*contains very slight spoilers of the pilot*
The first episode of this US adapted version of the UK show of the same name finds four different friends in predicaments that either have them as a mistress, are in the path to becoming one, or have been affected by a mistress.
Mistresses, as much as some people of the world would like to not exist, do in fact exist. There are women or men (Masters/Misters) out there, who despite knowing that someone is married will still pursue them into a secret or side releationship. (However there is also the unintentional mistress/master in which one is unaware of the other person’s marriage, but this is usually a rare occurrence.) Either way it takes two to tango, so both the cheaters share the guilt.
When I first saw the promo, I thought, “Oh great another show that promotes adultery,” but after watching the first episode, I’m glad I decided to give it a shot. I am someone who is not a fan of the whole “open/another family on the side while I’m married/cheating” kind of thing. And I don’t use that lightly. So much so that I find myself dropping shows/movies sometimes when they go in that direction. Not because I refuse to acknowledge that those things exist, but because I know they do and I can’t help but despise it. I’ve always thought that if things weren’t working out, to seek help if possible, then if it was unrepairable then it was best to end things before pursuing someone else. I’ve always thought of that as the amicable and humane way for relationships to end, if they should. I mean it just makes much more sense that way.
But we don’t live in that kind of world. We don’t live in a world that makes sense more often than not. We live in a world where sex is easily accessible and there are those who are all the ready to indulge in any which way they can with those who solicit it to all willing to bite.
What I like about Mistresses is that it is diverse. It shows you both sides of what happens when there is a mistress involved, not just one. The cause and effect. While the first episode is definitely flawed it was still intriguing enough for me to give the next few episodes a gander. Plus, I love me some Alyssa Milano! I gave the pilot to Mistresses a B+ and hope you at least try the first episode if you’re interested. I can assure you it’s about much more than what the title suggests.
Here are brief descriptions of the women of the show and their story so far.
Savannah Davis, or “Savi” (Alyssa Milano) is married to a handsome Aussie chef, and despite countless of attempts, even playing a game of role-play and buying lingerie—as seen in the pilot—there are issues of infertility that put a heavy damper on their marriage.
April Malloy (Rochelle Aytes) is a widowed shop owner who is still reeling from the loss of her husband. She is hesitant to start dating again because she feels that her husband wouldn’t want her loving someone else and moving on. April is the one who is dealing with the effects of her husband having a mistress.
Karen Kim (Yunjin Kim) is a therapist who has a secret relationship with one of her patients. When he tells her he’s dying, she assists in helping him commit suicide so he can go on more peaceful terms and not endure the suffering. His son then starts pursuing her for information and possibly much, much more, putting her in a very odd predicament.
Josslyn Carver (Jes Macallan) is Savi’s sister and is very free to love/always open to try new things. She is a real estate agent who is no stranger to going after who or what she wants. Of all the characters she is the one I felt needed more development, or lacked a real conflict.
