2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #1 discussion

Benjamin's ex-wife, Mary Ellen...your impressions of her? Was she part of the problem or solution?

I couldn't figure her out. At first she seemed worried about the new supervisor not knowing the ins and outs of her job. Then when Bix and Pratt came on the scene, it kind of felt like she was very defensive and covering up things. I was kind of lost as to what her part was in the whole story.

She was designed as a hot mess.

On one hand, she's juiced up to be back at work, feeling like she deserved to be the undersecretary, ready to tackle this problem. Then she all but bitch slaps Benjamin when she sees him and coldly says she's "moved on." That was particularly cruel.

Then we find out she's the one who sent Bix on the paper chase and later she's pining to be back with her child in the middle of an outbreak.

I ended up not knowing who she really was or her value to the story.

I appreciate your insights, ladies.

These two women -- the new boss and the one who expected the first promotion -- were a jumble for me. I didn't like either one of them, in any way.

Mary Ellen was so unkind to Benjamin that it showed another way that she was self-involved. When their daughter fell ill, she didn't notify him until it was too late. I realize it was painted to be similar to what the current school kids' situations were; i.e., that the simple stomach flu symptoms were nothing to worry about. But I wasn't sure she'd have seen a real concern until it bit her in the backside, which apparently was the way it went. She was so rude about the moving on snide remark.

Given her husband's job, it would have been the most natural of things to do to call him immediately. My husband is an infectious disease specialist and I turn to him anytime I'm feeling punk.