The aftermath of Jackie and Marshall’s fight — and Josh’s Hail Mary pass at Jackie at Chelsea’s birthday party — was revealed in Episodes 9-11. And despite starting the season as a strong couple, Jackie and Marshall split in Episode 10.
Marshall told Jackie he needed clarity about where they stood after getting home from Chelsea’s party. Jackie had no interest in trying to participate in any meaningful resolution. As Marshall asked her to tell him what she needed to feel loved, supported, and secure, Jackie complained about the time and her exhaustion. Eventually, she told the truth, saying that the last time she said what she needed (for Marshall to be more “aggressive” with her), he left for three days. She refused to repeat herself out of fear of the same result. Jackie tried to appease Marshall instead, saying he’s sweet and he just needed to love her. He didn’t buy it.
The next day, the women gathered with their loved ones to shop for wedding dresses. Jackie was a no-show, choosing instead to meet with Josh, who said he loved her and wanted to be with her. Jackie didn’t reject the idea. Over at the men’s tuxedo-shopping day, Brett told Marshall the bad news. Jackie didn’t so much as text Marshall about her decision. She was waiting for him at home, and that’s when things ended. After a tense back-and-forth, Jackie came clean.
“Marshall, I can’t love you because I’m attracted to Josh. I just saw Josh, and there is some chemistry,” she said, adding, “I don’t want to be with you anymore.”
Marshall’s reaction was that of jaded disbelief. He asked for the ring back because she “never should’ve accepted [his] proposal.” She refused to return it, because she was in love with him when she said yes. It was just the “real world” that “got to us,” she said. As Marshall shot back, “Got to you.”
Jackie was unexplainably cold to Marshall as she said her goodbye. “Well, take it easy. And maybe I’ll see you around,” she said, expressing hardly any emotion.
“No, you won’t,” Marshall declared as he got up and walked away.
Jackie laughed in response, sneering at him as he walked out the door, as if judging him for having feelings. And clearly, Marshall’s expression of his feelings — and his mature advocacy of his and hers — was the real issue for Jackie all along.
“Damn, I’m crazy. I probably need to do some self-work,” she told the cameras after acting like Marshall was a bad partner. She didn’t even seem to believe her own words.
Jackie didn’t appear again after this breakup, but Marshall did attend Tiffany and Brett’s wedding. Marshall and Brett’s friendship is one of the unexpected highlights of the season.
