I don't remember the name of the episode already in which a priest proposed to Laura. Why on earth did she say no?? I mean, really, what are her chances romantically in general? And the man was all-around great!
It was Anthony Andrews' character, Richard Oakley, a prep school Classics master, who proposed to Laura at the end of the episode "The Invisible Worm" (Series 2, Episode 4). She didn't accept because (a) she had recently come out of an unhappy marriage with a philandering husband and has probably sworn off men, at least for a while; and (b) not everyone wants or needs to jump into a relationship with any old decent man who offers, whatever their "chances romantically" are!
So, having a man equals "winning"? A woman without a "plus one" is a "loser", then? Hello, wake up, this is the 21st century. Women can be very happy without a male companion. News to you, probably. Your postings show ridiculously outdated, macho opinions.
I thought Laura was pretty when she'd put on some makeup, but they made her go plain and wear shlubby clothes compared to Rosemary. Plus, her personality was fun. I'd rather hang out with Laura.
Both women in the series were very attractive and certainly did not need to settle where any man was concerned. Laura is not ugly at all and so I really do not understand why anyone would claim she is.
"Attractive" means what I say it means -- because my opinion is my own as yours is YOUR OWN. Laura's 'attractiveness" to YOU is as real as Laura's "attractiveness" is to me. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder -- and while you behold ugliness in this woman I behold a natural beauty that stands on its own merit.
I quite liked him, but I understand Laura's hesitation, having just come out of a bad marriage. Shame really, would have been nice to see more of Anthony Andrews on the show. ;)
She certainly should have married Richard! He would have made her delightfully happy, as she would have made him. Plus, it would have given me more of my beloved Anthony Andrews! ;)
I agree with everyone that said a woman does NOT necessarily "need" or "want" a man and many are perfectly happy without one. In fact, the only happy ones I know aren't married. The reality is NOBODY needs to do anything they aren't comfortable with doing regardless of social pressure that dictates otherwise. This is the reason the child abuse/neglect rate, divorce rates and suicide rates are so high. People conform to these "standards" thinking it's what they are "supposed to do" and realize years later that they are just miserable, day in and day out.
Laura is not unattractive and not being a beauty queen doesn't mean a woman has to jump at ANY man willing to give her a second glance. Nobody harped about Clooney never marrying but "confirmed bachelorettes" are constantly labelled negatively - "spinster" and "sad" and "unfortunate" and it's ridiculous. Let people (and characters) live their lives the way they sit fit. Everyone should be afforded that basic right.
-------------------------------------------- Get busy living, or get busy dying. Andy (The Shawshank Redemption)