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Spoilers follow for the Netflix seriesOne Day, including the ending.
Spoiler: Theres no such thing as just a day inOne Day.
tells a little part of Emma and Dexs winding, gorgeous, frustrating, and heart-wrenching love story.
So, how exactly does Dexter and Emmas romance play out?
Lets take a look at it, day by day.
Before they say good-bye, he asks for her info so they can stay in touch.
Yeah, Id say thatsa great day.
He cant help himself!
Thats one unexpectedly good day and unbeknownst to him then,a life-changing oneto boot.
So, ultimately, thatsapretty productive day!
You could never bore me.
Youre one in a million, with that face of his, but that is unhelpful at the moment.
Okay, that song didnt come out until 1995, but the sentiment stands!
Emma just needs some time!
They are together on a vacation in Greece, after all.
There is longing for 1988, sneak peeks during shower time, and a sexual-tension-fueled sunscreen system.
(He already knew that.)
For Dexter, this will bea day full of regrets.
Probably, like, twice.
Do I dare say its a bit ofan easy, breezy day?
Little does Ian know how horned up that gets her.
But he eventually finds out.
Teaching may not have been the dream, but shes good at it.
and her boyfriend Ian remains obsessed with her.
How was Dexters July 15?Where is love, indeed!
The show is such a complete disaster that its hard to watch.
Better luck next year, Dex!
1994
How was Emmas July 15?What did 1994 ever do for us, huh?
Give us the Lillehammer Olympics?
it’s possible for you to keep it!This day sucks the big one.
Pretentious and condescending, more worried about getting high and being seen than his friendship, Dexter turns cruel.
Its more than self-sabotage; its self-flagellation.
This isone legitimately heartbreaking day somebody save this guy from himself!
1995
How was Emmas July 15?Emma realizes that her affair with the creepy and married!
Things feel like theyre changing!
A revolution is afoot!
The anticipation of whats to come might be laced with fear, but there is also hope.
How was Dexters July 15?Unclear, since we never run into him in 1995.
Has the guy hit rock bottom yet?
Is he working on himself at all?
We can only hope.
1996
How was Emmas July 15?We dont know!
Lets assume she spent it writing.
How was Dexters July 15?On the plus side, hes sober.
Unfortunately, hes currently stuck ina day in which one could seriously use a drink.
Hes defeated and lacking confidence, and he lets Sylvies snotty family treat him like crap.
He doesnt do himself any favors when, during a game of Are You There, Moriarity?
he almost breaks Sylvies nose, but she eventually forgives him.
He tells her he loves her, and they seem happy.
When thinking about this monstrous experience, all Dex wants to do is tell Emma about it.
Okay, 1996 is coming in hot with some interesting developments.
1997
How was Emmas July 15?Bless you, 1997!
Emma is truly living life to the fullest here.
Theres forgiveness, joking around, and admissions that they both truly miss each other.
He promises that wont happen.
Its a bittersweet symphony, sure, but hey, thats life.
(Verves Bitter Sweet Symphony came out in 1997, thank you very much.)
Overall, its anemotionally charged day, full of joy and agony.
How was Dexters July 15?WAIT.
I havent even told you about THE KISS.
Even with all of her success, it feels likesomething is missing from this day.
How was Dexters July 15?Honestly, itsa pretty decent day.
He spends a lovely evening with his daughter, Jasmine, while Sylvie goes to a hen party.
So, uh, there might be a pretty awful day in the near future.
And party we shall because, friends, huge news: Emma and Dexter finally get together!!
Sure, it was inevitable, but IT IS HAPPENING.
He hasnt stopped thinking about it or how they should be together.
But,sacre bleu!
Emma has a French boyfriend!
Dexter is so upset at the news he bails on their dinner plans.
And they look at each other and they know, and they have insanely romantic sex!
Emma makes him promise never to hurt her, and he tells her he will never do that.
It isone of the greatest days ever.For all of us.
Oh, baby,were on top of the world today!
Nothing can stop us!
Oh, and Emma agrees to move in.This day isbrimming with optimism!
I dont think there is one thing that could ruin this for us, right?
Its total joy from here on out, RIGHT?
Yep, Em and Dex arestill riding that happy, hopeful train today.
It feels so good!
How was Dexters July 15?His cafe is open but slow to catch on in the neighborhood.
(Whenever she was ready.
Hes actually such a gentleman.)
With respects to July 15, 1999, is this actually thegreatest day of all time?
2002
How was Emmas July 15?Ah!
This is the worst.
She spends the rest of the day writing and then hops on her bike to take a swim.
Let me go ahead and check my super-scientific Day Rating Scale yep, thatsthe Worlds Worst Day.
Because, to paraphrase FDR: WHAT THE FUCK.
Its especially brutal because we only follow Dexterbeforehe finds out that the love of his life is dead.
Up until then, my dude is having a pretty normal day!
He leaves her a message telling her he loves her and he listens to a similar one from her.
When we leave him, all is well.
2003
How was Emmas July 15?Well, shes dead, so you tell me!
How was my day?It wasawful, thank you for asking.
Im honestly taking this really hard.
2004
How was Emmas July 15?WELL, SHES DEAD, SO YOU TELL ME.
How was Dexters July 15?I mean, its better than 2003, but thats relative.
But, at least this year, theres no vomit or blood.
There are, however, still tears.
Ghost Emma tells him he wont always feel like this.
Tears roll down his face.
Its gorgeous and completely shattering all at once.
WERE ALL SAD ARE YOU HAPPY,ONE DAY??
2007
How was Emmas July 15?Incomprehensible sobbing.
He goes to the lawn where they bumped into each other dancing.
He stops outside of her old apartment where they talked until dawn.
Dexter still carries a heaviness with him, but now the memories dont completely unmoor him.
We dont get years to move through our grief, we get … an episode?
Thats simply not enough episodes.
And its definitely not enough days.
Maybe there are never enough days.
Maybe thats the point.
Or, maybe the point is to make human adults snot-sob into their shirts over fictional characters.
I dont know for sure!
But I am leaning toward the latter.
Either way, what a day, am I right?
