Stages of Relationships

Even though Maddie and Theo believe that their relationship is only about sex, it follows the stage of relationships set forward in the psychological progression of relationships, known as Knapp’s Model, proving that Theo and Maddie’s relationship is more traditional than they may believe. The stages of relationships are also demonstrated in the engagement and wedding of Alexa and Drew. These stages of relationships argue that each couple goes through a period of initiation, experimentation, intensifying, integration, and bonding.

Theo and Maddie’s period of initiation is disastrous. After their first meeting, Maddie thinks Theo is a pretentious jerk while Theo thinks Maddie is a party girl who only cares about her clothing. The experimentation period for Theo and Maddie consists of their sexual encounters. They believe at this point, however, that they only like each other for the sex. They do...