‘Love During Lockup’ Recap: ‘The Watcher & The Dancer’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Still from ‘Love During Lockup’ Courtesy of WE tv.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 523 of ‘Love During Lockup’.

​There are a fair number of people, who truly despise reality television and everything it stands for. For they see it as theater, where the people involved are putting on one heck of a show for the camera via some convincing performances. But those folks, are wrong. For while reality television does have television elements, a lot of what you see is what you get, and it is giving us what it advertises. In that, this is a view into the unique lives of other individuals, the kind that can teach us a great deal about the human condition and that is why the WE tv franchise, Love After, is of note. For this is that perfect saga that explores matters of the heart we do not understand.

If anything, that franchise and the power of reality television are top of mind today, simply because last night saw the return of Love During Lockup on the network, and ‘The Watcher & The Dancer’ offered up a bevy of fascinating lessons about love and what it pushes us to do in its name. Since this episode reminded us that when we feel it, we will do anything and everything to make it work. Which is why dear Andrew went the extra mile in this tale, to ensure that Candace was going to be comfortable when she left prison. By getting her an apartment set up, and by looking into his finances to make sure he could be a provider for her. Because he loved her, and his heart told him this was the right path, and he wasn’t alone in thinking like that.

Since Tennie did something quite unique to make Michael feel comfortable and help him prepare to live with her. By allowing for him to set up cameras in the house, the kind that caught everything and allowed for Michael and everyone in the household to interact, during vulnerable moments no less. Plus, Joey was ready willing and able to do whatever he needed to, to help his Michael have a smooth time in prison, and to make sure their love would grow. For he was deeply thinking upon offering up a fake photo of he and his love to gain visitation rights. All of which spoke deeply about love’s power and how it drives us, and we were able to see that in action through people that deeply want to be near those they love behind bars.

But of course, what always makes episodes of this franchise worth our while, is that they also teach us that while the heart wants what it wants and that there are people willing to sacrifice and go the extra mile for a love that is behind bars… it is no easy life or easy task. After all, Tennie had a lot of worry hanging over her head since her Michael spoke to a secret he kept at bay at every turn. Not to mention, Andrew may go broke caring for his love, when she’s willing to rebuild her life with help instead of dependance, which led to a fight. Plus, Joey was deeply worried about crossing moral lines and our bonus story, involving Ayonna, just spoke to how hard life can be. Since Ayonna made a lot of mistakes before settling in on what she wanted and had to mentally prepare to spend time in jail for them.

All of which, gave us an hour of storytelling, that truly did showcase life as it is, because this is stuff happening right now, and it doesn’t make these folks less or weird, it’s just their journey. One we do not understand… but can. Provided we watch this with an open mind and with an earnest heart. Because these are powerful stories playing out here, the kind that will teach us and those involved plenty about life, love, and the pursuit of happiness. While yes, dropping a little drama and serving some hot tea along the way. But that’s part of the human condition too, and it’s something that also fascinates us and truly… it will be interesting to see how these relationships grow, fail, or endure… as new episodes of this fascinating series, continue along. Until next time.

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