Brief Summary
This video portrays a complex narrative centered around themes of marriage, abuse, and the struggle for independence within a religious context. It follows the lives of several characters, each grappling with their roles and expectations in their relationships. The story highlights the challenges of domestic violence, marital rape, and the societal pressures that often silence victims. Ultimately, it shows the journey of individuals seeking to break free from cycles of abuse and find their own paths to healing and self-discovery.
- Marital struggles and infidelity
- Domestic abuse and its impact on families
- The role of religion in relationships and personal choices
- The journey towards independence and self-discovery
Ephesians 5:22
The video opens with a reading from Ephesians 5:22, which instructs wives to submit to their husbands. This sets the stage for the exploration of traditional marital roles and expectations that will be challenged throughout the narrative. A distressed woman leaves a message for her father, hinting at a troubling event. The scene transitions to a seemingly normal family setting, where husbands are expected to maintain order and wives to keep the house clean, highlighting the surface-level expectations of marital life.
Church Gossip
The scene shifts to a group of women gossiping at a church event. One woman admires the pastor, while another is complimented on her appearance, sparking jealousy and playful banter. A man jokes about taking one of the women to a fancy restaurant, but quickly clarifies it was just a joke. This segment introduces the social dynamics within the church community and hints at underlying tensions and desires.
Counseling Session
Pastor Jeffries is in a counseling session with a young girl named Faith, who has been struggling at school. Faith denies that anyone is hurting her. This scene introduces the pastor's role as a counselor and hints at deeper issues affecting the young girl.
Family Dynamics
A woman named Tanya is preparing dinner while her husband, Derek, arrives home from a workout. They discuss Tanya's plans to meet with her sister, Grace, whom Derek disapproves of. Despite his reservations, he reluctantly agrees to let her go. This scene highlights the power dynamics within their marriage and Derek's controlling nature.
Affair
Michael is having an affair. He tells his mistress that today was a good day and asks her to properly greet him.
Marital Advice
Michael returns home, where his wife, Elizabeth, is ironing. He instructs her on how to properly greet him, emphasizing smiling, kissing, and embracing. He then shares his concerns about a church member with bruises, attributing it to the wife "pushing" her husband. He advises Elizabeth that wives should show respect and obedience to their husbands, citing biblical teachings. This scene reveals Michael's traditional views on marriage and his dismissive attitude towards domestic violence.
Sisters Catching Up
Tanya meets with her sister, Grace, who expresses admiration for a man she saw earlier. Grace reveals that her husband, Derek, is a police officer who brings his stress home, often yelling and throwing things. She admits that he has hit her before, but justifies it by saying he makes up for it with gifts. Grace downplays the abuse, stating that the gifts make up for the yelling and moods. Tanya is shocked by her sister's situation and tries to offer support.
Confession
Grace confides in Tanya about the abuse she has been enduring from Derek. She recounts an incident where he hit her after a news report about a police shooting. Grace struggles to reconcile the loving man she married with the abusive person he has become. Tanya encourages her to recognize that the abuse is not her fault and offers her home as a safe place.
Promises
Derek returns home with a gift for Grace, attempting to make amends for his behavior. He promises that he will never hit her again and asks for her forgiveness. Grace seems to accept his apology, but the underlying tension remains.
Dinner
Elizabeth is late preparing dinner, causing tension with Michael. He criticizes her for prioritizing her mother over him and demands that she acknowledge him when he comes home. Michael's controlling behavior and expectations of wifely duties are evident.
Testing
Michael accuses Elizabeth of testing him, but refuses to explain further. He becomes increasingly agitated and dismissive, creating a hostile atmosphere.
Bless This Meal
The family sits down for dinner, and Michael sarcastically thanks Elizabeth for the meal. He then demands that she clean up after dinner, showcasing his controlling and demeaning behavior.
Movie Night
Derek comes home drunk and confronts Grace, who is watching a movie. He accuses her of laughing at him and becomes increasingly aggressive. Despite her attempts to calm him down, he escalates the situation, ultimately becoming violent.
Prayer
At church, Pastor Jeffries invites those in need of prayer to come to the altar. The scene transitions back to Grace, who is being confronted by Tanya about the abuse she is enduring.
Intervention
Tanya confronts Grace about her abusive relationship with Derek, urging her to leave him. Grace defends Derek, citing his good qualities and the challenges he faces as a police officer. Tanya challenges Grace's acceptance of the abuse, questioning whether she would tolerate similar behavior from Pastor Jeffries.
Permit
Michael and Elizabeth are at home with Michael's parents. Michael's mother makes a comment about Elizabeth's appearance, and Michael's father reinforces traditional gender roles. Elizabeth challenges these views, leading to a tense exchange.
Dishes
Michael's father insists that the women do the dishes while the men watch a game. Elizabeth challenges this, but Michael's mother and grandmother reinforce traditional roles. Elizabeth expresses her unhappiness, but is dismissed by the other women.
Abuse
Elizabeth confides in Michael's mother and grandmother about her unhappiness in her marriage. She hints at Michael's abusive behavior, but they dismiss her concerns and reinforce the importance of submitting to her husband.
Radio
Michael buys Elizabeth a radio to encourage her singing, but the gesture is overshadowed by the tension between them. He questions her about her conversation with his mother, revealing his insecurity and controlling nature.
Defiance
Michael continues to press Elizabeth about her conversation with his mother, accusing her of defiance and going behind his back. He brings their son into the argument, further escalating the conflict.
Ice Cream
Elizabeth attempts to take their son for ice cream, but Michael forbids it. He becomes increasingly controlling and aggressive, preventing them from leaving the house.
Bruises
Elizabeth's son innocently reveals that his grandmother always wears sunglasses to hide her bruises, suggesting a pattern of abuse in Michael's family.
Apology
Michael apologizes for bringing their son into the argument, but the underlying tension remains. He attempts to initiate intimacy, but Elizabeth resists.
Duty
Michael insists that Elizabeth has a duty to fulfill his sexual needs, regardless of her own desires. He justifies his demands by citing traditional marital roles and expectations.
Deny
Michael continues to pressure Elizabeth for sex, claiming that she is hurting him by denying him. He manipulates her with declarations of love and guilt.
Flowers
Derek returns home with flowers for Grace, attempting to reconcile after their earlier argument. However, Grace is not receptive to his gesture and confronts him about his abusive behavior.
Forgiveness
Grace refuses to accept Derek's apology and accuses him of trying to buy her forgiveness. She questions what she would tell their daughter if she were being abused.
Sunflowers
Derek becomes enraged by Grace's rejection and throws the flowers at her. He threatens her and demands that she change her attitude.
Bathroom
Grace retreats to the bathroom, seeking refuge from Derek's anger. The scene is filled with tension and uncertainty.
Assault
Police officers arrive at Derek and Grace's home in response to a domestic disturbance call. Derek attempts to downplay the situation, claiming that Grace is not a good homemaker.
Officer Max
An officer, Max, questions Grace about the scratches on Derek's face. Grace hesitates and avoids answering directly, looking to Derek for guidance.
Private
The officer asks Grace if she would like to speak in private, but she declines, still looking to Derek for approval. The officer recognizes that Grace is afraid to speak openly in front of Derek.
One of Us
Another officer dismisses the situation, implying that Derek is being unfairly targeted because he is a fellow officer. He advises Grace to take care of Derek.
Jail
The officer speaks to Derek privately, acknowledging the repeated calls to their home. He warns Derek that the new officer could cause problems and advises him to keep the peace.
Charges
Derek confronts Grace, accusing her of wanting to see him in jail. Grace denies this, but acknowledges that she will not protect him this time.
Flowers
Derek expresses his frustration that Grace didn't take the flowers.
Lizzy
Derek says good night to Grace.
White People
Michael is in bed with Elizabeth.
Hurt You
Michael tells Elizabeth that he doesn't want to hurt her.
Good Night
Michael and Elizabeth say good night.
Embarrass
Michael is at the hospital with Elizabeth. He is worried about how she embarrassed the church.
Minister Ross
Minister Ross comes to check on Elizabeth.
Difficult Questions
Minister Ross asks Elizabeth some difficult questions.
Heated Argument
Elizabeth tells Minister Ross that she and Michael got into a heated argument.
Sex
Elizabeth tells Minister Ross that Michael wanted to have sex, but she denied him, and he did it anyway.
Forced
Minister Ross asks Elizabeth if Michael forced her.
Husband
Elizabeth says that Michael is her husband, so it wasn't rape.
Marital Rape
Minister Ross tells Elizabeth that marital rape exists.
Violent
Elizabeth says that Michael has never been violent with her.
Scream for Help
Minister Ross tells Elizabeth that this is a scream for help.
In Danger
Minister Ross tells Elizabeth that she is in danger.
Divorce
Elizabeth says that she doesn't like divorce.
Breakfast
The nurse says it's time for breakfast.
Prayer
Minister Ross says he'll be around if Elizabeth needs him for prayer or anything.
Sick
Pastor Jeffries tells Elizabeth that he missed her last Sunday because he was sick.
Faith
Pastor Jeffries asks Elizabeth if she wanted to talk to him about Faith or Derek or Michael.
Attacked Me Again
Elizabeth tells Pastor Jeffries that Derek attacked her again.
Police
Pastor Jeffries asks Elizabeth if she called the police.
Shelters
Pastor Jeffries tells Elizabeth that there are shelters she can go to.
Option
Elizabeth says that a shelter is not an option.
What to Do
Pastor Jeffries asks Elizabeth what she needs from him.
Leave Them
Pastor Jeffries tells Elizabeth to leave them.
Safe Place
Pastor Jeffries tells Elizabeth that there is a safe place he can give her information on.
Escape Plan
Pastor Jeffries tells Elizabeth that they can help her with an escape plan.
Risk It
Elizabeth says that she doesn't know if she can risk it.
Wondering
Elizabeth says she better get going because she doesn't want Derek wondering where she's at.
Church Clothes
Derek asks Faith to go upstairs and get out of her church clothes.
Hug
Derek asks Faith to give him a hug.
Church
Derek asks where they've been today. Faith says just to church.
Class
Derek asks if Elizabeth was talking to the deacons or her church friends.
Castle
Derek tells Faith to head up to her castle.
Class
Derek asks Elizabeth why it took her so long to get Faith from class.
Church Stuff
Elizabeth says she stopped by to speak to the first lady for a minute about church stuff.
Shot Before
Derek says that he's never been shot before.
Cleaning Them
Derek says he's just cleaning them and you never know when you'll need to use one.
Anniversary
Derek says happy anniversary to Grace.
Rocky
Derek says that their relationship has been rocky lately, but he wants their marriage to be strong like it always has been.
Book
Derek gives Grace a book called "How to Properly Care for and Serve Your Husband".
Enlightenment
Derek says that he even highlighted some of the passages that he thought she might find enlightenment.
Uncalled For
Grace says that was uncalled for.
Accident
Pastor Jeffries tells Elizabeth that since they heard about her accident, they think that she should step down from counseling until everything gets back to normal with her.
Medical History
Elizabeth says that her medical history is private.
Hard Decisions
Michael says that he has always been there for her and if she can't make the hard decisions, he can.
Church
Elizabeth asks if this is about the church or her marriage.
Business
Michael says that their marriage is their business and has nothing to do with this.
Members
Elizabeth asks what about the members she's counseling now.
Sin
Pastor Jeffries says that Elizabeth tried to take her own life, which is a sin, and she's advised a member of the church to sin by divorcing her husband.
Souls Astray
Pastor Jeffries says that they can't have Elizabeth leading souls astray.
Christian Counselor
Elaine gives Elizabeth a card for a highly competent Christian counselor.
Sister
Tanya asks Elizabeth if she's okay.
Excuses
Tanya says she doesn't want to hear any more excuses.
Proposed
Tanya asks Elizabeth if she remembers when Michael proposed.
Pancake
Tanya says that proposing doesn't make good husband material any more than porn syrup on yourself makes you a pancake.
Leave Him
Tanya asks Elizabeth if she's still going to leave him.
Address
Tanya says she has her address.
Vaseline
Tanya says she has the Vaseline.
Phone Off
Derek asks Grace where she was and why her phone was off.
Question
Derek asks Grace a question.
DNA Test
Grace says that Derek is going to pay her mail and asks if that's what he has to say to her. She says she would have taken care of it like he took care of that DNA test without her knowing.
Crazy
Grace says that the woman is crazy.
Looks Just Like You
Grace says that the baby looks just like Derek.
Start Over
Derek says that they can start over.
Let Me Go
Grace says that Derek has to let her go.
Moment of Weakness
Derek asks if Grace is just going to leave him after one moment of weakness.
Son Out There
Grace says that Derek has a whole son out there.
Choking Me
Grace says or maybe he's talking about the moment she was seeing spots while he was choking her.
Miscarried Our Son
Grace says or the moment she found out that she can't have any more children because he lost his temper and kicked her till she miscarried their son.
Overlook
Grace asks how many more moments of weakness does she need to overlook.
Fix This
Derek says that he's going to fix this.
Details Tomorrow
Michael says that they'll just work out the details tomorrow.
Dinner
Michael asks where dinner is.
Enlighten Me
Michael asks if Elizabeth cares to enlighten him.
Divorce
Elizabeth says she's filing for divorce.
That Kind of Talk
Michael says he will not have that kind of talk in his house.
Necessary
Elizabeth says that today was necessary.
Psychopath
Elizabeth says that Michael sent her in that room and painted her to be a psychopath.
Best Interest
Elizabeth says that it was in his best interest.
Hormones
Michael says that Elizabeth is at that age now where her hormones are all out of whack.
Menopause
Elizabeth says freaking menopause.
Repercussions
Michael says to think about the repercussions.
Abandon Their Vows
Michael says that Elizabeth will be teaching their son that it is okay to abandon their vows.
Protect Me
Elizabeth says that Michael broke their vows first when he didn't protect her.
Expert in Divorce
Michael says that he's an expert in divorce.
Hurt Are the Children
Michael says that the women always regret it and the only people who get hurt are the children.
Guilt Me
Elizabeth says if Michael thinks he can guilt her into staying by using their son.
Crazy
Michael says that everyone's going to think Elizabeth is crazy.
Hello
Derek is on the phone.
Tanya How Could You
Grace asks Tanya how could she.
Boss
Grace asks Tanya how could she call his boss.
Safety
Tanya says it was for her safety.
Arrested
Grace says that he would get arrested and fired.
Calm Down
Tanya says to calm down.
Authority
Grace asks who gave Tanya that authority.
Kill Me
Grace says that he will kill her.
Scared Me
Derek says that Grace scared him.
Didn't Do Anything
Grace says that she knows he didn't do anything.
Sit Down
Derek tells Grace to sit down.
With Zoe
Derek asks where Faith is. Grace says she's with Zoe.
Confidential
Derek says that counseling is supposed to be confidential.
Pressing Charges
Derek says that he's not pressing charges.
Stupid
Derek says it was so stupid.
