Sex/Life Season 1 was great. And the show ended with a cliffhanger. One of the best
parts of the show, is that the very final scene may have been explained by a clue from
the first full scene of the show. The story centered around Billie Mann who
changed a lot of the years. As a Psychology student, she was very promiscuous. But eventually,
Billie became a firm believer in traditional human monogamy. However, over time, she came
to realize that 85% of her life was the stuff that people dreamed about. But then there
was the other 15%. Sex. When Cooper read her journal, he tried to
become the person whom she wanted him to be. They went skinny-dipping and ran from cops.
They even went to a party where they experimented in an open-relationship. But ultimately, Cooper
could not be that 15%. So Billie met up with Brad at a location that they used to frequent
and they almost kissed outside. But as that was about to happen, Cooper texted her, over
and over, and finally gave her an ultimatum. Call me back or don t bother coming home.
At that point, Billie stopped and rushed home for two reasons. First, unlike Brad, Cooper
had never hurt her. And second, Billie realized that the 15% can cost you everything. It was
not worth losing Cooper and her children. So Billie began a new journal, saying goodbye
to Brad forever. She determined that you can have it all. Just not at the same time. And
there is a freedom in accepting that. She felt lucky for everything she s done, everyone
she s met, everyone she s been. So Cooper could talk about stains all he wants, but
she knew that adversity makes people strong, and she has come too far to lose everything
now. But those feelings didn't last. At the end
of the season, Billie changed again. She thought to herself that she does wake up every day
next to Cooper and she is happy, But it s not enough. It s okay. You can say
it. It s not enough. It s not what a woman is
supposed to want. It s the self they re supposed to enjoy when they re young and then leave
behind to become a responsible grown-up. They re supposed to accept that they must give
up parts of themselves along the way. But the true freedom and power is in saying it
out loud, and announcing themselves, letting their desire be known.
I do want it all. And I want it right now. So Billie was promiscuous. Then she became
a firm believer in monogamy. But by the end of the season, Billie decided that she wanted
it all. The 85% and the 15%. Based on her conversation with Professor Sumner,
there were two ways to achieve that. She could cheat on her husband. Or, maybe there was
a world where Brad could give her both. But Billie explicitly told Brad that she s
not leaving her husband. And this changes nothing. So that rules out Option #2. A world
where Brad gives her both. And Billie and Cooper had a heart-to-heart,
where they both decided that if they were to make it, they d have to be honest, starting
right then and there. So that rules out Option #1. Cheating on Cooper.
But there was a third option. A Third Way, which is a nod to Sasha Snow s book, The Third
Way. An honest, open relationship. And this was hinted at in the very first scene of the
show. The butterfly. Billie told her child that:
She can t breathe in there. And she s gonna die if you don t let her out.
Billie is a butterfly. A butterfly who needs to breathe. So odds are, after the school
play, Billie told Cooper what she wanted to do. He then downloaded a family tracker app
and watched her as she ran off to Brad s. But Brad has changed. Brad is no longer looking
for just a fling. So Brad may deny Billie. Similarly, Cooper called his boss Francesca
and told her that he doesn't know if he is okay. But just like Brad, Francesca is looking
for more than just a fling. So she may deny Cooper. Who knows, maybe Brad and Francesca
have a future together. Ultimately, as Sasha said, the goal, of course,
is to return to that one true self regardless of how uncomfortable it makes others feel.
That is the third way. That is what everyone needs to find.
For Billie, that may mean having a side piece. For Cooper, that may mean the same. Or it
may just mean that in order for his butterfly to live, he must accept Billie for who she
is, for who she really is. Which is a woman who has desires that extend beyond him and
their family. And yes, that will be hard. But that is life. That is name of the game.
Billie is now finishing up her psychology degree. So it will be interesting to see what
ideas she embraces in season 2 and how those new ideas contrast with her past beliefs of
monogamy. It will be interesting to see if Francesca
denies Cooper, and if any fire kindles between Francesca and Brad, should they meet.
And it will be interesting to see if Brad denies Billie. But even if he does, there
are other men out there from whom she can feel the Thrill. Maybe a fellow student. Maybe
a teacher. Maybe both. Because the 15% is not about Brad. It never was. Billy is not
Brad s Bee. The 15% has been and always will be about her.
Me. Billy the Butterfly.