‘The Couple Next Door’ Recap: ‘Welcome to Suburbia’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Eleanor Tomlinson, Alfred Enoch, Sam Heughan, and Jessica De Gouw as Evie, Pete, Danny, and Becka in Episode 101 of ‘The Couple Next Door’ – ‘Welcome to Suburbia’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Series Premiere of ‘The Couple Next Door’.
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While we live in a connected world, one where we can outright reach out and talk to someone around the globe with a mere tap of our thumbs… we also live in quite the isolated world. For so many of us want to keep to our digital inner circle and the handful of friends we carry and that’s given rise to a unique social setting in our world. Where we no longer know that much about our neighbors and people that are just up the road from us… when we used to seek them out and try to make them part of our lives. Which has of course, sparked a great debate about where our society could be headed and whether or not this type of connected isolation is good or bad. 

In fact, this debate is so great and so engaging, that there is no clear answer. For some speak to the fact that this may merely be the evolution of societal norms while so many are worried, we are losing out and well… that is likely why storytelling is getting on this debate. To focus the debate and help people find answers and direction and it just so happens that a new series on STARZ is helping with that. A feat that the STARZ series, The Couple Next Door, accomplishes, by taking us into the heart of modern suburbia to meet a pair of modern families that are so dynamically different. For there is Evie and Pete, a pair of expecting parents that are eager to raise their family in their new home, and there are their neighbors, Danny and Becka, who… are not what they seem.

For Danny is a cop that is struggling with his finances while Becka coasts about life, and they harbor sexual tastes and proclivities that others would find both provocative and offensive at the same time. But only the audience is privy to whom these people are behind closed doors, because of the way the world is structured, and those two polarizing couples help us to understand the debate. Since Danny and Becka showcase why we would be okay with perhaps not knowing more about people around us. Since they do have some secrets and do tend to treat people akin to playthings, but not exclusively mind you. But enough to inspire pause and concern, while Evie and Pete showcase why we should want to know our neighbors.

Because their journey in this tale is devastating, since they come to learn they won’t be parents after all because of a pregnancy complication and they are indeed broken emotionally upon learning this, and they are isolated in their emotions because we isolate from the world. But they could use friends, use real family and support. Which is in short supply here. Since all they really get are some soft words of encouragement from their neighbors. All of which alerts us to the possibility that… what we should be doing, when it comes to this grand debate, is go out into the world and meet folks and get to know them well enough to decide promptly if they should be around. To truly build a world that nurtures us. Because to do otherwise, can lead to uncomfortable surprises.

Such as being hurt by people that we thought cared… or we find ourselves sucked into a world that we never wanted to be part of because it appeals to moments of weakness and unfulfilled emotions. The latter of which appears to be on the horizon for Evie and Pete. Since they find themselves enamored with their neighbors who clearly have a real dark side to them. All of which makes, for a unique series premiere. One that offers up a story that is indeed refreshing and original and explores complex ideas through and through. Which of course, prompts us to continue the journey. To see what other commentary this series will offer on the modern world, on modern relationships and the ups and downs that accompany isolation and desire. Until next time.

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