‘Three Women’ Recap: ‘sloane’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

DeWanda Wise as Sloane in Episode 103 of ‘Three Women’ – ‘Sloane’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘Three Women’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One particular truth about human sexuality that we don’t like to acknowledge in the slightest, is that a double standard exists when it comes to sexual desire in our world. For instance, men that work to sow their oats and be intimate with as many partners as possible, are seen as men that have a healthy sexual appetite, and oddly enough, if they desire multiple partners in a committed relationship, then they’re simply a stud. Someone who is blessed with a high drive and we think little of it. Because that’s just how human nature sometimes goes. But if a woman has a high sexual appetite, or desires multiple partners while in a committed relationship… well… she is seen in a different light. In fact, she is seen in quite the negative one.

Wherein people view her through derogatory descriptions and look down upon her and God forbid if she is ambitious to go with that appetite. Because that only adds to the hypocrisy present. Because then she’s a new whole level of monstrous, while men in that same vein are of course, seen as heroes. Because for some reason, we have bullshit expectations of women in this life, when it is perfectly normal for a woman to be ambitious and harbor a high sex drive. But we don’t acknowledge this, and we certainly don’t explore what kinds of pressures women face when they decide to break from the mold and have sex and chase their dreams. But thankfully, that experience was put on display in the next episode of Three Women on STARZ.

For ‘sloane’ focused upon that very character and explored every corner of her life and her appetites and wants, and it made sure to showcase… that any woman that has, drive and ambition, and sexual wants… face a lot of pressure and a lot of scrutiny. Since Sloane had to spend most of this episode, defending herself, defending her wants and dispelling thoughts that she was arrogant because she wanted more out of life than most. Not to mention, this episode made it clear how mothers can impart some of this pressure since they have things to say to their daughters grounded in generational trauma that counteracts what the heart wants and that made, for one powerful and harrowing tale. One that truly informed us that an ounce of ambition or desire, are viewed with disdain and seen as some sort of mental health issue, when it’s fine for men.

Speaking of men, this episode also made a point not only showcase the hypocrisy in question but its source point. Since Sloane’s husband worked often to ‘talk sense’ into her and downplay her desires because of a need to control and a need to feel as though he was the harbinger of desire and the only person who could supply her with what she needed in this life, all while pursuing his own desires and wants when he pleased. Which spoke to how many men out there, fear independence from women because of deeply outdated world views and traditions that no longer have a place in 2024. Because we live in a different world now and that was the point of showcasing all the chaos that surrounded Sloane. To point out, sexual status and clout and ambition are no longer exclusive for men, and never were really, and that… it all matters little in this modern life. 

Because that journey belongs to that person, and they can live their life as they see fit and forge their own path. What matters more, is whether or not they’re a good person. Because time and time again, we’ve seen ambitious men that are players of sorts that are outright human garbage, that deserve no awe. But they get it because we cherish that nonsense over decency and that lesson and seeing how women that harbor similar traits to Sloane are treated in this life, made for an eye-opening episode. One that really pointed out that we have to stop with this crap and let people just live and judge their accomplishments over anything else. Because no one deserves such scrutiny over matters that are none of our business, and well, now that we’ve reached the end of this poignant journey, it’s onto the next one and undoubtedly, more powerful lessons that we need to take to heart. Until next time.

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