While the last few episodes of Three Women definitely leaned into the sexy and fun territory, Maggie’s focus in Season 1, Episode 4 was a whole different ballgame—it was a lot more serious. I mean, it even came with a warning at the start that had me feeling like I was about to dive into an episode of Law & Order: SVU.
Grooming is such a heavy theme these days, becoming alarmingly common in dynamics where one party holds power over another, be it in schools, workplaces, or politics. It’s unsettling, right? The show really took a deep dive into this, and it felt all too real.
Take Maggie, for instance. She confided in Mr. Knodel, her teacher, because her life felt like it was crumbling around her. He seemed so understanding, having read her thoughts and feelings through her essays. It made it all too easy for her to trust him. But it’s a slippery slope, and you could feel that tension brewing.
Then, they spoiled too much of Maggie’s story—a big revelation about her case was casually dropped at the start and even previously in Episode 1. Honestly? It would have been more impactful if her story had unfolded more naturally, letting the suspense build.
Now, onto a pivotal moment: Maggie deciding to file charges. Oh boy! I could almost hear the dramatic soundtrack in the background. After Mr. Knodel snagged that Teacher of the Year award, Maggie sought therapy to untangle the mess in her head. She wanted to study social work but was also struggling with her own feelings of worthiness. “How am I going to tell people to advocate for themselves when I can’t advocate for myself?”—that line hit home!
What really struck me during the police station scenes was that Law & Order vibe again. Special Agent Ness created a safe space for Maggie—it was a huge relief amid all that chaos, and it was clear she needed it. Just having someone to trust as she opened up was a significant step for her, especially after feeling so trapped.
And speaking of emotional support, Maggie’s parents had a noticeably larger role in this adaptation versus Taddeo’s book. I can’t lie; that dinner scene was heartbreaking yet beautiful. The way they listened without any judgment was refreshingly supportive. Her mom knew what a “physical” relationship meant but remained silent, letting Maggie take the lead. When she finally admitted everything, the hug she received spoke volumes.
Now, her dad? That relationship was a tangled web of guilt and misunderstanding. One moment he’s feeling like a failure for not noticing the signs, and the next, he’s worried about what Knodel might know about their family. I can’t imagine how heavy that must weigh on Maggie’s shoulders. She sought escape, but reality had its grips on her tight.
What about that backstory, though? I felt like we spent an eternity on Maggie’s summer vacation to Hawaii. Sure, character development is essential, but come on! Some of those scenes made it feel like she was perpetually older than her age, which played right into the hands of a predatory dynamic.
Matteo, not a “bad guy” per se, but still, seeing a grown man with her made me feel uneasy. There’s this uncomfortable reality when you think about how quickly teenagers can fall in love, only to realize it’s often unreciprocated—trust me, I’ve had those teenage love affairs where I practically thought I was a sage.
And what about Mr. Knodel? He needed more exposure in their physical relationship to underline that manipulation. He started as the supportive teacher but quickly crossed lines with his phone calls and secret meetings. It would’ve escalated the tension to see how he blurred boundaries, especially when Maggie could only “hang out” when his wife wasn’t home. Talk about messy!
So here’s the question: Is Maggie’s journey through pain and empowerment something we all need to resonate with in today’s world? Or perhaps it’s a harsh reminder of vigilance in teacher-student relationships? I’d love to hear your thoughts! What do you think of Maggie’s experience on Three Women? Is her strength something to admire, or do you think more needs to be discussed? Let’s chat about it in the comments below!