I really liked that scene with Kurt. I did not want them to be another example of the core relationship — superficially nice (or goofy) man manipulates woman into thinking the status quo is ok. Patty may be stuck like Allison is, but it’s for different reasons.

“Ooooh, I thought the actress who more closely resembled a younger Gillian Jacobs would grow up to be Gillian Jacobs!” - The Kid

Unfortunately, their hook-up also implodes Sam’s marriage with Jenn, who is seemingly a wonderful and friendly person.

The car keys scene was very telling. She had to cajole and lie to be able to leave the house with the car. There’s also the scene where Patty asks her why she doesn’t just say “no” and Allison describe how Kevin wears her down and manipulates her into agreeing, so it’s easier for her to just say “yes.” That’s a sign…

RIGHT! We don’t need to learn about some “other side” of him to see he’s a piece of shit. He IS a piece of shit in every respect when the laugh track is removed and his actions are viewed through the lens of reality.

Right?! I could not *believe* how people reacted to Skylar White. God forbid she expresses concerns her husband is becoming a sociopathic drug lord. Who is also making her an accessory after the fact and putting her and their son in harm’s way.

The best part was when it interrupted ONE pop music montage to start a new one from another characters perspective.

I’m genuinely curious why the throwback slasher horrors aimed at a broadly young demographic is being reviewed by the person AV Club sends on festival circuits to review obscure indie films, and not someone that can actually critique the films for what they are- these two reviews read like someone who’s watched both…

first one was a solid B in my books, I feel this trilogy is the silly throwback a summer needs, and a cool introduction to teens who might just be discovering horror!

If there is anything that let Allison stay with Kevin for so long (and even got into a relationship with him to start with) I’d put my money on terrible self image and possibly depression. You’ll put up with anything if you think you deserve it and will never do any better.

Exactly. I don’t think it’s too much of a stretch to say that, if she tried to leave, he’d make her life and the lives of everyone around her a living hell. He’d call every landlord, every boss, every potential romantic partner, and make it impossible for her to have her own life. I don’t think anyone really deserves…

Bear in mind that the setup of these sitcoms with having the wife presented as the “smart, mature one” is, of itself, a trap. It forces the wife character into a role: The Voice of Reason or The Scold (depending on how the audience’s own biases opts to view her). Then, it doesn’t allow her to be anything else: she’s…

The show seems to be drawing a very clear demarcation line. There are those who completely understand Allison’s plight, unfortunately due to personal experience. And there seem to be those who reflect people who (weirdly) struggle to understand it if they hadn’t experienced an flagrantly toxic relationship.

That’s a good point about showing the Kevin/sitcom world when she isn’t there. But I still think it’s the series’ way of showing how abusers have a different persona depending on who they are associating with and — to his father and his friend — he is THAT buffoonish guy that they all like and accept for some reason.…

The complexion of the show changes when you take its premise not as a sitcom world where the wife “breaks free” to enter the real world, but as a woman trapped in an emotionally abusive relationship that is seen partly through the lens of a sitcom.

I have seen some comments over the first few episodes asking the question of why can’t she just leave him. The reality is leaving a manipulative person is not an easy task and their death may make the most convenient outcome. As someone who was once in a relationship with a manipulative person I totally get(but do not…

Patriarchy.

I mean, assuming that they are in fact gay and aren’t just incredibly religious, it does suck all kinds that those people in LW1 feel they have to live their lives hiding their true identities and it is good that someone in their family is willing to be supportive.

It should be a law that if a bank screws up and puts X million dollars in your account you get to keep one week’s worth of interest on that money. It’d be life-changing money for a lot of people and wouldn’t even be missed by whomever actually has the $50 million dollars. 

People Smart Enough to Know What Fraud Is Make Correct Choice