Return From the Wedding
I have returned from my sister’s wedding in Minneapolis, her second marriage. I got to see the Mall of America and the state of Minnesota to which I had never visited before. While I was gone my wife’s mother went to the hospital for a subderal hemotoma; so my wife was pretty much a basket case by the time I got back. So, pardon me in advance if the Howard Bunt Blog is sporadic this week.
The For Better or For Worse storyline when I came back was unexpected. Particularly after seeing the preparation necessary for my sister’s wedding, even though it was her second wedding, it seemed unlikely Lynn Johnston would switch to an “April in school” storyline, when she has such limited time to get Liz’s wedding and preparation done by September. I think more and more that we may see the wedding run past the September deadline.
Even more surprising was the sudden change in April and Gerald’s relationship based on his comment he didn’t plan to go to university. When we last saw them together in January 1, they seemed fine but melancholy over their impending separation caused by graduation in 18 months. I can’t tell if April is angry with Gerald because he going to spend time with Becky (and we are once again reverting to her Becky hate), or because she looks down on anyone not planning to get a university education. However, more surprising than the choice for the argument is how rapidly and viciously April turns on Gerald. Saturday’s strip and today’s strip both end with April personally insulting Gerald. Where is this coming from? Does April hate any high school student who has good grades and decides against university? The more I see of grade 11 April, the less I like about her. She gives music, gives up her band, gives up her boyfriend, and now she gives up respecting people with career ambitions that do not include higher education.
Given that Elly did not finish her university education, the natural progression would be to have April spout off about Gerald because of his plans in front of her, only to be taken down by Elly, who could be personally offended April’s statement. The other possibility might be April mouthing off in front of Gordon or Tracy Mayes, who also did not get degrees. That would be an odd storyline, and I am not sure what the point would be. After all, this is the same April who championed Shannon Lake, whose aspirations are a lot simpler than going to university. Another possibility I can see might be Lynn Johnston addressing the large population of young people who think they can become a rock star thanks to Canadian Idol, instead of pursuing a more practical dream.
More likely we are seeing Lynn Johnston trying to pursue the basic storyline she has with April Patterson in school, i.e. “I hate anyone who wants music for a career.” April battles Gerald over his musical aspirations, just as she spent almost 2 years fighting with Becky McGuire over hers. Gerald seems to have become a Becky substitute, so Lynn Johnston can recycle the plot. It goes like this:
a. Becky / Gerald talk about how their music career is going and their plans for the future in music.
b. April insults their career and then them personally, calling them egotistical (Becky) and immature (Gerald).
c. April laments over the loss of her former friend.
d. Shannon Lake points out to April that she has it so much better than she does, using special needs kids as examples, in order to comfort her.
Honestly, I hope that we do not see Shannon Lake pop in this week for that purpose. That device has been overused.
The For Better or For Worse storyline when I came back was unexpected. Particularly after seeing the preparation necessary for my sister’s wedding, even though it was her second wedding, it seemed unlikely Lynn Johnston would switch to an “April in school” storyline, when she has such limited time to get Liz’s wedding and preparation done by September. I think more and more that we may see the wedding run past the September deadline.
Even more surprising was the sudden change in April and Gerald’s relationship based on his comment he didn’t plan to go to university. When we last saw them together in January 1, they seemed fine but melancholy over their impending separation caused by graduation in 18 months. I can’t tell if April is angry with Gerald because he going to spend time with Becky (and we are once again reverting to her Becky hate), or because she looks down on anyone not planning to get a university education. However, more surprising than the choice for the argument is how rapidly and viciously April turns on Gerald. Saturday’s strip and today’s strip both end with April personally insulting Gerald. Where is this coming from? Does April hate any high school student who has good grades and decides against university? The more I see of grade 11 April, the less I like about her. She gives music, gives up her band, gives up her boyfriend, and now she gives up respecting people with career ambitions that do not include higher education.
Given that Elly did not finish her university education, the natural progression would be to have April spout off about Gerald because of his plans in front of her, only to be taken down by Elly, who could be personally offended April’s statement. The other possibility might be April mouthing off in front of Gordon or Tracy Mayes, who also did not get degrees. That would be an odd storyline, and I am not sure what the point would be. After all, this is the same April who championed Shannon Lake, whose aspirations are a lot simpler than going to university. Another possibility I can see might be Lynn Johnston addressing the large population of young people who think they can become a rock star thanks to Canadian Idol, instead of pursuing a more practical dream.
More likely we are seeing Lynn Johnston trying to pursue the basic storyline she has with April Patterson in school, i.e. “I hate anyone who wants music for a career.” April battles Gerald over his musical aspirations, just as she spent almost 2 years fighting with Becky McGuire over hers. Gerald seems to have become a Becky substitute, so Lynn Johnston can recycle the plot. It goes like this:
a. Becky / Gerald talk about how their music career is going and their plans for the future in music.
b. April insults their career and then them personally, calling them egotistical (Becky) and immature (Gerald).
c. April laments over the loss of her former friend.
d. Shannon Lake points out to April that she has it so much better than she does, using special needs kids as examples, in order to comfort her.
Honestly, I hope that we do not see Shannon Lake pop in this week for that purpose. That device has been overused.
posted by howard at 9:49 PM
15 Comments:
Yes, the strip has been all over the place in the last week. I completely agree that April is less likeable all the time, and said as much a few days ago. She seems to hold Gerald in contempt, and yet she hangs on to him as a "sort of boyfriend," probably due to the Patterson terror of being single. I agree that, if we are supposed to agree with April here, then it is a very inconsistent message from the one we've been fed in the past, with Elly the Quitter as the strip's heroine and Gordo as the ultimate tycoon, more successful than any of the rest.
The only plausible explanation is that April is still afraid that Gerald and Becky will hook up, thus validating all her fears and her low self-esteem, and she's lashing out. Or maybe Lynn has done yet another about-face and has decided it's fashionable to sneer at those who lack college degrees. It's so hard to follow her ramblings now.
howtheduck:
Another possibility I can see might be Lynn Johnston addressing the large population of young people who think they can become a rock star thanks to Canadian Idol, instead of pursuing a more practical dream.
More likely we are seeing Lynn Johnston trying to pursue the basic storyline she has with April Patterson in school, i.e. “I hate anyone who wants music for a career.” April battles Gerald over his musical aspirations, just as she spent almost 2 years fighting with Becky McGuire over hers.
It's amazing how the first proposition flows so well into the sedcond. Lynn's made no secret of her hatred for what she calls "headache" music. It's one thing for Phil to be a music teacher and play jazz; it's quite another for Gerald and Becky to go on the road and miss out on the "happiness" that the Pattersains know so they can perform loud, incoherent noise that promotes going roadside and sassing parents.
Stupid strip. As I wrote at Foobiverse this past Saturday, Lynn should never attempt April at school. Bad things happen when she does. I mean, WTF? Someone at Foobiverse wrote something like, "Why is it that whenever Lynn wants me to hate April, I like her, and when she wants me to like April, I hate her?" I agree--I think Lynn expects readers to sympathize with April in today's and this past Saturday's strips, and I'm finding her very unlikeable. Which pisses me off, for obvious reasons!
Yeah, I've felt bad for you over the last year, Katje, because Lynn just makes April more and more unlikeable. Starting with the whole "getting drunk while babysitting and dry humping Gerald." It's been a real nightmare ever since that.
No wonder I'm happiest the more Apes is ignored and left off-panel. ::sulk::
qnjones,
She seems to hold Gerald in contempt, and yet she hangs on to him as a "sort of boyfriend," probably due to the Patterson terror of being single.
After reading your comment, I was suddenly struck by the idea that Liz did the exact same thing to Anthony, when they were in school together. Is it possible that this Lynn Johnston trying to recycle that idea again? Will Becky be the new Therese?
Yeah, I've felt bad for you over the last year, Katje, because Lynn just makes April more and more unlikeable. Starting with the whole "getting drunk while babysitting and dry humping Gerald."
That was right before "April at 16", when April stopped looking like April. She has been slowly dismantling everything she used to hold dear from that point. On the other hand, I would put the starting mark at the "April hates Becky" storyline, which started the whole trend of April hatred. As young April, she could be annoying but she and Becky were usually co-conspirators in their girlish evil of "liking boys". After the introduction of Shannon Lake, April turned into the hateful, judging April; who condescended to Shannon and insulted Becky behind her back.
DreadedCandiru2
It's one thing for Phil to be a music teacher and play jazz; it's quite another for Gerald and Becky to go on the road and miss out on the "happiness" that the Pattersains know so they can perform loud, incoherent noise that promotes going roadside and sassing parents.
Actually, the impression I got from the Phil the musician strips from years ago was that Elly also disapproved of him until he got married and got that teacher job.
aprilp_katje,
Someone at Foobiverse wrote something like, "Why is it that whenever Lynn wants me to hate April, I like her, and when she wants me to like April, I hate her?" I agree--I think Lynn expects readers to sympathize with April in today's and this past Saturday's strips, and I'm finding her very unlikeable.
When Lynn wants us to dislike April, she doesn't seem to be able to find the right balance. For example the most recent, "I'm doing homework, so I'll be there in a minute" sequence. It seems like Lynn starts with the reaction but can't get her mind around what it would take to get her characters there.
Elly's reaction is to shriek she is giving up on motherhood. John's reaction is to be physical with April and demand she apologize to her mother. But all April did was to ask for a few minutes to finish her school work, and she raised her voice to do it, after her mother grabbed her chair while she was in it. Lynn couldn't quite go the necessary route for Elly's reaction. April needed to say, "^%$#^%# mom! Don't grab my chair like that! I said I would be there in a minute." Then by using the obscenity with her mother, we could justify Elly's reaction.
When Lynn wants us to like April, she turns her into a person who insults people and gets other people to laugh with her. In my kid's school, that is bully behaviour, even if a sweet girl like April does it. In order for us to like April, she has to go a whole different route. She would need to show April is mad at Gerald for what she perceives is him throwing away his life.
Howard, I came in here to say the same thing about Phil. Elly always disapproved of his job and his lifestyle, and it was portrayed as being the worst thing in the world to be single and living a relatively carefree life on the road. Only when Phil got married and moved to Milborough was Elly happy. (Puke.)
I think you are right, that if this strip continues forever--and I'm starting to think it might!--Becky and Gerald would get married on the road, have a brief but unfortunate marriage, Becky would end up in rehab, and Gerald would come crawling back to April. We would find out via "flashbacks" that Becky probably took to drugs not because she's a musician, but because Gerald wouldn't stop obsessing over April. Of course, music would be blamed anyway. Gerald would settle down and get a business degree so he could do the books for April's vet practice. And they would have two kids, a boy and a girl! After the birth of the first kid, April's job will never be seen or mentioned again.
Plus they will have a sheepdog named Barley. ;)
qnjones,
After the birth of the first kid, April's job will never be seen or mentioned again.
If Gerald is doing her books, then April’s business will go phenomenally well. We will hear that there has been no better veterinary practise in all of Canada, all because of the work Gerald has been doing on her books (in a similar fashion that John Patterson once credited Gordon Mayes’ success to Anthony Caine).
aprilp_katje,
Plus they will have a sheepdog named Barley. ;)
Drug reference name for dog, like Quebec name for Francoise?
From www.urbandictionary.com:
4. barley n. cocaine
Brixton slang, rhymes with charlie
there's barley coming in tomorrow, fifty quid a gramme
Maybe Becky gets the sheepdog on the premise that Gerald will take of it. But then April adopts the dog after Becky leaves. However, they keep the drug reference name, even though it was obvious that Becky named the dog.
"That would be an odd storyline, and I am not sure what the point would be. After all, this is the same April who championed Shannon Lake, whose aspirations are a lot simpler than going to university"
Oh, but consistency or hypocritical behavior is never pointed a problem in FBoFW. April can talk about how everyone can do their own thing with Shannon and how she herself is a "leader", while she disses someone for doing exactly that and daring to be different.
Kind of like Liz dismissing Paul because he "wasn't there for her" while giving Anthony a pass for never calling her when she got back home (until the trial necessitated it) nor waiting for her instead of marrying Therese straight out of college.
And let's not even get started on the Mira-overbearing-mother and Elly-who-isn't problem.
Lynn has created a schizophrenic strip.
Oh, and my prayers are with your family and MIL now.
4. barley n. cocaine
I had no idea. I feel so out of it. ;)
debjyn,
Oh, but consistency or hypocritical behavior is never pointed a problem in FBoFW.
Your examples show this to be the case, but I still wonder over the reason why. Why would Lynn Johnston write characters who are so hypocritical?
Let’s say you are Lynn Johnston and you want to write a conflict between April and Gerald based on them going different paths after high school. I remember from my own experience, a number of high school couples who really struggled over this. April has a career path ahead of her which will take years to get through. If her intent is not to marry until she has gotten her veterinary credentials, then whomever she is dating has a long wait ahead of him. Couples I knew who have done this, especially if they are both not going to the same school, have had to work at it to stay together. It would be simple to generate a conflict over this.
For example, Gerald presumes April is going to stay in Ontario and go to the vet school at University of Guelph, and make it easier for them to get together. April instead says she is going to the pre-vet program over at University of Winnipeg, because her auntie and cousin are alums there and that would help her with admissions.
Lynn Johnston seems to operate as if she has limited number of plotlines available to her and she just plugs in the characters and expects us to like or dislike them based on presupposed perspective on the character. For example:
The cheating partner plotline:
If cheater is Eric Chamberlain, and cheatee is Liz, then hate Eric and pity Liz.
If cheater is Paul Wright, and cheatee is Liz, then think Paul is not very nice, but the situation is understandable because the poor First Nations people are simply not able to live in the big city.
If cheater is Anthony Caine, and cheatee is Thérèse, then the cheater is justified in his cheating, because the cheatee should never have been with him in the first place.
Based on this, you don’t even need plots. You could put the characters into different situations and always know the outcome.
The cooking contest plotline:
If the competing cooks are Eric Chamberlain and Elizabeth Patterson, Liz will win.
If the competing cooks are Paul Wright and Elizabeth Patterson, Liz will win after appreciating the cultural differences of the First Nations cooking.
If the competing cooks are Anthony Caine and Thérèse Caine, Anthony will win after Thérèse is declared to be ineligible.
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