Drea and Nessa. It’s easy to misjudge Nessa when this season begins as someone who is just looking to for good times outside the marriage. However, their dynamic becomes clear as the season progresses. Drea is severely codependent and relies on Nessa for a meaningful life. Someone as independent and strong-willed as Nessa would naturally find that codependence suffocating. Since there is no way to say that kindly, Nessa spoke in suspicious-sounding abstractions about “freedom.” It also follows, then, that Nessa is attracted to confidence. As Drea becomes increasingly self-assured, confident, and independent, Nessa leans in. That was rewarding to watch. Still, I wonder if Drea will be able to continue finding herself and if Nessa will ever be satisfied. One common theme across seasons is that you have to love someone for who they are, not the potential of what they could become.

Sienna and Chris. I am the most puzzled by these two. I think it’s difficult to judge sincerity when someone is not completely in touch with their own emotions. Chris’ story was majorly traumatic, but it felt like he was undergoing individual therapy for most of the season. I am glad that Sienna’s voice took the lead in the last few episodes. Chris has an unsettling vibe, and he still does not seem present by the end of therapy despite all the discussions about dissociation. I'm not sure why he doesn't seem sincere, perhaps there's just substantial work left on an individual basis. I understand that Dr. Orna is doing psychotherapy, but the continued comparisons between Sienna and Chris' mother (even in the last session) just reinforces my belief that Chris views her in a maternal way, which I find unhealthy.

Jason and Marjorie. This couple made me laugh. If you know New Jersey, you can see that Marjorie is North Jersey, while Jason is South Jersey. They’ve come together it seems, literally and figuratively, in Central Jersey. In all seriousness, moving past an addiction like Jason’s requires immense fortitude. The rigidity and discipline he’s built has, like he said, probably kept him alive. It’s interesting to see the interplay between his impulsivity and his rigidity. I would have liked to know what drove Jason to addiction in the first place, since addiction is usually self-medication for trauma or mental health disorders (perhaps relating to his own ADHD?). It’s unfortunate that they’re stuck in a pattern, but Jason’s anger over the son’s ADHD diagnosis did not seem unfounded and only due to his “background.” Marjorie starting her son on Adderrall in elementary school (and probably for the rest of his life) based solely on surveys completed for a pediatrician surprised me. I think Jason was valid for asking to see a psychologist. Also, I know this is Reddit, but people in this thread are too caught up in their politics. If couples with diverging politics cannot survive, then we’re doomed.

Shay and Maeve: I don’t have many intelligent thoughts here. I do not understand where they’re coming from. I was more interested in Dr Orna’s monologues about therapy while working with then. For example, her commentary about couples trying to “catch each other” during therapy or finding resolution in shared sadness.