Premiered tonight on HBO and it's incredibly well done. Really unique intro to the pilot, too - a cool approach I'd never seen before. Fair warning, though, this is a straight up marital drama, if the trailers don't make that crystal clear. It's basically just a showcase for Chastain and Isaac to do some Acting with a capital A, which absolutely works for me, but it definitely won't be everyone's cup of tea. If you're into that sort of thing, though, it's well worth your time...

Scenes from a Marriage
Limited Series (5 Episodes)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12682218/
September 12, 2021

Acting is outstanding. Really enjoying it so far.

Seriously. No matter the role, it really does feel like he's always *about* to have to go down to his badass, state-of-the-art basement to run some twisted psychological experiment on the A.I. woman he's keeping prisoner.

Episode two is absolutely heart-wrenching, but so well done. Just incredible performances yet again.

Just finished watching based on this post and wow, what a heavy show. Amazing acting. Definitely not for everyone as was said and leaves you emotionally drained, but unbelievably well-done.

Prestige TV...great acting...it's the feel good show of the year! I read the 3rd episode is the best

Well crap, I'm out of town in hotel and was going to go on a run. Then this thing came on and I couldn't leave the room! Really good and uncomfortable Unfortunately, I caught the 2nd episode....so I felt like I was missing some back story. But will for sure be looking for the 3rd.

Not sure I would be handling the news the same way as Jonathan. But then, maybe I missed something in the 1st episode.

Aust Ag said:

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Not sure I would be handling the news the same way as Jonathan. But then, maybe I missed something in the 1st episode.

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This. No way I could have slept in the same bed with someone who just dropped that bomb, especially in the way she did.

Damn, this show is good. I basically keep yelling at the TV, at their near-misses, hoping they'll quit being so stubborn, and I never want each episode to end. It's such a unique series, and with only two episodes left, I have absolutely no idea where it's going, but I'm so curious to find out.

TCTTS said:

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Damn, this show is good. I basically keep yelling at the TV, at their near-misses, hoping they'll quit being so stubborn, and I never want each episode to end. It's such a unique series, and with only two episodes left, I have absolutely no idea where it's going, but I'm so curious to find out.

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Agree with this, its a great show. Even despite the way each episode begins, it takes about 10 seconds to forget that you're watching a show. The acting is remarkable. I wish it didnt have only 2 episodes left.

This show is great. I still have to finish the back half of ep 3 (so not reading thread yet). 2 was... a tough watch. The frustration when he calls his "friends" at the end of 2 was perfect.

TCTTS said:

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Aust Ag said:

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Not sure I would be handling the news the same way as Jonathan. But then, maybe I missed something in the 1st episode.

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This. No way I could have slept in the same bed with someone who just dropped that bomb, especially in the way she did.

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Hysterical bonding is a real thing. He probably would have had sex with her the night she told him (if she was willing to do so, obviously). Betrayal trauma and the internal chaos that ensues is nonsensical when viewed from an outsider's perspective. The scene where they show Jonathan organizing and packing her bag captures it beautifully. He is doing something that makes him feel in control, and perhaps, he is even trying to garner her approval.

Just finished episode 4.

Am I the only one that thinks this poor guy is just being screwed around by some unhinged, manipulative fliptail?

That woman dicked around on him and after 2 years of anguish he's finally got his **** together and is moving on before Hurricane Mira comes over faced with being alone and unemployed.

Good for him for standing his ground.

Love this show, and it's hitting all the high marks of a typical marriage
Episode 1: Abortion!
Episode 2: Infidelity!
Episode 3: Child custody fight!
Episode 4: "what changed because a minute ago you sprinted to the shower because bodily fluids gross you out?"

Damn, that was intense.

So… yes or no… do they get back together in this Sunday's finale?

I say yes, but it's not a confident yes.

I'm going to say they don't, but I have zero confidence.

Hmmm. I don't quite know how I feel about the ending. Definitely the most inconsequential episode yet, but I also understand the need for a more ambiguous, less-concrete-but-thematically-resonate ending. Basically, "love is complicated." Still incredible acting as always, and better than most TV, but compared to the first four episodes I thought it was a bit of a let-down.

Agree with your comments on the finale. Not on the level of the other four episodes but as a whole, I thought this was an excellent series that showed off the skills of two great actors, like you said initially. At first I didnt like the way the episodes start with you seeing the actors on set getting into their roles, thinking it would keep a reminder in my mind that I was watching actors on a show, but pretty cool how quick they're able to make you forget about that.

That was definitely the least enjoyable episode for me (if it can be enjoyable given the nature of the story). Anyway, I'm a tad surprised by the continued limbo around their relationship - also little shocked to see Jonathan end up morally ambiguous given his personal work on himself. I guess breaking free of the restraint of his upbringing though was the dynamic at work within him. Great acting - enjoyed it... still giving it some thought today.

Really interesting that the thing he pressed his mom on (was it really love?) is exactly where he wound up (his own version of love).

Still have the last episode to watch. Number four was great. For anyone that had their heart broken and recovered; freaking spot on.

Found this interesting on Wiki about the original series in Sweden:

Quote:

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One controversy revolved around allegations that Scenes From a Marriage led to higher divorce rates in Sweden and around Europe by teaching couples to communicate their conflicts. Swedish divorce rates allegedly doubled one year after the miniseries was broadcast in 1973

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swc93 said:

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Number four was great. For anyone that had their heart broken and recovered; freaking spot on.

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Swinging back to this thread, and I completely agree with you here. The resolve that a person can muster up once their eyes are fully open to the **** show someone else has put them through is a key moment. Whether one attempts to reconcile or not, that anger and absolute disgust is a necessary step. I'm not embarrassed to admit that I cried multiple times watching this show. I've been there.