Dirty John
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Unless we are very lucky, most of us have been there in a relationship.
The moment you realize that your romantic partners feelings are beginning to change.
it’s possible for you to feel him or her slipping away.
The balance of power has shifted and not in your direction.
She can feel Dans feelings changing.
Consumed with work, he doesnt talk to her anymore.
Doesnt touch her hair.
Doesnt even seem to notice her.
Something is happening with us, she tells him.
The impending divorce of their friends Yvonne and Patrick are a cautionary tale.
[…] you are the most important person I have in the whole universe bar absolutely none.
Her entire identity is wrapped up in being Mrs. Dan Broderick.
She leaves the marriage encounter weekend thinking their union is stronger.
During a lunch, Yvonne is fully embarrassed that her husband has decided to leave her.
We really dont have anything in common except the kids, he laments.
Um, last I checked, Patrick, kids area lotto have in common.
From the jump, the wife is seen as an adversary.
Dan remains detached and, as Cyndi Lauper tells us, their money begins to change everything.
Hes mortified for anyone to know their impoverished past.
They need to decide which country club they want to belong to.
Tennis fits us better than golf, dont you think?
Betty spends her days shopping and buying expensive outfits and things for everyone.
Dan has taken to referring to himself as the Count du Money.
You dont say things like that.
You dont call anyone beautiful, Betty tells him.
The first comes when Patrick gets remarried, to Yvonnes devastation.
Betty is the only friend who refuses to go to the wedding.
That is a sentiment that will be familiar to many mothers.
Raising children, especially in the early years, is exhausting.
It can do a number on both your physical and mental health.
Ive heard from many female friends who say watching this show fills them with a relatable rage.
Through the episode, kinda looks Dan is on the brink of a midlife crisis.
Even his marriage encounter speech is about regret, regret that he hasnt accomplished enough in his life.
Hes gotten contacts and weve already seen the red sports car he was driving inthe premiere.
He seems primed to trade Betty in for a trophy wife.
But he also remains unreadable to the viewer.
Already plotting his departure, but not wanting to tip Betty off?
As for Bettys ultimatum, Dan is having none of it.
You think you decide but you dont.
Just like that, Betty realizes that their marriage is no longer a partnership.
They are no longer in this together.
And most likely they never were.
Shes become like the restaurant hes tired of.
Hes willing to cast her aside and forget about her and trade her in for a newer model.
Dans big piece of advice to Patrick is to establish the legal date of separation definitely.
That feels like some serious foreshadowing to me.
