I was just looking at the following Jack picture that Buffymon posted over in the JJJ thread a while ago:
And, I was struck by how prominently the wedding ring on his hand stands out. It kind of jumps out at me more than I'd ever thought about before. I wonder if this is a bookend - of sorts - to the motel scene where Ennis's wedding ring is so prominent. This is certainly a "stuck with what I've got here" moment of disillusionment for Jack.
I just thought I'd throw this out there to see what folks think.
Yes, the scenes mirror each other. They're similar in some ways, but completely opposite in others.
At the motel scene, they hadn't seen each other for four effing years - at the miss you so much scene, they had been together-apart for almost 20 years.
Motel scene (MS): both naked - Miss you so much scene (MYSMS): completely dressed, even with jackets 'n all (think of the layer-theory).
MS: touching each other from head to toe, you barely can get any closer thant that (but they managed it just shortly before we catch a glimpse
) - MYSMS: sitting apart
In both scenes, they don't look at each other at the same time. Instead, they mostly look in front of them.
In both scenes, they're sharing a cigarette/joint and whiskey (even if we don't see it in the movie).
In both scenes a wedding band is prominently seen (Ennis's in MS and Jack's in MYSMS).
" " " Jack is doing the talking, mostly.
they're talking about their relationship (indirectly)
In the earlier scene, Ennis strokes Jack's arm, in the the later scene, Ennis only looks at Jack (movie only), who misses the look.
Comparing the two scenes, you can so clearly see the toll time and the circumstances took on them and their relationship, it's hard to bear. What makes the later scene easier though, is the following look into the tent. This short glimpse is a much needed relief and reassurement!