The French Soap Opera Solange: A Symbol of Intimacy and Escape in The Score
What Is the French Soap Opera?
In Elle Kennedy’s The Score (German title Mitten ins Herz), the fictional French-language soap opera Solange is more than just background television. It is a low-budget, melodramatic series that Dean Di Laurentis and Allie Hayes watch together. The show features characters like Marie‑Thérèse, Antoine, and Solange, speaking rapid French without subtitles. Dean and Allie piece together the plot by listening for repeated words such as héritier (heir) and guessing at the drama. The series is obscure—Allie had a friend download episodes, and Dean uses his privilege to order Season 2 from his concierge.
The soap opera becomes a private ritual, a shared space where the couple can be vulnerable, laugh, and escape from real‑world problems like family crises and career pressures.
Where It Recurs in the Story
| Chapter | Context of the Soap Opera |
|---|---|
| 9 | Dean goes to Allie’s apartment intending to seduce her, but ends up watching Solange for two hours. He cancels plans with friends and even looks up the word héritier with Allie. |
| 23 | After a night out, Dean surprises Allie by having Season 2 ready on his massive TV. They watch while his friend Beau sleeps nearby, and the show becomes a backdrop for intimacy. |
| 34 | Dean tells Allie’s father, Joe Hayes, that he has watched two seasons of a French soap with Allie. Joe laughs warmly, recognizing Dean’s commitment. |
| 35 | Allie reveals she is trying to learn French by watching Solange, fulfilling a wish her late mother had for her. |
The soap opera appears at key turning points: early in their casual relationship, during a moment of deepening trust, and finally as a symbol of Allie’s personal growth and Dean’s integration into her family.
How the Meaning Changes
Initially, Dean mocks his own addiction. He says, “Hilf mir, lieber Gott, ich bin abhängig von dieser Serie” and worries about his masculinity. The show represents a surrender of his player persona—he is watching a soap instead of pursuing sex. But as they translate words together and high‑five over discoveries, the show becomes a shared bond. By Chapter 23, Dean has proactively bought the next season, demonstrating care. In the conversation with Joe Hayes, the soap signifies Dean’s genuine interest in Allie’s life. Finally, Allie using the show to learn French ties it to her mother’s memory, lifting it from mere escapism to a tool for emotional healing.
Character Connections
Dean Di Laurentis
For Dean, the soap opera symbolizes vulnerability. He resists at first, seeing it as a threat to his “bad‑boy” image, but his addiction reveals his growing dependence on Allie’s company. Watching Solange replaces his usual hookups; it is the first non‑sexual ritual he invests in.
Allie Hayes
Allie uses the show as a way to hide from her breakup pain. Later, it becomes a bridge to her late mother: Eva Hayes had wanted Allie to learn French, and Allie’s self‑study via Solange is a quiet tribute. The show also helps Allie assert her independence—she refuses to let Dean define the terms of their relationship.
Joe Hayes
Allie’s father appears in Chapter 34, where he and Dean bond over the soap opera. Joe laughs when Dean admits watching two seasons, and his approval marks a turning point. The show becomes a proof of Dean’s sincerity.
Theme Connections
- Grief and Loss: Allie’s mother died when she was young, and Allie’s French lessons through the soap are a way to honor her memory. The show provides an escape from the pain of her breakup and her father’s MS.
- Casual Sex vs. Emotional Attachment: Instead of making a move, Dean sits through the soap. This shift from physical to emotional intimacy mirrors his character arc.
- Redemption and Growth: Dean, initially a womanizer, grows into someone who orders a foreign soap for his girlfriend. The show humanizes him.
- Class Privilege: Dean can call a concierge to obtain rare DVDs—a luxury Allie cannot afford. The soap highlights the gap between their worlds, yet they bridge it.
- Family Obligation: Allie’s decision to learn French for her mother and Dean’s willingness to bond with Joe Hayes over the soap show how both characters prioritize family.
Study Questions
1. Why does Dean initially resist watching Solange, and what does his resistance reveal about his character?
Answer: Dean sees the soap as a threat to his masculinity and player reputation. He jokes about losing his “man card” and being shunned by a “Council of Men.” This resistance shows how deeply he relies on his sexual conquests for identity. His eventual surrender proves that Allie’s company matters more than his ego.
2. How does the soap opera function as a symbol of Allie’s relationship with her deceased mother?
Answer: Allie’s mother, Eva, had a French connection and wanted Allie to learn the language. Allie never cared until she starts watching Solange. In Chapter 35 she states she is teaching herself French via the show. This links the soap to unresolved grief and a way of keeping her mother’s wish alive.
3. In what way does the soap opera challenge Dean’s and Allie’s social class differences?
Answer: Dean can effortlessly order Season 2 through a concierge, while Allie had to pay a friend to burn episodes. The show itself is inaccessible without privilege, yet they meet on equal ground as two fans guessing at plots. The soap becomes a leveler—their shared interest outweighs material difference.
4. How does the soap opera contribute to the theme of redemption for Dean?
Answer: Dean’s redemption arc moves from using women to building a genuine connection. Watching Solange is his first act of giving without expecting sex. By Chapter 34, telling Allie’s father about the show earns him Joe’s respect. The soap symbolizes Dean’s capacity for patience, devotion, and growth.