Love Life: Season 2/ Episode 3 “Destiny Mathis” – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)

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We meet Marcus’ parents this episode, and he gets the opportunity to see an old crush who has a mutual interest.

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Aired	10/28/2021
Network	HBO Max
Directed By	Thembi Banks
Written By	Amain Berhane
Introduced This Episode
Donna	Janet Hubert
Kirby	John Earl Jelks
Destiny	Yasha Jackson

Recap

Welcome Home – Donna, Kirby, Ida, Keiko, Marcus

With just going through a divorce and his parents never approving of Emily, Marcus isn’t keen on going home for his parents’ 35^th wedding anniversary. However, Ida guilts him into going with her and Keiko.

Upon arrival to Ann Arbor, Michigan, things went well. Neither Ida and Marcus’ mother, Donna, nor father Kirby harp on the exit of Emily, and even when it comes to Keiko, Ida is more worried about her than her parents. Why? Well, because Keiko brought her soaps and lotions as gifts, and Ida feels like that was inappropriate. Granted, she is glad that stuff is out of her apartment but doesn’t think her people will appreciate or want Keiko’s gifts – which she was right about.

He’s A Smart Guy  – Destiny, Marcus

While back home, Marcus finds himself looking up Destiny, a person who is a year older than him that he used to tutor in geometry. From what we’re told, she is single, and when he meets up with her, they get along well under the impression it might be a one-night thing. She jokes about his former nickname “Smart Guy,” based on the show, and they have sex.

However, when a night thing spills over to his parent’s anniversary, Marcus ignores her and makes things awkward. But not as uncomfortable as when he drives her home and her off and on partner arrives, busts up the rental under Ida’s name, and then starts making out with Destiny, with Marcus blocked in, so he has no choice but to watch.

I Got Nothing But Love For You – Ida, Kirby, Marcus, Donna

Seven years have gone by, and during those seven years, Donna and Kirby weren’t fond of Emily. It is even noted by Marcus that Donna said to keep his options open the day he proposed. Yet, it is made clear that it was never a personal attack on Emily as much as it was said out of care for Marcus – with no “I told you so” implied in their discussion. Rather, Donna shows Marcus the speech he missed from dealing with Destiny, in which Kirby praises his son and the chances he took, which is a mutual feeling amongst Marcus’ parents.

But, this was just a visit, so Marcus heads back to New York and, a few days later, gives Ida weed to apologize about the rental, and he learns from her that Keiko and her broke up.

Things To Note | Question(s) Left Unanswered

Question(s) Left Unanswered

1. What does Ida do for a living?
2. I get why Marcus went to New York, but why did Ida?
3. Is Ida older than Marcus?

What Could Happen Next

1. After seeing the season trailer, I’m betting Mia is end game.
2. Ida, lowkey, being more interesting than Marcus

Review

Highlights

Ida

I’m more drawn to Ida’s story than Marcus’ at this point. Her storyline had me asking questions, wanting to know what her life outside of Marcus was like, and her background. Heck, even in terms of her relationship with Keiko, while she kind of gave off that a**hole vibe we’ve seen Marcus have with women, you could understand her logic better which made her decisions easier to accept.

On The Fence

So He Is An Asshole?

One of the things I try to remember when watching flawed characters, especially those who are leads, is that they aren’t always meant to be likable. Whether we’re in a fantasy world or something akin to reality, you have to acknowledge people are messy, using the tools they have, and at times selfish. With Marcus, that is really being pushed.

Now, mind you, we don’t hate Marcus, and you can tell the show is using Harper’s charm to counteract Marcus’ less desirable traits. However, with this being an anthology, we’re still transitioning from upbeat Darby, who started off single. So having our lead start off divorced, and it is his fault, and see him treat women like Paloma as he did? It’s like, you want to root for him, but in a world that pushes you to not so much be sensitive but aware, it’s hard to not give a hard side-eye to Marcus.

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