And if anything has brought out that other side, its the fight against Jay.
It reminds you this guy lost his father and, quite simply, feels alone.
Many of his actions come as much from a place of loneliness as they do a place of pride.
Hes constnatly looking for someone, but no ones there.
Thats why hes looking for help.
As he explains, I dont want to go back to the way I was.
Ryan never wants to be the worst version of himself.
But its not as if his life makes things easy for him.
Instead, she agrees to dinner sans sleepover.
With that to look forward to, Alvey meets Ryan and Garo at the gym.
Alvey tries to shake Garo down for more money, but the bottom line is Ryan lost the fight.
However, Garo does agree to give Ryan a bonus if he wins.
And at this point, Ryan just wants the fight, so hes in.
I love that hes having a bit more fun with his scenes this year.
It seems Christina and Jason started sleeping together as early as one week into her stay.
Trying to explain himself, Jason makes the misstep of claiming that Christina manipulated him.
And in a moment of brilliance, Jay raises his hand.
Of course, Jason claims hes here to apologize.
As for what Jays plan is, well, he needs a moment to process all of this information.
First, Garo has a fight for her.
But also, shes going to have to move out of his house.
Alvey then gets back to training Alicia when Ryan stops by.
Already regretting his actions, Ryan apologizes for pressuring Alvey about making a decision.
Once again, Ryans looking at a night spent alone.
Roxanne then drops another verdict on him: Theyre still not sleeping together tonight.
Alvey assures her thats over, but what Roxanne doesnt ask/know about…is Lisa.
Taking her son aside into the kitchen, she begs him to let Jason go.
Im finally healthy because of you, she tells him.
Weve come so far.
They need to hear what Jason has to say.
He swears he fell in love with her and wanted to heal her, but Christinas not having it.
She simply tells him, Youre not like all those other men.
Youre worse, before telling Jay to get him out of their house.
Walking him out to his car, Jay issues one final threat before Jason drives away.
And by the time he returns to the house, its Christinas turn to talk.
She tells Jay she cant be around him if hes going to get high.
Im not strong enough, she says, adding, And I dont like Ava.
I dont think shes good for you.
But knowing Christina cant live alone, Jay decides hell move out…only temporarily.
He promises to stop using drugs soon, just not right now.
He asks her to tell Nate that hell be home soon.
Theyve created a bubble, and now were left to wonder if theyll find a way out of it.
But regardless of Nate saying next to nothing on the date, Will wants to see him again.
(That one joke mustve won him over.)
For now, though, this date was a big enough step for him.
With no one to talk to, Ryan heads back inside, facing another night of loneliness.
The thing I love most is how understated Ryans struggle is in this episode.
Thats not to say its simplified.
Its still a very deep, dark struggle, but its not being thrown in our faces.
