two dfferent couples

Just watched “Incident of the Widowed Dove” with @clinteastwood-blog. The more I watch it, the more i am struck by the (?unintentional?) parallels between the two “older man/ younger partner” couples. Both older men here are authoritarian, possessive, unwilling to let their partners act on their wishes, and they act stupidly (the stolen horse charge!!! The “get on the stage” routine!!). But the same-sex couple has a chance, because eventually both partners are willing to admit that they were wrong, whereas the het couple is doomed, because neither partner is straightforward with the other.
If only Favor could have stayed so open throughout the series …