‘Soulmates’ Recap: ‘Break on Through’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Five of ‘Soulmates’.

​When it comes to stories that revolve around loss and trauma, they tend to focus upon one specific type of loss. Such as losing a parent or a family member. Which makes sense, since losing a person that brought us into this world and outright raised us to be the person we are today, is devastating for certain and the resulting trauma from their passing can and will put us in a dark place for a very long time. For family is our world and we only get one and making that the focus of a particular tale, makes it relatable and palatable to an audience since it is a fear, we all share for certain. But while that particular concept is quite accessible to audiences everywhere and allows for folks in need of direction on the matter to find something to guide them toward healing, locking onto that particular concept alone, does the audience a disservice.

For there are other types of loss out there that can cause severe trauma to a person and put them in a rough place and for some odd reason, the vast majority of stories tend to avoid them. Why exactly, is hard to say, but it likely relates to the fact that we still treat certain types of loss as taboo, since they are simply too painful and uncomfortable to discuss out in the open. Such as say, losing a partner. Because the thought of losing the person that we love completely is a horrifying one indeed. For they are our rock and our equal and seeing them fade away leaves an incredible void in our hearts and our souls since they filled a void, we didn’t know needed filling. But thankfully, some stories out there are willing to examine this incredibly rough style of loss in order to help those through it, and to examine a harsh reality of our world that few wish to, and it just so happens that last night’s episode of Soulmates dove full bore into this topic.

For ‘Break on Through’ introduces us to a younger man named Kurt Shepard who has found his soulmate thanks to the test. But there is just one problem when it comes to this revelation, in that… his one and only passed away in a car accident and well, that news devastates Kurt in ways he never thought possible. Because he wanted nothing more than to share his life with someone that he connected with on a fundamental level, and now that he is faced with the prospect of that never happening, since his true match is gone forever… he sees no point in living. Thankfully though, he survives his initial attempt to end his life and tries to get his life back on track, to no avail. For all he can think about is his one and only and how he has no purpose without her and at long last, he may finally have his exit strategy in sight, thanks to a religious group populated by people that share in his pain. Provided of course, the feelings he has for one member of the congregation, aren’t genuine. 

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This is by far, the heaviest episode of this series to date. Since it really does put some taboo topics on display by taking us right into the heart of one man’s darkest hour and that makes this episode brave and brilliant for certain. Because we simply don’t see shows explore this kind of pain and this kind of sorrow in the slightest, but this one holds nothing back in showing us just how broken Kurt is when it comes to the possibility that he is going to spend the rest of his life alone because his soulmate is forever gone, and that makes for some powerful moments. The kind where you genuinely feel for Kurt and hope that he finds his way out of the darkness, since the story also does a fine job of showing the audience that he is a good man with a good heart that has plenty to offer the world and someone else if he can move past the pain in his heart.

Which is a revelation that leads to quite the healthy examination of loss of trauma and after all. Because in essence, this episode takes the time to explore how we come back from losing the person that more or less completes us and what this story offers in regard to that, is quite powerful. For eventually, Kurt comes to realize that there is still a life to live, and wonders to see, if he takes the time to understand that his love is always with him in his heart. Which is a fluffy message to send across but one that is valid none the less. Since living life to the fullest is a perfect way to honor those we’ve lost since they would want that for us. Plus, it was also quite fascinating to see this episode point out that it is okay to love again when we’ve lost someone that captured our heart, and to take chances when we get out there once again simply because… you never know what the future will hold until you let loose and see. And all of these elements, make this a stunningly solid episode when all is said and done.

Simply because, it genuinely dug into some powerful concepts and it really does deserve some serious credit for putting Kurt’s pain completely on display. Because we don’t talk about suicide enough in popular culture, nor do we see people suffer in the same manner that Kurt does on the silver or small screen, and that’s a powerful step in the right direction storytelling wise. But all bravery aside, this episode also deserves props for offering up one unique exploration of love and how it can heal us at the right moment and really in the end, all this episode reinforces; is the sheer fact that this series is going explore every aspect imaginable when it comes to love and its impact upon us. Regardless of how dark or how unhealthy it might be and with only one episode to go in season one, one has to wonder what love related topics this series is going to explore next, now that it is digging into braver and bolder territory. Until next time.  

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