Ep 3. Counseling

Frances and Robert continue their rocky back and forth in the third episode of Divorce season 1, titled "Counseling." The episode begins with Frances seeking allies in her increasing dissatisfaction with her marriage. She visits a counselor in secret, asking for advice on how to talk to Robert about their issues. The counselor is empathetic but prompts Frances to figure out what she wants from the relationship before proceeding, cautioning her that it will be a hard road ahead.

While Frances is learning more about herself, Robert is taking a new approach to his own problems. He becomes reacquainted with a former flame from high school, Janice, and the two hit it off. We see him confiding in Janice about his marital troubles and his decision to become a stay-at-home dad. The two begin to develop a close relationship, but Robert is unsure whether he wants to pursue anything further with her.

As Frances continues to navigate her marriage issues, she turns to Diane for support. Diane obliges but is preoccupied with her own problems, namely her ailing parents. She reveals to Frances that her father has dementia and has become emotionally abusive towards her mother. The two women commiserate about the difficulties of navigating adult relationships with aging parents.

Meanwhile, Frances and Robert agree to attend marriage counseling together at the suggestion of their friends, Dallas and Tony. During the session, they both put forth their grievances and begin to realize that they've been unable to communicate effectively for a long time. However, things quickly take a turn for the worse when Robert reveals that he's been seeing Janice behind Frances's back. Frances is understandably upset and storms out of the session.

The episode concludes on a somber note as we see Frances struggling to come to grips with the state of her relationship. She takes a walk through the park and happens upon Julian, the teacher she had a brief fling with in the previous episode. They talk, and Julian offers some comforting words to Frances, telling her that things will get better for her eventually. The episode ends with Frances looking pensive and conflicted.

Overall, "Counseling" is a tense and emotionally fraught episode that showcases the deep-seated issues in Frances and Robert's marriage. It's clear that both parties are struggling to communicate and find common ground, and it remains to be seen whether they'll be able to salvage their relationship. The supporting characters, particularly Diane, also provide a welcome respite from the central couple's drama and add some depth to the overall narrative.