'Roswell, New Mexico': Will the show bring in a major polyamorous relationship to primetime TV?
With a topic as such, people are quick to search for validation with statistics and numbers. Relationships involving two people, rarely require the need for statistics to make it seem a "real" aspect, but we understand that being a fairly new theme being brought to TV, people are quick to ask what polyamorous relationships are and do people actually participate in them? There is a reality to polyamorous relationships, and it's time that the immaturity of unwarranted stigmas around it be dissolved.
'Roswell, New Mexico,' which airs on 'The CW', had recently brought to life the possibility of a 'thruple', an actual one at that, that does not have only sex as a precursor or incentive. The struggle of acquiring a sense of satisfaction when one chooses to identify with their sexuality was brought to the forefront with Maria DeLuca (Heather Hemmens), Alex Manes (Tyler Blackburn) and Michael Guerin (Michael Vlamis). That may have been a steamy threesome but what we were shown was the hesitant nature that came after the scene that was intently cut out. The show has the potential to fall into a polyamory narrative, and if done so, would be part of quite a few shows that have decided to shed light on such relationships. The relationship between these characters, seem to be genuine with 'a first love' involved, along with the essence of feeling 'safe' and feeling that one could actually show love while being given love.
It may not be, that the trio has to be a 'thruple', but the narrative can move forward in the sense where Michael is able to date Alex and Maria. If you remember, a few episodes ago, he had 'chosen' Maria. Could the threesome be a mix of unresolved feelings or has Michael given a leeway to possibly open up to both Maria and Alex, where choice isn't based on the need to remain monogamous.
There are no gender restraints whatsoever in a polyamorous relationship, and the involved individuals can be heterosexual, lesbian, gay or bisexual. It can involve a combination of individuals that identify with different sexual orientations. An article, titled 'Maybe Monogamy Isn’t the Only Way to Love,' stated, "A 2016 study of two nationally representative samples of single Americans — of 3,905 and 4,813 respondents, respectively — found in each case that about one in five people had practiced it [some form of non-monogamy] during their lifetime." Furthermore, YouGov had reported that a poll revealed that 31% of women and 38% of men think that their relationships would be ideal if it involved consensual nonmonogamy (CNM) in some way. So could mainstream TV be on the right path in setting away for this very real way of living?
Other TV shows have taken this theme ahead, such as, web series 'Unicornland' that chronicles the life of a woman named Annie played by Laura Ramadei. Annie is a recently divorced woman who decides to explore her sexuality as she dates couples. Another show on the Audience Network, titled, 'You Me Her,' is considered TV's "first polyromantic comedy" where we see a couple fall in love with a grad student bring to life the reality of when polyamory becomes known. On a more teenage vibe, The CW show, 'Katy Keene' toyed with the idea when Jorge Lopez (Jonny Beauchamp) tries to engage his boyfriend Bernardo (Ryan Faucett) and ex-boyfriend Buzz (Eric Freeman) into a relationship.
With 'Roswell' there is a potential for the show to shed a kind light on polyamorous relationships, without its exploitative measures that include click-bait narrative pushes. It can be that the relationship could come to life naturally — like any other relationship — not for the sake of the narrative or fan attention. We have to wait and watch because if you watch the show, you'd know that it's never over between Alex and Micheal.
'Roswell, New Mexico' Season 2 airs on Monday nights on The CW at 9/8c.