Since the premiere, Preacher has been building up the relationship between Jesse and Tulip and season two has really begun to expand on everything the on again off again couple has been through. There is a really unique dynamic between the two characters, not only because of their history, but because as individuals they are strong and wild. Tulip especially has been an incredible character because of her badass nature and ability to navigate and survive intense situations. As the show has displayed, Tulip really doesn’t need Jesse; however, when the pair are on the same page they become a destructive force. Last week’s episode, “Dallas,” really begins to dive into the couple’s background and explores what happened after the flashbacks of their robbery gone wrong.
Season two of Preacher has recently introduced viewers to the fact that Tulip has lived a life of her own that doesn’t directly involve Jesse. The reveal that she had previously been married was shocking but begins to make sense as “Dallas” fills in the blanks of the story. Everything dates back to the fallout that Tulip and Jesse have following their lost child when their robbery goes wrong. Jesse seems to fall into depression that leaves him in a boring routine he can’t break himself out of while Tulip attempts a normal real estate job. Losing a child really damages their connection because while Tulip is able to throw herself into other things like work, but Jesse cannot get over feeling responsible for the events that happened. The disconnect in their relationship comes from a lack of communication; both characters rarely display loving emotions to one another, but what keeps them strong is when they are up front and fully communicating. The flashbacks to Dallas make it clear that they aren’t on the same page, which leads to a tough confrontation.
Jesse clearly wants to make up for losing a child because it seems like he thinks that will make things better. If he can get back what they lost, which he feels responsible for, then everything will go back to normal. Although that’s not necessarily the best way to handle things, he really struggles to get over how their lifestyle as criminals will always be the single thing blocking them from settling down. The couple quits their lifestyle despite neither him or Tulip being able to find a way to fit into “normal” society. The episode is heavy with emotion because Jesse is already a dark character, but “Dallas,” finally sheds light on one of the darkest parts of his past. Despite being in a slump, everything really blows up when Jesse discovers that not only has Tulip been working for Dany again, but she has also been taking birth control. This causes a huge blow up because he feels betrayed by Tulip for not being honest with him and, to an extent, making a fool out of him while he’s been extremely focused on trying to have a child.
It’s an unfortunate situation because both sides make logical sense; while Jesse feels betrayed and lied to, Tulip was the one to directly feel the loss of being pregnant and losing a child. Many variables come into play, but again, their disconnect comes from a lack of communication. For Jesse, this information is also fill in Tulip’s timeline as he discovers after their falling out she went and got married to Viktor, which ends up fueling his rage because she was able to go find a life and settle down without him. “Dallas” really dials in on this being Jesse’s problem though; he goes pretty dark and far in this episode by using Genesis on Tulip, calling out Cassidy out before giving his friend the chance to explain himself. The episode really dives into the person Jesse can become, and while Preacher has a ton of fun being darker, the titular character has yet to show his true colors.
Clearly Preacher is still scratching the surface of these characters because “Dallas” presents Jesse in a completely new light. While the character is still fun to watch he can become pretty selfish when he is completely angry. It was nice to watch Cassidy be the one to come in and calm him down a little bit, especially when the character took more of a backseat in the episode, but Jesse cuts him down to pieces verbally before he has the chance to explain himself and how he views the situation. Both Jesse and Tulip handle the aspects of their relationship in different ways, but clearly Jesse has the ability to tap into a darker side of himself. Going forward, the relationship between Jesse and Tulip isn’t going to get any easier; as the characters say themselves, they aren’t good for one another, but that doesn’t stop them from being in love, so hopefully the pair can get on the same page and utilize their chemistry to their benefit.
Other Thoughts:
– Cassidy having to take care of Tulip’s daughter in law was a funny exchange.
– Cassidy pushing over one of Viktor’s frozen henchman and giving a little giggle is great. Such a simple act that sums up his character.
– In a classic Preacher type moment, I love how casual it is for Viktor to point a gun at his daughter, then ask her if going to the shooting range will help her sleep better.
– With the Saint right on Jesse’s tail, it seems he will finally recognize that he has to be smarter with Genesis.
Follow Us
