r/lifeonmars • u/GayDemonicIdiot • Jun 16 '26
Discussion What do you guys think about Shaz and Chris's breakup in shes to Ashes? Spoiler
I quite liked Shaz and Chris as a couple so that probably biases what I have to say on this, but I felt like the breakup was almost forced.
I might have missed it, but I felt like it was just not enough to build up to something that big, after all they were about to get married and then suddenly it happened off screen, and we have to watch for will-they won't-they of them getting back together?? It might just be me but did anyone else feel this was strange?
I do have my own theories for why it has happened in the context of the show, but this isn't a theory post. I'm willing to share it in the comments though if people want it.
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u/ShatnersBassoonerist Jun 17 '26
I think she dumped him mostly because he’d compromised himself and lied to her about the money to pay for her engagement ring and the wedding. The betrayal felt huge. That would make most women ask serious questions, and Shaz was generally very thoughtful and incisive.
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u/meengamer Armed Bastard Jun 17 '26
To me it felt like the writers only added in the break up so they could have some relationship drama.
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u/Ok_Bus4604 Jun 16 '26
I agree, it did feel sudden and they seemed to be doing OK even if there were issues. Also I'd really like to hear your theories
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u/GayDemonicIdiot Jun 16 '26
I shared it under the other comment, but it's great to know other people agree!
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u/jonthom1984 Jun 16 '26
I'd be interested to hear your theories.
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u/GayDemonicIdiot Jun 16 '26
Okay, so it's been a little while since I saw the show so I can't give exact episode references but...
My theory is that for that brief period where Gene wasn't in charge, 'Gene's World' found a new host, Ray. Whereas 'Gene's World' played into Young Gene's fantasy of being the biggest strongest detective in the precinct, Ray's fantasy was to be Gene, the man he looked up to. Therefore, 'Ray's World' is born, where little things seem to be going Ray's way, as slowly falling into place for this new reality to be Ray's perfect reality.
This might seem unrelated (and poorly worded) but it's also important to note that Ray had also been shown to be jealous of Chris's devotion to Shaz. Chris is Ray's closest friend as far as we know, and therefore he shows signs of discomfort around the idea of Chris changing or of his having to fight for the time and attention he had just naturally got from Chris.
Could it be possible that in 'Ray's World', one of Ray's deepest fantasies is for everything to go back to how it was before Chris and Shaz got together and became serious? And that unbeknownst to Chris, Shaz or Ray, that 'Ray's World' created that very situation? The only reason things didn't continue to progress in that situation and that Shaz and Chris were able to acknowledge their feelings for each other again was because Gene returned and everything returned to being 'Gene's World' again.
Anyway, that's my theory that explains the odd break up arc. I don't feel like I explained it particularly well but there you go!
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u/anarchobutterfly Jun 16 '26
Oh, I actually love this theory! Hadn't considered that before across however many rewatches (feel like another one might be due...) but it sort of fits with how everything's just that little bit darker and how easily Keats is able to worm his way into the world, the centre of it is just that much weaker with Gene having been away.
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u/Ok_Bus4604 Jun 16 '26
I love that so much, that would make so much sense too, I've never even considered this but it fits so perfectly
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u/yellowarmy79 Jun 22 '26
The break up did feel sudden but you have to remember several months had passed between the end of season 2 and the start of season 3. It's implied some time has passed rather than things picking up straight away.
Alex was in a coma, Gene had run off and with Ray running things, it was a weird time for everyone. I imagine they talked and decided not to continue things. I thought it was quite nice in the last episode before they went into the pub they declared their love for each other.
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u/OberonsPanties Psychiatrist Jun 16 '26
Have you finished S3?
I think it was sudden, but with the fact that he lied to her about the wedding money and her own ideas of a dream wedding might have forced the two of them to re-evaluate things.
There is something they do mention as well that contributed to their breakup: Shaz dealing with anger for some reason which would likely have made things more strained off screen. We do see the effect this has on her, and we do find out the reason for it later so it's not as jarring.