‘Splitting Up Together’ Nails The "Falling For Your Ex" Experience

Every relationship ends for a reason (and in some cases, many reasons). But with the passage of time, it can be all too easy to idealize past relationships and forget the real issues that ultimately doomed them. Of course, time can also give you some much-needed perspective, allowing you to reflect on the good and bad of the situation. In certain cases, this hindsight can even help you move forward — together.

In my personal experience, rekindling a romance just hasn’t worked out ... yet! Still, there are those "will they won't they" moments we've all experienced, which is the dynamic between Martin and Lena in ABC’s Splitting Up Together. In the comedy, once-married Lena (Jenna Fischer) and Martin (Oliver Hudson) go through a divorce only to find themselves strangely united by the experience. They decide to continue living together in the same house to co-parent. Not only is their parting of ways a chance to rediscover themselves, but it also becomes an opportunity to evaluate their relationship with one another.

The jury’s still out on whether or not Lena and Martin will end up together, but I, for one, will be along for the ride. The show’s relatability is unparalleled and — like it or not — will have you reevaluating every breakup in your dating life. To give you a glimpse of #allthefeelings you’ll have during your first watch, here are five times Splitting Up Together nailed what it’s like to fall for your ex and tune-in to fall in love with this unconventional couple when Season 2 premieres, Tuesday, October 16 at 9:30|8:30c on ABC!

1. When You Go Searching For Answers

Hindsight (and therapy!) can make us believe we’ve pinpointed the exact moment things went wrong in a relationship. And once we’ve pinpointed that, it’s all too easy to believe the relationship is salvageable, right? For example, when Martin learns that Lena was devastated that he didn’t dance with her at her wedding, Martin re-watches their wedding video searching for answers.

With this new information, it’s easy for Martin to pinpoint the disappointment on Lena’s face, and realize the gravity of his mistake. It's a heartbreaking moment for the viewer, too! Despite it being over a decade later, Martin makes it his mission to right his wrong. And that means — you guessed it! — a grand gesture.

2. The Feeling Of Acknowledging Your Own Shortcomings

In a relationship, it can be near impossible to locate your own shortcomings — it's so much easier (and more satisfying!) to focus on what your partner is or isn’t doing. But after a breakup, you might see your partner in a new light and then step down from the pedestal you’ve put yourself on. It becomes a time to reckon with your own flaws.

In Splitting Up Together, seeing Martin from a new perspective allows Lena to realize he isn’t the villain she made him out to be, taking ownership for her own part of the break-up. Imagine that!

3. When You Realize You Still Work Well Together

While reigniting a romance, there’s literally nothing better than finally feeling on the same page after months (or longer!) of contention. Case in point, we see Martin and Lena work together to come up with a co-parenting plan for their children. They really ace the definition of "teamwork" by finishing each other’s sentences. Nailed it!

Realizing they can agree on something and work as a team is surprising to both parties, inspiring each to second-guess whether this whole divorce thing was the right idea.

4. That Moment When You're Like "DAMN! They look good..."

It always goes like this: After a break up, you can’t help but notice how good your ex partner is looking. Is it just a general rule that exes get better-looking and more desirable after a break up? Don’t answer that.

Anyway, this situation is conveyed perfectly when both Martin and Lena feel jealousy pangs about one another, resulting in lingering glances towards and wondering if (and who) the other is dating. This is amplified by the fact that they're living just steps away from one another, despite sleeping in separate beds. The temptation is real.

5. The Feeling Of Questioning Literally All Your Decisions

Thinking about getting back together with your ex makes you think about the trajectory of your break up, leading to a lot of unanswered questions. That's where Martin's head is as his feelings for Lena develop. What could he have done differently? What if they were actually meant to stay together?

Could it be that they just needed some time apart to grow as people, to remember what they liked in each other, and come back stronger than ever? We can't wait to see how it all unfolds when SEASON 2 of Splitting Up Together airs, Tuesday, October 16 at 9:30|8:30c on ABC.

This post is sponsored by Splitting Up Together, and make sure to tune in for Season 2 beginning on Tuesday, October 16 at 9:30|8:30c on ABC!