Maverick~Pappy

[kirarakim]

This is an episode I have very mixed feelings on. On one hand it is a Bret & Bart episode where they both have pretty lengthy screen time and for me any episode with both Bret and Bart is a rare treasure

Comments

[insaneladybug]

I have mixed feelings on the episode as well, although for me, my problem is that from the stuff Bret and Bart say about Pappy, he sounds like a much more self-centered person than Bret and Bart are. He doesn't sound like someone who would approve of all the times they end up in trouble because they're trying to help people or right wrongs, for instance. From the stuff they've said, and the way he treated Beau, I came to not like the man

[kirarakim]

I don't know even before Pappy I never got the impression that Pappy was a mean person. I tend to judge the parents on how the kids are raised and it is obvious Bret and Bart have some high moral standings. Pappy's quotes might lead you to believe otherwise (although a lot of them just brought humor to the show) but besides giving Bret and Bart a strong moral sense I always felt pappy taught them the ways of the world too so they can protect themselves. To me I see it more as a specific Maverick code.

But my issue with the Pappy in the episode is not his temperant just that I felt he wasn't a very interesting character. I would have expected someone maybe even intimidating at first but witty and a good heart underneath. He just didn't live up to my expectations at all.

As for their mom I also see her as a strong and smart woman to put up with Pappy who was a womanizer but
one also with a good heart. I think she would have to be to catch Pappy.

[insaneladybug]

True, he definitely must have done something right, to raise such good sons with strong moral compasses. Then I just feel so disgusted at him exiling Beau for such a backwards reason as getting a medal (and not even having to do anything violent or dangerous to obtain it, actually). The only way I could try to make sense of that for my stories was to say that he was just so worried about the boys doing something foolhardy and dangerous that would get them killed. The irony of it is, gambling is sure a dangerous profession, with so many sore losers about.

Yeah, I understood what your problem was. I like your description of what you thought the character would be! That would have been fun.

It seems she'd have to be either pretty tolerant, pretty resigned, or pretty stupid to put up with womanizing from her husband. Or some of all three. But I don't have much patience for that sort of thing.

[kirarakim]

I actually don't think Pappy went after other women when he was with Bret and Bart's mom. I feel she "tamed him" so to speak. That's my head canon at least.

As for Beau being put in excile that was more a way for the show to explain why he was away (and not a very good reason). It's the inconsistent 4th season and even pappy was inconsistently written at that point sadly. I do see the whole medal thing as Pappy not wanting his family to do anything to risk their lives. I think that was the point when it was originally mentioned in Trail West to Fury.