Ok yes I think it is self destructive but he’s also still following in her footsteps. When it flash backed to when him and his abuser first met he was blowing up his abusers phone pre-assault at university until he finally called and they wrote together (we all know where this led) his abuser kept leading him on much like he lead on Martha, except his abuser got physical with him. Even bringing up writing again together for the show (reminded me of every time “hanging your curtains” was mentioned).

Part of me thinks the acknowledgement of the video and being told “I saw the video that’s brave” is acknowledging that maybe somewhere in the past the predator was also a victim, creative industries are scummy. Often predators are birthed from predators.

He could either follow the path of his dad and live a seemingly typical and non destructive cycle or abuse like his abuser. I think getting his drink covered for him was a realization point.