Ep 4. Scene IV: The Illiterates

"Scenes From a Marriage" season 1 episode 4 "Scene IV: The Illiterates" follows the story of Jonathan and Mira, a married couple dealing with the repercussions of infidelity and the challenges of staying together. In this episode, the focus shifts to their son, who is struggling with reading and writing in school.

As Jonathan and Mira attend a meeting with their son's teacher to discuss his academic progress, tensions rise between the couple. Mira becomes defensive and frustrated, blaming Jonathan for their son's difficulties while Jonathan is more practical, wanting to find a solution to the problem.

The episode explores the ways in which their marital issues spill over into their parenting, and how their different approaches to problem-solving clash. It also examines the pressure placed on children to excel academically and how this can affect their self-esteem and confidence.

Meanwhile, Jonathan tries to reconnect with his estranged father, who is ill and reaching the end of his life. This subplot adds another layer of complexity to Jonathan's character, as he struggles to reconcile with the man who abandoned him as a child.

Overall, "Scene IV: The Illiterates" is a poignant and thought-provoking episode that delves deeper into the complex dynamics of Jonathan and Mira's marriage and the challenges they face both as a couple and as parents.