Half Man Episode 3 kicks off with Niall and Alby nervously preparing for their wedding, rattled by Ruben’s surprise appearance. Ruben snaps their photo with nonchalance, smug expression immediately setting up tension.
The story then returns to Niall’s graduation from university. Lori is as detached as ever, brushing off the importance of Niall’s interview at Oxford as if it means very little. And Ruben has been working in a local community centre for the past four years, dedicating his time to helping children. Since waking up from a six-month coma, Alby has not attempted to reconnect with Niall.
Alby is suing Ruben for assault, facing a possible ten-year prison sentence. Ruben and Lori both pressure Niall to lie on the stand and say Alby had touched Ruben inappropriately, forcing him to act in self-defense.
Niall is reluctant at first but Lori and Ruben never stop playing with his feelings. Lori tells him Maura is fighting cancer and Ruben needs to stay out of trouble to take care of her while Niall chases his future at Oxford.
Joanna is the only person in Niall’s life who really celebrates his achievements. The two kiss and Joanna tells him that she wants to have a relationship. But Niall’s not sure, he thinks Oxford is the place to leave his bad history behind.
Finally, Niall visits Ruben at the Fairlay Community Centre. He sees the natural connection Ruben has with the kids, and the strong support of the community, who believe he assaulted a sexual predator.
The experience has an emotional effect on Niall and he is so nervous in his Oxford interview that he is overwhelmed. Despite the understanding interviewer, Niall leaves feeling he has blown his chance.
Resigned to the end of his Oxford dream, Niall agrees to back Ruben’s false version of events. However, Ruben casually reveals that he, Lori and Maura had wondered if Niall’s reluctance was due to a secret relationship with Alby. This charge upset Niall terribly, as he had really only been concerned about his own future and his refusal to perjure himself.
Niall begins to date Joanna, accepting what he thinks is his fate in the small town. He takes her home where she quickly bonds with Maura. But the mood gets awkward when Joanna mentions Ruben’s abusive behavior. Maura is deeply offended, and even Niall is quietly backing his brother.
Joanna is further disturbed by the family’s discussion of the fictitious groping allegation. As it turns out, Joanna had refused to give evidence earlier in order to protect Niall. She demands the truth, but before Niall can respond, Ruben appears and pulls Niall away.
During the drive, Ruben becomes more and more frustrated at Niall’s unwillingness. His frustration quickly turns to violence and Niall is forced to repeat his fabricated testimony over and over again, until he can deliver it convincingly.
Niall asks why Ruben is so hostile to queer men. Ruben’s answer is that being touched by another man feels like an attack on his identity and masculinity.
Minutes later, Ruben’s violence dissolves into vulnerability. He gets emotional, admits he’s afraid of losing his mother, and says that the only other time he felt this helpless was when he thought he would be left alone with his abusive father.
Seeing Ruben break down emotionally and the real love the kids at the center have for him, Niall finally talks himself into going through with the lie.
When he gets home Joanna is there. She just spoke with Alby and now she knows the whole story. She tells Niall that society appears to be more willing to condemn queer people than violent men and promises to keep their secret.
She tells him to do the right thing and shows him his acceptance letter from Oxford, proof he was accepted all along. The opened letter also shows that Lori had known the truth all along.
At the trial Niall looks torn as he looks between Ruben, Alby and Joanna. For the first time he sticks to the story he made up. But when the defense tries to paint Alby as a dangerous sexual deviant who attacked both brothers, Niall cracks.
Finally he comes clean, saying Alby never touched Ruben. The courtroom erupts into a frenzy and Ruben, furious, tries to attack him but is restrained.
Back to the present, the wedding reception. Niall’s so-called friends soon desert him when Ruben takes charge of the room and demands everyone’s attention before launching into his speech.
Episode Review
Half Man Episode 3 is one of the most emotional episodes of the season so far. The show maintains its distinctive storytelling by focusing each episode on a defining moment in the brothers’ lives, and letting the emotional fallout from their decisions unfold.
In this episode we explore the damaging effects of social pressure, toxic masculinity and the intense discrimination experienced by queer people at that time. Niall’s internal struggle is realistic, and the emotional manipulation from those closest to him only makes his ultimate decision that much more powerful.
Ruben is still one of the most compelling characters in the show. He’s a character that’s hard to understand but impossible to ignore – a mix of violence, vulnerability and desperation. His breakdown shows his sensitive side underneath the tough exterior.
That said, the episode still leaves some supporting characters under-developed. Joanna, Maura, Lori and Alby all have important narrative roles, though they themselves are largely unmotivated. Adding more depth to these characters as the season progresses would make an already gripping drama even stronger.
In conclusion, Episode 3 is an emotional drain, morally ambiguous, and maybe the best episode of the season so far.