#never over Ruth's stripping and 'seduction' of Debbie

[warningsine]

Some things here.

Debbie says "Mark owes me for the rest of his natural life," but does not extend the same punishment to Ruth, because she's already forgiven her. (See how in the previous episode, she encouraged Ruth to play her own role, the main heroine of their show, when for a whole year Ruth had been playing the cartoonish villain in Debbie's story.)

She actually listens to Ruth's advice about Randy.

Not only she brings her kid to Vegas, but when she wants to go out on a date and needs a babysitter, she goes to Ruth and not to any of the other ladies. (I'm sure Tamme or Cherry or Dawn and Stacey or even Sheila would have offered to help her.)

And that's because she listened to Ruth's "I think I avoid talking about Randy."

It's Debbie's way of saying,"I trust you now, Ruth, and I've forgiven you. I want you to be involved in this important part of my life too. I want you to have a relationship with my child."

When she comes back from her date, she finds Ruth asleep in her room. Debbie does not wake her up or take Randy and go to her own room, she only watches her sleep and then tries to relax too.

Moving on.

In 3x06, we also hear Debbie say, "I hate all of them. Men." And she actually goes on an angry rant about how all guys (including her ex-husband, including the younger jocks--whose first names she didn't bother learning--she fucked) suck--how the patriarchy sucks and limits both hers and Ruth's (professional) options.

While we're at this, it's interesting that Debbie only considers seriously dating someone (Tex) after Ruth confesses that she loves Sam. And she literally makes incredulous faces (that Ruth can't see in the dark) and goes "What?!" twice during that particular discussion.

(She did the same thing after she saw post-coital Ruth seem happy with Russell. "Welp, you're moving on. So now I guess I need to start dating too." That's how she ended up having meaningless one-night stands with those valets. Remember her s1 confession to Cherry that sex with that male wrestler wasn't good for her, because there was no emotional connection? There are hints that something similar happened with those valets. When she found herself in Cherry's room in order to scold her, she let that valet waiting outside and didn't give a shit about going back to him and starting their session. Instead, she stayed to listen to Cherry's personal problems. She got high with Cherry and admitted that her life would have been much easier if she had never gotten married and had a kid.)

She still advises Ruth to go after him [Sam] though, because she loves her and wants her to be happy.

Moving on again.

Turns out that Debbie's "all men suck" sentiment comes true for her again.

Tex seems nice and not a bigot (again, interesting how she lies to the guy that's interested in her, because she wants to help a gay man with his AIDS fundraiser and goes there crossdressed/in a Marlene Dietrich suit) and non-threatening. (So did Mark.)

And yet, it turns out that even Tex doesn't really see her as an equal.

For one thing, he doesn't respect her work (the wrestling part).

For another, when they have a discussion about how actors don't have agency/power (she naturally can't help but think of and mention Ruth), he basically tells her, "Well, my work is dirty and you need to stay away from it. You'll never be my business partner, you're gonna be my wife." He makes it clear in that moment that he wants a younger beautiful/charming trophy wife for his business meetings. Debbie seems like she's drowning again (like when she was Mark's housewife) when he asks her about his ties.

That's clearly when Debbie decides to ruthlessly and unapologetically backstab him and dump him--especially after Ruth gives her that "wake up, Debbie, you're talking about wanting bigger things, but not doing anything to get them" call/talk.

The actress went a step further. She said that Debbie's attraction to him was based on her desire to become him: wealthy and powerful. She was flattered, because he made her feel wanted and sexy. (It's hard to miss how much Debbie craves constant validation, what with her huge insecurities.) Also see here: Ruth's "he's fun, easy and he likes me" about Russell.

But what does she need from a partner? And why can she never find it?

Debbie needs someone who respects and admires her, but doesn't hesitate to call her out on her bullshit when needed. Someone that can't be scared away by her greed and anger. Someone that makes her feel good about her body without objectifying her/treating her like a blow up doll. Someone who loves and accepts her the way she is, flaws and all. Someone who's good with her kid, whom she loves. Someone who encourages her to chase her dreams and ambitions. Someone who's her equal in every single aspect and makes her a better person. Someone that sees through her when she lies to herself. Someone who understands her "better than anyone."

Hm. That someone already exists though. Maybe Debbie doesn't need a husband, after all, but a wife.

Not just a random wife either. She needs Ruth.

Even when she chases her through an airport terminal, because she can't wait two weeks to tell her that she's going to build a straight men free "Eden" for both of them, she doesn't seem to realize what the nature of her feelings for her best friend are. She only knows that she loves her a lot and that she needs to give her a warm hug (a la 1x01 before the betrayal) before they separate for the holidays.

And then Ruth rejects her (always the heartbreaker), and that finally seems to do the trick. (For Debbie, at least. I think Ruth would only dare go there if Debbie made her intentions clear first.)

"Oh. I can accomplish these things, but I can't--do not want to do them without the love of my life by my side. Because the most powerful thing I ever did was loving her." [paraphrasing the actress]

There goes the lightbulb. [cliffhangery ending]

(Before I forget: fuck you, Netflix!)

In season 3, they fully resume their close friendship, but both of them fail to notice how different their dynamic is to the one they had during their pre-Markgate era.

(Their relationship used to be intense for all the wrong reasons. Jealousy, inferiority complex, lies, lack of communication. Then again, maybe the unresolved sexual tension has always been there and complicated things.)

Like, sure, they're both in a different place and have grown as people. Ruth doesn't take Debbie's shit anymore, Debbie now knows how to treat her better and be there for her in return etc.

But there are also some strong romantic undertones there that even the men in their lives can't diminish or dismiss.

As Liz Flahive said, these two were the actual will-they-won't they of the series.