: Realizing what he has lost, Connell leaves an agonized, sobbing voicemail for Marianne, confessing his love while she is elsewhere, fast asleep. Marianne subsequently withdraws from school, leaving Connell consumed by guilt.
: Upon learning of his choice, Lorraine tells Connell she is ashamed of him, calling him a "disgrace" for his treatment of Marianne. Normal People : Season 1 Episode 3
Watch the moment Connell reveals his choice to Marianne, leading to their painful rift: : Realizing what he has lost, Connell leaves
As the Debs approach, the social pressure on Connell intensifies. Fearing his friends have guessed his secret, he makes the "cowardly" decision to ask his ex-girlfriend, Rachel, to the dance instead of Marianne. When he tells Marianne, she is devastated and ends their arrangement. Watch the moment Connell reveals his choice to
In the third episode of , titled simply "Episode 3," the secret relationship between Connell and Marianne reaches a breaking point due to Connell's fear of social judgment. The Fundraiser and the Incident
: At the Debs, Connell is miserable. A friend, Eric, admits the group already knew about his relationship with Marianne and wouldn't have cared, making Connell's betrayal feel even more pointless.