Dying for Sex Recap: Die With Me

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Can’t help but ponder over Mary Oliver’s poignant query, “What is it you wish to accomplish with your one vibrant and valuable life?” The thought lingers as I watch the first two episodes of the intriguing FX miniseries, Dying for Sex.

The story begins with Molly, brilliantly portrayed by Michelle Williams, learning that she’s terminally ill. Amidst a therapy session with her unassuming husband Steve (Jay Duplass), she receives a call from her doctor confirming the return of her Stage IV cancer. Instead of immediately discussing this devastating news, Molly swiftly steps out to a nearby convenience store, purchases a large bottle of Good Value Diet Soda, and contacts her closest friend Nikki (Jenny Slate). Upon sharing her heartbreaking update, Nikki has an impassioned debate with the store owner about public displays of emotion.

Enchanted by her friend’s vibrant lifestyle, Molly persists in consuming her cheap drink, despite its unpleasant taste. This drink symbolizes how Molly has been coping with her life until now. Throughout the first episode, we learn that Molly is deeply dissatisfied with her ten-year marriage to Steve, feels a constant sexual desire, and may be grappling with childhood traumas that hinder her from living life fully. Steve mispronounces these traumas as “traww-ma.

Living for Intimacy traces Molly’s voyage into the realm of sexual discovery, as she strives to savor the sensual delights of life before her health deteriorates. Although her body and psyche may weaken over time, she yearns to indulge in all the carnal joys that life presents to her while she is still able. The series draws inspiration from the Wondery podcast of the same name, which detailed the real-life story of Molly Kochan, along with her confidante Nikki Boyer, as they documented Molly’s sexual awakening until her passing in March 2019. The podcast was not broadcasted until early 2020, but it struck a chord with millions of listeners worldwide. If you were given only a limited span of life, how would you reevaluate your existence? What adjustments would you contemplate making? Would you summon the courage to carry them out?

Written by Kim Rosenstock and Elizabeth Merriweather (known for ‘New Girl’ and ‘The Drop Out’), the show ‘Dying for Sex’ promptly lays out Molly’s ambitions and sets her on a resolute journey. Initially, Molly attempts to reignite things with Steve by performing an unsuccessful act in their kitchen. As she guides his hand towards her breast, he begins to cry like an infant, essentially communicating that her breasts sadden him as they remind him of losing her. Oh dear, what a bummer! And at such a time, when your wife is dying, focusing on yourself isn’t the best choice. Not impressive.

In an unsettling turn of events, Steve casually brings up an uncomfortable truth about Molly, stating that it’s peculiar for her to consider oral intimacy given her traumatic past at such a tender age. This past, where her mother’s partner coerced her into performing such acts, has never been fully addressed by Molly, as evident by her dismissive response.

The following day, I find myself in the presence of my doctor, David Rasche, alongside Steve. Surprisingly, they seem to exclude me from their discussion regarding my treatment. My inner voice intensifies, urging me to speak up for myself. I do, and before I know it, I’m sitting with Sonya, a compassionate counselor at the hospital. It appears some men struggle with the emotional intensity of terminally ill women. However, Sonya is an exception – she’s kind and understanding.

I tentatively express some of my aspirations, mentioning that I’ve never experienced an intimate moment with another person. Sonya listens intently and encourages me to explore this further. She doesn’t pass judgment, and in return, I don’t judge when she reveals her preference for being bound during intimacy. To me, Sonya’s openness offers a beacon of hope, illuminating a world brimming with potential experiences.

When Molly exits the hospital, she flees from Steve once more. For the third time, she reaches out to Nikki, who promptly rushes to support her friend. Molly reveals a shocking truth: She intends to part ways with Steve and desires Nikki to accompany her in this final act. It’s an immense, overwhelming proposition. Nikki considers the gravity of the situation for a moment before responding, “Alright, let’s go through with it. Let’s depart together.

The strong friendship between Slate and Williams reminded me deeply of my own close relationships with my best friends. The mere thought of losing any of them sends shivers down my spine, yet I recognize that I’d cherish every moment if the unforeseen were to occur – just as Nikki seems to feel. While asking someone to die alongside you is an immense burden, what other choice is there but to endure it, rather than leaving your friend to face death alone?

As I delve deeper into this series, it’s peculiar to find Nikki shouldering the entire burden of Molly’s treatment logistics and emotional care. Strangely enough, Steve appears to have taken charge of all her medical records, handled every bill, and meticulously jotted down notes at each appointment. I can’t help but wonder why Molly isn’t taking more responsibility for herself, considering she seems unemployed. Furthermore, I yearn for a richer exploration of Molly’s character beyond her brash humor and seemingly serene exterior. She appears to be shaping up as a stereotypical manic pixie dream girl with cancer—it feels like the show is almost using her short blonde bob and wide, innocent eyes as a prop. I have so many questions about Molly’s life, but the show seems to be skimping on details, instead leaning heavily on Williams’ impressive acting skills to imply a complex past.

Despite a few minor issues, it’s truly gratifying to see Molly seize opportunities with enthusiasm. She swiftly joins a dating platform and takes pleasure in the influx of unsolicited explicit images. The following day, when she feels overwhelmed at her doctor’s appointment, she decides to concentrate on more manageable aspects. In this case, those manageable aspects just happen to be the explicit content she receives. When her doctor suggests inducing menopause to extend her lifespan, Molly chooses to focus on the aspects of her life she can influence. And in this scenario, that happens to be managing the explicit content she encounters.

Leaving the hospital, Molly extends an invitation to a tech guy at a hotel, saying “Come join me, buddy.” She uses Steve’s credit card to reserve a suite, fetches a glass of red wine, and waits in the bar. When she spots the man arrive, she reconsiders her plans but then encounters another attractive, sweaty individual in the elevator. Since Molly bears a striking resemblance to Michelle Williams, the man is amenable to her request to revisit her room despite her attire being unfashionable farmer overalls. Once more, Molly hesitates and exits the elevator, expressing sincere apologies. Instead of engaging with a stranger, she orders an upscale vibrator through DoorDash and begins to discover her body.

Indeed, her afternoons are quite extraordinary. She indulges herself in a plush bathrobe, savors scrumptious meals, and finds pleasure in various ways. She’s thrilled by the intense gazes between Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock in Speed, and the playful antics of a clown fish swimming through a coral reef. Whatever tickles her fancy, right? Then, she explores the internet further, engaging with an online companion on a random platform. He encourages her to “like and subscribe” before using a video of her self-pleasuring as leverage against her.

Molly, in a panic, calls Nikki over to help with a tricky situation at the hotel. Nikki’s surprised to find out Molly damaged her vibrator badly, and she appreciates seeing Molly in the midst of excitement, but they both lack funds to pay off a blackmailer. Steve is tasked with resolving the issue, but he reacts differently than Nikki. Instead of being fascinated by Molly’s expression during pleasure, he finds the video disgusting. At this moment, I felt more compelled to hit that man on TV than ever before. Molly shares this sentiment, as it seems she’s decided it’s time to leave Steve for good. It’s clear he can’t appreciate her the way she wants. She packs some items, including a cute desk lamp, and leaves. All she requests is to stay covered under Steve’s insurance policy.

On the third occasion that day, Molly meets up with Nikki again. They’re both trying to drown their sorrows at a bar, when an attractive man (Chris Roberti) repeatedly catches Molly’s eye. Molly queries Nikki, “Do you suppose he suspects I’ve visited six times today already?” Though it’s unlikely, it’s clear that the man is open to a casual encounter. They leave the bar in an Uber and Molly, brimming with excitement and longing, initiates a passionate exchange with the man. The two then indulge in gentle touching. So taken was the man by the moment, he reached climax, and Molly was overjoyed and elated. Ejected from the car onto a highway median by the driver, she grinned, reminiscing about the thrill of attraction and being desired.

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2025-04-04 17:55