Co-creator of ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith’ delves into Couples Therapy Episode
Francesca Sloane, writer and co-creator of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, collaborated with Donald Glover to reimagine the 2005 film into a dark dramedy centered around two for-hire agents caught in a tumultuous fake marriage. Sloane chose a scene from episode six, “Couples Therapy,” in which John and Jane Smith (portrayed by Glover and Maya Erskine) engage in a heated argument during a spy mission in the woods, bringing simmering tensions to a boiling point.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith script
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“It’s probably the most raw scene between them,” Francesca Sloane tells The Hollywood Reporter. “It’s definitely the moment where they get the ugliest with each other. It’s a breaking point.” The argument begins when Jane notes a bug attracted to the campfire’s light, leading to a confrontation where John questions her negativity.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith script
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Instead of taking John’s words negatively, Jane tries to divert the conversation to a book they discussed early in their relationship, only to realize John never read it, intensifying the argument.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith script
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Episode six alternates between the wooded action and couples therapy sessions, a shift from the initial plan of having the entire episode set in the woods to balance the relationship disintegration with comedic elements.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith script
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To enhance the intensity of the fight, the writers focused on triggers that could push John to explode, leading to a moment where Jane questions his emergency contact, a pivotal point in the scene.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith script
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Sloane delves into the underlying themes of marriage in the original material, aiming to highlight the importance of honesty and vulnerability in a relationship, contrasting with the deceit required in espionage.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith script
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Sloane and the team worked on rewrites during filming at Harriman State Park, facing challenges like cold weather and discomfort, but drawing inspiration from personal connections like the book The Prophet shared with Glover.
This story first appeared in an August stand-alone issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.