Michael or Phelan? Who is the more suited to Eileen? What a question I seem to have set myself, but I will do my best to answer it.
It seemed to me that, at least initially, Michael and Eileen were not well suited at all. It is possible that she decided to begin a relationship with him to spite Gail, her long term nemesis. Michael was at a very vulnerable stage in his life, and he needed someone to turn to and someone to comfort him, after the revelation that Gail was in the know concerning the Gandy episode.
While Gail and Michael did seem to fit together as a couple, it never, at least for this viewer, felt that Eileen and Michael were very well suited. There seemed to be no chemistry and no real enjoyment of each other's company, and when they were together if felt forced at times. Letting Michael go seemed relatively easy for her too. No tears, no shouting - all a bit of a damp squib, with Phelan not so much waiting in the wings but rather entering centre stage.
Gail's adoration of her former house burglar was genuine and so maybe now Michael will learn to forgive her for deceiving him and harmony will be restored and Michael will shuffle into the annexe with Gail. He's in no hurry though as he gave Gail a bit of a knockback last week. As ever, time will tell.
Eileen is very attracted to Phelan, though it is unclear whether he is attracted to her, despite what he says and how he acts. In The Rovers Eileen told Liz that she 'fancied the pants off Phelan.' She never said that about Michael. After Val cleared him out, he needs a home and someone to attend to his domestic needs. Whatever else he is, my bet would be that Phelan is not a new man.
It is a commonplace to point out that some women are attracted to bad boys. Well, neither Phelan nor Tony could be classed as boys, but they certainly have some bad in them. Somehow, despite his dirty tricks, Tony is more likeable that Phelan. Phelan has a menacing sinister side which is missing in Tony, in my view, though Tony certainly did do unforgiveable things to Liz, the woman he claimed to love. I would be interested to hear what other viewers think about the relative evils of Tony and Phelan.
Michael is a pretty harmless character really, despite his stupidities and he has, it seems, not had a very happy life. He appeals to the maternal side of women perhaps, as he seems so hopeless and hapless. He was right about Phelan though. Instinctively, he did not trust Phelan one iota.
But is the mask slipping? In the bistro are Phelan and Eileen, when who should walk in but Kevin and Anna. As a rather odd gesture, Kevin and Anna send Eileen and Phelan a bottle of wine. He feels humiliated by the gesture, maybe, or feels patronised. Either way, the gesture hits a raw nerve. Immediately, the mask slips and Phelan is on his feet. He couldn't have got his face nearer to Kevin's if he tried. 'Better be careful what you say about me in public.' he threatens. On returning to his table Phelan receives short shrift from Eileen. 'That was embarrassing,' Eileen says. 'Maybe they were right about you.'
Does this spell the end for Phelan and Eileen? Or will he pull the wool back over her eyes? It certainly makes for compelling viewing.
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12 comments:
Who is the Better Partner for Eileen - Michael or Phelan?
Gee, let me think...Phelan's a psycho and a rapist... hhmmm.
Well said,Doc. As much as Eileen gets under my skin these days she doesn't deserve that. She is attracted to Phelan and she is already getting the warning signs,run away signs and she is choosing to ignore them to buy some fun. -Which I don't think she had with Michael.
Well Michael would be the safer choice but there really was no chemistry between the 2. Phelan was, is and will always be a mean bully - he'll take whatever he can from Eileen & Jason and ride off into the sunset. Too predictable. Maybe they should just leave Michael single for awhile - I could see maybe he and Freddie becoming friends if only for a few pints in the pub and maybe a game of darts.
Michael is leaving the show this week so Eileen is stuck with Phelan.
Michael is more suited to Gail's tame tastes, and he needs someone to look after him and his dodgy ticker. I didn't think he would last with nasty Eileen.
Given all the warnings she's had, all the bad blokes she's had, and taking Phelan's word (who's been on the street 5 minutes) over people she's known for years....
Eileen does deserve Phelan.
I can't for the life of me see why anyone would be attracted to Eileen, she's such a nasty, mealy-mouthed misery.
Having said that, yes she does totally deserve Phelan. Two horrible characters together.
That'll teach her to nick people's husbands.
You're right about Phelan being more sinister than Tony. I felt that Tony had a much more selfish side plus more passion which is what fueled his schemes with Tracy. Phelan is cold and calculating. Tony could be dangerous because he's strong and "street" but he never came across as a bully which Phelan does. It is interesting to see that KEvin's gesture touched a nerve with Phelan. Why, I wonder? I don't think it was the excuse he used that it made him feel inadequate, having lost everything. Maybe he saw it more of a challenge. Kevin knows the truth and believes Anna. Kevin is solid, has a reputation in the community, and could make a lot more trouble for him professionally than a "hysterical" spurned "lover" (the story Phelan would put out about Anna). Kevin could end up being a bigger roadblock to Phelan's quest to gain control, to be the big fish in the little pond that he used to be.
Kevin knew what he was doing when he sent that bottle of wine. He is not intimidated by Phelan and unlike Owen he knows up front what he is dealing with. Eileen did not take long to forgive Phelan his bad behavior. She is desperate like Gail for a man....sad cow.
Agree with all you say Tvor - and yes, I do hope Kevin upsets matters for Phelan.
'Mealy-mouthed'? Eileen? I'd have said she was quite the opposite: she's plain-speaking and can be blunt to the point of rudeness and extremely sarcastic.
@ The HR Doctor
Phelan might be many things but he is NOT a rapist.
Anna chose to prostitute herself.
It was consensual.
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