A disappointing end to the operatic tale of Mayor Rob Ford

This was not the ending Toronto needed.

Over the last four years, this city has seen so many bizarre twists and sudden turns in the tale of Rob Ford that the story has taken on an epic quality.

It’s been operatic. Almost legendary. An international spectacle.

And now it’s over. Just like that. Having withdrawn from the race on Friday due to ongoing medical issues relating to a tumour in his abdomen, we know for certain that Rob Ford will not be re-elected mayor on October 27.

It’s a sudden and sad end to Toronto’s epic political tale. Mostly because it’s always sad when someone faces health issues. But let’s not kid ourselves: It’s also sad because it’s the equivalent of Luke Skywalker’s final confrontation with Darth Vader never happening because he got taken out by a lucky shot from a random Storm Trooper.

Supporters of the mayor will get no vindication. Detractors will get no catharsis.

Yes, his brother has taken his place in an attempt to prolong the Ford dynasty, but Doug Ford is even more unlikely to win than his brother was. And for good reason.

Rob was always ill-suited to the mayoral job, but Doug is just plain wrong for it.

More bombastic and outgoing, Doug Ford approaches government like a wrecking ball approaches an unwanted old building.

Over the last four years he’s frequently been asked to apologize to councillors and staff for making unfounded allegations. At a council meeting last July, he was threatened with removal from the meeting after he suggested the speaker didn’t understand English. (She does.)

Rob is no stranger to similar incidents, but at least the mayor had his passion for constituency work — for heading out there and helping people with minor, individual problems — to back him up.

Doug doesn’t have the same reputation.

It’s that — combined with the temper and inability to work with others — that makes me cast extremely long odds on the Doug Ford mayoral run.

But even if the older Ford brother loses next month, the legend of Rob Ford will endure.

With the city denied the ending it needed, the idea that Rob Ford was a popular political force that could only be stopped by a tumour will get more credence than it warrants. Recent polls showing the mayor losing to John Tory in a walk will be ignored. Should the mayor easily win election to his old council seat, the legend will only grow stronger.

No one should be happy about that. For all his faults, Mayor Rob Ford deserved his chance to stand for re-election, and Toronto deserved its chance to deny it to him. But now neither will happen, and the city is worse for it.