‘Mammals’ Recap: ‘Episode 2’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Two of ‘Mammals’. To revisit the series premiere, click here.
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When we find ourselves heading into a new relationship or make strides to find ‘The One’. We all speak to certain red lines and unforgivable sins that will immediately push us to end the relationship to save us from hardships or strife. For some, a lack of attention or communication from and with their lover is enough to bid them farewell. While others look at their moral code as the line in the sand. But one that we all hear about often or have spoken to ourselves, is infidelity. For the collective thought there is that choose another lover beyond us, is a cardinal sin that can never be forgiven, and the lack of trust it engenders, is enough to just… say goodbye. So, we can move on and find someone that actually wants us.
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But what is fascinating about those boundaries, is how quickly people are to abandon them and yes, that includes cheating and such. Because time and time again, we’ve seen people go back to those that were unfaithful and give them a second chance and work through it, and some of us have done it as well and the question is… why? Why would we be so yielding over something that we once stood behind so fiercely? Well, it just so happens that the next episode of Mammals on Prime Video explores the answer to that very question and that makes this particular chapter of Jamie’s harrowing story, quite powerful and fascinating to say the least.

Because when we catch up with him, here, he has more or less… rationalized a way to bring everything back to normal. By proving these were isolated incidents that can end, so they can figure out a way forward. Which prompts him to chase off the other lover under the threat of revealing his infidelity and have Jeff dig deep and try to figure out the true identity of Paul. Which leads to more disaster for Jamie. Since he comes to learn that Amandine has a real appetite for other men and that her infidelity goes far deeper than he ever knew. Which in turn brings out the worst in him by the end of this tale, as evidenced by what happens when his fury and pain boil over the reality that another tryst is likely happening in that very moment. 

But what matters more, are the nuances of this journey, since they speak to why people stay with those, they love, when they cheat. Which in this instance, relates to the reality that… Jamie really does care for her and has invested so much time and energy into everything. Which in turn, has him wondering what can be saved and salvaged and what kind of repair that can require. Combined with a hard belief that there is a way back from the abyss because of that sense of familiarity and comfort. Which means that more or less, people hang on, because it is all they know. Because being single and accepting the reality and the hurt that you’re not compatible or cannot meet each other’s needs is devastating and terrifying. So, it’s best to just hang on and hope for repair and resolution.

However, that way of thinking and that kind of attempt at salvation, is always a waste of time. For the scorpion always stings because of their nature. Making his hopes bleak and foolish in nature, and well… that is brilliant in its own right. For this is clearly a story that reflects modern love and problems that so many have dealt with, and this story deserves a round of applause for not holding back and giving us this particular problem in the raw and well, now that Jamie is in a position to listen to reason and see the real situation at hand, it will be interesting to see what he does next, and how he handles what looks to be the end of a grand love affair. Until next time.

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