Apple watch series 2 separates group messages into individual

My apple watch series 2 is separating a group text message chain into individual messages. The group texts are maintained as a group on the iPhone 6S Plus to which it is paired. Both are up-to-date in their software and I have tried unpairing and repairing the watch. This annoyance makes it impossible to respond to group texts from the watch - something that only recently started. 1) Why might this be happening; and 2) what is a potential remedy?

Thanks.