Chapter 171: Please Just Take Her – Summary and Analysis
Spoiler Notice
This page contains detailed spoilers for Releasing 10 (The Boys of Tommen) Chapter 171. Proceed with caution if you haven't read the chapter yet.
Summary
On the morning of November 2, 2003, Lizzie wakes up alone in Hugh's bed, fully clothed, and immediately rushes to find him. She crosses the street to Thor's house, where she knocks on the door. Thor opens it and silently disappears, and then Hugh appears. Lizzie asks to talk, but Hugh refuses, telling her to go home and get better first. He says they have nothing to discuss while she is manic. Desperate and irritated, Lizzie tries to explain her actions—she cheated on Hugh with Pierce—but Hugh cuts her off. He calls Lizzie's mother, Catherine, and asks her to pick Lizzie up in fifteen minutes. Inside the house, Hugh confronts Lizzie about refusing to take her medication and breaking his heart by sleeping with his friend. Lizzie minimizes the betrayal, insisting that she fixed their problem because Hugh wouldn't sleep with her. Hugh, devastated, tells her to ask him that again when she is herself. When the car horn sounds, Hugh physically carries Lizzie to her mother and begs Catherine to take her, his voice cracking. Lizzie calls after him, but Hugh does not respond.
Key Events
- Lizzie wakes alone in Hugh's bed and goes to Thor's house to find Hugh.
- Hugh refuses to discuss the incident while Lizzie is in a manic state.
- Hugh calls Lizzie's mother, asking her to come pick Lizzie up immediately.
- Lizzie admits she cheated with Pierce but argues it was a logical solution because Hugh “wouldn’t do it.”
- Hugh reveals he begged Lizzie to take her medication, but she ignored him.
- Lizzie does not recognize the severity of her actions or her illness.
- Hugh carries Lizzie out to the car and begs her mother to take her away.
Character Development
- Lizzie: Shows classic signs of a manic episode—racing speech, emotional volatility, and an inability to see the consequences of her choices. She laughs inappropriately, denies being sick, and tries to convince Hugh that her betrayal was a “fix.” Her desperation and confusion deepen as Hugh sets firm boundaries.
- Hugh: Exhausted and heartbroken, Hugh exhibits strength by maintaining his boundaries. He refuses to engage with Lizzie while she is unwell, showing that he has reached a limit. His plea to Catherine (“Please just take her”) reveals the depth of his pain and his recognition that he cannot help Lizzie right now.
- Catherine (Lizzie’s mother): Appears briefly, but her presence signals that the adults are now aware of the crisis. Her concern for Hugh shows she is trying to hold the situation together.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Mental illness: The chapter vividly portrays the destructiveness of untreated bipolar disorder within a relationship. Lizzie’s manic behaviors—rapid speech, defensiveness, inappropriate laughter—are detailed without romanticization.
- Boundaries as a form of love: Hugh’s refusal to talk to Lizzie while she is manic is not cruelty; it is a protective measure. He tells her to get better first, indicating that he still cares but cannot handle her illness alone.
- Betrayal and consequence: Lizzie minimizes sleeping with Pierce as a practical solution, highlighting how her distorted thinking undermines trust. The chapter emphasizes that actions have real emotional consequences, even when the person responsible is unwell.
- The silence of inaction: Thor’s silent retreat and Hugh’s curt words create a pattern of withdrawal. Lizzie’s pleas are met with closed doors and a departing car, symbolizing the growing distance between them.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a crucial turning point for Lizzie’s storyline. It marks the moment when Hugh—her primary support system—can no longer sustain the relationship without Lizzie pursuing treatment. The scene forces readers and characters alike to confront the reality of mental illness: love alone cannot fix what requires medical intervention. The title “Please Just Take Her” echoes Hugh’s desperate surrender, making it clear that Lizzie’s path to healing must begin with acknowledgement and medication, not with Hugh’s forgiveness. It sets the stage for Lizzie’s eventual acceptance of her diagnosis.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Hugh refuse to talk to Lizzie about what happened?
Hugh tells Lizzie they have nothing to discuss “when you’re like this” and later says, “If you want to talk to me, go and get better first.” He recognizes that Lizzie is in a manic state and that any conversation would be unproductive. He has already begged her to take her medication, and without that, he cannot engage with her rationalizations.
2. What does Lizzie’s inappropriate laughter reveal about her mental state?
When Lizzie laughs while trying to apologize, she thinks to herself, “I needed to show him how sorry I was, and instead I was laughing. What the fuck was wrong with me?” This self-awareness mixed with an inability to control her reactions shows the severity of her manic episode. It underscores the gap between her intentions and her actions.
3. How does this chapter demonstrate that Hugh is still invested in Lizzie’s well-being despite his anger?
Hugh calls Catherine to pick Lizzie up rather than leaving her to wander alone. He physically carries her to the car rather than abandoning her. And he says, “I don’t hate you, Liz,” even while his voice cracks. His actions are firm but not punishing; they are protective. He prioritizes her safety and treatment over his need for an immediate resolution.