Does Carmichael the Parrot Die in Long Bright River?

‘Long Bright River‘ centers on a Philadelphian cop named Mickey Fitzpatrick, who finds herself in a precarious position when her sister Kacey’s recent disappearance ties into a series of homicides involving homeless women. With no one investigating the case seriously, the police officer takes it upon herself to find answers behind the murders and how it may connect to her missing sister. As we delve deeper into the narrative, we learn that Mickey and Kacey’s relationship goes back to their childhood, when they were raised by their grandfather, Gee. Since the departure of his two granddaughters, the older denizen lives by himself as Mickey and Kacey have gone their separate ways. However, the only thing keeping him company as he tends to his personal shop is his lively parrot, Carmichael. The colorful bird has a lifespan almost rivaling Gee himself, making it a notable source of levity in the crime thriller series. SPOILERS AHEAD.

Carmichael the Parrot Takes the Edge Off During the Intense Thriller Journey

Although playing a peripheral role for the most part, Carmichael the parrot is a prominent side character in ‘Long Bright River.’ The bird is Gee’s pet and often chips in with some clever remarks whenever guests stop by his house. It has no direct input on the actual crime story unfolding in each episode. However, it does play a significant role in providing more dimensions to Gee’s character, especially as we realize that the bird has been around for a long time. Every time a guest pops by Gee’s house, whether Thomas, Mickey, or Gee’s friends, the parrot pipes up with one or two clever remarks meant to jibe with its audience. As the story mainly follows a dark story about serial homicide, opioid crisis, and missing people, the small and harmless contributions by the parrot helps lighten the mood occasionally. It also survives till the very end of the season.

One of the characteristic features of Carmichael is its long lifespan. The bird’s age is brought up organically during one scene, showcasing that it has been around for a while and been privy to a lot of drama within the family, including the ones involving the two sisters. In reality, parrots are known to have long lifespans depending on the species of the animal. Therefore, it is possible that Carmichael is a senior citizen with a lot of experience and wisdom under its wings. It is also evidently comfortable mixing with humans on a daily basis given how frequently it lights up with a comment or two. The use of these occasional jibes pierces into the inner dynamics within the family and their level of comfort with the animal. As the story progresses, it becomes even clearer how much went on in the household as Mickey and Kacey grew up with Gee. Thus, the bird must have a full account of every family detail and a sharp tongue to bite back on it.