Okay, so anyone who has had any begining writing or lit course knows about foreshadowing as a writer's tool. I guess where I disagree with you is I don't consider it an essential element. In fact, some of my favorite stories plant seeds of misdirection, making the surprise ending a...surprise. O. Henry was a master of this. ee cummings as well. Ruth Rendell.

If you're talking about building a plausible foundation for the chosen ending, I'm in agreement. Davies shows deep levels of ineptness in this area.