Three Women Review Season 1 Episode 8: Twilight

Critic’s Rating: 4.45 / 5.0

4.45

Was anyone else surprised that this episode coincided with Maggie’s story, after the previous one ended with Gia meeting Sloane?

When was it released Dusk he was a phenomenon. I never got excited about it, but Twilight was essential to Maggie Wilken and Aaron Knodel’s relationship.

While the show has already touched on it briefly, it did explain why the movie was so important to the couple in Three Women Season 1 Episode 8. It’s disappointing that Maggie will never think about her favorite movie the same way again.

Forbidden romance or sexual seduction?

Maggie’s storyline always has a different feel than the other women’s storylines. Theirs was drama, angst and steamy sex, while Maggie focused on the loss of innocence in her first significant sexual relationship.

During her testimony in court, Maggie explained the details of her relationship with Aaron Knodel. She often compared it to the forbidden romance between Edward and Bella in Twilight, claiming that loving someone gives them the power to hurt you.

This was certainly the case for them. Aaron Knodel made all the rules and often seduced her, which we saw in flashbacks as their physical relationship played out.

A sneaky kiss in class would be risky and romantic if it was just the two of them teenagers. But he was a teacher and closed the door, creating a terrifying atmosphere.

Being in an affair with a married man is never easy. Ask Lina. She ended up kissing a man in a parked car. But this is much worse. Maggie was 17 years old.

At best, it was sexual care. At worst it should be statutory rape.

Like many complicated cases in Law & Order: SVU, it was harder to prove and it felt like Maggie was being judged for having an affair and not being a good girl.

Aaron Knodel’s lawyer attacked her for breaking up her marriage. The likenesses and photos were beautifully captured as they depicted Mr. Knodel’s wife and mother with Maggie as the main character.

While many victims often appear to be on trial, this is unfair. It was also unfair that they portrayed Maggie as a seductress who ruined the marriage of a brilliant teacher.

He plays by Aaron Knodel’s rules

At 17, Maggie had her whole life ahead of her, including college. Being on hold proved difficult. She didn’t want to go to prom with a random boy, but she couldn’t brag about her adult teacher boyfriend.

Aaron Knodel imposed so many rules that he looked more like a jerk. He called her by text message whenever he wanted to meet her, but she couldn’t text him.

He had the nerve to suggest that they wait five years to reveal their relationship because she would be more age appropriate and his children would be older.

If he realized she was too young, they shouldn’t have dated!

However, the situation becomes even more dangerous when another teacher catches Maggie in Mr. Knodel’s classroom after they have sex behind closed doors.

Aaron Knodel was such a cunning liar that he managed to get out of this situation just as easily as he convinced the court that he never wrote notes in Maggie’s Twilight book or talked about anything other than her broken family.

In this respect, the only person who suffered was Maggie. She was abandoned as soon as his wife found out and was seen as a temptress rather than a victim.

Maggie fought for her rights so that others could have that strength too.

Another devastating loss for Maggie

I was relieved that the show didn’t show Mark Wilkin’s suicide. Watching a real suicide may have triggered some viewers.

Mark Wilkin seemed to be breaking down because he couldn’t stand anyone knowing his dirty laundry. He felt ashamed that he was an alcoholic who had let his family down, even though things had improved since then.

When he took that collage of photos of her and kissed her goodbye, it felt like he was saying goodbye to Maggie. Even though they fought a lot, in many ways she was a daddy’s girl.

It devastated me that he didn’t say goodbye to his wife and son, and they seemed more shocked that he committed suicide, while Maggie was furious and wanted to blame it on someone else.

Everyone in high school needs a tribe

Three women showed the importance of female friendships; sometimes the bonds you make in high school will last forever.

Brilliant minds showed how important it is to have a tribe in high school to help you belong to a community and take your time growing up.

That was Maggie’s problem. She thought that spending time with the older teacher was more fun than spending time with friends or the prom.

It wasn’t her fault. In matters of sexual grooming, an adult is responsible, and she was a teenager. Part of me understood why her friend Jordan was conflicted.

I felt sorry for her best friend Billie who knew something was wrong. These were the best friends you called at 2 a.m. and who wouldn’t hesitate to help bury a body.

Still, her friends stood by her and supported her as she came forward and sat in court to support her.

Despite the tension and misunderstandings, Jordan and Billie comforted Maggie when her dad died. This was the kind of friend she needed.

It no longer mattered whether Jordan believed that Aaron Knodel’s life should not be ruined, even if he had crossed some lines.

Billie even tried to help Maggie think of Twilight as something they saw and shared together, rather than an unwanted memory with Aaron Knodel.

It was a sweet gesture, although it would take Maggie a while to mourn both Aaron Knodel and her dad.

What do you think of Maggie’s day in court, TV Fanatics? Are you impressed by its strength? Were you surprised that her father killed himself?

Let’s talk about this matter, so share your thoughts in the comments.

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