The Score Chapter 10: Soap Operas and Sincere Advice
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Allie is watching the French soap opera Solange to learn the language when Dean arrives. He initially mocks the show but agrees to watch, and quickly becomes hooked. Dean reveals his full name—Dean Sebastian Kendrick Heyward-Di Laurentis—and the two spend two hours watching episodes, piecing together plot points about Solange’s mother Marie-Thérèse and the stalker Antoine. When Allie receives a text from her ex Sean asking to meet, Dean advises her to stop hiding and start doing what she wants, introducing his philosophy: “the Life of Dean.” He encourages her to pick a new activity; she suggests salsa dancing. Tension builds between them, but Allie sends Dean home before anything physical happens. Dean leaves, resigned to another night alone.
Key Events
- Dean arrives at Allie’s place while she watches Solange. She explains the show’s absurd plot: Solange’s mother, Marie-Thérèse, had plastic surgery to disguise herself as a colleague and is now blackmailing the family plastic surgeon.
- Dean reluctantly watches two hours of the soap opera and becomes invested, even texting Logan to cancel his plans.
- They discover the French word héritier (heir) and deduce that Marie-Thérèse’s motive relates to Solange inheriting shares of the family cosmetic company, Beauté éternelle.
- Allie receives a text from Sean asking to meet for coffee. Dean insists she should ignore him and move on.
- Dean pitches the “Life of Dean” philosophy: do what you want without caring what others think.
- When pressed for a goal, Allie mentions wanting to take salsa dancing lessons. Dean encourages her to do it alone despite her embarrassment.
- A charged moment of eye contact and physical closeness leads to arousal, but Allie demands Dean leave. He complies.
Character Development
Allie shows growth by resisting the urge to reply to Sean and by considering a new hobby—salsa dancing—that she had put aside for her ex. She also demonstrates increased self-discipline by ending the night with Dean despite clear mutual attraction.
Dean reveals a more sincere, non-sexual side. He patiently watches a show he finds stupid, offers genuine emotional support, and refrains from pushing for sex when Allie asks him to go. His advice to “do what you want” reflects a personal philosophy that he attempts to share without ulterior motives.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Moving on from a relationship dominates the chapter. Dean’s advice to Allie—stop hiding, pick a distraction, ignore Sean—frames moving on as an active process of choice and action rather than passive waiting.
Authenticity versus persona appears through Dean’s admission that his happiness stems from not caring about others’ opinions. His willingness to watch a soap opera and drink margaritas undermines his own “manly man” image, yet he ultimately admits enjoyment.
Language and understanding is a minor motif: the characters use a translation app to decode the French show, mirroring their attempt to decode each other’s motivations and desires.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 10 marks a turning point in Dean and Allie’s relationship. Their shared ridiculous evening watching Solange establishes a new kind of intimacy based on mutual indulgence rather than sex. Dean’s sincere advice and his willingness to leave when asked demonstrate that he respects Allie’s boundaries, contradicting his earlier womanizing reputation. The chapter also sets up Allie’s journey toward independence from Sean, with salsa dancing as a concrete symbol of reclaiming her own interests.
Study Questions
1. Why does Dean decide to watch the soap opera with Allie, and what does this reveal about his character?
Dean chooses to stay because he wants to know what happens next, despite initially mocking the show. This reveals that he can be invested in something outside his usual interests and that he values Allie’s company over his usual social plans. His willingness to engage in a “stupid” activity undermines his tough-guy persona.
2. How does Allie respond to Sean’s text, and what advice does Dean give her?
Allie is tempted to reply but shows hesitation. Dean tells her to ignore the message and stop hiding from Sean. He advises her to find distractions and “move the fuck on,” emphasizing that she should take control of her own decisions rather than react to her ex.
3. What is the “Life of Dean” philosophy, and does it seem like sound advice for Allie?
The “Life of Dean” is the idea of doing what you want on your own terms without caring about others’ opinions. For Allie, who has been defined by her relationship and her friends’ expectations, the advice offers a push toward independence. However, the philosophy’s practicality is limited—Dean himself struggles with its application when he must leave Allie’s apartment despite wanting to stay.