Newlyweds Season 1 Episode Review: A Love Story for All The…Months

Therapy for a rushed romance isn’t a bad idea. But on Newlyweds Season 1 Episode 4, “Back in Time,” apparently that means consulting an ex-wife.

Claudia interrupts a family dinner to inform the couple her therapist would like to have them in for a session. Before we can unpack why—and why they even agree—they’re talking about some of their very “earliest” memories.

James’ trip to Norway is arguably what makes them the real deal because it was so likely to be their breaking point. But now he also reveals that he fled the country in a panic far earlier than he had to, afraid of his feelings for Jeanie.

While he’s torn between his fear of trust and the possibility he may have found his soulmate, Jeanie’s kids learn that, according to Facebook, he’s still married. Jeanie pulls out a rather impressive Mrs. Doubtfire impression to interrogate Claudia.

She of course learns that Claudia is just using a fake status to get men. Arvin encourages James to follow his feelings, and, as we well know, he does. Our lovebirds have won both therapy and divorce! Please ignore whether that’s actually possible.

Once again, and as much as I love Jamie Lee Curtis, we’re left wondering just how long “live-in ex imperils wedded bliss” can really work. I think the show is trying to bring Claudia to “frenemy” territory, but so far, they’re really stretching the definition.

That said, I mostly like where they take it in this half-hour. Claudia actually seems to listen to her therapist’s (relatively) sound advice. Maybe this time she’ll actually be motivated to move on from her and James’s past. Maybe.

As for the supposedly major revelations that come out…meh. Given that neither James nor Jeanie had truly envisioned more than a one night stand before he flew to Norway, the fact he could have waited to longer to do so is neither here nor there.

It may well be for the best that he’s an ocean a way while pondering whether a woman he’s been on one date with is someone he someone he wants to live with forever. Arvin certainly helps move things along. I think he might just be growing on me.

While (alas) we do return to Claudia’s antics, I’m choosing to take the whole Facebook status drama as a hopeful sign. What might appear as pining for James is instead a part of her finding someone else! Now if only she’d remember that.

In the end, Jeanie and James are stronger than ever before. Maybe someday they’ll go expound upon their relationship with a professional for the right reasons (read: not gloating), but I’m not going to be holding my breath.

Do you think this might finally get Claudia to move on, even if only on social media? If so, what will the writers find for her to do? Matchmaking and double dates are strong possibilities—and nobody here seems to care about how awkward they might be.

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Newlyweds airs Fridays at 8:30/7:30C on CBS.

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