[MAKRO]

With all of the things that have been happening lately, and are about to happen, regarding the Abbott children, I figured it was time to create a place to discuss Harold and Rose as parents.
While I'm gathering my own thoughts on the sybject, I've been curious about some aspects of Harold and Rose's history together.
It's been inferred that Harold and Rose knew each other in high school but were not sweethearts. In My Funny Valentine, Rose talks about how when Harold left for college she was dating someone else. Yet, in Shoot The Moon, Amy (who I assume was seventeen at the time) says to Harold "at least Ephram and I aren't going around talking about getting married, which is exactly what you were doing when you were younger than me". This would infer that Harold knew he wanted to marry Rose by sophomore or junior year, before they were even together romantically. Hmm, unrequited love; where have we heard that before?
So Harold left for college vowing to write Rose every week until he convinced her he was the man for her. This infers he went to a school far enough away so that writing was their primary method of communication, as opposed to a school nearby enough for them to see each other regularly. Yet, if this is the case, why not Princeton? Rose said he gave that up to be with the girl he loved, yet he "went away" to college? Huh? And what about Rose? Did she go to college? The same one as Harold? Are they different ages?
Now, when did they get married? After four years of college, Harold would have gone to medical school, done a residency, and, as we were informed, tried to qualify as a surgeon. All of that could total as much as 7-8 years. It was also inferred that, if Harold had qualified as a surgeon he did not plan to return to Everwood. He said he came "crawling back" after finding out he didn't have the hands to be a surgeon. Again, where was Rose?
Harold said to Andy in the pilot that he had been the primary care physician in Everwood for fifteen years. Presumably, that referred to when he returned to Everwood and joined his father's practice. Yet, at the time of that conversation Bright would have been at least 16 years-old. Was Bright born someplace other than Everwood? Was Rose living in Everwood, married but alone, while Harold was training elsewhere?
Also, I'm wondering whether Rose has been Mayor for 16-18 years, or, as seems likely, she had another occupation before she was elected. This may have been discussed somewhere I've missed along the way, but I don't remember her having another job.
None of this, of course, has any significance whatsoever. It's just that my fevered brain thinks about odd little details like these.

I believe Harold and Rose's parenting skills are going to be central to the story for the rest of the season. How do you think they stack up?

[jediwands]

MAKRO.. Love the discussion topic. You bring up so many interesting details about their relationship and questions that highly peeked my curiosity which we may never fully know the answers to.

I will say one thing that I instantly think of whenever I think about Harold/Rose.. Another pairing, and that would be Ephram/Amy.. I have seen numerous parallels between the two, such as the unrequited love that Harold and Ephram had for Rose and Amy. Even in The Reflex, where E/A sleep together for the first time, it was very much inferred that Harold/Rose had some intimacy that night, also. Or even during that episode, Rose made the comparison to Harold that Ephram/Amy were not much younger than they were whenever they had their first time together. But yes, throughout this entire show, the writers have always focused on the parallels betwen these two pairings. Given the history, I can't help but think about E/A's immediate future.. It will be interesting to see how the college thing goes for E/A. We know that with Harold/Rose, Harold gave up Princeton for Rose.. To keep with the parallel, does that mean that Ephram will give up Julliard or another college for Amy? Or Amy for Ephram?

As far as how I feel like Harold/Rose and their parenting skills will hold up for the rest of the season.. I feel like they just might be different for each child..

With Amy, I think Harold/Rose will pass with flying colors. Harold is doing the right thing by telling Amy about the pregnancy because at least he is coming clean with his knowledge, and he can help her through this devastating news. I feel like Harold will help his daughter battle through this. Rose will also be there for Amy and help her whenever she is needed. So, as far as support.. Amy will certainly get it from her parents between now and the rest of the season..

As for Bright.. I'm not that optimistic that Harold/Rose will pass the test. First off, I feel like Bright doesn't have the greatest relationship with his parents to begin with (Harold especially), and I feel like they are just not in tune with Bright and what his needs and desires are. Bright, very much, is the ignored child. He just kind of passes by the time putting on a happy face but underneath his exterior, Bright is crying inside. I really don't think that Harold/Rose can even begin to reach their son unless they start to be in tune with what is going on with Bright. Harold is the biggest culprit here. His relationship with Bright could be forever unhealthy if he doesn't start understanding that he needs better communication with his son and also take some responsibility for understanding that some of Bright's issues are a direct result of his own parenting skills. I firmly believe that the Harold/Bright relationship is skating on thin ice and unless these two try to work some things out and make their relationship healthier, this relationship could end up permanently severed. But I do believe Harold is the key. He needs to make some self realizations about his part in why his relationship with his son is not nearly as healthy as it should be.

[Callalily]

They were so sweet tonight. It is so sad what they are going through but I love how Harold is there for her. Together they will overcome!

[infallible love]

You can tell how much they love each other; ITA about the E/A H/R parallels.

[Augusta]

I agree! The E/A H/R thing

[Lazy]

I Harold/Rose The whole Abbott family is great (and I feel the need to start an Abbotts Appreciation thread )

[AnnieN]

Originally Posted by Callalily They were so sweet tonight. It is so sad what they are going through but I love how Harold is there for her. Together they will overcome!

I agree. Harold shouldn't have that guilt about not taking care of her. Yes, he has a busy and hectic life but he still tries to take care of Rose, and he's doing it well. It's not as if he didn't take care of her intentionally.

[jediwands]

Originally Posted by Lazy I Harold/Rose The whole Abbott family is great (and I feel the need to start an Abbotts Appreciation thread )

Go for it, Lazy.

Yeah, Harold's guilt was very hard to watch. I can see why he had those thoughts but he so was not the reason as to why she has cancer or exactly what stage she is in, etc. I'm actually shocked that Rose wouldn't have gone to Jake or Andy for a check up, in all true honesty. I mean, she even told Harold that he hasn't been able to find a vein on her for years or something like that, so my guess is that Harold has not been in charge of Rose's health at all. Too bad that she didn't think to go to Jake or Andy whenever her back started to hurt.

[Lazy]

Originally Posted by Wilpen Go for it, Lazy.

I think I wait and see how well the Amy/Harold thread does, lol

I bet Harold is having a difficult time right now

[AnnieN]

I would love to see an Abbott's Appreciation thread.

[jediwands]

AnnieN.. Me too! Hey, you can always start one if you want to? Or, if you don't want to, I can always start one, also. Let me know. See Lazy, you should have started one so we wouldn't be having to debate this. Just kidding around.

[Lazy]

Okay, okay, I start one I just need a title

[AnnieN]

Yay! Hm. I'm bad at titles, but I'll try =/ ...Because Everwood wouldn't be worth watching if it weren't for them? Bad I know...

[jediwands]

Originally Posted by Lazy Okay, okay, I start one I just need a title

YAY! I love whenever you start threads! And you always come up with the best thread ideas.

Okay, title.. Hmmm.. Because how can you not adore the Abbott family?
Because hard times are ahead for our favorite family
Because what is Everwood without the Abbott's?

I sort of like the hard times are ahead title because of Rose's cancer storyline..

[Lazy]

Originally Posted by Wilpen YAY! I love whenever you start threads! And you always come up with the best thread ideas.

Thanks although my brain's been empty lately

I like the titles but I really like:

Because hard times are ahead for our favorite family Because what is Everwood without the Abbott's? I sort of like the hard times are ahead title because of Rose's cancer storyline..

I think I'll go with the 'Because hard times are ahead for our favorite family' one