So far, this is the first show to portray an accurate depiction of dating/dealing with narcissism. I noticed that the other reviews stated that Stephen seems off and creepy. Yep, he is in the beginning. He wears many masks. He's charming, then rude, arrogant, etc. In the first episode, Lucy knows that something is off- you can see she has a gut instinct about him. (At the frat party) But he's persistent (love bombing, forward "compliments", calls, showing up etc), and she lets her guard down.
However, after watching the entire first season and then rewatching it, I have an expanded point of view now. Yes, Stephen has toxic traits. But I've come to realize that many of them were born out survival dealing with poverty, and his abusive mother. He also states in a internship interview, how he is good at observing what people need (and basically this is to protect himself from them and their reactions (like his mom). It takes awareness and a lot of therapy to break these traits; to not have to live in "survival mode" anymore, and to build truly healthy relationships.
It turns out, that Lucy is very toxic and self absorbed. And yes, she has her own family challenges that she deals with. I'm hoping they will be expanded upon in the second season.
Maybe this show will help people see how easy it is to get sucked into a complex toxic relationship.
However, after watching the entire first season and then rewatching it, I have an expanded point of view now. Yes, Stephen has toxic traits. But I've come to realize that many of them were born out survival dealing with poverty, and his abusive mother. He also states in a internship interview, how he is good at observing what people need (and basically this is to protect himself from them and their reactions (like his mom). It takes awareness and a lot of therapy to break these traits; to not have to live in "survival mode" anymore, and to build truly healthy relationships.
It turns out, that Lucy is very toxic and self absorbed. And yes, she has her own family challenges that she deals with. I'm hoping they will be expanded upon in the second season.
Maybe this show will help people see how easy it is to get sucked into a complex toxic relationship.