Netflix Gold: Dex and Emma in “One Day”
It makes sense that this story does better as a show because we get to truly understand these characters in both their mundane moments and their most dire situations. Getting a full picture, from the detailed textures to their overarching personality traits, makes the big moments feel even bigger.
In the 2024 Netflix series “One Day,” we, the viewers, feel like we know the characters and care about what happens to them.
We are genuinely invested in the repercussions of Dexter and Emma’s decisions. The dichotomy between the two—Emma, who is almost flawless and never has a shameful moment, and Dex, whose imperfections are laid bare—is something to be appreciated.
[SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT]
6/14/2024 - I saw my wife in tears and was taken aback. When I asked her if she was okay, she said she had just finished watching “One Day” on Netflix.
Created by Nicole Taylor and released in 2024, “One Day” is a romantic drama that follows the lives of Dex and Emma. Dex struggles to face the future, avoiding the painful truths of his emotions. He numbs his pain, exacerbated by his struggles with alcohol.
In contrast, Emma is grounded, empathetic, and deeply aware of the present. Her ability to foresee based on her current feelings and interpret the now with empathy for the future sets her apart as a truly heroic and memorable character.
“One Day” is an adaptation of the 2011 movie of the same title. Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess played Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew in the original movie.
You Need to Spend Time with These Characters
The journey and time we spend with them are what really set this show apart.
I talked extensively with my wife about why this show was better than the movie it was a remake of. The original film starred Anne Hathaway, but the show format is so much better because you get more room to flesh out the characters.
It makes sense that this story does better as a show because we get to truly understand these characters in their mundane moments and their most dire situations. They cope with real-life challenges, and their interactions are so meaningful because we have so much time to spend with them.
One of the best achievements of the show is giving us ample time with these well-written characters, portrayed by interesting actors.
Dex and Emma's relationship is a rollercoaster of emotions, from the euphoria of their adventures to the heart-wrenching moments of despair. The show doesn't shy away from the darker aspects of life, dealing with terminal illness and addiction with raw and unflinching honesty.
None of this would matter to a viewer if we didn’t have an established understanding of the characters as though they are someone we know in real life.
This is why the more moments of their lives that we get to see, which do not necessarily relate to their love story but rather to the hardships of life, are so important. How these hardships affect one character and spill over into the other’s life is something that is hard to fit into a two-hour movie.
But they make the big moments that happen feel even bigger, because we know them and care about what happens to them.
“One Day” focuses a majority on Emma's reactions to Dex's hurtful behavior, showcasing her strength and resilience. Despite her own pain, she doesn't allow Dex to take anything from her emotionally. She compartmentalizes her feelings, maintaining her dignity and composure.
We Care What Happens to Dex and Emma
One of the most poignant moments in the series is when Dex experiences a panic attack after a confrontation with his father. Dex shows up drunk to a visit with his mom, who is battling through cancer. During this visit we see that Dex’s mom is clearly disappointed with him, but is simultaneously taking in the precious moments with her son, and communicating with him that she is disappointing.
It is very nuanced and leads into Dex’s father dropping him off and giving him a stern scolding, yelling at him never to return in that state again. This leads to Dex having an intense panic attack at the station.
The acting is believable, and the scene is devastating and raw. This is a climactic moment because the show has done such a good job of showing us all sides of Dex—the good, the bad, the glamorous, the ignorant, and the cruel.
When it culminates in a moment like this, we genuinely care about what is happening to him.
Adding to this is the fact that Dex turns to Emma in his dire moment, making it even more intriguing to the viewer. He calls her and she does not pick up, leading to a desperate voicemail message for Emma to listen to later.
It is great storytelling, character building, and world-building.
I might be alone on this hill, but I would say the main character is Dex, with Emma serving as the foil and mechanism we use to follow the "one day" structure of July 15th.
The show focuses heavily on Emma's reactions to Dex's hurtful behavior, showcasing her strength and resilience. Despite her own pain, she doesn't allow Dex to take anything from her emotionally. She compartmentalizes her feelings, maintaining her dignity and composure.
It builds Emma as almost flawless, never having a shameful moment, while Dex is the opposite.
We also have more context for Dex based on how the story plays out because Emma passes away, and a whole episode centers around how Dex deals with it. To me, she is a mythical character, but not the main character.
I did wish for more exploration of Emma's family to understand the roots of her strength and stability. But it still works because you really know her and she is fully built out as a character with profound purpose, but the narrative arc is focused on Dex’s evolution.
Emma’s death contributes to this evolution as well.
Exploring Emma's family would have added depth to her strength and stability, but her character is well-developed. The narrative focuses on Dex’s evolution.
Random Musical and Poetic Thought:
The show also features the song “Anyone Who Knows What Love Is" (by Irma Thomas) perfectly placed and earned. For me it was just another layer of emotional depth of the series.
"One Day" reminded me of a poem I studied in college, "For the Anniversary of My Death" by W. S. Merwin.
The poem, much like the show, contemplates the passage of time and the profound impact of love and loss:
For the Anniversary of My Death
Every year without knowing it I have passed the day
When the last fires will wave to me
And the silence will set out
Tireless traveler
Like the beam of a lightless star
Then I will no longer
Find myself in life as in a strange garment
Surprised at the earth
And the love of one woman
And the shamelessness of men
As today writing after three days of rain
Hearing the wren sing and the falling cease
And bowing not knowing to what
The show, much like this poem, captures the ephemeral nature of life and the enduring impact of love.
It's a beautifully crafted series that leaves a lasting impression, much like the tears it brought to my wife's eyes. And mine, too. If you're looking for a show that delves deep into the human experience, "One Day" is a must-watch.
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