‘Stumptown’ Episode 7: Will Dex focus on her relationship with Hoffman now that Grey and she are apart?
With every passing episode, ABC’s ‘Stumptown’ is exposing us to the different shades to Dex’s (Cobie Smulders) persona which is subjected to mixed reactions. While the Marine veteran’s constant struggle to retain a stable job owing to her PTSD, heavy gambling debts and scarred memories of her former lover presented us with a rather impassive Dex, her six-year-long relationship with Grey(Jake Johnson) made us look at her differently. Grey was always by her side after the two successfully dodged the bullet following their one-night stand and emerged as friends.
While Dex finds it impossible to maintain even the simplest of relationships with people, she saw a true friend in Grey and trusted him with all her life. In the last episode, she was devastated upon learning about Grey’s dark past, solely defined by his mastery in making explosives and involvement in grand thefts. She is now unable to trust Grey with her own life or her brother Ansel’s(Cole Sibus) and has chosen to stay distant from an only dear friend. Naturally, she is drawn closer to Detective Miles Hoffman,(Michael Ealy) who exposed Grey’s treacherous past.
Obviously, her bartender friend is extremely irked by Dex’s fondness for the cop, who despite saving him time in prison has caused a lot of trouble, which he could have stayed away from otherwise. Although Grey was always aware of Dex and Hoffman’s short-lived fling, he just couldn't watch his best friend choose another man over him.
Behold, Stumptown’s episode 7 ‘November Surprise’ indeed has a surprise for you! The promo of the upcoming episode sees Grey get cozy with his bartender friend Liz (Monica Barbaro, supposedly his new girlfriend) during the thanksgiving dinner, which also witnesses the presence of Dex and Hoffman creating an utterly awkward scene for all the parties.
That isn’t all. When Dex throws a cold welcome at Grey and the guest he’s brought along, it is pretty evident that she is finding it hard to come to terms with her friend’s growing proximity to his new fling. When Grey points at the lady beside him saying, “We’re together”, Dex sarcastically states, “Well, by all means, come on in.”
At the dining, which is already uncomfortable enough due to the much-prevalent sexual tension between the private investigator, bartender and the cop, Dex leaves no opportunity unused to mock their guest, by asking Grey if his lady is mentally stable.
Going by all that we’ve seen until now and what the show hints at offering in the upcoming episodes, Dex and Grey’s relationship is indicative of a long-term commitment. But, we couldn’t overlook Dex’s major issues and the recent events are making her doubt everything she believed in with Grey in her life.
This reflects a leaning towards the possible professional relationship between Dex and Hoffman, with very little hope for anything beyond that.
ABC airs Season 1 Episode 7 of 'Stumptown' on Wednesday, November 20.