Did Beth and Randall become “even” from the Randall voice mail incident when she called him out on his anxiety episodes???
(point being, was that as terrible a snafu??)
I think the whole Beth and Randall argument struck a nerve in me. I have a friend who is always going off about how she’s had to compromise her life and career for her husband.
There is a trade off. You don’t marry a very smart, very ambitious, very driven person and then complain that they are all of these things and are holding you back. Instead of complaining about what he doesn’t do, be thankful for the things he does do.
Randall is very loyal and thoughtful. He’s a good father and a good son and brother. He provides very well for his family. He tries.
99.9% of women would be thrilled to be married to Randall. Add the fact that he is an African American man who is all of these things is even more amazing. So he’s not that thoughtful all of the time? So he can get mean occasionally, it was out of character but seriously, I know my husband can be.
But I also know this is a tv show and we wouldn’t want Beth and Randall to get along all the time, would we? Gives us something to talk about.
I am really surprised people are picking sides here. The best part of the episode is walking away seeing how they both are at fault and that there isn’t one clear “right” person.
@abasket you must not be married to a mama’s boy. His relationship with his mother absolutely is part of the conversation.
Huh?
I really debated putting race in my post and it was probably very clunky how I put it.
But race is an issue, isn’t it?
But there are less African American women who marry than white women. Black men are incarcerated at a much high rate than white men.
It’s something we hate to mention and discuss. The show doesn’t touch on race very often but they did in the last episode.
I am sorry if bringing up race was a faux pas, I probably shouldn’t have mentioned it.
I don’t want people to think that I don’t think that Beth shouldn’t complain about things. And that she should subjugate herself to do exactly what Randall wants.
But that she should look at what she does have, instead of what she doesn’t. That’s all.
I have a friend who all she does is complain about her husband. And how marriage has derailed her “career”. He doesn’t take out the trash or mow the lawn.
But he’s a great guy who thinks the world and has never even thought of cheating on her.
But she doesn’t mention the trips she takes all the time. And the big house and million dollar cottage. And that she doesn’t have to work. That maybe her career is being derailed because she doesnt want to work full time, wants to take unlimited vacation time and not work weekends (health care profession)
So I admit to have preconceived notions about this based on my experiences.
And you know what is stupid… me talking about these people like they are real.
It’s a tv show that I enjoy. That’s all
THEY AREN’T REAL?!! 
I think most of us are right there with ya @deb922 !!
Real or not Kevin carries a lot of baggage. His substance problem is genetic, and gonna be very tough to beat. Zoe is just someone who’s there. She’s an easy mark. I don’t see them as long-term, like Kate and Toby, Miguel and Rebecca, Beth and Randall.
Is Beth a lawyer? I can’t remember any more. I know she was “let go” - could she really not find another job?
I thought Beth is an architect?
I thought she was an urban planner.
Beth worked in urban development
I thought their argument at the end was pretty intense. I find myself being a bit bored by this show, for the first time.
It was so nice to see William again. He remains my favorite character by far in this show.
I liked the episode as I was able to see Beth’s POV more clearly. I still don’t think she’s seeing things the way she should, having children and supporting Randall knowing what was to come with his new career. But, I could feel her frustration of always being the Bender. But like others said, she reaped the benefits of his drive and passions. She also did it voluntarily, as Randall said she’s not some meek little thing, or something like that.
But I felt more sympathy for her. Having 2 other men live in my house would have set me over the edge, and she did it with grace. I’m not saying lying was good, and that didn’t seem like her…very out of character. I see her as someone that would have told him in private that she’s checking into a hotel for 24 hours of me time. I’m so curious how they will work their way out of this deadlock.
I’m still Camp Randall as to who should give.
I’m so disappointed that so many here are taking Randall’s side in their dispute. Having seen their history in the last episode, it’s clear (to me anyway) that Randall, for all his wonderful qualities, has been getting away with emotionally manipulating Beth from the day they met. In that context, it’s not about whether or not her dream of teaching dance needs to be fulfilled immediately while he’s struggling to deal with his new job as a councilman (in Philly, for God’s sake!). It’s that she’s choked down the fact that her needs ALWAYS lose out to Randall’s needs for so long, she’s hit a wall and can’t take any more. In fact, he still can’t understand that she has needs that are different from what he thinks they should be because he’s never really listened to her or thought about her, outside of the context of what’s good for him.
Personally, I don’t think their wealth or race has anything to do with how she should respond to this situation. For all we know, she made just as much money as Randall did so why is she supposed to be so “grateful” for their lifestyle.
@deb922 How on earth do you know whether your friend’s husband would cheat on her? If that’s the standard for judging husbands, it’s a pretty low one. No one really ever knows what goes on in someone else’s marriage.
ps I know they’re not real but the issues in this story are, and they are rarely addressed on television shows. That’s what makes the show compelling (when it’s not being absurd).
Yeah, I think I’m on Team Beth, also. Maybe because I’m a frustrated pianist.
I don’t think that most are saying they are team Randall to a 100% degree. I see some of Beth’s points.
But take the run in at the convenience store. She got caught in a lie (not the worst lie in life, but a lie none the less) and Randall while surprised did not give her grief. He asked a few questions, listened to her and told her to go have her night alone with his blessing. Was it manipulative for him to ask her about her favorite show episode? I don’t think so. And in the end, it was her that could not give herself “permission” to have the quite night he encouraged her to take.
Beth’s behavior there is often me. To want something a lot - and then to talk myself out of it because someone else has needs I think should go before mine.
And re: the guys in the house. Not easy for sure…but sounds like Beth also has needed to drop the family and attend to her mom’s needs out of town. Of course she should go…but is it awful that Randall should want to temporarily help out his new found dying father and his brother?
I am team Beth, but I think the whole dance teacher thing is ridiculous and I am surprised they added it to the story line. She obviously was bringing a lot of money into their household with her previous job, how are they going to survive with their two new careers?