His secretary Dianne provides him a type of 'stable office-wife'
relationship. She doesn't intrude into his 'private' life, but 'fusses' over
him and organises him at work with mutual affection. This is shown in the
mutual 'barbed' rapport between them ref coffee, age, etc.
Laura literally 'sweeps' him off his feet in a sexual way. She is beautiful,
efficient, intelligent, with a 'hang-up' which becomes a challenge to Neil.
She may be using Neil as a 'stepping' stone ' in her career, but this is
not emphasised in the plot. Neil's inner, gentle shy & kind nature is
revealed, when he shows extreme patience with their physical relationship.
He 'sleeps with her , but doesn't force sex upon her! In 'A feasible
Solution' Laura even intimates to Neil during their walk in the park, that
she wants to 'go ahead' with the physical side of their relationship.Neil
is 'shattered' in 'Special Relationship' when forced to have Laura
assassinated in front of his eyes.As a result, he literaly puts up a barrier
against any further relationships with women.
Ross keeps pushing Karen at Neil. In spite of Neil 'warnings to stop
intruding into his private life' both Ross & Karen persist. The result is
that Karen 'fails' miserably & concedes in 'giving up' telling Neil that she
can't succeed against the opposition of his commitment to his job & a dead
woman.
Dianne provides another personal blow to Neil's security, when she resigns.
Marianne 'Thing' immediately takes up the challenge, showing even better
control of the situation. She becomes an even better office-wife to Neil.
She is also attractive & intelligent. Perhaps if the series continued...
Neil may have sought comfort in her arms after Willie is seriously shot.
Any comments?
Wendy & Dave
Wendy Laing
Writer
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