Forgot I wanted to say things about the rest of the post too!
The main thing that really stands out to me is the kids factor. It's obvious that the kids are one area where they both agree on - at least in terms of parenting styles.
I agree and the more I think about it, this is a huge thing. I think it must form a huge part of their bond and affection for each other. Because I agree also that it doesn't seem like Elizabeth was just cold to Philip while he was affectionate with her. It's one of the things that struck me in watching the scenes with Robert is that I think there are hints that years of familiarity have probably changed the way they understand each other.
For instance, I think in a later ep Elizabeth has a line of something like "Well, I know it can't be too serious because you're still making jokes." It probably took her a while to get a handle on how and when Philip joked, what was behind it, because we know that she herself finds joking a little awkward (as we see when she tries to make one). But at this point she's clearly comfortable with it, it doesn't get on her nerves, and she actively enjoys it in relaxing moments, especially with the kids. I think for both of them watching the other person with the kids might show them the other person's best self and make them really value the other person.
So yeah, there's really no indication that Elizabeth doesn't have plenty of affection for Philip by the pilot, even if we're seeing her in moments when she's being standoffish. I don't think she often made specifically romantic gestures towards him simply because she's so truthful that way and she herself admits that she wasn't in love with him. But that doesn't mean she never showed him genuine affection or was never physically attracted to him.
I does still play to me that Philip pushing boundaries with her in that kitchen scene, but I don't think the boundaries he's pushing are sexual, if that makes sense. And in the ice cream scene he's trying to draw her out and sees it doesn't work, but not because he's never been able to draw her out. He just doesn't know what's weighing on her mind yet.
That seems like one of the unique things about the show, that the excitement doesn't come from newness. They're not two people who've just met, and they're not friends who've just now started thinking of each other romantically. They're an arranged marriage that worked really well and is just now getting more passionate.
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2013-09-01 03:00 pm (UTC)The main thing that really stands out to me is the kids factor. It's obvious that the kids are one area where they both agree on - at least in terms of parenting styles.
I agree and the more I think about it, this is a huge thing. I think it must form a huge part of their bond and affection for each other. Because I agree also that it doesn't seem like Elizabeth was just cold to Philip while he was affectionate with her. It's one of the things that struck me in watching the scenes with Robert is that I think there are hints that years of familiarity have probably changed the way they understand each other.
For instance, I think in a later ep Elizabeth has a line of something like "Well, I know it can't be too serious because you're still making jokes." It probably took her a while to get a handle on how and when Philip joked, what was behind it, because we know that she herself finds joking a little awkward (as we see when she tries to make one). But at this point she's clearly comfortable with it, it doesn't get on her nerves, and she actively enjoys it in relaxing moments, especially with the kids. I think for both of them watching the other person with the kids might show them the other person's best self and make them really value the other person.
So yeah, there's really no indication that Elizabeth doesn't have plenty of affection for Philip by the pilot, even if we're seeing her in moments when she's being standoffish. I don't think she often made specifically romantic gestures towards him simply because she's so truthful that way and she herself admits that she wasn't in love with him. But that doesn't mean she never showed him genuine affection or was never physically attracted to him.
I does still play to me that Philip pushing boundaries with her in that kitchen scene, but I don't think the boundaries he's pushing are sexual, if that makes sense. And in the ice cream scene he's trying to draw her out and sees it doesn't work, but not because he's never been able to draw her out. He just doesn't know what's weighing on her mind yet.
That seems like one of the unique things about the show, that the excitement doesn't come from newness. They're not two people who've just met, and they're not friends who've just now started thinking of each other romantically. They're an arranged marriage that worked really well and is just now getting more passionate.