That entrapped personality inside Jean does eventually find its release during her daughter's birthday party as gossip behind her through some of the "power moms" unleashes her pent-up, seething resentment and conditionally controlled anger. No longer will she just abide by the "rules of the game" and keep corralled her disregard for the other wives/mothers who gather in flocks and offer their asides that besmirch her daughter's "independence" (she wants to cut her hair short, dress "tomboyish", and just be herself...and Jean has tried to encourage her to be authentic, not disingenuous). Jean is very aware that her daughter is quite atypical of the other kids, an active, sporty, and open-hearted kid who dresses and acts opposite her peers. When Jean wears a shirt from her past-attire that isn't of the class or supposed stature of those within the inner circle of her husband "elites"-there was a comment regarding it, of how different it is from the usual wardrobe seemingly worn by them all. Comments about her daughter do bring out the held-in-check Jean that was looking to surface when provoked, much to husband Michael's disappointment. Earlier in Driftwood Lane, Jean surprises Michael with a date alone after work on the town, but as the credits are about to role the gloves come off and real feelings surface about her "invisibility" and defending the honor of her child at the detriment of reputation and appearances. Ultimately, besides the desire to tell off the moms and her mother's showing up at the party (a memory reminding her of how much of a glory hog her own mother was at her birthday party as a child) rattling her complacency, Alexis, Michael's secretary, arriving is the tipping of the scales that sends her over the edge. It is clear as she sees her husband and his secretary at a slight distance chatting comfortably-all that sexual chemistry quite present and visible-that Jean is gradually and increasingly bothered and distressed by it. The friendly camaraderie and laughing between them, that clear evidence that they share an attraction, just awakens in Jean reason to be concerned. Compound that with her desire for Sidney, the texts that interrupt her time with Michael, the daughter drama, worry about how her marriage isn't as fulfilling and could very well be fragile despite their attempts to keep it romantic and alive, the psychiatry career (her client, Sam, talking about Sidney as Jean tries to convince him through therapy to let her go, all the while desiring Sidney for herself) that features clients who themselves are trying to figure things out (the mother hoping to rehab her relationship with her daughter isn't proving successful), and the juggling of two separate lives; Jean is scrambling to pull all together. I have to think this was an ideal role Watts could appreciate as the life of Jean is such an emotional journey of peaks and valleys (which was unfortunately cancelled after only 10 episodes), certainly requiring a great deal of investment and forethought. This episode certainly gave me quite a ride as she goes from asking Michael about what he'd do to remain with her in a marriage as their dialogue in the restaurant veers towards the topic of adultery, carefully and cautiously walking a line of ease and peace, smiling and behaving instead of what ultimately results when neither feels the need to conceal anything. Michael wanted Jean to maintain good standing with their circle, but Jean would not tolerate their candor in regards to her daughter. The entire episode centers on Jean being pulled two directions...concealment and release. Being what is expected and going the route she so desires...at the end Jean heads out of the house while Michael goes to sleep, leaving their heated dispute unresolved. Will Michael and Alexis embrace? Will Jean run to Sidney and away from the world she so feels burdened by? To say her telling off the mom in front of all of the adults at the birthday party and the confrontation with Alexis both produce some awkwardness and discomfort, but I guess that is to be expected when the real Jean can't stomach what she sees and hears...even if it ends with Michael pissed at her for doing so and her storming off to meet up with a young lady she only learned of through a client trying to recover from their dissolving relationship
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