Revolution: Miles & Rachel: Toxic or Epic Love?

The best romances face the most trials

              One of the best parts of Revolution had to be the strange, toxic, abusive yet epic, deep romance of Miles and Rachel. Rachel's dad, Gene explained to Miles that Rachel was once a wild child who had a talent for going after the wrong guy (which kind of explains Rachel sleeping with Bass hahaha). In Season 1 we didn't think of Rachel and Miles as a romantic couple until Miles rescued Rachel, she slapped him hard across the face, and then there was that moment when Miles said, "I never would have left if I knew you were alive". Then there was a "kiss me" moment but Rachel just told Miles to step back. 

"I don't love you." - Miles
"I don't believe you." - Rachel

          When Rachel was dating (or maybe she was already married) Ben, Miles's younger brother, she and Miles were having an affair. Now I know we want to hate Rachel for cheating, but I can't help but feel it was one of those "we're with the wrong people" situation. The looks Miles and Rachel would exchange? They didn't need words. The depth of their eyes said it all. But Miles realized that he was betraying Ben. I could see in that scene where Miles was about to ship out and Rachel said that if he told her that he loved her then she would leave Ben and wait for him that it's something that Miles really wanted. However, we know Miles to be the sort of guy who wants to do the right thing. I could see in his eyes, hear in his voice that it really hurt him to say the things he said to Rachel. From that point I can assume that their interactions after that were few and at times awkward. But it was also at that point where Miles and Rachel would go through a trial by fire.

"Rachel?" - Miles
"Miles?" - Rachel
SMACK!

            After the Blackout, Miles and Monroe gathered up an army and created the Monroe Republic and Miles developed a horrible bloody reputation. "The Butcher of Baltimore"? Okay it sounds cool but still Rachel was appalled. Then Miles remembered that Ben had warned him about the power going out and figured that Ben could get it back on so he could get tanks, helicopters, etc. Needless to say, Rachel was horrified at the man she used to love had become. Nevertheless she abandoned her family to keep Miles from getting what he wanted. Miles and Rachel's reunion was kind of bitter sweet. First sweet then really bitter, practically sour. Miles realized that Rachel figured that because of their old feelings that he would just leave Ben alone. Nope. So Miles did the unthinkable. I can only imagine the pain and torture Miles put Rachel through during his time as General. But then I remember Miles saying that he thought Rachel was dead. I mean he saw a body. I can only assume during Bass's decline from reason, he faked Rachel's death (I don't know for what reason) or maybe Rachel tried to escape but Monroe caught her. Either way, Miles said he never would have left if he knew Rachel was alive. For what? To torture her some more? Or were old feelings resurfacing?

So... you forgive him? You must really love him.

       The on again off again lovers were reunited and shared a steamy kiss before Rachel ran off to turn the power on. I can't help but wonder: Really? Has she forgiven Miles so easily after all he had done to her? The pain he put her through? That's kind of the toxic part of Miles's and Rachel's relationship. Rachel also proved that she can be just as emotionally tormenting as Miles. Her desire for revenge got Nora killed. Miles really did care about Nora even though I believe he wasn't in love with her. Yet Miles didn't say anything about it. I don't know why. Maybe it was because Nora kind of gave Miles the okay to choose Rachel over her. Skipping ahead to when Bass trekked back into their lives, Rachel couldn't keep back her bile. She and Bass just went at it and poor Miles was in the middle. At least during those ugly feuds Miles stood up to Rachel to make her see reason. In the end he ended up choosing Rachel. But like Bass, whenever Miles and Rachel get together, bad things happen. 

You never leave your other half.

            Yet despite all I have said about how Rachel and Miles can be toxic for each other, I have to admit that their love has proved to be the strongest force on the show. Miles just had to tell Rachel as he lay dying that she was always the one and that he should have never let her go. And Rachel was at Miles's bedside while he recovered. When Miles was captured by the Hanover Clan, nothing could persuade Rachel not to go and rescue him. And Miles was always willing to sacrifice himself to rescue Rachel. These two also have their romantic moments. Miles took Rachel to "see a movie" (being Evil Dead 2; Rachel is NOT The Notebook type of girl) and they made love in the field. Just one night where they could take comfort in each other and forget the world was falling apart. 

"You scared the hell out of me." - Rachel
"Oh stop making this about you." - Miles

            When Miles saw that guitar pick in the rubble of his would be grave before he decided to pull the trigger, his first thought was when he first met Rachel. I remember seeing Miles's face when he first laid eyes on her: he was moon struck. Miles explained that they were both miserable people: Rachel ended the world and Miles drove a nail into its coffin. But despite all that, Rachel refuses to run away while Miles has tried a bunch of times. Miles admitted that Rachel's desire to fix what was broken and her hope to build a better future inspired him. You can say that Rachel and Miles see each other as the other's rock to hold onto while the waves beat against them, but they still they cling.

Miles & Rachel can't keep apart even in Aaron's dream.

        Rachel and Miles have been through hell and high water. They survived each other in a way; they came back together despite all the pain they put each other through. Very few couples could go through the trials these two have gone through and survive. Miles and Rachel were meant to be together, they're soul mates. Whatever your feelings towards this couple you have to admit that they share a deep connection that very few people share. Miles and Rachel can't be without each other as we've seen. They will always fight together; to stay together. They are each other's other half and I can't imagine anyone saying they don't belong together. Miles and Rachel are messed up but they're messed up together creating a half way mentally healthy person. So I would say these two are an epic love.