Summary
Although its placement in the anthology is questionable, “A Second Embrace, With Hearts and Eyes Open” is still a good episode but ultimately works better as instructions on how to accept the season than how to love.
This recap of Amazon Original Modern Love season 2, episode 8, “A Second Embrace, With Hearts and Eyes Open” contains spoilers.
I’ve always wondered how often divorced couples get back together, and whether or not the reason for the reconciliation is a necessity or habit. The final episode of this series’ season proves that sometimes there’s a much simpler third option: love.
Modern Love season 2, episode 8 recap
The most original Modern Love story so far, “Second Embrace, With Hearts and Eyes Open” revolves around a legally separated married couple (Tobias Menzies and Sophie Okonedo) who rekindle their romance later on in life. However, when one of them is diagnosed with cancer, both are forced to reevaluate their priorities and their original promise to one another.
The third episode from John Carney this season — and the final set of overseas episodes — as expected, it delivers in terms of direction, premise, and performances. Menzies and Okonedo are especially great. However, compared to the rest, I honestly found this to be one of the season’s weaker episodes. I still think that people will be able to resonate with its theme about the importance of commitment, quite literally, through sickness and health; but, this episode closed out the already underwhelming sophomore season with a whimper.
As mentioned in an earlier review, the first season of Modern Love takes place entirely in New York City. This time around, however, the series branches out overseas to exemplify love’s limitless reach. Personally, I enjoyed the change in perspective. Similar to the way the [Insert Location Here], I Love You franchise, the further we go the more connected we become. Ironically, the one thing that I found to be missing was the same sense of solidarity between storylines that perfectly sewed the first season together.
Despite having some solid segments, this season ultimately felt disjointed. For example, unlike the first season, we don’t get an epilogue to any of our stories despite some absolutely needing additional closure. While the first season taught us all the different types of love that are out there, this season is more focused on showing us where else love is in the world. Even though that’s not a bad thing, the end result is too different. Even though love is still in the air, this time around I found myself feeling a totally different “L word”: lost.
What did you think of Modern Love season 2, episode 8, “A Second Embrace, With Hearts and Eyes Open”? Comment below.
