Splitting Up Together – Messy

By: Ariba Bhuvad

On the Season 2 mid-season finale of Splitting Up Together things are definitely as messy as they appear. Vlad (Costa Ronin) and Lena’s (Jenna Fischer) relationship has really mucked things up and Vlad has fallen for Lena as a result. It is a bit too fast and a bit too aggressive, but he’s all in. Unfortunately, Lena is not and saw it as an innocent kiss in her attempt to prove him wrong. Considering they are starting work together, it makes for a very awkward and complicated partnership.

While going over their plans for a new client, Vlad can’t stop commenting on how cute Lena is. She’s not entirely sure what’s going on, but she’s not digging it in the least bit. Simultaneously, Martin (Oliver Hudson) is dealing with Mason (Van Crosby) who has moved on from his previous love and is now interested in someone else. This someone else just happens to be Mae’s (Olivia Keville) arch-nemesis and she is so not on board with Mason courting her.

But court her he does and he even invites his  new lady love over to their house despite Mae’s multiple attempts to prevent it from happening. In his new crusade to get the girl, Mason is also ignoring a childhood friend. He doesn’t want to hang out with him and doesn’t seem to care how it’s hurting his friend’s feelings. Naturally, Mae sees this an opportunity to get back at Mason and invites his friend over as well.

While at lunch, Lena tells Maya (Diane Farr) about the whole Vlad situation. She’s not sure why Vlad is so into her, but she’s starting to think it’s just something about her that’s attracting guys. Meanwhile, Martin and Paige (Ali Larter) are getting busy and getting settled in their relationship. But staying at Martin’s means keeping it a secret because it goes against Lena’s rules of having women stay over. This is an impediment in Paige and Martin’s relationship so they decide to stay over at her house for a change.

Martin is surprised to see how nice Paige’s house is and the relationship she shares with her son. They basically don’t speak, hang out or care to be around one another and Martin finds this to be odd. At their house things are very different and while they may be completely strange, they feel more normal than whatever Paige has going on.

This sparks empathy inside of Martin for Lena because he appreciates what they have and how she is with their children. He doesn’t want them to be like Paige and he understands that Lena and he are doing what’s best for their family. He catches Lena just as she is heading into a client’s house to meet with him and Vlad. This meeting seems to be going pretty well as Lena begins suggesting ideas for the house. But Vlad can’t get over how cute she is and starts gushing over her at their meeting.

Back at the house, all the kids are getting into arguments, especially Mae and Mason who have each brought over someone that the other doesn’t like. It’s causing a ruckus in the household and Lena is the only one to bring peace amongst them all. That’s how amazing she is, Martin! And once again, things feel right as Martin and Lena bond over the Vlad situation and how it all went down. This family is pretty darn cute, isn’t it?