Split

Coupling Episode Review

In which Jane had to leave Susan out of the plan.

What Happened

Steve follows an upset Susan out the door, but doesn't exactly know what to say. She isn't interested in giving him the right words this time. They go their separate ways.

The next day, Steve and Susan spend way too much time calling but not calling each other. Tired of hearing her phone "chirp," Susan decides to take refuge with Sally and Jane at the beauty salon.

Steve accompanies Patrick and Jeff to a strip club. There they find a former schoolmate of Jeff's who is now a stripper. (There's story about a phone that is really quite gross.) By the end of the night, Steve is completely sloshed.

Steve finally staggers back to his place and collapses on his bed. He calls Susan and leaves a garbled message proclaiming his love. Hearing the recording, Susan decides to forgive him.

What We Learned

• You've always got to send a man a book when you split up to prove what a caring, giving person you are and how they are going to die alone in a pit of filth.
• It was as if all the candles and the chanting had really worked.
• Don't talk to women when they are emotional. They're allowed to slap you.
• She'll remember for next tiem. Women remember things. It's like they've got minds of their own.
• It's like a manual for living that proves men are wrong.
• Lap dancing is the ultimate nightmare of man. It's porn that can see you.

Best Lines

Jeff: "I hate phoning. never know who is going to answer."
Steve: "You do know you are supposed to phone specific people, right?"

What Did I Think?

The conceit is that the screen is split in two, one side showing each person through the episode. It's really quite clever and handles the movement between Steve and Susan well. It's also in direct contrast to the way they handled the break-up by going back and forth in time and jumping from one hard focus to another.