‘The Split’ Recap: ‘Season 3, Episode 1’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season three premiere of ‘The Split’.
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When we are young, we are taught that true love… is something we need to seek out and obtain and cherish. For it will cure our ails and give us a strength we never knew we could obtain and above all else… it will bring us true happiness. Because knowing that someone loves us with all of their heart engenders endless joy and well, that definitely motivates us to make finding our one true love a priority in life and when we do… boy… are we in for a rude and powerful awakening. Because we focus so much on the wonder of love, that we rarely discuss the hard realities that actually accompany the flutter in our chest over the thought of another.

Such as the fact that communication is essential to keeping a relationship healthy, as is putting in the effort to keep the spark going and that… not every relationship is going to make it. Because sometimes people grow apart or their priorities in life change and their partner no longer aligns with those changes. Which is why shows such as The Split on Sundance Now, should be commended and celebrated, since it has over the past two seasons, shown us those tough realities in a compelling manner. Allowing for audiences everywhere to gain context regarding lessons we all should have learned long ago and well… the incredible lessons this series loves to send our way are back on the airwaves courtesy of the show’s season three premiere.

For this is a tale that took the time to inform us, that our emotions don’t just switch off when the end of a major relationship comes forth. Because we’ve likely been around that person for a long time and the connection we share takes time to properly separate and that can lead to trouble without proper communication and self-work. As evidenced by how Hannah and Nathan’s journey went in this tale. Because despite appearing to be the perfect divorcée couple, since they were on good terms, they found friction over the fact that Nathan was ready to move on emotionally by dating someone else, and Hannah simply wasn’t. A move that immediately led to all kinds of fights and tears and the lesson inherent.

Which made for some fascinating and powerful moments for certain, the kind that will hang heavy over this season… as will the other big moment in this tale. For this is a story that took its exploration of the difficulties that accompany the end of a relationship, one step further… by setting up a journey that will examine how hard it is let go, when love ends abruptly and without our input. A feat accomplished by way of a harrowing sequence of events. For dear James was hit by a speeding car on his way, ironically, to an engagement party for Liv. Which led to some terrible news when Rose and her friends arrived… in that, James didn’t survive his injuries. Ripping a hole in Rose’s heart and leaving her in undiscovered country without her love and well… that’s a horrifying way to set the stage for an examination, but an impactful one none the less.

Since people we love do fade from our lives or are taken from us abruptly and we have to square that emotionally and that is also a reality we don’t discuss enough in this life. Which makes this a bold premiere for certain, one that touches on a bevy of important topics for the season ahead. One that will undoubtedly dig deeper into other matters as well because that’s just what this show does, and this writer is here for it. Because that’s the kind of refreshing writing and storytelling the television landscape needs more of, and it will be genuinely fascinating to see where this bold season is going to take us next as this show embarks on what appears to be its biggest and bravest season to date. Until next time.

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