kiss kiss. bang bang.
Right, so I will openly admit I was wrong (turns out HATER THEORY #2 was the path we were headed down all along).
I’d like to say I am sad about it. But I’m not.
Not one bit.
Actually, I’m kind’a giddy. (Sorry not sorry!)
I was never actively against them hooking up, even though it wasn’t my first choice by far, but I kind’a thought it was too simple a direction to take... the therapy angle was actually hella more interesting. But, well, no sense mourning what could have been.
Guess I should have heeded the early and VERY. BIG. HINT(S) courtesy of the showrunners on twitter, naming the ship (Riris, still not as much fun to say as iReese) and asking folks which “team” (Team Zoe or Team Iris) they were on, or how the camera lingers lovingly on Wrenn’s face... but alas, I did not, and chose instead to believe the show mightn’t tread so easily into murky ethical waters (also, boring, kind’a standard, ho-hum waters), or at least not dive right into’em.
But here we are, swimming neck deep in it.
They took the time for some perfunctory doing “the right thing” motions (Iris ending their doctor/patient relationship / trying to distance herself after acknowledging that she can’t just will the feelings away).
Legally, they’re in the clear: The American Medical Association clearly states that sexual contact that is concurrent with the doctor/patient relationship constitutes sexual misconduct, but it takes a fuzzier position on relationships that might develop later. (Really, we’re going to harp on the ethics ofthings when John is a fake cop?)
And hey, at least Iris expounded on the elephant in the room beforestepping around it to mack on the guy she’s into. Two consenting adults whomade a mutual decision to go for it. If i wasn’t already so convinced of its eventual painful end (and the likelihood that the change will immediately diminish and marginalize Iris’ role into nothing more than “the girlfriend”), I’d have cheered them on. I will admit, however, to letting out a most unfortunate squee -- a mixture of glee and horror that yup, they went there.
This is by faaaaaar not a show where people ride off into the sunset together to live happily ever after, so for godsake, let them enjoy a little sweetness (not a euphemism!)... ‘cause it’ll all go wrong. Painfully, angstfully wrong. For all the appeal, John’s shortcomings (also not a euphemism!) will eventually bite them both in the ass (not a euph- you get the idea).
Iris, gurrl, that “I’m pretty good at keeping secrets” thing is sexy now, but it’s gonna get really old, really fast... what might have been seen as a challenge for her as a therapist is a death-blow for their burgeoning romance. I know we all worry about John and his vulnerable psyche, but let’s be honest, Iris is the one that’s gonna get her heart broken (if they don’t up and kill her before that happens).
I love the dude, and Iris’ obviously good mental health and psych training might go a long way to understanding/helping smooth a path, but the sad truth is John is not emotionally equipped to be in a successful relationship: Trust? Communication? Um, yeah, no. Shared interests? “Yes sweetheart, I know I said we’d go to the theatre this weekend, but two SAI’s are at war and threatening to burn the world down... can we reschedule?” Dealing with conflict? No time for that, John’s already out the door to save a number.
“...It’s like a cop dating a fireman–” “Okay...” “–it’s that bad...”
Their relationship is doomed to fail (tough enough under the best circumstances, but throw a damaged soul and an ongoing AI-pocalypse into the mix? Doooooomed.). Iris’ own verbalized qualms aside, John will have to continue to lie about who he is, he’ll be forced to maintain his distance to keep her safe... she’ll eventually (since she’s proven herself plenty smart and intuitive) become frustrated and hurt and angry and... Arg. I’m just gonna focus on and try to enjoy the “honeymoon” part of this whole shebang before it veers off into the ditch.
Just please, dear writers (who I love and trust but also fear): Now that poor Iris has been plunged headlong into the “love interest” role (from whence there is no return, and one that will vastly cut short her lifespan and/or screentime), can we not relegate her to being ONLY that. Can they still have, oh, I dunno – real conversations? And for godsake can she please not fall prey/get caught in the crossfire and end up dead (if his cover is blown, or just as someone close to him to use as a pawn), a fresh loss for John. Let’s avoid that whole “kiss of death” clichée, alrighty?
...Alas, if it weren’t for this little distraction, I’d be drowning in Root (I refuse to lose anyone else I care about!) and Harold (I refuse to be the cause of another’s demise!) woes.
“I don’t want to see you for a while.” Seriously, I do sometimes wonder if it’s possible to die from tv-show-induced feels. I’m still suffering from TV-PTSD from IF-THEN-ELSE. I really don’t feel emotionally prepared for the rest of the season.
RANDOM EP MUSINGS:
Fusco’s “Ouch. How many guys?” re:the shiner and John’s nonchalant “Just the one... woman.” reply. Love it.
Fusco’s immediate – and understandable – fondness for the sass and badassery that is Frankie. Ditto, dude.
a most awesome butcher shop action scene.
“I always have a plan” Harper, despite being the one in grave danger, is the one striking the cease-fire bargain. Thank god she’s on our side... kind’a... mostly.
Root quoting Scoobie Doo.
Root expressing feels. Root and how far she’s come. Root. Root!
John fully on board with referring to TM as a “she” (I had to think for a moment to remember who Thornhill was)
poor dear Harold. :(
everyone blaming themselves for Shaw’s death/disappearance.
for a show marketed as/fronted by two white dudes, they sure do a masterful job of surrounding them with a plethora of ballsy, badass (and beautiful – it’s tv after all) women who prove just as strong and capable and complicated as their male counterparts.