‘Close to Me’ Recap: ‘Episode 2’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Two of ‘Close to Me’.
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The phrase/question, ‘what comes next?’ is one that we view in quite the positive manner and understandably so. For it infers that we have closed the book on a particularly dark chapter in our lives and in doing so… we are ready to step into the light and rise to the occasion and tackle all the new challenges this new chapter has to offer and that’s precisely why this concept, is so prevalent in storytelling. Since it can provide a viewer or a reader with a beautifully inspiring tale. One that genuinely lifts our spirts up and gives us guidance when the going gets tough. But while that does indeed make for some wholesome entertainment, there is a flaw regarding this concept and how it is explored in fiction.
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In that, we tend to forget that this particular phrase/question… only applies when we are truly at the end of our recovery/dark chapter and that before we get there… what comes next are tough times and hard battles and we tend to ignore that reality in our everyday lives and in fiction… but we shouldn’t. Because that part of the journey is just as important since this is where we learn a lot about ourselves and what we actually need going forward and that’s why stories that take the time to explore the reality of what comes next, deserve our attention and our praise. Because they’re being honest and raw and they’re truly preparing us for the fight that brings us to the end of a tough journey and that is why Close to Me is a series of note.

For the next chapter in Jo Harding’s harrowing journey back from injury, truly spotlights that struggle and the scary days that occur shortly after we’ve gone through a life changing experience. For when we catch up with Jo here, she is ready to try and find support for her injuries and perhaps insight from others as to how to recover and that decision leads to some scary moments for certain. Since she gets to see firsthand at a support group, how brain injuries could result in changed emotional states and gaps that never quite get filled and being faced with the prospect that she might never properly recover from this, puts her in a dark place and a crossroads. Wherein she decides how she wants to handle this and that leads to some inspirational moments as well.

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Because Jo came to realize that sitting idly by wouldn’t do her any good. She at least had to try and fight for a day where she felt herself again and she thusly doubled down on finding her memories and enjoyed success in her endeavor. Since a clear one came to her in a bath one day, providing her with hope that maybe just maybe, a full recovery was possible after all, and all the wondrous moments of the past year would return to her. But alas, she quickly came to learn that this quest would be grounded in balance and uncover a great deal of dark memories as well. Such as how her son and bestie informed her of the fact that she worked to break up her son’s relationship on grounds that might have been irrational at the time and that definitely broke Jo’s heart.
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Simply because it made her wonder if there was a darkness, she harbored within that was now forgotten following her injury, since a clear perspective on her actions helped her to understand her initial stance was quite foolish. But while this was fascinating to watch we would be remiss to not talk about the dark clouds hanging over this story. Because in addition to learning there might be a dark side to her psyche, there are more hints that Rob might not be the loving husband he currently projects himself to be. Since he took the time to try and change Jo’s now forgotten stance on veganism by force feeding her meat without telling her and of course, he’s still eager to control every step of her recovery. 

Plus… the testy and uncomfortable encounter she had with a co-worker is equally as concerning since it hints at a life, she wasn’t aware she was capable of having and it is only a matter of time before those elements spill over in this story and expose hard truths to Jo. But while we wait to learn more about these revelations and Rob’s true self, we can bask in the wonder of an honest and powerful tale. One that really did make it clear that there is a lot we go through after a life-changing experience before we can truly decide what comes next, and how we respond to those experiences determines a positive or negative answer to that all-important question and truly, it will be fascinating to see what other parts of the healing process and what other surprises await us, as this engaging and powerful journey toward the truth, continues along. Until next time.

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