The 7/22 comic had Anthony telling Liz that Therese was away taking a course on “money management…that sort of thing. She’s totally into her job and hopes to get a promotion soon.” He went on to say that “She’d rather be at work than take care of a little one,” which is why Anthony works from home. In a thought-balloon, Liz reflected that “This doesn’t add up.”
I don’t see how that’s a foreshadowing, really. Earlier this year, it was established (through gossip, but since Johnston uses gossip as exposition, we’re never supposed to doubt its veracity) that Anthony was the one who wanted a baby, so Therese told him he could raise it. Presumably, she was doing well at her job, and didn’t want to be derailed. I see nothing wrong with this. What is she “up to”, besides trying to make something of herself? Is she not a good person if she doesn’t change her mind the minute the baby is born and decide to be a SAHM and forget all that career crap?
If the genders were reversed, would anyone be saying that Anthony is probably having an affair? Mike works, and apparently only spends time with his kids on weekends; does that imply that he’s cheating? I say, Anthony made his bed; let him lie in it.
I get the impression that Therese doesn’t want to acknowledge that she has a family, yet at the same time she sees Elizabeth as competition. My judgement might be clouded though. Grandma Skywatcher didn’t want to acknowledge her family to the point of not calling her kids by their given names.
Yeah, but if, as it seems, Anthony has been carrying a torch for her all this time, I can hardly blame her.
And I love how he said, “You were always so easy to get along with.” Yeah, a low-maintenance relationship—that’s what he wants. Anthony seems like the classic Self-Proclaimed Nice Guy, using manipulation instead of intimidation to get what he wants. Boo freakin’ hoo.
Yeesh. This is Lynn Johnston under discussion, not Henrik Ibsen. If Johnston wants to frame Anthony as the good guy, then by definition, that’s who the good guy is.
Be that as it may, I’m finding I don’t particularly like Anthony nor do I have much sympathy for him. The way Lynn has portrayed him so far, he’s letting Therese walk all over him while trying to passively/aggressively manipulate Liz.
Like Ponder Stibbons said, sometimes the “good guy” isn’t really someone you’d personally find to be that good. Anthony is acting more like the far lesser of two evils - the woman he’s in love with was nearly raped, and rather than help her out further with that after his fistfight/“apologize!” thing or at least let her have some breathing space, he decides to drop yet another emotional bomb on her.