All's Well

The golden remedy is a shimmering, unnamed drink that the three mysterious men at the Canny Man offer to Miranda. It symbolizes the seductive appeal of supernatural power as a response to The Gendering and Invisibility of Chronic Pain. When Miranda drinks it, it relieves her suffering; it also marks the first time she feels truly seen and validated, which is something no one—doctor, friend, or even her ex-husband—has offered her. However, she comes to understand that the remedy is not a gift but a transaction, and it signals the beginning of the supernatural dynamic that links her wellness to the suffering of others. In this way, the golden remedy represents The Morality of Reclaiming Power Through Vengeance.

While the remedy’s golden color evokes references to divinity or healing, its revenge-based nature ties it to diabolical and corrupt origins. Taken at face value, the remedy appears to be a Faustian bargain, or power granted in exchange for a hidden cost. However, the three men do not present Miranda with clear terms, nor does she make a conscious choice to adopt this remedy. Rather, they hand her the drink at a moment of physical and psychological vulnerability, revealing this to be a predatory transaction that masquerades as salvation.