Polyamory & The Risk Of Being Left Behind: Louis Theroux

For hundreds of years, romantic relationships in western society have been based on the idea of monogamy: two people, together, forever. But with nearly half of all US marriages ending in divorce, perhaps the traditional model is no longer fit for purpose.

In Love Without Limits, Louis travels to Portland, Oregon, the heart of a movement seeking to rewrite the rulebook on how we conduct intimate relationships and experience family life.

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Did you know that we’re up to other things in other places too?

Oh, we’re on Snapchat too - just incase you were wondering… add us, bbcthree.

[pepflare]

It looked like Jerry was going to cry, I don't think this is the life he imagined.

[astro_not]

Just divorce her Jerry.... and move on

[kermitbaby]

“I’m not responsible for his feelings” seems like a sugarcoated way of saying “I don’t care about his feelings”. He’s obviously unhappy with the situation

[schws]

2:15 Erm...how can you be married to someone and then say that their loneliness isn’t your responsibility. Divorce him and then you can say that truthfully

[williedynamyte]

Looks like Jerry's getting the short end of the stick.

[stoicforall]

“Because we are not hierarchical ...” almost all sentences starting with that are lies, get out Jerry.

[AllegroRubato]

Heidi just seems like a selfish, manipulative person to me. Gretchen is just in it out of apathy and social brownie points. Jerry is the only one even capable of suffering a loss in this relationship.

[robbo]

Heidi doesn't like her husband, let's be honest here . She doesn't even want to be in same room as him

[Couldabean]

Jesus Jerry get the hell out of there! For your own mental health.
Your wife has nothing but contempt for you!

[Odjrie]

Not responsible for his happiness? Okay but you're supposed to contribute to it.

[moonchart]

Awww Jerry needs a hug and a monogamous relationship

[ggshes]

Ugh. You can see the pain in Jerry's face. Being told so condescendingly by his wife, whom he obviously loved, "go to bed, you look tired" -- in other words, get out of here so I can be with my boyfriend. It's like watching a mom talk to a little child. And then her comment about "I'm not responsible for his happiness." Wow. Any spouse who says that missed the part about "love, honor, and cherish, " and always wanting the best for your significant other. What a selfish, narcissistic woman.

[natalieluders]

I can't help but see that Jerry looks incredibly unhappy

[cantabrian]

The meek voice, the veiling, self repressive smile that covers the declaration that he suffered anxiety (and no doubt other negative effects) to re-frame the heartbreak (trauma) of the person he idolises and loves, being with someone else. The almost scripted language he uses when explaining the principles around the his wife's choices, Jerry seems to have lost his self esteem entirely. His agreement with the situation suggests he has been coerced and probably gas-lit along the way, his sense of self possessed by his wife whose passive control over him is clear to see. Wouldn't be surprised if she's a covert narcissist. Poor Jerry. If he is truly happy and at peace by his own definitions, so be it. If not, I hope he wakes sooner rather than later.

[Lunchladydoyle]

I’ve known 5 different poly couples over a 30 year span. Always the same scenario.. one person threatens to leave if their previously monogamous partner doesn’t “ give them “ a second sexual partner. Never seen it be good for anyone but the alpha-egotist who broke up the first relationship. Great in theory but rarely in real life.

[peamajor]

Felt bad for Jerry. At the end he was pretty much offering himself up for a three some with his wife and Joe, but she was like nope, it's not my responsibility to make you happy. Yet it's Jerry's responsibility to let you swan off into bed with Joe if that keeps you happy? Heidi just came across as selfish.

[FishFreddy]

"His loneliness is not my responsibility" then step out of that relstionship and do not drag him along like dead wood.

[cskanon]

Look at how broken Jerry is, I wish I could meet him so I could tell him to grow some balls and leave. I sincerely hope Jerry finds happiness and I'll be thinking about him for a while after this. Just imagine your soulmate loving somebody else more than they love you and them being blatantly happier with that other person, it must break your soul. Polyamorous relationships make a mockery of the sanctity or marriage, those vows you take are vows you really are supposed to mean and many do not. Sad.

[yesthisisniamh]

I have an incredibly strong feeling that if Jerry decided to pursue his desires and bring home another woman, Heidi would NOT be happy with it. Even though Jerry wouldn't be doing it for Heidi, "he does it for Jerry." This is because Heidi is greedy and too selfish to commit to her husband, who she knows loves her too much to leave.

[quitstorm]

This is the Jerriest Jerry of all the Jerries - Rick Sanchez.