I know this isn't a very popular episode of the 4th season, but I think it says a lot about people, and how marriage is something that you have to constantly be working on. Many people view marriage as the finish line. It isn't. It's the starting point. Anything that happened before was preparation and being sure that two people are compatible enough.
Steven is excited when an old college buddy arrives in town. He's thrilled until he finds out that his friend and Elyse had a "fling" while Steven was away in Alaska. Elyse clarifies that Steven had broken up with her and even suggested that they see other people.
The irony about insecurities is that marriage does not erase them. A person has two choices: face and deal with them or bury them. And it's obvious that Steven has buried his, which is something a lot of people do. Unless they are faced, they will always find a way to surface.
Elyse's only real mistake was not telling Steven about the relationship with their friend. Based on what is revealed, it never really blossomed into anything, probably because Elyse was still in love with Steven even though he was away. This is a detail that could have/should have been explored more deeply than it was.
We can see why Elyse was hurt by Steven's actions, and she has every right to be. It's clear that Steven still has trust issues, and that is another detail that could have been explored more deeply as well. Because unless Steven deals with them, they will resurface again at some point.
Marriage is work, and couples always have to find ways to keep that spark alive and going, which is one of the central themes of this episode. But most marriages--especially ones that are struggling--often share one fatal flaw: lack of communication.
This is a powerful episode that reveals that every marriage has its bumps and pitfalls and potholes. Are they being talked about? Or are they being dismissed and overlooked?
Steven is excited when an old college buddy arrives in town. He's thrilled until he finds out that his friend and Elyse had a "fling" while Steven was away in Alaska. Elyse clarifies that Steven had broken up with her and even suggested that they see other people.
The irony about insecurities is that marriage does not erase them. A person has two choices: face and deal with them or bury them. And it's obvious that Steven has buried his, which is something a lot of people do. Unless they are faced, they will always find a way to surface.
Elyse's only real mistake was not telling Steven about the relationship with their friend. Based on what is revealed, it never really blossomed into anything, probably because Elyse was still in love with Steven even though he was away. This is a detail that could have/should have been explored more deeply than it was.
We can see why Elyse was hurt by Steven's actions, and she has every right to be. It's clear that Steven still has trust issues, and that is another detail that could have been explored more deeply as well. Because unless Steven deals with them, they will resurface again at some point.
Marriage is work, and couples always have to find ways to keep that spark alive and going, which is one of the central themes of this episode. But most marriages--especially ones that are struggling--often share one fatal flaw: lack of communication.
This is a powerful episode that reveals that every marriage has its bumps and pitfalls and potholes. Are they being talked about? Or are they being dismissed and overlooked?
