As a seasoned observer of human relationships and their intricate dance, I find myself drawn to the captivating world of infidelity portrayed in today’s dramas. The BBC1 series, “Cheaters,” with its raw and unapologetic depiction of modern love triangles, resonates deeply with my life experience.
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“She’s wonderful, and she deserves more. But I believe you make me a better person.
In simple terms, the compact BBC1 drama making its comeback this week delivers exactly as promised. Two characters, Josh and Fola (portrayed by Joshua McGuire and Susan Wokoma), first cross paths at an airport in Finland, where a flight delay occurs. They end up drinking together and spending a night together. Upon returning home, they surprisingly find themselves living next door to each other as new neighbors.
As a movie enthusiast, I’d say “Cheaters” bills itself as a “messy, sexy comedy.” Messy? Definitely. Sexy? Absolutely, but that depends on one’s perspective. Comedy? Well, for some it might be a laugh riot, while for others, especially the wronged partners, it could be more like watching a drama series such as “Doctor Foster” than a light-hearted comedy like “Doctor in the House.
In a different turn of phrase: The steamy Disney film titled “Rivals” presents numerous extramarital entanglements; however, the romantic duo that captures our interest is Freddie Jones, a wealthy individual, and Lizzie Vereker, a writer. Both are appealing characters, both are lonely, and both are married to others. Actor Danny Dyer, who portrays Freddie, expressed his hope that the audience will sympathize with their potential affair, which may sound problematic.
Exploring the themes of marital infidelity, broken relationships, or unfulfilled expectations has been a rich source of inspiration for storytellers since before the days of Jane Austen’s characters Wickham and Willoughby, or Madame Bovary. I used to appreciate the British approach to handling such sensitive topics subtly – in films like “Brief Encounter,” the tension between Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard was hinted at through their tea conversations, while in the 1970s sitcom “Butterflies,” everyone managed to keep their feet firmly on the ground. Ria and her admirer Leonard shared only stolen lunches, not kisses, over four seasons of a flawless series.
In the ’80s, I found myself captivated by the tumultuous tale unfolding on the screens of Coronation Street. Deirdre Barlow, a siren from the street, stepped out of line with Mike Baldwin, a factory-owning Casanova. The entire nation gasped in shock, as if pearls were slipping through our fingers, while questions swirled like leaves in the House. However, when Deirdre made her choice to return to her husband Ken, Manchester United took a pause during their League Cup semi-final against Arsenal to declare “Ken 1 Mike 0” on the scoreboard, a move met with thunderous applause. Though the marital apple cart seemed poised for a fall, it miraculously remained standing.
The marriage story is no longer automatically the love story
In today’s world, it’s not uncommon to hear someone boastfully announcing, “I’ve been having an affair for 15 years, and I feel empowered.” The traditional marriage narrative, once synonymous with love, is no longer the only story. Factors such as the waning influence of religion, the threat of eternal damnation fading, the rise of women’s rights, and the expansion of choices beyond the patriarchy have all contributed to this shift. For a deep dive into the complexities of infidelity and its impact on everyone involved, I highly recommend the HBO series The Affair. In this show, as in many modern dramas, marriage is often portrayed not just as a symbol of love, but also as a breeding ground for resentment, defiance, and escape. Unlike some contemporary narratives that present infidelity as a symptom rather than the root cause, The Affier is too nuanced to make such simplifications.
In the captivating novels, “Cheaters” and “Rivals,” I find myself observing an intriguing pattern. For over a year now, Fola’s husband hasn’t shared a warm embrace with her; similarly, Freddie’s wife stepped out of line by donning fresh apparel at the hunt in “Rivals.” It seems these men, perhaps unwittingly, may have set certain expectations and consequences into motion.
Lastly, consider the unfortunate situation of singer Lee Ryan, who in 2014 found himself entangled in a love triangle on Celebrity Big Brother, and faced threats from an aggressive public. A year after that, the show Love Island was revived for television, with the theme of romantic betrayal not only tolerated but essential to its plot. Lee once lamented, “I seem to have been a step ahead in my time.
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2024-11-11 22:39