Relisten to The Girlfriends S1, Ep3: Bubbly, Bouncy and Very Alive
The Girlfriends: Our Lost Sister
Deep Dive
Why did Gail have psychosomatic asthma?
Gail experienced psychosomatic asthma as a result of her anxiety, which caused her to struggle with breathing during stressful situations.
What was Gail's role in her family growing up?
Gail was a protector in her family, especially when they lived in Brooklyn, where she would defend her siblings from neighborhood kids who started fights.
How did Gail and Elaine differ despite being close?
Gail and Elaine were opposites in how they responded to the same stimuli, with Gail becoming fragile and Elaine more resilient, despite being younger.
What was Gail's teenage obsession?
Gail was obsessed with love and romance, engaging in multiple relationships and even getting engaged twice before graduating high school.
How did Gail and her high school best friend, Denise, spend their time outside of school?
Gail and Denise enjoyed listening to music like Neil Young and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and they would go to New York City, where they met boys and felt adventurous.
What career path did Gail's mother want for her?
Gail's mother wanted her to pursue a professional career, likely in law or another respected field, but Gail was more of a free spirit and didn't align with her mother's expectations.
What happened to Gail after she moved to New York City?
Gail enrolled in a dance therapy program, worked as a cocktail waitress at a popular rock club, and tried to break into the music industry with her band, but she struggled and felt lonely.
What was the turning point in Gail's relationship with John?
Gail and John's relationship began to falter when they moved to New York City, and they eventually split after a year due to the pressures of city life and their differing career aspirations.
How did Gail's family react to her suicide attempt?
Gail's family, particularly her sister Elaine, was deeply concerned and tried to support her, eventually convincing her to move in with Elaine in Long Island to help her recover.
What was Bob's profession, and how did it influence Gail's family's perception of him?
Bob was a doctor, which was seen as a highly desirable profession by Gail's family, especially her mother, who believed it would provide Gail with financial and social security.
How did Bob's behavior change after the wedding?
After the wedding, Bob became increasingly controlling and neglectful, working long hours and spending most of his time on his computer, leaving Gail feeling isolated and lonely.
What incident made Elaine realize the severity of Bob's abusive behavior?
Elaine realized the extent of Bob's abuse when he strangled Gail during an argument, an incident that Gail reported to the police but did not result in further action.
What was Gail's plan for leaving Bob?
Gail planned to use a letter from Bob's psychiatrist, warning of his dangerous behavior, to threaten him into granting her a divorce and financial support so she could finish her graduate studies.
- Gail's protective nature as a child
- Development of psychosomatic asthma due to anxiety
- Family dynamics and loud discussions
- Gail's early romantic relationships and free spirit
- Mother's high expectations and pressure on Gail to succeed
Shownotes Transcript