'Love Story' Episode 8 sees Carolyn Bessette brace herself for the worst as she spirals into despair
Carolyn Bessette spirals further into despair in the latest episode of 'Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette.' Paul Anthony Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon bring the tragic romance of JFK Jr. and Carolyn to life, as their fairytale marriage starts to crumble under intense media scrutiny. The latest installment, titled 'Exit Strategy,' has been directed by Jesse Peretz and co-written by the show's creator, Connor Hines, and Juli Weiner. The penultimate episode of the biographical romance series was released on March 19 on FX and FX on Hulu.
The episode focuses on Carolyn and John a year into their marriage, as their relationship becomes increasingly strained under the media's constant attention. After their wedding, Carolyn pulls away from social commitments and rarely makes public appearances, leaving John worried about her state of mind. She refuses to leave the couple's TriBeCa loft as photographers wait outside their house to catch a glimpse of the golden couple. John grew up in the limelight, so he can't fathom the degree to which Carolyn feels that her personal life is being invaded. Despite his best intentions, John fails to understand her extreme reclusiveness and need for privacy.
Moreover, Princess Diana's tragic death in a car accident in Paris adds to her paranoia. The episode opens with her watching the news in a state of shock, "She's dead. They killed her," Carolyn says as she stares at the screen. Fearing a similar fate due to the press's relentless pursuit of her, Bessette sinks deeper into her despair and sense of hopelessness. His solution, to encourage her to step outside, only deepens her feelings of being misunderstood and unseen. The episode takes place inside the loft and showcases an intimate conversation between the couple as they navigate their emotional distance.
In a heartbreaking scene from the episode, Bessette tells her husband that she's bracing herself for disaster as she fears "terrible things" will happen to her. John's helplessness is hard to watch as he tries to pull his wife out of the darkness. At one point, he says, "I feel like I’m watching you slip away. I can’t lose you, Carolyn." They are both desperate to find their way back to each other, but can't seem to understand each other's needs. At the end of Episode 8, Carolyn begs John not to step outside, telling him that leaving her alone would hurt worse than anything else he's ever done. John, exhausted by this point, can only manage to kiss her on the forehead and tell her that he'll be back soon, causing her to break down. Stay tuned for the season finale of 'Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette,' which will release at 9 p.m. ET on March 26 on FX.
