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My Life With the Walter Boys was an instant Netflix teen drama hit due to its love triangle! It centers on Jackie Howard, a teenage girl who must deal with her emotions for two vastly different brothers, Alex and Cole Walter. Emotional tension among them is what propels the drama and one of the most intriguing storylines on the show.
In an interview with showrunner Melanie Halsall, she detailed at length why Jackie's love triangle is not merely a sub-plot but rather the foundation of My Life With the Walter Boys. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Melanie Halsall broke down why the triangle is designed to be sloppy, why it's not leading to a safe resolution, and how it reflects the feelings of teenagers. She said,
"Jackie’s dilemma is that she genuinely loves both brothers, With Alex, Jackie has a “safe space,” but with Cole there’s an attraction given their understanding of each other after both facing “huge upheavals and losses that have changed the course of their lives.”
The triangle is the heart of My Life With the Walter Boys
Melanie Halsall explains that Jackie's mixed emotions are the beginning of the show. From the initial stages, My Life With the Walter Boys has been dependent on drama among Alex, Cole, and Jackie. As per The Hollywood Reporter, she says about Cole that,
"Part of the attraction between the two of them is that they understand each other because they have both had huge upheavals and losses that have changed the course of their lives — and they are uniquely positioned to help each other come to terms with what has happened to them and how they will move forward."
About Alex, she says,
"Alex has had a “glow up.” He went to rodeo school and came back both physically and emotionally changed, and more mature. Yes, he’s hiding his hurt, and at first this manifests by him seeming to have also become a different person."
The showrunner posits that the triangle is not something to be solved anytime soon, but rather the core conflict that steers the characters' lives.
Season 2 finale: Jackie's admission
Season 2 concluded with one of the most dramatic moments in My Life With the Walter Boys. Jackie confessed her love to Cole, only for the surprise to be served up when Alex overheard the words. The outcome of this scene left an immediate rift between the three of them, leaving viewers waiting to see what comes next.
The scene was staged in a way to preserve the raw truth and not romance. The dialogue in Jackie was imperfect, but it was truthful in terms of the raw emotions that she had carried along for so long.
Alex vs. Cole: Stability or passion
The love triangle is so effective because Alex and Cole are two extremes of Jackie's heart.
Alex is stable, calm, and secure, the kind of man who promises stability and security.
Cole is hot-tempered, volatile, and charming, tempting Jackie into a whirlpool of excitement and drama.
No "Safe Ending" in sight
As per Deadline, Halsall freely acknowledged that there is no such thing as an easy way out of My Life With the Walter Boys. According to Deadline, she said,
"The collision of a love triangle is the basis of our show and I don't think they can ever be resolved. Someone's heart will always end up broken"
Her stance is that heartbreak is unavoidable, regardless of the choice Jackie makes; someone will be hurt. That uncertainty is intentional because it keeps people on the edge of their seats as well as mirrors the reality of teen romance.
Season 3 expectation
With Season 3 sealed, Melanie Halsall confirmed the love triangle will stay the primary storyline. As per Swoon, she said,
"I’m fascinated by these characters and these stories in this world, and I would love to keep telling these stories for as long as people keep watching them, would like to keep watching them"
The consequences of Jackie's revelation will shape the relationship between her and the two brothers and ripple out into the rest of the family. In the meantime, the series will focus more on the peripheral players, such as Dylan and Kiley, so that the show can expand its emotional range beyond the torture of Jackie.
Still, for all of that, triangle life will continue to be the pulse of My Life With the Walter Boys.
Therefore, Melanie Halsall's portrayal of Jackie's love triangle in My Life With the Walter Boys guarantees one thing: the show is grounded in the complexity of emotion and not quick conclusions.
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Alex and Cole are two vastly different choices for Jackie, and her path is to walk through that inner turmoil. With Season 3 looming in the distance, the show guarantees to delve further into love, heartbreak, and maturation so that My Life With the Walter Boys can stay as unpredictable as life itself.
Also read: My Life with the Walter Boys: Why can’t Cole play football anymore? Details revealed
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