Rue presents us with one of the only fleshed-out storylines. The only character who is able to behave in a manipulative, controlling, flat-out terrible way but also have the common sense to reflect on it. While Cassie wallows in self-pity and Nate embarks on a strange (and unsuccessful) redemption arc, Rue provides us with meaningful reflection while the rest of the characters behave manically without rhyme or reason.
Kat is dropped in the middle of the episode with a singular scene where she and Ethan break up. Rather than channeling the straight-up, take no bullshit attitude that she presented in season one (although this might have had something to do with the underage camgirl bit), Kat defers to an indirect, kind of manipulative approach. Kat's storyline has fallen victim to terrible, terrible writing. Though I didn't love the strangely empowering tone of her storyline in season one, at least it portrayed her as a nuanced character with thoughts and feelings that informed her actions. Now, she presents as a shallow bitch whose only role is to listen attentively to Maddy's trials and tribulations.
I am deeply conflicted on my opinion of Maddy and Cassie but one thing's for sure: I am here for that drama. It completely fails to portray Cassie with any nuance but it does produce an interesting storyline that keeps audiences on their toes. Additionally, Maddy emerges as a complex and honestly empathetic anti-hero. She never shies away from a fight but at heart, she is a traumatized girl who is left without many meaningful connections at no fault of her own. I almost wish they would let Maddy rage more because seeing her constantly victimized is heartbreaking and edges on exploitative––making space for Nate's "redemption" once again at the sake of Maddy's sanity.
The drama is fun, but I still want more for Cassie. She represents what so many teenage girls have unfortunately actually experienced. She is reduced to a sex object who is constantly disempowered by the men around her. Of course, trauma manifests often in ugly ways and it isn't entirely unexpected that Cassie might lash out because of her past; however, the writing is utterly compassionless and makes the audience feel for her less and less with each self-destructive action.
We can see that writer Sam Levison's compassion for women in his writing starts and ends with Rue. He clearly understands addiction, its effects, how it ruins ones life, and causes ripples in the community. Rue is allowed her humanity and her struggles. Cassie is not. It's clear that Levinson is threatened by storylines that compassionately unpack domestic violence and sexual trauma. He doesn't understand female friendship beyond its destruction and fails often to see women as more than victims or villains.
At the height of unrealistic is Nate's self-awareness. I can deal with hyperbole but pretending like a high school abuser has the where-with-all to understand the ramifications of his actions is laughable. His storylines veer on sympathetic in tone despite the fact that he has traumatized nearly every other major character on the show, damaging their psyche sometimes just by passing them in the hallway.
Despite my criticism, this was an entertaining episode. While Sam Levinson can't write a woman to save his life, he can write a damn good soap opera. This episode serves as a comedown from the last and it seems as if the pacing has finally hit its stride. Despite my best efforts, I am excited to see the showdown between Maddy and Cassie next episode. Ultimately, I want the best for Maddy but I suspect something sinister–-especially given the strange relationship with the woman she nannies for. We'll see.
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