The past is a haunting figure in an episode which has Virginia coming to terms, once more, about her relationship with Bill, as well as Bill dealing with the messed up moments of his childhood. But while Virginia is ready to face her demons head on, Bill continues to hide for being hurt is something he isn't willing to endure again. Meanwhile, Libby tries to forge herself some sort of life outside of Bill's shadow and as the incompetence study begins to become a stronger focus, reveals and awkward moments follow.
Topic 1: Becoming Like the Women I Admire - Libby
Since we met Libby, she has pretty much always been in Bill's shadow. She was the nice little housewife who no one really took seriously. After all, she is in a rather loveless marriage; doesn't speak up for herself much; and is a bit timid. However, even if the outside world, and maybe Libby herself also, sees her this way, it doesn't mean she likes it. Hence why she has always admired Virginia. She came into Bill's office with no experience, but a load of passion, and look where that took her. Then, with sister-in-law Pauline, she was able to stand up to Francis' drinking and get him to stop. These two women are powerful, in their own ways, and you can see Libby is tired of being inspired by them and wants to be one of them. So, she decides to join CORE in order to be like them. Someone with autonomy, making a difference, and standing in the light and not in someone's shadow.
Topic 2: Guilt Hangs in the Air – Virginia and Barbara
With Virginia pretending to be Barbara, in order to provide Barbara counseling, it seems with the doctor giving Virginia a technique to use on Barbara, and him figuring out she is using someone else's story, he finds a way to get her to talk about herself. Something which leads to a lot of reflection within Virginia as she starts thinking about her relationship with her mother, Dr. DePaul, and especially her relationship with Bill. For, despite her feeling like a mistress long before these counseling sessions, the idea is brought back to the forefront and it troubles Virginia. Especially since she can't think of one reason to hate, or do something bad to, Libby.
Switching the focus to Barbara though, we are strangely told, despite her brother being her molester, that the two are close and she wants to see him happy. A fact which seems odd until she confronts her brother about said molestation, using the techniques Virginia stole, and it leads to her learning she was the one who initiated, and likely continued, the incest. For, you see, she didn't want her brother abandoning her for some triplets who moved into town. So, to keep him interested, she had sex with him. Something which, honestly, is a bit twisted and I sort of didn't like for it made her come off like a liar and someone rewriting history to make herself the victim. Which makes it so hard to talk about her story for you can see she is traumatized, but at the same time she caused the trauma. Then, with her brother seemingly unable to maintain marriages/ relationships, it makes it so you wonder if perhaps she might have caused some trauma onto him as well. Making it where as much as you want to feel for Barbara, based off the original story, at the same time you almost see her as that one person who makes it when people talking about getting raped or molested, being the one who gives rapist the "what about - ?" excuse. Though, overall, as Bill said, Virginia is way out of her depth when it comes to Barbara's issues. For with this reveal, and Bill trying to help her vaginal walls not tighten to the point of being like an actual wall, you can tell that while she isn't a loss cause, both Bill and Virginia can't provide the comprehensive medical services she needs.
Topic 3: Stop Bringing Up The Past – Bill, Francis, and Virginia
Leaving us with the key relationships in Bill's life. The one he has with Virginia, and the one he'd rather forget he had with his brother.
Thus far, when it came to stories of Bill's past, we have been lead to believe Bill didn't have siblings. He was the lone sufferer at the hands of Francis Sr. But, in reality, he had a little brother who witnessed, and also dealt with, trauma thanks to Francis Sr. Leading to why Bill is distant toward Francis Jr.: He did just like their mother. Francis Jr., as Bill suffered, just watched and didn't do anything. Then, to add insult to injury, as Bill busted his ass to please his father, this new kid, who he bestowed his name on, was getting all this attention and was shown off. Though, once Bill left, Francis Jr. learned what Bill went through. However, with Francis not approaching Bill about the past in a way which would make Bill comfortable, Bill pretty much builds his walls higher to protect himself from both Francis, and his past.
Then, with Virginia, as mentioned she is dealing with a load of guilt which she doesn't understand why she is bearing it alone? Bill, after all, is the one married. Why isn't he dealing with guilt? Why isn't he questioning what he is doing? And, once more, he avoids taking any responsibility for their sexual relationship due to the study. Though rather than be as dismissive as he was before, he mentions the reason they continue to have sex, and get close, is because of his erectile dysfunction and him seeking to cure himself.
Topic 1: Becoming Like the Women I Admire - Libby
Since we met Libby, she has pretty much always been in Bill's shadow. She was the nice little housewife who no one really took seriously. After all, she is in a rather loveless marriage; doesn't speak up for herself much; and is a bit timid. However, even if the outside world, and maybe Libby herself also, sees her this way, it doesn't mean she likes it. Hence why she has always admired Virginia. She came into Bill's office with no experience, but a load of passion, and look where that took her. Then, with sister-in-law Pauline, she was able to stand up to Francis' drinking and get him to stop. These two women are powerful, in their own ways, and you can see Libby is tired of being inspired by them and wants to be one of them. So, she decides to join CORE in order to be like them. Someone with autonomy, making a difference, and standing in the light and not in someone's shadow.
Topic 2: Guilt Hangs in the Air – Virginia and Barbara
With Virginia pretending to be Barbara, in order to provide Barbara counseling, it seems with the doctor giving Virginia a technique to use on Barbara, and him figuring out she is using someone else's story, he finds a way to get her to talk about herself. Something which leads to a lot of reflection within Virginia as she starts thinking about her relationship with her mother, Dr. DePaul, and especially her relationship with Bill. For, despite her feeling like a mistress long before these counseling sessions, the idea is brought back to the forefront and it troubles Virginia. Especially since she can't think of one reason to hate, or do something bad to, Libby.
Switching the focus to Barbara though, we are strangely told, despite her brother being her molester, that the two are close and she wants to see him happy. A fact which seems odd until she confronts her brother about said molestation, using the techniques Virginia stole, and it leads to her learning she was the one who initiated, and likely continued, the incest. For, you see, she didn't want her brother abandoning her for some triplets who moved into town. So, to keep him interested, she had sex with him. Something which, honestly, is a bit twisted and I sort of didn't like for it made her come off like a liar and someone rewriting history to make herself the victim. Which makes it so hard to talk about her story for you can see she is traumatized, but at the same time she caused the trauma. Then, with her brother seemingly unable to maintain marriages/ relationships, it makes it so you wonder if perhaps she might have caused some trauma onto him as well. Making it where as much as you want to feel for Barbara, based off the original story, at the same time you almost see her as that one person who makes it when people talking about getting raped or molested, being the one who gives rapist the "what about - ?" excuse. Though, overall, as Bill said, Virginia is way out of her depth when it comes to Barbara's issues. For with this reveal, and Bill trying to help her vaginal walls not tighten to the point of being like an actual wall, you can tell that while she isn't a loss cause, both Bill and Virginia can't provide the comprehensive medical services she needs.
Topic 3: Stop Bringing Up The Past – Bill, Francis, and Virginia
Leaving us with the key relationships in Bill's life. The one he has with Virginia, and the one he'd rather forget he had with his brother.
Thus far, when it came to stories of Bill's past, we have been lead to believe Bill didn't have siblings. He was the lone sufferer at the hands of Francis Sr. But, in reality, he had a little brother who witnessed, and also dealt with, trauma thanks to Francis Sr. Leading to why Bill is distant toward Francis Jr.: He did just like their mother. Francis Jr., as Bill suffered, just watched and didn't do anything. Then, to add insult to injury, as Bill busted his ass to please his father, this new kid, who he bestowed his name on, was getting all this attention and was shown off. Though, once Bill left, Francis Jr. learned what Bill went through. However, with Francis not approaching Bill about the past in a way which would make Bill comfortable, Bill pretty much builds his walls higher to protect himself from both Francis, and his past.
Then, with Virginia, as mentioned she is dealing with a load of guilt which she doesn't understand why she is bearing it alone? Bill, after all, is the one married. Why isn't he dealing with guilt? Why isn't he questioning what he is doing? And, once more, he avoids taking any responsibility for their sexual relationship due to the study. Though rather than be as dismissive as he was before, he mentions the reason they continue to have sex, and get close, is because of his erectile dysfunction and him seeking to cure himself.
