A thought provoking mystery about astral projection, deceit and mental health. It makes you challenge your perceptions on what you know about Astro travelling and Possessions.
Here are a few shortcuts to central ideas that we will reflect on in this review.
Concepts in Story
Brief summary of my thoughts on these concepts
All the concepts above are theoretical. Christian churches change their views on possessions, depending on the era but I personally haven't seen something that cannot be explained by science. I feel that spirit possessions are merely a split personality disorder, but I am open to the idea of astral projection and possessions. I am convinced that our reality is different from what we experience and that unexplained phenomenon like ghosts, aliens and out of body experiences are merely overlapping planes of reality.
Besides substance addiction and obsessive attachment, characters resided for a period in a mental clinic/ villa while seemingly stable and functioning. We can assume that their stay was based primally for other reasons and that it was mere coincidence that Rob and Adele formed a bond.
My Review
The story title "Behind Her Eyes" isn't clear from the get-go whose eyes the central character the story is being told from. Both Louise and Adelle have stunning eyes, and the eyes are the proverbial windows to one's soul.
The synopsis/ plot is described beautifully at Wikipedia, so in the effort to not have a similar review than what already exist, I'm leaving that for your discretion to read if you want.
From watching similar stories written by the same author, Sarah Pinborough or Director, Eric Richter Strand, together with popular storytelling structures, I noticed that the formula doesn't change.
Brilliant pilot that hooks the audience.
Several plots sprouting from the second episode.
All but the central plot resolved by the second last episode.
A 360 degree plot twist in the last episode.
The acting is believable and camera-work tells the story beautifully, but my addition to all the already published reviews is from a psychological fanatic's angle.
Rob
Let's start with Rob, not only because he is actually the most important to this story, but also because he is most interesting. PS-- I'll try not to spoil it for those who haven't watched it yet. A character with obvious Irish features and tendencies with a substance abuse problem. This causes obvious erratic behavior. He fiends friendship in Adele at the asylum, although both act quite normal. This allows the audience to believe that the mental illness isn't too apparent and something else must be going on.
Rob frequently refers to the toxic environment at home which caused his addiction to heroin. In hindsight, his attraction to Adele was merely financial and not so much her attractive appearance or her friendship.
(Spoiler- He kills her to posses her body)
Rob's attention shifts to David who is in love with Adele the way he met her. Her change in personality seemingly repels him. The reasons isn't clear initially, but the mysterious plot unfolds consistently towards the end of season 2.
Adele never show romantic interest in spite of David's mysterious behavior towards her.
(Spoiler- Rob's primary goal is to be with David and will kill anyone who threatens his goal. Basically, he will do anything, even supernaturally to have a gay relationship with David who is straight. The weirdest sex change ever, but it works for both while David is clueless.)
David
David falls in love with Adele. I mean, looking into her eyes and fascination with him, who wouldn't. As a young man, he reciprocated her love, but after finding out that "she" used heroin and was present when "Rob" accidentally overdosed, his demeanor changes.
By the time we meet him in the first episode, he is about to cheat on "Adele" with Louise, an attractive young black woman and a divorced mother. Their first encounter closely avoided a sexual encounter which made their second encounter awkward. David starts at a new practice after relocating, but with Louise as his new secretary. David doesn't believe that Astro travelling is possible, which keeps Adele's secret remaining firmly in tact.
David has no limits to what he'll do to repeatedly sleep with Louise while restricting Adele's freedom to interact with society. His controlling behavior fuels Adele's fascination with him.
Adele
Adele was raised in a wealthy family. Something which intrigued Rob. The abundance of money appears to create an environment for Adele where she doesn't form healthy relationships with people which makes her a social recluse. She finds solace in Rob with whom she relates as a mutual socially challenged person. They help each other to make sense of their circumstances, but neither feel a romantic connection. This seem fairly unlikely when considering the circumstances, which will intrigue the audience until their background and motivations become more apparent.
"Adele's" obsession with David appears to be her primary challenge, but with a calculated friendship with Louise. The reason for that becomes increasingly evident close to the end of season 2.
"Adele" works out a lot to keep her appearance attractive to David. It fails to draw his attention, but not ours. It is just a pity that when she was attacked in the park while trying to buy drugs, she seemed to have no defensive skills.
(Spoiler - Even considering the environment where Rob came from, it is unusual that she wouldn't be able to defend herself in that situation, but then again, the black eye was convenient for getting David into trouble at work.)
Louise
Dealing with reoccurring night terrors, Louise is open for explanations to what they could mean. This most probably lead to her finding comfort in working as a psychologist's secretary and quickly forming a relationship with the doctor. Probably hoping that he could help her with her problem since she also struggles financially to raise her son. She only works three days per week, but it is unclear whether it is by choice.
After meeting David's wife Adele, Louise struggles to continue her sexual relationship with David at first, which becomes increasingly easier for her to accept as normal behavior.
(Spoiler - "Adele" dies in the last episode from heroin overdose, but continues to live in.......) The answer to that you'll need to watch for yourself.
It does seem that the relationship between Louise and her ex-husband seem to improve for a healthier co-parenting future. It is implied that their marriage ended from the husband being unfaithful, ironically the same behavior Louise gets comfortable with being the other woman. In time, how many of her other morals will she let go off?
Behind Her Eyes Season 3
The ending of season 2 lends itself to continue with a possible season 3, but no, there isn't one. I also feel that the story will be thin and the Plot played out beautifully in Season 2. There is enough left for the audience to reminisce about which makes these types of stories fun to watch.
Will Rob retain David's interest in Louise's body? Probably but her son will already suspect the behavior change, just as David did with Adele. Sending Adam to a private school will only be a temporary solution as Louise's personality will naturally merge with Rob's as soon as they get comfortable with their relationship.
Comments