Little detail from tonight’s episode that got ny brain spinning:
Becca objecting to just being referred to as “Mel’s sister” as opposed to just “Becca”.
It shows a fundamental difference between the two sisters and how they view themselves and each other:
Mel sees them as a unit. Becca is her twin, always will be, but Mel’s use of “sister” links them together as a duo first.
Whereas Becca wants Mel to refer to her by her name. I took it as a sign that Becca is seeking more independence and an individual identity separate from Mel.
Becca has a life outside of Mel. She most likely has friends at the center. She can explore interests, participate in activities, and have a lot of enrichment in her life.
But Mel’s life is her work and Becca. She’s made no close friends in her 10 months at the Pitt. When asked about herself and what she likes, she talks about Becca first.
Mel clearly has some work to do to develop a life for herself outside of Becca. As much as Mel wants Becca to be happy, Becca wants it for Mel just as much. I’d love to see a conversation between the sisters where Becca gently encourages Mel that she needs to live for herself more. We probably won’t, but I really think that kind of permission and encouragement from Becca would be so impactful for Mel. Them needing their own things wouldn’t detract from their relationship or love for each other, rather, it would expand their worlds and make room for so much more.
This show is so intentional with its dialogue and so tightly written that tiny moments like this can tell us so much about the characters in the quickest flashes. The show is a goddamn masterpiece.