Intermezzo

Content warning: This section of the guide discusses alcohol addiction.

Peter Koubek is one of two main protagonists in Intermezzo. The older brother of Ivan, Peter works as a human rights lawyer in Dublin. He thrives in his job due to his natural argumentative ability, as well as his affinity for the marginalized. For instance, he wins a trial representing female workers who have been subject to a sexist uniform policy.

Despite his charm and skill for debate, Peter believes himself to be a coward, which causes him to live impulsively and guardedly: He broke up with a girlfriend to date Naomi, a college student; later, he breaks up with Naomi to avoid being vulnerable with her. Peter’s cowardice likewise forces him to make a rash judgment about Ivan and Margaret’s age gap. Peter is afraid of being judged on the same terms, given the fact that Naomi is also much younger, which is why he responds so negatively to Ivan’s situation.

Peter has a dominant personality, which often causes him to clash with his equally domineering mother, Christine. Peter sees himself as a natural protector for the people in his life, which resonates with his career focus in human rights. However, Peter accepts this role to a fault, failing to see the ways other people extend care or show concern for him; he took on this attitude when a teenager Ivan refused to support him emotionally after Sylvia’s accident.