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Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
Following last week’s episode, Scenes from a Marriage gives its characters a challenge of relapse from separation. Episode 3 is titled “Scene III: The Vale of Tears”, and once again, Hagai Levi serves as both writer and director.
In this review, I will be discussing this third episode of Scenes from a Marriage. There will be spoilers to follow, as the title of this article suggests. Please read ahead at your own discretion.
Plot Summary
“Scene III” entirely takes place a year after Mira (Jessica Chastain) decides to leave Jonathan (Oscar Isaac). One night, she comes over to tell him about a job promotion and the opportunity thereof to move to London. They “talk it over” so that their daughter Ava (Sophia Kopera) is not behind. Mira suggests they move with her despite the separation, especially since Jonathan is currently on sabbatical. However, he tries to speak on behalf of his daughter (but more seemingly so of himself) that they have family, friends, and a community in the country. Mira disputes this by claiming that he is “always saying that his country’s poisoning [him]”. To this, he says they might as well settle a divorce already.
Mira learns that Jonathan might have some trouble coping with their situation. Ava’s room is bereft of its essence, and furniture is shoved into Mira and Jonathan’s former room. He’s moved his office, Ava’s bed, and one other bed downstairs to one room.
He then psychoanalyzes Mira’s use of speech. He also says that he has been seeing a therapist “to understand, to make sense of everything, of ‘what happened’ to put [them] into words”. Upon Mira’s insistence, he reads her his “morning pages” journal entries assigned to him by his therapist. They make out for a moment on the living room floor, Jonathan tells her he doesn’t want to return “to that fucking torment” she’s put upon him. Mira is too inebriated to operate a moving vehicle. Jonathan allows her to sleep at the house for the night.
Discussion
For an episode that lasts 56 minutes, Levi’s teleplay runs at a good pace. The Galperines’ musical composition, Parekh’s cinematography, and Hersonski’s editing aren’t so much a highlight as much as the writing is. The inclusion of Paulie (via his voice) is good. Aside from the four characters we’ve seen in the first episode, it does feel a tad lonely only seeing three characters on-screen. I would like to see Paulie and Laura for the remainder of the miniseries, mostly because it already has two episodes left.
All the crew members continue to do a great job. Bellizzi does tremendous on the costume designs, and I must also commend everyone who worked on hair and make-up.
Performances and Character Developments
Isaac and Chastain’s performances are good in this episode, and they continue to fare well together. The most noteworthy parts are when they are in bed together, or when Jonathan is in psychoanalysis mode. With that said, I personally don’t see them topping what they did in the previous episode in this one.
In terms of character development, a lot of heartbreaking information is offered in their conversation. I often had to ask myself, “Who is acting rationally at this point in their lives?” Neither are and perhaps a stronger question is “Who is more rational?”
Jonathan
Jonathan has taken up a habit of smoking cigarettes again. When Mira arrives, the furniture has been rearranged. At first, we see that he’s coping with the separation well… Until you see what he has done to the bedrooms upstairs. It’s his intention to remove all traces of Mira, and he personally feels that “[t]he objects never had any real significance”.
His therapist has assigned him a few pages to write upon waking every morning. Hence, “morning pages”. What’s meant to be confidentially for his therapist is revealed to Mira. Jonathan speaks about how his “true self” hasn’t been manifested until Mira came into his life. His parents did not allow this to happen while he was growing up. He says that Mira pulled him out of “the inherent loneliness”, but that all went away when she left.
Eventually, he reveals that – because of the separation – he initially had moments where he didn’t want to live, where he didn’t want Mira to be alive, or where he wanted their daughter to die. It wasn’t until he says that Ava had gotten severely sick that he knew this could not be the case. He has also been seeing a woman named Laura as a means of moving on. This, however, has failed as he soon breaks up with her.
I believe Jonathan’s re-organization of his home is a result of his coping with the separation. His arrangement of furniture and other objects is a physical means, whereas his “morning pages” are a mental means. When he doesn’t have all the puzzle pieces (so to speak) put together, he tries to kill himself. He smokes cigarettes knowing well enough he has severe asthma, and part of himself holds the notion that life is pointless. His navigation in life without Mira is one that I know all too well and speaks to me at a high volume. I don’t think it’s particularly healthy, but I’m glad he’s getting the help he needs.
Mira
Mira is now living in a condominium with Paul. They have Ava over whenever possible. Her new career opportunity is great, but involving Ava doesn’t bring “a concrete solution”, especially with the separation still happening. She feels relieved to be somewhat detached from what’s personal in her life. She’s referring to the bed she shares with Jonathan and small belongings. Mira also tries to reason with Jonathan that their entire relationship/marriage has been an object – a family, a house, a car, etc.
Jonathan claims the way she speaks and presents her monologues are a part of “a defense mechanism”. When she tries to put in her two cents about his relationship with Laura, he states: “Don’t say things you don’t mean just to prove we’re in the same boat ’cause we’re not”.
I believe there is indeed something wrong with Mira. However, the way she is dealing with the separation is much different from Jonathan’s. It’s almost as if she is not really caring by pretending to care and by making sense of things (but actually does not). Similar to Jonathan, I hope Mira can figure out a safe solution to her issues, one that is not detrimental to either herself or those around her.
Final Thoughts
Like very much everything that happens in this episode, “Scene III” is a huge mess. Perhaps that’s the purpose, that nothing is perfect and pristine. With the progression of this miniseries’ narrative, I can see myself relating to these characters and what they are enduring/experiencing. Noticing the pains that they have to face, I would like to think that they’ll be okay. Like Jonathan, however, I can tell that it won’t be easy, but steps have to be taken. That’s just how it goes.
Scenes from a Marriage is on HBO!
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Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
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