The Tourist 1×03 felt like a real, living, and breathing example of who Elliott used to be and who he wants to be. Or who I hope he can be. Because I’m like Helen, I believe that there is good in there. But I’m also like Luci in that it’s really hard for people to change their stripes. And this back and forth within my mind of who is right and what will be the ultimate conclusion of the story, speaks to the time and love that was put into the writing for The Tourist. This wasn’t slapped together in a couple minutes. It’s an exploration of who we are at our core, and The Tourist 1×03 really dived into that.
Luci Represents Elliot’s Past
The moments between Elliot and Luci were scorching hot. The mood lighting was perfect. So was the juxtaposition between them having a conversation and them also leaving for the hotel. You can understand from both of the actors, the writing, and the way that the scenes were built, these two were always meant to meet. I mentioned in my previous review that maybe they’re not meant to be together forever, but they’re meant to meet. That energy between them? It’s electric. It’s undeniable. But you could tell by the end of The Tourist 1×03 that they’re not endgame.
Plainly speaking, as if I were just looking at the writing and how the story is built in The Tourist, Luci represents who Elliott used to be. Once upon a time they met, he killed someone, and they had this steamy and passionate affair that left Elliot wanting more to the point where he followed her to Australia. But we can’t forget the fact that Elliot ended up in that car accident because he was in Australia, leading him on the new path that he is on now. And it’s really interesting as a viewer to see Elliot struggle against this unnamed desire inside of him that tells him that Luci is the right path. She’s who he was. But again, there’s a reason why they didn’t work.
By the end of 1×03, Elliot and Luci separate. And it kind of felt like this episode was a microcosm of what their relationship always was. And I really appreciate the time and dedication to explore their relationship in one episode. Not many shows can do that and find a right balance that leaves me not hating either of them. Like Luci said, she wanted to remember an old part of Elliot but also kind of have like a soft restart because there were parts of the relationship that she liked. But there’s something different about Elliot now. Demons are nipping at his heels but he can’t see them or name them but he can feel them. And I think the further that he gets away from Luci, the clearer the path will become.
Helen Represents Elliot’s Future
When I say that Helen is Elliot’s future I don’t mean that it’s up to her to fix him. There’s no fixing what’s going on with Elliot. He has to make his own choices. And by the end of episode 1×03 he chooses to kidnap Helen. He’s fresh off of a whole microcosm of an exploration of who he used to be with Luci. And he’s taking that person that Luci thinks he is and going forward with it with the one friend and the entire world he has about now aka Helen. Keeping that all in mind, I think the person that I see Elliott being with Helen, is the kind of person that he wants to be now. That reboot that Luci was talking about when it came to her relationship with Elliot? Well that reboot is for Elliott alone. And I think Helen is a symbol of that.
Helen is all about opportunity and trying for something new. And when he woke up in that bed in the first episode, he had the chance for a new beginning. Every step that he’s taken from then out has been based on the kindness that Helen has offered him. And you can see him leaning into that kindness when he saves Helen’s life and holds her close, knowing that they might die in the next couple of seconds, but wanting to make sure that she’s okay. That’s not someone who is totally lost. That’s someone who’s trying. And if stuck in the same position, I would want somebody to give me the benefit of the doubt, just like Helen does.
Keeping all of this in mind, it still doesn’t mean that I’m happy that Elliot kidnapped Helen. There are consequences for your actions and there should be some for these specific actions. Just because you’re finding yourself, doesn’t mean that you point a gun at your only friend in the world. But I believe, just like Helen, that all he needs is a little help. A little help can be life-changing in the same manner as someone believing in you. And I’m looking forward to what happens during this kidnapping and what they learn about each other. Because this isn’t just Elliott’s journey. This is also Helen’s. And as he’s finding himself, so is she.
“Do you think anyone else would want you?”
The Tourist has the Greek guy to contend with as a villain and the detective that is coming for Elliot. But somehow, Ethan is the villain of this story. Every single time he opens his mouth I know he’s going to say something out of pocket that will hurt Helen. And this episode was no different. He really had the nerve to say what I wrote above in the title of the section. Now, I understand that he was concerned for Helen. He drove to the clinic like a bat out of hell because he was worried. But that doesn’t mean he gets to be an asshole and say something like this to her. There’s no excuse.
I truly feel like Ethan does not love Helen for who she is. He keeps telling her that she can’t be these other things and scoffs at the thought of her saying something like “Bloody Mary” in the mirror. But he truly doesn’t know her. Nor does he appreciate Helen or want to grow with her. He wants to grow and get a new job. But he is perfectly fine with keeping her in her place and molding her into something that he wants instead of accepting who she is. This is why he is the villain of the story. Not the Greek guy who is definitely going to murder some people or even the cowboy hat wearing American. It’s Ethan.
Personally, I am praying and hoping that Ethan gets mixed up with the mystery of who Elliot is and ends up dying. Sorry, not sorry. But a greater part of me hopes that Helen tells him to fuck off. It’ll be cathartic for Helen but it will also shut down Ethan and show him that he doesn’t know Helen at all and that Helen doesn’t need him in the first place. Basically, I hope Helen destroys him with verbal barb after barb that marks his soul forever. Kudos to the writers of The Tourist 1×03 because they managed to get me heated and dedicated to continue watching this show.
Random thoughts about The Tourist 1×03:
- That sequence with Luci and Elliot in the beginning was fire.
- Cowboy wearing guy…you should’ve killed Ethan.
- I said, what I said.
- Literally don’t care at all about the bad guys that are popping up. The Greek guy and the investigator. Ehhh.
- The way that Elliot told Helen “Come here.” after saving her life.
- FUCK. ETHAN.
- FUCK. ETHAN.
- FUCK. ETHAN.
- FUCK. ETHAN.
The Tourist season 1 is now available on Netflix.
