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Episodes 9 & 10 had us thinking and debating! Carinn wonders if anyone who hasn't read the book truly understands the "real" Marianne Sheridan from the show alone. She wants to blame the character's dilution on the limitations of the screen, but then how the hell do they feel like Connell is MORE dynamic than in the book? So much to discuss. Some things we know for sure: these two are phenomenal actors and their chemistry is insane.\n*** Kate & Carinn had low expectations for these two episodes, given the uncomfortable nature of the content and the fact that these episodes illuminate real low points for each character. But Kate was intrigued by the departures from the book in Episode 9 and both though agree Episode 10, particularly Paul Mescal\u2019s portrayal of Connell\u2019s pain, really shine. (01:40)\n*** We immediately get into what happens in Sweden and whether we think the departures from the book end up sanitizing Marianne, her complexity, and her agency. Kate and Carinn both agree the change to the end \u2014 her breaking point and moment of realization \u2014 is significant: in the book Marianne saved herself but here it is Connell\u2019s words that save her. (3:29)\n*** Another change from the book both agree is sorely missing is Marianne\u2019s revelation about her so-called friends and her understanding of herself in school, which pales in comparison to a similar moment for Connell in the next episode. (23:53)\n*** Episode 10 starts with Connell finding out his friend committed suicide and returning to Sligo for the funeral mass. Kate and Carinn love seeing the moment when Marianne and Connell reunite. Helen may be right when she goes at Connell, but we just can\u2019t take these two. Connell can\u2019t be himself with her and it needs to end.\xa0(27:45)\n*** Paul Mescal as Connell blew us away in his scenes with the therapist. His pain, his crying, his vulnerability\u2026.all of it blew us away. For both Kate and Carinn, these scenes were so enhanced from the book. And doesn't everyone deserve someone who loves us enough to watch us sleep over Skype when we\u2019re feeling down? Yes. Absolutely yes. (34:27)\n*** We end with Carinn's usual guessing game: what year is it? She can't believe they resisted the chance to say it at the New Year's party and she doesn't know what the music is supposed to tell us about the setting. (41:21)\nFollow us on Instagram and Facebook @popfictionwomen and on Twitter @pop_women. To do a full deep dive, check out our website at www.popfictionwomen.com\nStay Complicated!!\nSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices