‘Soulmates’ Recap: ‘Watershed’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains some minor spoilers for the series premiere of ‘Soulmates’.
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There are a great many things that we want out of life. For instance, we all want to make sure we find the right career path. So that we are content in how we spend most of our days, and it would be equally as wonderful if we were quite successful in the career field that we’ve chosen. That way, we can enjoy some financial success and security along the way, which will in turn allow for us to enjoy quality downtime where we can pursue hobbies and interests that further feeds the soul and the mind. But while those are important elements to pursue in life, since they will, in fact, bring us peace and satisfaction, there is one thing that we desire above all else. In that, it would be wonderful to find someone to love and settle down with for the rest of our days.
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Because there is a part of us that yearns for a connection and we are eager to create and share memories with someone that makes the heart flutter. And the thought of having a partner that will stand with us through thick and thin and knows us inside and out and connects with us on the deepest possible level, motivates us to get out there and find them and well… that’s oddly easier said than done. Because people are unique and quirky and finding someone that outright vibes with us on a fundamental level is no easy task. But what if it was? What if we could quickly discover the identity of our soulmate in a matter of seconds? Would we gravitate to that person without question and just accept them as our end all, be all, person in life? Well as it turns out, those very questions just so happen to serve as the foundation for the brand-new series, Soulmates.

For in this particular saga, science has discovered a way to identify an individual's soulmate on a genetic level, changing the game of romance as we know it forever. Which is a premise that makes it seem as though this series is immediately going to be about the wonder of finding true love and the joy and peace that comes with that. But instead, the series premiere of this dynamic new show, ‘Watershed’, opts to take this incredible discovery in a unique and different direction. By instead exploring how such a scientific discovery could in fact… cause more harm than good. Something that is accomplished by introducing us to a loving couple named Nikki and Franklin, who seem to have it all. After all, they’ve been happily married for years now, they’ve got a couple of kids, and despite a few struggles here and there, they get by just fine in life.

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But as their friends and family take ‘The Test’ and learn who their soulmate is and find perfect fulfillment, they begin to wonder if they are if they are right for one another, and that particular line of thinking causes nothing but strife for this couple and really, their struggle is where this story shines. Because it transforms this particular tale into a fascinating examination on the external elements that can cause a relationship to fail. Which in this instance is a lack of communication and celebration. Because both Nikki and Franklin spend so much time playing 'what if?', that they forget to appreciate one another and what they have, since they genuinely have a healthy and wonderful marriage. And to make matters worse, they also close off from one another, rather than taking the time to openly address their problems and concerns, which only exacerbates their worries. 

But while that makes for some quality drama and some powerful moments for certain, it is the underlying commentary about love that is present in this tale that makes it so worth our while. For in many ways, this particular story is quick to point out that modern society has some unrealistic expectations when it comes to love. For we are obsessed with finding a person that we will never fight with, and will understand and support our every endeavor and drop everything to be there for us and well… that’s nothing more than a fantasy. Because it simply isn’t possible to find those all of things in a person and having someone who lines up with your every wish and desire isn’t healthy either, since that creates a status quo for us, the kind that doesn’t allow for us to grow. Plus, this story also correctly points out that love is work, and that in order to maintain a healthy and stable relationship we have to work at it and keep the barriers and influences that Nikki and Franklin run into here, out of our lives, or we’ll end up in a sour place.
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Yet at this point, you've likely noticed that we haven't discussed whether or not these two make it as a couple or if they turn to 'The Test' because of their concerns and there is good reason for keeping that out of this recap. Because you need to see this series premiere and experience their struggles first hand. For they are that powerful and that poignant and what truly makes this opening chapter so special, is that truly sets the stage for what is going to be a supremely unique series. One that is going to shatter every trope and illusion that we’ve come to believe about the nature of love and replace them with some powerful lessons on what love really looks like in our modern world, and what exactly goes into creating a healthy relationship that provides fulfillment for all parties involved. Which means that we are going to be in for some powerful storytelling for certain. The kind that will move us and fascinate us and outright shock us as we dive into a world where the wonder of love is now replaced with a simple test and some heavy expectations. Until next time.

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