Space cowboys did not see that end coming. At the end of a head-spinning season — with the Bebop crew trying to reconcile their past lives, Jet’s daughter’s kidnapping and a whole lot of backstabbing — Spike and rival Vicious finally come to fisticuffs in a highly anticipated showdown. So what exactly happens in the thrilling season finale after Spike fakes his own death to escape the criminal Red Dragon Syndicate? What happens during the cathedral face-off with Vicious? And how does Julia end up changing the fate of the Bebop world? Let’s navigate some of the Bebopverse drama:

It’s Spike vs. Vicious vs. Julia.

The season’s biggest plot twist leaves the fates of three key players in the balance. Spike is forced to confront Vicious after learning he’s kidnapped Jet’s daughter, Kimmie, as collateral. During their face-off, where Vicious holds Spike in a compromising position at the sharp edge of his sword, we’re surprised to see Julia sweep in and save Spike, the supposed love of her life. Except — twist — maybe that love doesn’t run as deep as we thought: Julia ends up shooting him, just after shooting her own husband, Vicious, in the chest. With Spike and Vicious now out of commission, Julia decides to unleash years of repressed resentment out on both of them: On Vicious for his years of abuse,due to his (literal) bloodthirsty ambitions to be the leader of the powerful syndicate, and on Spike, for starting a new life and leaving her behind after their declarations of love. 

Vicious’ schemes come to a halt.

After 10 episodes of scheming, planning and a death wish aimed at his friend-turned-enemy, Vicious almost has it all — almost. He wages a bloody battle with the syndicate and comes out on top, managing to lure Spike into a trap by using his best friend’s daughter as bait. And he almost kills Spike but his meddling wife, Julia, thwarts his attempt and has her own plans.

Julia is alive... and evil?!

New Julia, who this? In the original anime, Julia is shrouded in mystery, but now she’s been upgraded to a lean, mean whooping-powerful-men’s-asses machine. In the live-action iteration of Bebop, Julia ends the season not only outwitting her husband in helping set up the dangerous syndicate coup but also trying to kill him before he could ascend the throne in the process. After Julia saves Spike from Vicious, she finds herself full of resentment toward him for leaving her behind to start a new life off the grid. In return for saving him, she asks Spike to kill Vicious and become the new leader of the syndicate so they can finally be together. When Spike declines Julia’s offer, she goes full villain mode and shoots Spike. The season ends with Julia holding Vicious hostage, chained up and threatening him to do her bidding — lest he be killed — as she aims to take over the reins of the big bad syndicate. 

Jet and Faye journey into the unknown. 

With the help of Faye and Spike, Jet manages to save his daughter from the clutches of Vicious’ henchmen. After returning to the Bebop safely, Jet still feels the sting of Spike’s betrayal that led to his daughter’s kidnapping. Considering him a dangerous liability to have around, Jet ends the partnership and tells Spike that if he ever sees him again, he will kill him. Meanwhile, Faye finds what seems to be a location coordinate to where she used to live. With some encouragement from Jet, she flies off to follow that new path alone. 

 Ed has arrived.

The moment every space cowboy has been waiting for: Ed is here! In the final minutes of the season finale, we get a glimpse of the young hacker, Radical Ed, who happens to find Spike facedown and half-conscious after his battle with Vicious and Julia. Ed informs Spike of a large bounty involving a very dangerous “butterfly man,” who fans of Cowboy Bebop: The Movie will recognize as the formidable planet-destroying baddie Vincent Volaju. 

What comes next for the Cowboy Bebop crew?

Season 1 ends with a bang for the entire ragtag crew — and then some: Jet is trying to come to terms with the fact that he’s now alone, Faye’s journey of self-discovery flings her into the far reaches of outer space and away from her makeshift family, Vicious’ dream of ultimate power comes crumbling down around him, Julia’s quest for lost love and freedom ends with her corruption and villainous takeover, and Spike is once again starting his new life from scratch. Based on what we’ve learned from the anime version’s 26 episodes, there’s a lot more drama to come — especially with the introduction of Ed and the likely power-shifting dynamics among the crew’s biggest players.