‘Close to Me’ Recap: ‘Episode 6’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season finale of ‘Close to Me’. To revisit ‘Episode 5’, click here.

Domestic abuse/violence is a topic that is so taboo and so uncomfortable in our modern world, that those who suffer from it… don’t always know what to do when it enters their lives. For while there are support networks and help out there for victims of this heinous act, the silence surrounding it, and our consistent desire to believe that we must stay with those we love when ‘tough times’ come calling… keep so many within DA/DV’s disgusting realm. Not to mention, there is real fear that exists in this scenario as well, since those dealing with it don’t have a clue how far their significant other will go in their violent actions, or they do and know that silence and compliance is the best route to go. But while these norms provide an odd sense of comfort for those not dealing with this nightmare, and shaky stability for those who do, the fact of the matter is… the time has come for the silence surrounding this issue, to be broken.
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Because people are going through hell experiencing this, and some are losing their lives, and conversations about their experiences need to start happening and better support and guidance revolving around this needs to be out there and quite frankly, ire from the everyday world… needs to come into play with such matters as well. So, it can finally be dealt with, and that is why the Sundance Now series, Close to Me, should be applauded. Because from day one it has exposed this problem and explored the warning signs and symptoms if you will, of domestic abuse and violence. Specifically, the psychological acts that go into it, so we can finally learn more about this problem, and for its season finale… it decided that the time was right to answer several long-standing questions in regard to this topic and Jo’s journey. In that, it finally addressed what happened on that fateful night a year ago, and it offered guidance on what those who have been victimized can do in their situation. In that… when it is safe… it is best to confront one’s abuser.

For those that choose to impart that kind of cruelty on another human being, are often weak in every way and being stood up to and confronted about their actions, would indeed make them crumble. But before the show went full bore into that, it needed to make clear that such an act is scary and uncomfortable and it takes time to get to that point. As evidenced by the fact that Jo basically went on the run in this tale, with her father no less. All because the prospect of dealing with the reality of the past year and the fact that her husband abused her… was more than she could bear. But spending time with her dad and reflecting upon his own violent tendencies made her realize that we tolerate this kind of behavior far too often and we do need to stand up to it more and that allowed for Jo to take her dad home and return home for a showdown.

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One where she gathered the entire family to speak some truth about the past year and well, that went about as well as one might expect. Simply because Rob was quick to paint Jo as incompetent or broken, verbally abusing her in plain sight of her children and even going so far as to gaslight her. But she stood the course, and she told the truth about Rob and everything he’s done and well… that changed everything. Because not only did it put Rob in his place for the first time ever and force him to own up to his own disgusting actions and give Jo some semblance of power and standing in the relationship for the first time… but it also allowed for the biggest truth of all to come to light. Specifically… what happened on that night one year ago and the truth about that moment, was both painful and powerful to watch.
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Since we came to learn that while Rob didn’t push her down the stairs, he had no problem letting her fall. Which quite frankly, is just as bad as a push. For it was the coward’s way out, and a twisted way to reset the relationship and the power dynamic. A reality that Rob admitted to as well. But the powerful aspect of this, came about from the fact that Jo didn’t speak to revenge or violence in response to Rob’s cruelest act of all. She simply left, she simply robbed him of his power and left his future in tatters by getting the truth out in the open and that’s precisely what needs to happen more often with men like Rob. Because when they are powerless and exposed, they are the weak nothings they don’t want to be seen as, and that is now his legacy. As for what came next for Jo, well… she was able to get a fresh start at last.

One where she can forge her own path and find what makes her happy and while we don’t see her second act here, the knowledge that it will be filled with peace and joy and healing, is a satisfying way to end this tale. Since it speaks to the fact that escaping these kinds of situations are indeed worth our while. Because to do so will give us freedom and perspective and growth, and while it may seem scary to leave someone that one genuinely thinks is their everything in that moment, one must confront that fear and the abuser if possible… to obtain what they deserve. Which is respect and dignity and freedom and well, that message makes this a brilliant and poignant series when all is said and done. One that put a terrifying and uncomfortable topic in the spotlight and hopefully this series will open a floodgate of discussions so that this long-standing problem in our world, can finally be addressed.

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