The same-sex marriage is established early as backstory—Kate left her ex-husband (Kyle MacLachlan) for Patty, who died in a riding accident—and Kate shares a supportive friendship with another lesbian character (Fiona Shaw as Leslie), but these details function as incidental character context rather than narrative drivers or thematic focus. The film keeps its attention on addiction enabling, maternal protection, grief, and crime cover-up without introducing systemic oppression or social justice framing. There are no race or gender swaps of established characters, no evident creator activist intent, and audience reception shows no significant woke discourse or backlash, confirming the progressive elements remain peripheral and do not compromise the core entertainment.