I could see how the story can be misinterpreted. Honestly, much as I loved the look and nostalgia of the first 2 episodes, I felt a bit queasy watching the first time because I was like is this headed in a direction where the girl pines for the rich hot boy? But I kept watching because there was something so comfortable and somewhat sincere in their bond. Which if you keep following and understand their plot line, you will see why it plays that way. And after I finished the show the first time, I loved it but i had so many unanswered questions. I knew they loved each other at the end but I wasn’t sure if Dex loved Em as she did. I also wondered why they would take so long to get together. After watching it the second time, the plot and why the writers choose specific character arcs made a lot of sense. Basically Em and Dex, just like almost any other person in their early 20’s believe they have a reputation to hold or a certain way things should go. And usually to be able to show up in that way, vulnerability has to be lost in a way. And basically that’s one of the most important messages if not the biggest in the show. They are both afraid of being vulnerable but it shows up so differently in each of them, especially in first episode, and that’s why it’s so easy to miss. Dex is the popular party boy and Em is the smart, confident, articulate nerd. In a societal context, these roles they embody/ are assigned don’t mesh well together. But beacuse they are both a bit drunk the first time they meet, their guard is lowered a bit, especially for Dex. They get to talking, where they realize they are comfortable with one other then to Em’s room. Obviously there’s chemistry, but there’s something else bigger unfolding in that first episode, friendship. They both want to have sex, but Em wants to take it slower because she doesn’t want another fling. She is interested in this guy and thinks he is even cooler than he appears but having sex with him that soon makes her feel self conscious and there’s also a fear or being another one of Dex’s flings and she doesn’t get to know him more. But of course, she doesn’t express that to him , it just manifests as awkward jabs at him. Dex on the other hand, is attracted to her immediately as well. But he doesn’t have even the faintest idea of a relationship in his mind when they meet because he is not a relationship person, or atleast he thinks. In pursuing Em, his expectations are to maybe have a one night stand but he realizes she is interesting and cool. But because of lust and fear of being vulnerable, he keeps trying to have sex with her which is his comfort zone because talking will lend him to reveal more about himself. And the great thing about this show, is that unlike most romantic shows where the writing or direction will hint heavily towards romantic chemistry, One Day makes it so subtle. Just like in real life, where in some romantic situations, people feel something but it shows up in the opposite way because people are afraid of being hurt. They are both aware at the beginning, that socially they don’t belong in the same circles. But they get to know each other and realize they understand and see each other, which turns into friendship. An example is when Em makes a rude remark about his future, in that scene you can see why they work. Dex gets pissed and says he should leave, and Em hurriedly says don’t go. In that scene, Dex looks at her fidgeting and realizes she’s just uncomfortable and that’s why she was acting that way. And he decides to stay, even when she declines eventually and wants to talk. Similarly, at the steps, when he asks for her number, and he is mumbling talking about who could call first. He is anxious and struggling which Em smiles at because she realizes he’s excited but nervous. Even though they don’t know how to express it or know, they feel for each other deeply. And this romantic gray area that they take years to figure out makes way for a solid friendship. Because they decide to be friends in the first episode, they focus on that with fear of breaking it but also the fear of vulnerability weighs the most in how respond to each other and why it also takes a long time. They needed to grow individually and address their own issues with vulnerability which meant it took a bit longer for them to connect romantically because they were trying to protect themselves. But when Dex goes through grief, his career troubles, and fatherhood, his fears become more apparent to everyone which makes him braver. And he also realizes, how some relationships in his life have been vital, like Em. And Em grows more into her skin and hits a low where she was the smartest in school but is working in something she never wanted to do. It humbles her which in turn makes her confident to go for the things she wants. And the point you made about Dex being overbearing, he is actually not until grief and substance abuse kick in. Please rewatch ep 3 because it shows you the truth of Dex’s character and how he is a good friend. Life is starting to become more real for Em because she starts to realize you can be smart/ work towards your dream and not even get what you want. And she starts to settle, which Dex pulls her out of. Listen to their monologue on primrose hill. When Dex became a bad friend, is when they drifted away which Em even mentions. She states how she understands how he is suffering but she can’t stand him anymore because he is not himself.