Bonding Season 1 Episode 2 Episode 2

Kudos to the fans of BDSM and the show for their portrayal of the BDSM community which breaks the stereotype of this distinct sexual preference. Episode 2 of Bonding, titled “The Past is Not Always Behind” continues with the story of Tiff and Pete as they navigate through their professional and personal lives.

The episode starts with Pete waiting outside his therapist's office. The core theme of this episode is the past; hence it makes sense that we see Pete waiting outside his therapist's office. The therapy session delves deep into Pete's past and his relationship with his mother. This subplot has relatable aspects that will make you empathize with Pete since our relationships with parental figures shape our perception of the world and our relationships. As the episode progresses, we see that Pete's stunted emotional growth hugely affects his interpersonal skills, and this makes him lash out at Tiff during a therapy session he joins. The show's creators do a great job of showing how our traumatic experiences affect us, which makes us treat the people around us.

Tiff is struggling to balance her work life and her social life, which results in her not performing well. Her colleague, Doug, takes the liberty to comment on her job performance and personal life, only to find out that Tiff is the best in her workgroup. The show sheds light on how society negatively rates people in the BDSM profession as incompetent and less intelligent. This is seen through Tiff's colleague's comments, which are fueled by her assumption that since Tiff works in a BDSM dungeon, she does not prioritize her work.

The heart of "The Past is Not Always Behind" lies in the deeper connection that develops between Tiff and her boss, Mistress May. Bonding does an excellent job of showing the audience the dynamics that go into BDSM- the power play, trust, and consent, which allow the two to engage in a safe and mutually beneficial relationship. Mistress May is a mother figure to Tiff, and Tiff takes up the daughter role. This father-daughter role-play relationship may seem unusual to some viewers, but it is a common practice in BDSM. The show's creators do an exceptional job of depicting the relationship between Tiff and Mistress May, which is toned down to a level that non-BDSM viewers can understand.

The episode's pacing is fantastic, the creators take the viewer on an emotional rollercoaster- from the flashback of Pete's terrible experience with his mother in a psychiatric institution to the deep connection between Tiff and Mistress May. The show's creators have an excellent balance of comedy and drama that makes the show enjoyable and relatable. In "The Past is Not Always Behind," viewers see the human side of the characters and get a glimpse into their psyches.

Finally, the episode concludes with a cliffhanger that will leave you anticipating the third episode. Bonding is the perfect show for people who have reservations about the BDSM community. The show's creators do an exceptional job of educating viewers on the dynamics that go into BDSM. It is a fresh take on the BDSM community that breaks stereotypes and showcases the human side of characters who perform in BDSM dungeons. Bonding is a must-watch for people who want to see something out of the ordinary that will engage and educate them.