential season 2 (but it shouldn't happen)

Warning: Major spoilers ahead from The Perfect Couple series finale.

As one last splashy summer hurrah, Netflix released the murder mystery limited series The Perfect Couple on Sept. 5. Based on Elin Hilderbrand's book of the same name, the Winbury family's latest wedding celebration at their Nantucket home hits a dramatic snag when a dead body washes up on the beach. Instead of cake, dancing, and vows, they're now all suspects.

Throughout the star-studded but overall flat limited series' six episodes, a handful of Winbury family members find themselves under the microscope as their long-hidden secrets appear to give them motive for the murder. One by one, their names are cleared until the series finale finally uncovers the real culprit for the crime and the motive that led them to commit the violent act.

But before the series comes to its official end after the killer's unmasking, a small final scene seems to suggest there could possibly be more story to tell in a second season. While Netflix has dubbed The Perfect Couple a limited series, meaning it will only receive one season, stranger things have happened when it comes to limited series starring Nicole Kidman.

The Perfect Couple ending, explained

In the final episode, Abby Winbury (Dakota Fanning) is revealed to have killed Merritt (Meghann Fahy). The pregnant wife of Thomas Winbury (Jack Reynor) crushed the barbiturate pill Tom stole from Amelia's (Eve Hewson) sick mother and laced a cup of juice she gave to Merritt. Abby then convinces Merritt to go for a swim at night. Drugged, she stumbles into the water and falls, prompting Abby to hold her head underwater. Merritt struggles until she dies from Abby drowning her.

Previously that night, Abby had been watching a scene play out from the balcony. Tom looking poised to shoot Merritt, Isabel (Isabelle Adjani) escorting the drunk Winbury off the beach before he fires the gun, and a vulnerable Merritt crying and walking on broken glass. Abby decides to "get the job done" herself, as she says, and kill Merritt before she can have Tag's (Liev Schreiber) baby, which resets the Winbury trust for another 18 years. Merritt was killed over money.

Because Thomas borrowed upwards of $2 million dollars from Isabel, he needed his trust fund money right away. The youngest Winbury son, Will (Sam Nivola), turns 18 in a matter of weeks, and at that time, the three sons' trust unlocks and they receive their inheritance. However, if Merritt were to have Tag's child, poof — the trust is gone for almost two more decades. Abby did what the other Winburys would not to ensure the money is released and her husband isn't indebted to Isabel.

Why The Perfect Couple season 2 isn't necessary

Obviously, The Perfect Couple was conceived as a limited series. By the end of its six episodes, the series wraps up the full story of Merritt's murder. Abby, the killer, is arrested, and the rest of the family are no longer suspects. As a result of the dramatic events of Amelia and Benji's (Billy Howle) almost-wedding, various relationships are changed forever, including Greer (Nicole Kidman) and Tag's marriage and Benji and Amelia, who have officially broken up.

After the big reveals, the final scene of the series flashes forward six months. Amelia has now followed her zoology career and works at a zoo in London. Greer tracks her down with a manuscript for her next book, which is titled Your Move. She tells Amelia that the book is about her and she won't have it published without her approval. Greer seems changed, warmer and more accepting of Amelia. Is there something sinister to this, or has she actually realized Amelia's not the enemy?

Amelia doesn't read the book and she doesn't accept Greer's invitation for dinner. The Perfect Couple leaves you wondering what Greer's new book is about, beyond the truth about her life as a paid escort. What does she want from Amelia? Is there an agenda, or does she really want to connect with her former almost-daughter-in-law? These aren't cliffhanger questions that will keep you up at night, but they are surely loose threads that will have some viewers wishing for season 2.

However, The Perfect Couple said its piece. We need to respect the sanctity of the mini and limited series and not leave the door open for a potential second season in the event of huge ratings. Lock that door behind you! Whatever story's left to tell with the Winbury family — Greer's proposition for Amelia, Abby's murder trial probably, the battle for the trust fund, etc. — isn't worth continuing a series that was anchored to the premise of a murder mystery. Let this show be one and done, Netflix.

Watch The Perfect Couple only on Netflix.