'Stumptown' Episode 12: Was it Dex's inability to cope with her devastating past that pushed Ansel away?
PI Dex Parios (Cobie Smulders) is a jumble of complications. Throughout the series, we have seen her juggle between her emotions as much as her short-lived flings.
However, if there's one thing that's always remained constant in her life, it is her unconditional love for her little brother Ansel Parios (Cole Sibus).
The family of two was happy and content until Ansel suddenly turned a "man" ahead of his 21st birthday. After a lot of thinking, planning and hours of discussion on adulthood with Grey and Tookie, Ansel decides its best for him to move out of his sister's place.
Needless to say, Dex's life begins to fall apart right before her eyes when she realizes she was losing her brother, the only ray of hope in her rather dark life.
While Ansel is busy ticking off his bucket list for his upcoming birthday, Dex finds ways to run into him as often as possible, only to help herself feel better.
In Episode 11, Ansel makes it clear to his sister that he wants to be independent, stating it as the only reason behind him moving out.
However, in Episode 12, in one of his conversations with Tookie (Adrian Martinez), Ansel says that he has always wanted to know more about his parents, but Dex wouldn't want to go there.
In the previous episode, when Dex surprises herself and us by praying at the Church, she reveals that she wasn't ready to take care of Ansel when their parents went AWOL.
Her hesitation to revisit the past is further fueled by memories from her time as a marine, which has scarred her life beyond recognition. On several occasions, Dex has been told what a mess her unresolved issues have turned her into.
In the latest episode, Ansel tried to mend his relationship with his sister by re-creating their first meeting 12 years ago. Overwhelmed by his gesture, Dex promises him that everything is going to be okay.
But, is her love for Ansel alone enough to make him feel alright? Maybe it's time Dex opened up a bit more, at least for Ansel's sake. And maybe, that could play a role in bringing him closer to his sister.
