Updated: February 12, 2021
Originally Published: February 28, 2015
In this week’s episode of The Slap, a poignant exploration of grief and loss unfolds. The narrative begins with a flashback of the moment when Oliver (Maxwell Reed) strikes young Liam (Dylan Hart), this time through the eyes of Elise (Uma Thurmington). As she observes “the entire bizarre scene”—notably, Ben (Peter Sarsgaard) cozying up with the babysitter near the staircase—Elise questions the very essence of relationships and parenthood. She finds herself reluctantly enamored with Nathan (Penn Badgley), a rising pop star with a band and an unexpectedly keen sense of empathy.
Elise lunches with Maya (Thandie Newton) and Clara (Melissa George), where Clara basks in the aftermath of Oliver’s arrest, brushing aside her friends’ worries. Elise likens Clara to a modern-day Joan of Arc—echoing Oliver’s self-proclamation as a Greek warrior in the previous episode, hinting at a whimsical clash of heroic archetypes.
Later, Elise visits her mother, Judith (Blythe Danner), a psychiatrist with an aristocratic English accent and a cool demeanor. Judith, using a cane she attributes to a minor injury, suggests that Elise might be expecting when she expresses her own discomfort. Elise dismisses this notion, but Judith advises her not to disclose Ben’s near-infidelity to Maya, a recommendation she takes seriously. Despite this, Elise pays Ben a visit when Maya is away and subtly warns him against jeopardizing “their” family because of a fleeting affair.
The night of Nathan’s band performance finds Elise in a grimy bathroom in Red Hook, where she succumbs to nausea. Judith’s earlier suggestion suddenly feels more real, and a pregnancy test confirms her fears.
Elise invites Nathan to a dinner at Judith’s, where Judith reveals she’s sold her apartment and accepted a teaching role in Edinburgh—news that unsettles Elise. The next day, Nathan confronts Elise, fully aware of the pregnancy, eager to embrace marriage and fatherhood—he’s even chosen the name Lily. Elise firmly rejects his intentions, stating, “I don’t want this, and I don’t want you.”
Turning to Maya for support regarding an abortion, Maya encourages her to take some time to reflect. We gain insight into Elise’s strained relationship with her mother: Judith never intended to keep custody of Elise, but the untimely death of Elise’s father during their divorce left her with no choice. An offhand remark from Maya about her son leads Elise to investigate Judith’s computer, where she uncovers the devastating truth: her mother is battling an aggressive form of brain cancer. The teaching position in Edinburgh was merely a cover for seeking treatment.
Faced with an unexpected pregnancy, the impending loss of her mother, and the complexities surrounding Ben and Maya, Elise approaches Clara to apologize for her earlier harsh comments, appreciating the beauty of a mother’s love. She gifts Judith a suitcase, allowing her mother to maintain her secret even as Judith acknowledges her awareness of the pregnancy. The theme of gifts resonates throughout this episode—what we offer our children, regardless of their desires, and ultimately, what we give our parents as they prepare to depart from our lives.
In a moment of vulnerability, Elise meets Nathan at a bar, resting her head on his shoulder, seeking solace that eludes her from her mother. She has resolved to embrace the pregnancy and the future with him.
This episode encapsulates the melodrama that Judith critiques in Elise’s television show—plot twists involving betrayals, pregnancies, terminal illnesses, and long journeys. Yet, The Slap is underpinned by a deep sense of grief, highlighting the bittersweet nature of parenthood: the understanding that every beginning carries the weight of an eventual end.
For those exploring their own paths to parenthood, you can find valuable insights in this article, and check out our other posts like this one on at-home insemination kits for more information about the journey to becoming a parent. Additionally, for expert advice, visit Intracervical Insemination which offers a wealth of knowledge on this topic, or the NHS for detailed information on Intrauterine Insemination.