“The Runes” Leaves ‘Patience’ in Ruins

We’re now at the midpoint of Patience Season 2, and that can only mean one thing: conflict. Patience lets others’ opinions negatively influence her, leading her to break up with Elliot. In a series of escalating miscommunications, it’s frustrating to watch Patience mishandle the situation and hurt him. I’m salty at her for tossing Elliot aside. While some of her reactions and reasoning are in character, much of this feels like it’s just there to serve the plot rather than arising organically. Though Billy tries to curb the harmful relationship advice Patience receives from fellow group members, their words still get under her skin. She feels mocked and misunderstood by Elliot’s gentle joking and becomes convinced they’re “too different.” Frankly, she just comes off as immature. 

Her final straw breaks after she presents Elliot with a relationship contract. It’s meant to be a document they work on together that lays out their expectations and needs from one another. It’s thorough and thoughtful, and it makes sense why Patience would create this. But when Elliot is thrown by her formality and needs a moment to adjust, she doesn’t give him that grace. She expects instant understanding and accommodation but doesn’t grant him the same consideration. 

When discussing the breakup with Mr. Gilmour, she mentions how unlike Elliot, his teasing doesn’t feel derisive because he knows her. But Patience didn’t give Elliot the chance to get to know her in the same way. Mr. Gilmour tries to convince her that Elliot accepts her for who she is; she doesn’t believe him. 

Thankfully, this week’s mystery is a good distraction from the irritatingly manufactured conflict.