⚠️ Some personal thoughts! Contains critical takes on a potential Nolan/Debbie reconciliation plotline! ⚠️
After watching the latest Ep, I have mixed feelings... First, I didn't expect Debbie & Paul's relationship to end so fast. The whole change felt so sudden. I'm not saying they couldn't break up, but the transition felt incredibly sudden.
If the show ultimately follows the comic's path, I'll probably drop the show. I just feel like the show could take a much better direction, and these two characters could have much better development. If they stick to the old comic route, it would just be a huge shame.
I still remember when Nolan first returned to Earth, Debbie explicitly told him to "get the fuck out of my house and never come back." Yet Nolan ignored that and showed up anyway, he completely disrespected the boundary she set. I know he wanted to tell her what happened and about Oliver, but if he had truly learned to respect her boundaries, he would have asked Mark to pass on the message instead of going in person. The latest Ep just makes me feel like Nolan is still selfish and hasn't learned how to respect Debbie at all.
I also noticed another issue: some people seem to forget that Nolan lied to Debbie for the entire 20 years they lived together, never revealing his true identity or motives. The version of him he presented back then was just a "fake mask," not the real him. Just like Debbie accused him, "You killed the man I loved." Nolan really did do that, because the man Debbie loved was a fake persona.
Don't give me that "but he treated her so well during that time" excuse. Imagine if Nolan had confessed his true identity and purpose right from the start, with zero lies or fake mask, would Debbie have chosen to be with him?
I know Nolan has changed now, but that doesn't mean the past lies and trauma cease to exist.
Nolan is like a thief who stole 20 years of Debbie's life. 20 years is no small number for a human, let alone the fact that it included Debbie's absolute prime years. When they first met, Debbie looked to be in her early twenties, right?
I sincerely hope the show versions of these two don't get back together as a "couple." I can imagine them eventually reaching a point of civility and co-parenting, but getting back together romantically is a completely different story.
I think a romantic reconciliation would ruin both characters. First, Nolan doesn't deserve Debbie's forgiveness, much less to win his old life back. Second, "seeking redemption", "earning the victim's forgiveness", and "returning to a happy life" are entirely different things. Nolan can seek redemption, but that doesn't mean he is owed a happy ending. He needs to face and bear the consequences of his actions. Debbie's forgiveness and a return to a happy family life should NEVER be the "prize" at the end of his redemption arc. If they actually get back together, he gets off way too easy, why should he get to happily regain his life after hurting so many people? This is why a reunion would ruin Nolan's redemption arc.
As for how a reconciliation would ruin Debbie's character, I think we all remember how brilliantly her dialogue and reactions were written in Ep 5. I honestly cannot fathom how that Debbie could ever convince herself to "accept" the trauma Nolan caused, forgive him, and ultimately get back together with him.