Chapter 3

**Chapter 3** is the third episode of the Netflix romantic comedy-drama series *Uncoupled*. It aired on July 29, 2022.

## Premise

*While dealing with his demanding new client, Michael receives a crash course in how to use a hookup app — and the importance of an intimate selfie.*

## Plot summary

At a club, Billy and Stanley take out Michael for his first night out as a single guy. However, Stanley can't help but mentioned how they are the oldest gays in the club at the moment. At first Michael suddenly stops dancing when he thinks he saw Colin, but in the end it turns out not to be him. Both of his friend agree that the fastest way to get over his messy breakup from Colin is to find someone new that he can have sex with. Later, Claire texts Michael how she is having second thoughts about the asking price. Billy jokingly asks if she typically texts Michael after midnight. To which Michael replies that she is a little demanding, but that he needs to keep her happy, as she is his golden goose. She then texts again, saying how she is not sure about showing dates, and wants to discuss it with him a little more.

The next morning, one of Michael's neighbors deliver Colin's propecia medication as well. She then reveals how she heard the two of them split up, and that it didn't end well after seeing the way Michael had scratched Colin's name off the mailbox. Michael thanks the nosy neighbor and closes the door on her.

At the gym, while lifting weights, Michael tells Stanley how he found out that Colin is on PrEP. He scoffs at that, and angrily states how it seems like what Colin apparently needs to figure out is how to "fuck his way across New York City without getting a disease". Michael eventually begins chatting with a guy on Grindr, but is quickly blocked when he tells the other man that he doesn't have a dick pic. Stanley informs him that he needs a dick pic, because he won't get anywhere on the app without one. He jokes that Michael can think of it as his Grindr passport photo of sorts.

At the office, Suzanne arrives and apologizes to Michael stating that it was a crazy morning for her. She vents about her friend Mia met somebody in five minutes the night before at a bar. Which wasn't her experience, and to make matters worse, she left her credit card at said bar, so she had to go there today to get it. But in the end, also looked like the type of person who needs a drink at eleven o'clock in the morning. Then one of her heels got caught in a subway crate, and snapped off.

Afterwards, Tyler Hawkins goes to Michael to congratulate him on poaching Claire, but not without mentioning how he knows he had to reduce his commission to get her. Not long after Suzanne excitedly reveals that they got a new client, who is a big Italian furniture importer that is coming in from Rome for one day. So he needs to lock down a pied-à-terre, in the two million range, and that he wants Michael and Suzanne to put together a multiple showing. Upon finding more about him online, Suzanne finds out that their new client is hot, recently divorced, has two grown kids and has residences in Rome and Positano.

Later that night, Claire texts Michael saying it is an emergency and to come over now. When he arrives, he finds Claire has destroyed some of her stuff, and is currently sitting down holding a mallet. He asks what happened, and she replies that she found out that her ex-husband went to visit their kid at Brown over the weekend, and he brought the other woman he is with to meet her kid. In talking with Claire, Michael finds out that she doesn't have anyone else to vent. Claire mentions how in a split like hers, people follow the money and the access, and to make matters worse many of her so called friends knew about the affair. Claire tearfully thanks Michael for coming over, and mentions that he helped a lot in this moment.

In showing more pictures of other units, Suzanne realizes that Michael had a dick pic in the showing. Michael is mortified after realizing that he must have saved the picture for his Grindr profile in the role folder. Suzanne tries to ease his worries saying that it went by fast, so maybe Paolo didn't notice. On the ride over to their office, Suzanne continues to flirt with Paolo, but shortly thereafter both men receive a notification from Grindr that there is someone 3ft away that's online at the moment. The two make eye contact and Paolo compliments Michael on the picture. To which Michael asks if he is not not straight. To which Paolo texts back that Michael should read his handle, and then proceeds to tell him that finds him very handsome. Suzanne tries to get Paolo to ask her out for some drinks, but he gently turns her down. Lying to her by saying he has a lot of calls to make, and how he has an early flight the next day. Unbeknownst to Suzanne, Paolo, had already invited Michael to come up to his hotel room. Not long after, Michael decides to take Paolo's offer and goes up to his hotel room. Paolo then mentions that he doesn't fool around like this in Italy, but that when he is in New York, he likes to have a little fun. After being unsure if he is ready, when Paolo takes off his shirt, Michael decides he is ready, and has sex with the Italian businessman. While laying in bed, Paolo admits that the picture didn't do Michael any justice, and that it is much better in person.

At Stanley's art gallery, two of Colin's friends let it slip that Stanley is still friends with Michael's ex, and even went to his apartment. The two friends get into an argument over the fact that Stanley didn't take Michael's side. Michael walks out after he tells Stanley that he has to pick him or Colin as a friend. Stanley says that he is Michael's friend first, but that he shouldn't have to pick. Michael scoffs and walks away, but not before telling Stanley, that he in fact just did.

## Cast and characters

### Starring:

* Neil Patrick Harris as Michael Lawson
* Tisha Campbell as Suzanne Prentiss
* Emerson Brooks as Billy Burns
* Brooks Ashmanskas as Stanley James

### Co-starring:

* Nic Rouleau as Tyler Hawkins
* Cynthia Darlow as Diane
* Doug Darwin as Kurt
* Denny Dillon as Gina
* Joti Patel as Stephanie
* Cooper Howell as Gym Attendant
* David Edwin Williams as Buff Gym Guy

## External links

* Chapter 3 on the Internet Movie Database
* Uncoupled (@uncouplednetflix) on Instagram
* Uncoupled on Wikipedia
* Watch Uncoupled on Netflix