Over the past two years, The Valley has exposed viewers to an often overlooked topic: postpartum depression. But as honest as the women in this series are about their plight, their men have consistently failed with their responses.
Danny Booko and Luke Broderick didn’t set out to be careless. Or so we hope. But they did react the way a lot of partners still do when postpartum depression shows up in their home, and that begs further public conversations on this topic.
In Season 3, both Kristen Doute and Nia Booko detailed their postpartum journeys. Their men responded with jokes, impatience, and sometimes even resentment. It was hard to watch. These men needed to show support and care for the person who just spent nine months carrying (and birthing) their child. But instead, they showed fans just how much work remains before all partners actually know how to show up here.
The Valley Season 3 puts postpartum life, intimacy and new parenthood front and center
Nia and Kristen often speak candidly about their postpartum journeys on The Valley. I applaud them for that. According to the American Medical Women’s Association, Postpartum depression “affects approximately 10-20% of women.” This is a decent chunk of our population, so having this topic highlighted on Bravo is amazing.
During Season 3, fans watched as Kristen and Nia struggled with sleep deprivation, intimacy strains, and body insecurities, and, as a result, mismatched expectations with their partners. For example, on a cast trip, Nia was stuck in “mom mode.” Her husband, Danny, grew irritated with her for that. He was hoping for intimacy and a hands-off trip, so he could fully enjoy their getaway.
Across town, Luke and Kristen went to therapy, which was great. However, in therapy, Luke joked about having another child quickly, solely to put the pregnant version of his partner in a “coffin” for good. The look on Kristen’s face was heartbreaking.
Danny and Luke missed the mark more than once. Not always out of cruelty, but out of the same instinct a lot of partners have: to treat postpartum depression as a phase to either downplay or wait out, when what it really requires is active support. The problem is, when the people who are supposed to be your biggest support system miss the signs, their inaction can become part of the struggle. And that alone deserves a larger conversation.
The Valley airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on Bravo. It streams on Peacock.
TELL US – ARE YOU GLAD TO SEE POSTPARTUM DISCUSSIONS ON THE VALLEY? ARE THE MEN MISSING THE MARK? WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE GROWTH FROM DANNY AND LUKE TO FURTHER THESE CONVERSATIONS ON BRAVO, AND IN TURN, HOPEFULLY, OUR OWN HOUSEHOLDS?
