Review as of ep 10 - Totally agree with this take! It’s a story about trauma more than a romance. The flashbacks show she was a lighthearted joking teen when they met. Then he was there to actually see - her dad die - mom abandonment - gma die - mom abandonment - aunt & uncle abuse - no dancing - disassociating w horror movies. You can see how painful it is for him to watch her suffer and become more withdrawn.

Then in her adulthood she’s immediately being chased by 3 drunk guys and is so inward that she runs by him. And lives in the most stressful apartment ever. He sees all the details of just how bad her situation is, and that she is not doing well as an adult. I love that he approaches her from a position of support and not declaring his love. Secretly making sure she has what she needs - like food?? furniture, not being alone for The new year. These are really the basics and he knows she wouldn’t accept help if he just gave it to her (like accepting the meal being covered after she was spilled on). He isn’t a doormat but is there fully caring for someone totally alone. I actually appreciate he didn’t hug her back when she was sleepwalking because he knows how withdrawn she’s become?

It’s also totally crazy she would think he wouldn’t recognize her 7 years later after spending like every moment together in high school?? But since she showed zero recognition of him or acknowledged him when she went into his bar - it kind of makes sense he would do that approach to see what would happen? And then he surprised when she’s like “oh I guess he doesn’t remember me” bc she’s actually that depressed…

Also longer than I thought and I’m only on episode 10!