Appalachian Dog

In the winter of 1946, Teddy Henry comes back to Appalachia after serving in the war. His wife Marion is preparing to welcome him, hoping to ease his transition back to civilian life. Marion introduces Teddy to her new friend Peggie, who has taken over Teddy’s sewing responsibilities during his absence.

Teddy struggles with adjusting to life back home; his eyesight worsens, affecting his ability to sew, a craft he once did by feeling. Marion notices his unsteady hand, leading to tension between them over his inability to perform his previous role and their shifting domestic dynamics.

Teddy and Marion agree that Teddy will oversee the finances while Marion handles sewing. Tensions escalate when Teddy orders Marion to fire Peggie and reduce prices, challenging Marion's independence and their partnership.

Seeking to rebuild intimacy, Marion takes Teddy on a picnic by the river. During their encounter, Marion breaks Teddy’s glasses while reaching for them in the grass, symbolizing the fragile state of their relationship.

Unable to sew due to his broken glasses, Teddy joins Cate on her farm for manual labor. His hand suddenly stabilizes, leading him to secretly mend a sock flawlessly, which he then purposefully ruins to hide his true abilities.

As Marion and Peggie continue working together, they grow closer emotionally. They share a celebratory drink after finishing a wedding gown, which nearly leads to a kiss before Peggie rejects Marion, increasing Marion’s emotional turmoil.

Marion arrives breathless at Cate's farm with a pair of socks Teddy had ripped. She forces Teddy to wear the socks, symbolizing her control over his abilities and their relationship, despite his evident recovery.

At home, Teddy purposefully sews terribly to hide his regained sewing skill. Marion notices but pretends he is still struggling, maintaining the illusion that he cannot sew well anymore to keep up appearances.

Peggie’s mother dies, and Peggie discovers that Marion has been secretly fixing Teddy’s subpar work. Teddy learns that Marion lied about firing Peggie and lowering prices, revealing the extent of their deception and emotional deception.

Marion visits Cate to apologize, leading to a moment of vulnerability where Cate confesses envy for Marion’s life. Teddy learns about Cate’s husband Andrew’s true identity and his own feelings of being lost, resulting in an emotional confrontation between Teddy and Andrew.

Peggie gives Teddy a new pair of glasses and reveals Marion’s deception—that she has been fixing Teddy's work all along. Teddy confronts Marion, then leaves, overwhelmed by the betrayal and his feelings of confusion.

Following Teddy’s departure, Marion and Peggie have a heated fight, culminating in Marion kissing Peggie passionately. Peggie confesses her love but ultimately rejects Marion, choosing to leave and pursue her own path.

Overlooking the sunset, Marion and Teddy reconcile, sharing a tender kiss that signifies a new understanding and acceptance of their complex relationship, embracing their love amidst the emotional turmoil.