We need to talk about Frank (spoiler alert):
So, in the new recut, one of the biggest change for me is the character, Frank. In the 2013 version, Frank is Marc’s best friend, team leader, the friend who both supports Bettina and defends Marc; he is also one of the few colleagues who isn’t acting homophobic when Kay comes out. Frank isn’t perfect but he seems to be a solid guy.
In this recut, we get to see more of Frank; we know he sleeps around (more than just Britt, that affair is hinted in the original, and confirmed in the recut); we see Frank desperately wants things to go back to ‘normal’ between the four of them (Frank, his wife Claudia, Marc and Bettina); he sees Kay as a problem and seems happy to see him gone.
This dialog he has with Marc says a lot about Frank - the performative curiosity over bisexuality, the tasteless joke, getting defensive when Marc compares his infidelity with his own with Kay.
This version of Frank has reinforced the hostile/unfriendly environment Marc (and Kay) lives in. Marc cannot be his true self, not even in front of his best friend.
Bonus: we also see more of Britt - who seems to be more understanding, nice to Kay post coming out.
