It’s time to separate the true John and Evangeline/Michael Easton and Renee Elise Goldsberry supporters from the fair weather contingent.
Time for each of us to ask ourselves, “Which one am I?”
The fair weather for John and Evangeline is pretty much done, having given way to some pretty dark and threatening storm clouds. Then again, isn’t that how relationships really work? We have that first blush – the infatuation stage where everything he/she does is wonderful and special and so sweet and everything is hunky-dory. And then as the relationship progresses, one or two of the things that were so special start to really irritate, a couple of the things that were sweet now seem downright annoying. Ah, reality!
John has been moody lately – partly from being caught up in working both the Santi and Kramer murder cases and partly from an apparent frustration at how he and the woman in his life keep slipping off track no matter how much they want to stay on track. No, he doesn’t quite get that some of it is his fault for not stepping away from his need to protect long enough to keep Evangeline feeling content and secure in his feelings for her. Then again, guess what? That’s pretty much normal, too. And now they’re once again on opposite sides of a case, afraid that the resultant tensions that did a number on them last time might completely tear them apart this time.
Evangeline has been even more frustrated lately. She wants to be able to commit to the man in her life but she’s afraid that his past isn’t quite in the past. So she’s treading cautiously, watching and listening for some sign that the roof’s about to cave in so she can get out of the way in time. John’s upset about a few things. That’s been clear. But he won’t tell her what those things are. He just closes off and retreats into his ever-present drink and distance and silence. Boy, which one of us hasn’t been there!
Not that our girl has been picture perfect here, either. She seems a little thick about the fact that John’s moods became decidedly darker after her strings-not-rings announcement. And now John is faced with possibly having to arrest someone he was once close to for killing someone who virtually no one is sorry to see gone. And so what does Evangeline do? Why she agrees to defend John’s prime suspect, pitting herself against him again. Yes, she’s an attorney. Yes, she has every right to take on any client she chooses to represent. But there are ways and there are ways and she was a little heavy handed in this instance – a bit too “in-your-face” about it.
Nobody’s talking, folks, and it’s all perfectly in keeping with how these things called relationships work. If you’ve lived more than a minute, you know that all relationships have peaks and valleys. The relationships that last – the ones that go the distance – are the ones that level off. Yeah, his silences are annoying as can be but when he’s open and receptive, he’s wonderful. Yeah, she’s so darned headstrong that she gets up in my face all the time but her strength is one of the things I like most about her.
Well, our favorite couple is in a valley right now. It’s what will give them a chance to learn more about each other – the good and the bad. It’s what will give their relationship a chance to level off – a chance to really go the distance.
Sounds like a pretty good story to me. Yes there are definitely a few kinks that need to be ironed out in the telling of it. Still, overall, I’ll take it. This is a story will give both Michael and Renee a chance to do their thing as actors – to remind us over and over again of why we connected with them in the first place.
So if I don’t like what I’m seeing on screen, I’ll write to the powers that be to let them know what I want to see instead. If I like what I’m seeing on screen, I’ll write to the powers that be to let them know that I want to see more of it. I’ll write to Michael and Renee to let them know how much I value the work that they do each and every day – how they make John McBain and Evangeline Williamson come alive.
But, above all, I’ll keep on watching. I’ll keep on supporting my favorite couple and their story. I can’t claim to support my couple or my favorite performers if I don’t. Besides, if I stay away, my voice disappears – along with any chance I might have to let people know what I think. Won’t get what I want that way, will I?
“Am I a true supporter or a fair weather friend?” Each one of us has to decide that for ourselves. I’ve already decided for me.
Have I mentioned lately how much I LOVE Renee Elise Goldsberry and Michael Easton?