At the end of the series, we see the pair at a crossroads in their relationship. After a tumultuous few years for the two of them, the last episode sees Connell and Marianne living happily together at Trinity College, Dublin.

Does Connell love Marianne?

The first time Connell tells Marianne he loves her, we are told that “She has never believed herself fit to be loved by any person. But now she has a new life, of which this is the first moment, and even after many years have passed she will still think: Yes, that was it, the beginning of my life” (46).

Why can't Connell and Marianne be together?

Marianne and Connell don't separate because they simply don't get along, but rather because they both recognize that there are some major personal issues to overcome. Connell worries about the opinions of others, while Marianne struggles to find a strong and supportive male figure in her life.