Characters
As long as it took that river to carve the Grand Canyon, that is how long women have been learning to subtly manipulate relationships.
— Peggy · King of the Hill
Behind the line May contain spoilers.
Our reading
An editorial interpretation.
The speaker claims women have spent as long learning to influence relationships subtly as a river needed to carve the Grand Canyon. The comparison is sardonic exaggeration, presenting quiet manipulation as a slow, patient skill refined over vast stretches of time; it is the speaker's view, not established fact.
Context reviewed