The Return of Ted (and his mom)
I had wondered if Lynn Johnston was going to slash that whole “Connie Poirier visits Montreal to see Phil Richards” storyline. The appearance of Ted McCaulay seems to say that she did. The next man in Connie’s life is Ted, as I recollect, and this appearance in this new-run in For Better or For Worse by Ted may lead to Connie and Ted’s first meeting. This strip introduces the concept of Ted McCaulay, man who is a momma’s boy, to the new-run chronology and that seems like an obvious lead-in to the Connie and Ted stories.
The interesting part of today’s strip is the personality presented of John Patterson. John said he needs a break because “Life is too short.” The surprising suggestion by John that comes next is for Ted and him to go to the pub on Friday. I guess I must be too much of an old, married guy by now; but the times when I go out with male friends and only male friends to a bar or pub is far in my single man past. I think it pretty much ended with the arrival of my kids. When I go home now, it’s not “guy time”, it’s "kid time." My socializing is now pretty much with just my wife and kids, and sometimes with other couples. I am not nearly as exciting as John Patterson.
On the other hand, I never really enjoyed going to a bar and drinking and it's odd to think of nerdy John Patterson that way. I have to remember that nerdy John Patterson is based on macho Rod Johnston, who used to live out in remote Lynn Lake, Manitoba, flying his plane to do dental work for the First Nations people out there. Going out and getting a drink is more in line with his character than John’s . I also have to remember that Dr. John Patterson only employed beautiful women for his staff, so when Ted suggests John needs “guy time” it actually makes sense to a certain degree. John has to get away not only from his home, but also from his office.
The interesting part of today’s strip is the personality presented of John Patterson. John said he needs a break because “Life is too short.” The surprising suggestion by John that comes next is for Ted and him to go to the pub on Friday. I guess I must be too much of an old, married guy by now; but the times when I go out with male friends and only male friends to a bar or pub is far in my single man past. I think it pretty much ended with the arrival of my kids. When I go home now, it’s not “guy time”, it’s "kid time." My socializing is now pretty much with just my wife and kids, and sometimes with other couples. I am not nearly as exciting as John Patterson.
On the other hand, I never really enjoyed going to a bar and drinking and it's odd to think of nerdy John Patterson that way. I have to remember that nerdy John Patterson is based on macho Rod Johnston, who used to live out in remote Lynn Lake, Manitoba, flying his plane to do dental work for the First Nations people out there. Going out and getting a drink is more in line with his character than John’s . I also have to remember that Dr. John Patterson only employed beautiful women for his staff, so when Ted suggests John needs “guy time” it actually makes sense to a certain degree. John has to get away not only from his home, but also from his office.
posted by howard at 10:16 PM
13 Comments:
I don't imagine we'll ever get to see Ted's mother to find out if she really is the kind of person who controls her adult son's life, or if that's just the excuse Ted gives because he's all talk and no action.
As I said at the Foobiverse, I think we're seeing the lead-in to Ted and Connie's doomed relationship, or John deciding that model trains will fill the gaping hole in his soul, or both. I guess this could also be one of the first instances of John going out to buy a car or...ah, it just dawned on me: John is going to go out and buy the $2000 stereo, isn't he? Because that will fit perfectly with the theme of John being a jerk.
I think that adult men and women with responsibilities sometimes like to talk about going out and partying, even if they rarely do it.
Of course, that is just Ted's interpretation of what John wants. John probably just meant that he wants to work less and play with his trains more. Or whatever he was into back then.
As for Ted, I would really like to have Lynn flesh out his relationship with his mom, but I know that isn't going to happen.
I'm not so sure about this being a lead-in for Connie-Ted. In the original continuity, that relationship began when Ted was house-sitting the Pattermanse while the Pattersons stayed in the wrong cabin. While the leaked strip for March 12 reveals that Elly will be going away by herself, that doesn't create the need for Ted to be around.
Also, Ted's already been introduced in new-run chronology--during the "my dental hygienist is leaving me" arc.
howard,
I also have to remember that Dr. John Patterson only employed beautiful women for his staff, so when Ted suggests John needs “guy time” it actually makes sense to a certain degree. John has to get away not only from his home, but also from his office.
That's for sure; John's grinning idiot dad act is probably just that. Deep down, he felt his period as a bachelor was cut short and he 'needs' to compensate for the time that was stolen from him.
qnjones,
As for Ted, I would really like to have Lynn flesh out his relationship with his mom, but I know that isn't going to happen.
No, it's not; to do that, she'd have to decide what the woman looked like, come up with an interior to Ted's house, etc., etc., when all she needs is to have Connie martyred.
That's for sure; John's grinning idiot dad act is probably just that. Deep down, he felt his period as a bachelor was cut short and he 'needs' to compensate for the time that was stolen from him.
John probably worked pretty hard at his education. And (I believe) worked during the summer to get money for school. So he looked forward to being a professional with a good income. Get a nice apartment, a good car, play the field for a few years. After all, he deserved it.
Correct me if I'm wrong--but John's family had sudden financial problems. So he was faced with postponing his degree or getting a night job--which would have been pretty tough with his school schedule. But this chick he'd started dating had a great idea: She'd quit school, get a job & help him out. A couple with two jobs could still have a cool apartment & a nice car! They could enjoy the city & travel a bit.... Besides, Elly was cute.
Then Elly oopsed him with Mike. Of course, she had to quit work. And they needed to invest in a big house in a quiet suburb.
John did keep his part of the bargain, but I can understand a bit of frustration. He should have gritted his teeth & taken that nighttime job....
Correct me if I'm wrong--but John's family had sudden financial problems. So he was faced with postponing his degree or getting a night job--which would have been pretty tough with his school schedule.
I don't think the bio or anything else ever specified that John faced a situation like this. Elly's supposed reason for dropping out was to support John financially while he finished school, but no one bothered to explain why this was suddenly necessary.
maggie_texas,
John did keep his part of the bargain, but I can understand a bit of frustration. He should have gritted his teeth & taken that nighttime job....
This is probably what he says to himself when he's in the workshop playing with his trains. Not only did he get cheated out of his carefree bachelor days by a scheming idiot, he winds up being the heavy of the piece. Not that he doesn't deserve every atom of trouble he's in for listening to her, mind you; he should have known that when something sounds to good to be true, it usually is.
Rod J doesn't drink.
Anonymous,
Rod J doesn't drink.
Now or then, back in 1980?
Never has. And has never been one to 'go out with the boys'.
Anonymous,
Never has. And has never been one to 'go out with the boys'.
Very interesting. John Patterson, in contrast, has been shown out drinking with Ted McCaulay, drinking at social parties with Elly, and drinking on Elly and John's Mexican vacations. The times we have seen the Pattersons disapprove of drinking was with the underage drinking of the Patterson kids and indirectly with Gordon Mayes' father.
Any thoughts as to why Lynn Johnston would portray John Patterson as a drinker, when Rod Johnston was not a drinker?
I don't think she's portraying him as a 'drinker'; maybe just someone who has a drink once in a while with friends. She probably believes, and I agree, that's just what some people do at social events. She doesn't really show it that often.
John was NOT "cheated" out of his bachelorhood. Elly didn't oops him before the wedding. He chose to marry her. Maybe because he loved her. Maybe because he wanted her to help support him. Either way, it was HIS CHOICE.
I hate Elly as much as anyone, but John is responsible for his own actions. He's also no angel.
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