Patricia's Many LOves

[lillyivimia]

One of the many aspects of Patricia's character I was really reeled in by was her many affairs/mariages and the vast array of personalities of those who took to her romantically.

Usually I wasn't overlly interested in the romantic interludes between charactrers in S&D and concentrated more on the over-the-top plots and larger-than-life characters. But Patricia attracted men with interesting dynamics and this always played out well on screen.

I'm re-watching the series again at the moment and already Patricia has been married to Gordon Hamilton, had two affairs with David Palmer, attracted the interest of the Stud Manager Alan Pascoe and got together with the ill-fated Martin Healey. In a handful of episodes, from memory, she has a whirlwind romance with Barbara's brother, Steven and ends up marrying him!

And, of course, there are many, many more men that come and go before Patricia's final reunion with the one true love of her life, David Palmer.

Out of all the various romantic entanglements, though, I preferred Patricia and Martin Healey and the upcoming Patricia and Steven Morrell. Both of these, I think, had a very powerful dynamic. Both men, in their own way, were able to stand up to Patricia and this made great entertainment.

So, who do you think worked best with Patricia? Martin, Steve, David or one of her many other love interests?

[Si-Co]

I always thought Patricia and Stephen was a good match and hoped they would get through their numerous troubles. It was actually working reasonable well until Stephen's character was somewhat softened, with all this "I just want a quiet life in the country" stuff.

Patricia never loved Gordon - and I find it very surprising their marriage lasted the twenty or so years that it did! She never seemed to show him any genuine affection, until - surprisingly - she revealed as 'Alison' that she cared deeply about him.

Patricia and Matt Kennedy would have been an interesting - and possibly successful match - because he understood her without having any illusions about her. When she left Australia to be with him in London it was very believeable, except the writers never planned for this to be successful because Rowena was always planning to return after this break - and Vince Martin either wasn't asked, or didn't wish, to return.

But, realistically, I think the only man for Pat was David. I don't think they ever stopped loving each other - even when they hated each other!

[verso]

Without a shadow of a doubt it's Pat and David..........

[lillyivimia]

I'm well into my current re-watch now and Patricia has finally tied the knot with David. The scheming and multi-faceted manipulation it took for her to finally achieve this was beautifully convoluted and it's just a shame that ultimately it's not destined to last.

David is clearly the man for Patricia, no question - they started as a couple on Episode 1 and were reunited again in the final episode - but I always got the impression that there was something of the 'unattainable' quality about their love. It was perfect in theory and yet not so perfect when they finally got together. They were polar opposites and while it's said that opposites attract, in this case I'm not sure that's true.

Patricia wanted the 'dream', but sadly the reality wasn't always very satisfying.