Between those two, David for sure. Even though he has a reputation for being a "Wimp", he's a better partner for me than Mark. I don't need someone to "protect" me in that sense anyway. David's sweetness balances me out too. With Mark, the chemistry would just be off. Again, this is based solely on if they were the only two options.
I love David but i would def marry Mark.
I would know he would do whatever it took to support the family.
He would be reliable. i liked him before they turned him in to an idiot.
David was a good husband that took care of his wife and kids but he needed some backbone. He needed his opinion and not just go along with whatever i said. he needed more confidence
This and I think Mark loved Becky more. I think David was grateful for any attention he got. Say what you want of Mark, but never stepped out on Becky. David was willing to cheat on Darlene with Molly. I don't think David's love of Darlene was as true as Mark's love of Becky. I think Mark became a survivor of his abuse and it made him stronger. Where as David became a victim and was afraid of his own shadow.
shareMy dad had backbone so David all the way. I don't need some guy with no education who works some crap job. Then goes drinking, comes home and yells at me about his crap life and lack of money.
shareDavid never stepped out on Darlene Molly was the one who kissed him and said they could go down to his room if he wanted. She was *beep* to do that since he had a girlfriend and he lived with her family so she could have also made it so that he had no place to live if he had given in to temptation eventhough Darlene was a bitch that time and in general like Mark said. Darlene was also mad because he told Molly that they were planning on running away to go to art school
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You are right how some who a doormat is boring but I would still not wish to be marred to a man like Mark.I like Art and books, so I want some can talk about those things with. Also Like I said before Mark is too much like my father and I do not like that.
shareLooks like we're the minority. I agree—as much as David was too passive, he had great traits that far outweighed his one fault, in my opinion. Plus, he did stand up to Darlene many times when it counted too (calling her out on her vegetarian hypocrisy, defending his innocence when Molly kissed him, and finally: breaking up with her when she was cheating with Jimmy—sure, late but better than never).
Mark is just a dolt. To say you want a "fighter" is not enough justification—what would you even fight about—you'd have nothing to TALK about in the first place! He lacked personality, even at the onset—aside from being a "Bad boy". That was it. Even people on this board have remarked at how little he and Becky had in common!
Molly did kiss him AFTER he flirted with her and peeped on her naked. That's not traits I'd want in a friend let alone boyfriend/husband. For being so sensitive, David couldn't see Molly made Darlene seethe with rage.
shareMolly did kiss him AFTER he flirted with her and peeped on her naked. That's not traits I'd want in a friend let alone boyfriend/husband. For being so sensitive, David couldn't see Molly made Darlene seethe with rage.
You just said it yourself: Molly kissed HIM; not the other way around.
As for him "flirting" with her—I don't recall outright flirting, just acquiescence to Molly's overt flirting. It was more of a sin of omission. Sure, it's not sensitive of him—but maybe he couldn't control himself because he's human. Also, if you really wanna pull out the psychology books, maybe he was sensing he deserved someone who treated him better than Darlene after all.
And the peeping incident? He didn't intend to be caught, lol. Of course, that doesn't make it right. Again, he's human. Sh*t happens.
Also, at the end of the day this was just a sitcom and we all know they don't cover all of their bases all the time. It could just be sloppy writing, 'cause they knew it made great drama of course.
David was always just looking for the next best thing. Look at the types (Molly and Dinah) he goes when Darlene is out of the picture. I hate Darlene more than David, but she was a better girlfriend than he was a boyfriend. She wasn't always mushy like him, but she meant it. He was just faking it to get away from his abusive mom. David didn't love Darlene.
shareDavid was always just looking for the next best thing.
... really? Then why did he put up with Darlene dating Jimmy at the same time? Why would he subject himself to that humiliation? It was clear he was going out on a limb to make it work with her, at the price of his own "self respect", as he said.
I'm not trying to fight for David lol, but I don't think you're right about his love for her. What do the girls he was attracted to and dated (Dinah) have to do with his stance towards Darlene??? I don't see anything that corroborates your theory at all. No offense.
Sure, David shouldn't have peeped on Molly for instance, but that's neither here nor there. He laid himself out on the line for Darlene particularly with Jimmy. If anything, she was cavalier about it—putting David in such a painful situation and not being particularly remorseful about it.
Darlene's mistake was getting back with David. Not only was he lusting for girls who were the total opposite of her. He said mean things to her. She reveals this when she breaks up with Jimmy who says something similar, but her and Jimmy don't have the same past. David isn't stupid. He needed Darlene because he was a grade A mooch. Notice how eager he is to give up his career to be a stay at home dad. Really noble IF you have a job. If Darlene truly ever wanted him gone, Dan and Roseanne would agree. He's back to his abusive mom or homeless.
shareWe all have our own interpretations. I personally don't think the writers were alluding to or implying that David was essentially using her to stay with the Conners. Sure, there was that awkward episode where David tries to fit in with Dan ("Punch and Jimmy"), but beyond that it all sounds like speculation to assume he was only there for a meal ticket. Please.
Undertones of a subversive motive like this? Perhaps. But Darlene Conner's entire marriage built on a foundation of one man's blatant desperation? I don't think the writers of the show were going for that.
I don't think it was their intention either. A lot of people think David is cute and sweet, because he's "emotional". David's kind of like that little dog everyone thinks is so cute, but when you turn your back he's tearing up the place. Where as imo Mark is that dog everyone is afraid of when they pass it's house, but you see it walking with it's owner, it's very sweet dog. Honestly, irl, a lot of people get married (or one person in the marriage) for reasons that aren't love and/or honest. Like Fred and Jackie. I don't think the writers intended it to be as deep, and frankly boring, as it was, but it was true of a lot of people like them. Roseanne had a lot of good and subtle writing. You can believe what you want, but it's a good sign people are still debating it over a decade later. :)
shareTough choice, as I don't see either of the Healy brothers as a real catch. As a father with a daughter, I'd hate to have either as a son-in-law, but have to take in account both came from a broken home.
I know some here consider David more lovable, but IMO, Mark wins by default. He and Becky had their ups and downs, but he did love her and after a rough start, wanted to be a good provider. Mark had no formal education, but was able to work as an auto mechanic. He also helped Dan out around the house fixing things which showed a decent work ethic.
David just struck me as lazy and immature, with no ambition. I don't remember all the episodes featuring him, but I don't remember him doing much. He just hung out with Darlene, watching TV, mooching meals and snacks, and drew comic books. Even when Darlene was accepted to a college, David initially wanted her to turn the college down. I also remember him throwing Mark under the bus, when he first announced to Roseanne how he felt about Darlene. He mentioned to her how he knew Mark was no good and that he was nothing like his brother.
I'm going by memory, but I just don't recall David ever accomplishing anything, other than winning Darlene's heart. Mark at least seemed to mature a little as the series progressed, although the writers did make him dumber.
^ This is the best argument for Mark on this thread.
I don't buy the "Mark would stand up against me" argument. What would he stand up for? Toilet paper? He had no personality on this show—you'd have nothing to talk about, let alone have him stand up for something.
I agree, Mark was certainly more hard-working and proactive than David.
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David. I've always had a big crush on Johnny Galecki.
Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop & look around once in awhile you could miss it - Ferris
Mark, before they turned him into a moron. David is sweet and sensitive, but the thing about that is he's too sensitive. On a 1-10 scale, he's about a 15. On top of that, he has no backbone to speak of. That's why I never liked him being with Darlene. The whole basis of their relationship is she can boss him around and put him down and he's willing to put up with it because he's a total doormat.
shareNeither would be my first choice personality-wise, so I'll go with Mark. He was a good provider and could stand up for himself at least.
Reportin' live for Black TV: White folks are dead, we gettin' the f*@# outta here!
Can I pick Danielle Harris' character instead?
Anyone here mentions Hotel California dies before the first line clears his lips.