Summary
Arguably the most unconventional and unrealistic of this season’s batch of episodes, the beauty of “In the Waiting Room of Estranged Spouses” isn’t just in the fact that it’s based on a true story, it’s in its discovery that beyond grief, there’s greatness still to come.
This recap of Amazon Original Modern Love season 2, episode 6, “In the Waiting Room of Estranged Spouses,” contains spoilers.
What would you do if you found your spouse cheating on you with another married person? Between all the pain and the heartbreak, would you ever confront their spouse? Not only does the sixth episode of Modern Love’s second season explore that idea, but as always it tops it off with its own romantic twist.
I know I previously compared episode two to a fairy tale, but “In the Waiting Room of Estranged Spouses” feels like the most unbelievable story of the bunch. So the fact that it’s based on a true story only makes it more phenomenal. Granted, it is rooted in heartbreak, but aren’t all great love stories?
Modern Love season 2, episode 6 recap
The episode starts at a Fourth of July barbecue. Unbeknownst to former marine Spence (Garrett Hedlund), America won’t be the only thing celebrating its independence. When his wife goes to the store with another man, that armed service instinct kicks in and he knows that something’s not right.
Eventually, he discovers his wife is having an affair. One day, while leaving his much-needed therapist’s office, he bumps into a woman by the name of Isabelle (Anna Paquin). Coincidentally, she’s the former wife of the man his wife left him for. What starts off as an odd encounter quickly snowballs into a platonic friendship. It isn’t long before Spence starts to develop feelings though, but is what he is feeling real or some sick variation of survivor’s guilt (That’s the last question in this review, I promise)?
While Oscar winner Paquin (unsurprisingly) turns in an excellent performance, the real highlight is Hedlund, who just 11 years ago was on track to become an action hero, and has now proven himself to be more than ready to lead any romance.
After episode five, this episode was probably my second favorite of the season. I’m not going to lie, it is often corny. For example, there is a moment where Spence is walking down the street and he reappears in his marine uniform after going on a date with Isabelle as if he’s just come back from combat. Nevertheless, I found it to be such an interesting exploration into grief and how we can still heal others while we’re knee-deep in the grieving process ourselves.
Additionally, I found the way that the two leads give themselves to each other, despite being broken down from their previous relationships, honestly beautiful. It goes to show that there truly is someone out there for everyone, even if they’ve been previously used.
Modern Love season 2, episode 6, “In the Waiting Room of Estranged Spouses”? Comment below.
