The Michael/Kimmet theory made me chuckle....

I believe the term for Michael is "emotionally unavailable." He's doesn't want anyone to know anything about how he feels or what his past is. He has either shame over his past or he may have lots of unresolved issues, romantic or otherwise.

PTSD can manifest in this sort of emotionally unavailability for some people. I know some guys (Vietnam Vets) who were diagnosed with PTSD (after almost 30 years) and a couple of them mentioned that they have a hard time connecting with people on more than a superficial level because of what's going on in their heads. They can get by mostly by focusing on tasks (big or small) and less on the people doing the tasks. Many simply want to work on things alone (and have had very successful single person businesses).

Anyway, my thought is that Michael realizes that he wants to have a relationship with Pegs, doesn't know how to have one, knows he royally screwed up, and is putting himself at least somewhat out there. Pegs, to her credit, recognizes the issues to some degree and figures that it can't end well. She can't effectively "save" Michael.

The horrors of the past 8 months have caused them both to grow up. Michael only a little but Pegs a whole lot. She went from insecure, clingy girl with hearts in her eyes to stronger young woman who has realized that she is stronger than she thought she was.

Anyway, that's my (totally unqualified) psychoanalysis of the situation....