'Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story' Season 2 Episode 7: Who is more at fault between Dan and Betty?
Spoilers for 'Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story' Season 2 Episode 7 'The Shillelagh'
We're in the seventh episode of the chilling saga of Betty Broderick and you know something bad is about to happen. With a heavy sense of foreboding, we move closer and closer to the final divorce proceedings between Dan and Betty Broderick (Christian Slater and Amanda Peet).
There is no element of surprise — audiences know exactly what is going to happen next. A messy divorce initiated by a selfish partner followed by vindication. Yet what makes Episode 7 hard-hitting is the fact that it displayed Betty's story as a universal one. Dan literally broke Betty down.
Whichever way you look at it, it was Dan who did Betty wrong first. Hear us out. He knew full well what he had planned for the two of them yet he would go ahead and let Betty get berated in the courtroom. But way before that, despite knowing he wanted to separate from his wife of almost two decades and the mother of his numerous children (alive and dead), he wouldn't tell her that. Whenever she brought up doubts about their relationship, he made it seems like her queries were unfounded and baseless.
Add to that the fact that he never tried to make things better for his wife. Dan had made his stance on financial distribution all too clear to care about what effects it'll have on his wife. Then when Betty complained of monetary issues, he'd keep referring to her as someone who always wants more money. Throughout their separation, he takes undue advantage of the fact that he is highly trained in the court of law — knowing exactly where all the pieces go in the right place. He knows how to work the judge, the jury and even the so-called perpetrator (Betty).
The wicked attorney at law is not looking to lose — and not to Betty Broderick. With its penultimate episode, creator Alexandra Cummingham teases an explosive finale as all their family and friends unite for the celebrations. Obviously Betty is not included in these new beginnings. Yet she shows up, on her own violations, and ends the game. Sort of.
Mistakes were committed on both ends. There is no doubt that both parties had to be blamed. While Dan used his knowledge of the field and the signature against his ex-wife, she resorted to emotional outbursts. While the top medical attorney used his expertise against his wife (and her motherhood, a large driving force that is hardly mentioned), she breaks down completely and wants an answer from him.
You could blame her a thousand times and beyond on why she didn't "behave" herself according to these standards set by Dan but that doesn't take away from the fact that all of this was premeditated. 'Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story' airs on Tuesdays at 9 pm on USA network.