 |
| [This is how I imagine |
| George Sutherland looks like |
| (it's actor George Lazenby); |
| every reader will have their |
| own way of picturing him.] |
The topic of conversation, as it often is, was George Sutherland. Ever since his introduction in the first MSW novel by Donald Bain (the first edition of Gin and Daggers, to be exact), he has been a touchstone of controversy. Some readers love him, others resent him. Here's a sampling from Mr. Bain's discussion page:
"I love it when Jessica and George Sutherland are together. My only question is, why dosen't he ask her to marry him?" --Mary
"I don't want to see Jessica with anyone. It would slow her down as sleuth and diminish her individuality. ... The world is a better place with Jessica Fletcher as detective--not a lover!" --Sally
That more or less sums up the controversy.
There was never a time when George was not a controversial character. Right from the beginning, from the first moment he and Jessica met face-to-face, he was clearly presented as a potential romantic interest. Ironically, his introduction in Gin and Daggers (first published in 1989) came hard on the heels of the airing of the fifth season finale, "Mirror, Mirror, On the Wall," a pivotal episode that fueled speculation as to whether Seth Hazlitt and Jessica were about to become an item. Many fans were hoping to see the writer and the good doctor pair up by the end of the series (the fanfic term "'shipper" didn't exist back then), and many still favor this potential match. To them, George is a distraction, as Donald Bain himself has acknowledged:
"... there are some readers who resent his role in Jessica's life, especially its romantic aspects. They want Dr. Seth Hazlitt to be the one to whom she gives her heart. I can understand their feelings; Seth is a wildly popular character from the series. "
Based on the comments posted on the discussion page, however, it would seem that George Sutherland's admirers greatly outnumber his detractors. Among his fans there also is an overall frustrationover MCA/Universal's persistent refusal to allow Mr. Bain to advance the relationship in the novels, even a little bit - it would seem that even a real kiss is out-of-bounds. The reason for this, as described by Mr. Bain, is logical enough:
"While I see them as a wonderful couple, I'm sure Universal would not want to change her status as an independant, self-sufficient woman, and I can see their point. Marriage would change everything about the series and her character, and from the standpoint of most readers, such a dramatic shift would probably be jarring. But you never know."
Renee Bain adds in a later post,
"One reason why may be because there are many new fans of the TV show--which is still in syndication--who are just discovering the books. When they find them, they have lots of expectations, as you did when you first started reading the series. We want our new readers to enjoy the books as much as you do, so we have to be careful about any drastic changes. Granted,they have occurred from time to time, but we try to stay close to the characters and feeling of the show with a few additions."
All of this is cold comfort for the fans who continue to hope that the next MSW book featuring George will carry with it a little extra magic. Fortunately for them, that's what we have fan fiction for. :)
My own opinion of George has varied widely over time; I didn't like him at first, and was dismayed (although touched) when he confessed his love for Jessica in The Highland Fling Murders. However, I have since come to appreciate him as a character and he figures prominently in my own writing. George provides Jessica with a wonderful opportunity for character development, and since I am not bound by the rules the Bains must abide by, I can envision a deeper relationship for them and what effect it then has on them as individuals.
Here is your chance to sound off, Gentle Readers - do you like George or dislike him? Has your opinion changed over time, as mine did? Send in your comments and let your voice be heard.
