Reviewer Rating: 4.45/5.0
4.45
Is anyone else surprised that this episode overlaps with Maggie’s arc after the last one ended with Gia meeting Sloane?
When it was released, Twilight was a sensation. I’ve never been a fan of it, but Twilight was crucial to Maggie Wilken and Aaron Knodel’s relationship.
While the show has briefly mentioned this before, it explains why this movie is so important to the couple in Three Women Season 1 Episode 8. Thinks about her favorite movies the same way.
Forbidden romance or sexual grooming?
Maggie’s storylines always had a different vibe than the other women’s. Their lives are filled with drama, anxiety, and intense sex, and Maggie is focused on losing her innocence in her first meaningful sexual relationship.
When Maggie testified in court, she explained in detail her relationship with Aaron Knodell. She often compares them to the forbidden romance of Edward and Bella in The Twilight Saga, saying that loving someone gives them the power to hurt you.
This is certainly the case for them. Aaron Knodel makes all the rules and often seduces her, as we see their physical relationship play out in flashbacks.
If they were two teenagers, secretly kissing in the classroom would be both dangerous and romantic. But he is a teacher and the door is locked, which gives people a creepy feeling.
Having an affair with a married man is never easy. Ask Lena. You ended up making out with the man in a parked car. But this is worse. Maggie was 17 at the time.
At best, this is sexual grooming. At worst, this should be statutory rape.
Like many complicated cases on Law & Order: SVU, this is difficult to prove, and it feels like Maggie is being judged for having an affair rather than being a good girl.
Aaron Knodel’s lawyers attack her for breaking up her marriage. The parallels and cinematography are done beautifully in the film as it shows Mr. Nodel’s wife and mother starring Maggie.
While many victims appear to be on trial, this is unfair. They also unfairly paint Maggie as the seductress who ruined the marriage of a great teacher.
Play by Aaron Nodel’s rules
At 17, Maggie had her whole life ahead of her, including college. Turns out, getting stuck in a rut can be difficult. She doesn’t want to go to prom with a random boy but can’t show off her adult teacher boyfriend.
Aaron Knodel makes so many rules that it makes him look even more like a jerk. Whenever he wanted to see her, he would call her via text message, but she could not send him a text message.
He cheekily suggested they wait five years before making their relationship public as she was more age-appropriate and his children were older.
If he realizes she’s too young, they shouldn’t be dating!
However, things take a more dangerous turn when a teacher discovers Maggie having sex behind a locked door in Mr. Nodell’s classroom.
Aaron Knodel is a very savvy liar who easily lies his way out of trouble, like when he convinced the court that he never wrote notes or discussed Maggie in her Twilight books Like anything other than a broken family.
In this respect, the only one who suffers is Maggie. His wife was dumped as soon as he found out and was treated as a seducer rather than a victim.
Maggie fought for her rights so that others could have that power.
Maggie suffers another devastating loss
I’m glad the show didn’t show Mark Wilkin’s suicide. Watching a real-life suicide may be triggering for some viewers.
Mark Wilkin seems to be devastated because he can’t handle anyone knowing his dirty laundry. He was embarrassed as an alcoholic who had let his family down, even though things had improved since then.
When he made that collage of photos of her and kissed her goodbye, it felt like he was saying goodbye to Maggie. Despite their constant bickering, she was in many ways a daddy’s girl.
It broke my heart that he didn’t say goodbye to his wife or son, they seemed more shocked that he took his own life, while Maggie was angry and wanted to blame someone else.
Everyone in high school needs a tribe
Three women show the importance of female friendship; sometimes, the bonds you make in high school stick with you through anything.
Brilliant Minds shows the importance of having a tribe in high school to help you feel like you belong rather than rush to grow.
That’s Maggie’s problem. She thinks hanging out with older teachers is more fun than hanging out with friends or prom.
It’s not her fault. Adults are responsible in these sex grooming cases, and she was a teenager. Part of me understood why her friend Jordan was conflicted.
I felt for her best friend Billie, she knew something was wrong. These are the best friends you call at 2 a.m. and they won’t hesitate to help bury a body.
Still, her friends stood by her side and supported her as she came forward and sat in court to support her.
Despite tensions and disagreements, Jordan and Billie comfort Maggie after her father dies. This is the friend she needs.
It no longer matters whether Jordan thinks Aaron Nodell’s life shouldn’t be ruined, even if he crossed some lines.
Billie even tries to help Maggie see The Twilight Zone as something they saw and shared together, rather than an unwanted memory with Aaron Nodel.
It’s a sweet gesture, although it will take a while for Maggie to grieve both Aaron Nodel and her father.
TV Fanatics, what did you think of Maggie’s day in court? Are you impressed by her abilities? Were you surprised that her father committed suicide?
Let’s discuss this case, so express your thoughts in the comments.
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