Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story series premiere recap: What led Betty to murder?
By Mads Lennon
Dirty John Season 2 Episode 2 recap: The second hour returns to the past
In the second hour — Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story Episode 2 — we return to the beginning when Dan and Betty first met. While the first episode focused on Betty’s somewhat crazy antics, the second hour highlights how Dan spent the majority of their relationship gaslighting and manipulating his wife.
We learn that Betty and Dan first met in 1963 during their college years. Betty lives with extremely conservative parents, which is important to know considering the values instilled in her during her strict Christian upbringing help explain her future relationship with Dan.
At first, Betty and Dan look like a sweet, picture-perfect couple. They support each other, they have fun together, and for the most part — seem like the perfect match.
But things change after the two of them get married. During their first morning together, Dan tells Betty he canceled housekeeping so they could spend more alone time together. Betty asks him why he’d want to sleep in an unmade bed, to which he responds, “why should I have to? You can do it.”
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During their early dates, Betty questioned why Gloria Steinem was important. She wondered what the reason behind feminism was. Betty was raised in an environment that told her she should be a housewife, and that’s what Dan wanted.
At first, she is able to follow her dreams of being a teacher, but those slowly get thrown out the window as Betty is forced to support Dan’s medical career. He continually manipulates and pushes her to do more for him so he one day earn good money.
Betty has to work multiple jobs while being pregnant to keep them afloat. Then Dan decides he doesn’t want to be a doctor, but would rather do law. Amid all of this, Betty continues to get pregnant. She eventually gives Dan five kids in total, although one tragically dies shortly after being born.
Even worse, the pregnancies take a toll on Betty’s mental and physical health. During one, she pleads with Dan to consider letting her get an abortion, but he puts his foot down, guilt-tripping her into going through with the pregnancy.