Maid's ending explained
The final episode of Maid leads to the pinnacle moment Alex was waiting for—an end to the custody battle between herself and her former husband Sean for their daughter, Maddy.
Alex is desparate to prove her case in court so that she can gain full custody of her daughter, which would allow the pair to move away from the state—and away from Sean.
First, Alex asks her mother Paula (played by Qualley's real life mother, Andie MacDowell) if she would move away with her and Maddy. But Paula, whose mental health struggles were revealed over the course of the series, isn't sold on the idea.
To add, Alex's 'no contact' order against Sean for his abusive behaviour is quashed due to a lack of evidence.
Sean is allowed visitations with Maddy, and despite her hesitations to moving away, Alex's mother Paula makes a deal with Alex that she be present whenever the father is with the child.
Just as all hope for Alex to win the custody case outright begins to disappear, one planned-visit changes everything.
Paula and Sean (who was with Maddy at the time) rock up to see Alex to give her a surprising revelation. Sean finally admits that he has a problem, and that his reliance on alcohol even seeps into his allotted time with his daughter. He agrees to sign over custody of Maddy to Alex, admitting that she's more competent as a parent than he is.
So what happened to Alex and Maddy in Maid?
After she got full custody of her daughter, Alex finalises her plans to move to Montana. While Alex's mother Paula had later changed her mind and decided to come with her daughter and granddaughter, she can't quite follow through.
Instead, just the mother and daughter board the ferry where they begin their new life.
