JK9000 wrote:Freemage wrote:So let's go with what we have seen--which is significant both in what's there and what isn't. There's no passion, no really strong show of desire on his part. There IS a lot of emotional distance and insecurity. Does that necessarily add up to 'gay'? No. It DOES suggest, however, that he's carrying around as many 'issues' as Karen--he just does a better job of not displaying them for the world to see.
The hell you seeing this stuff, man? Seriously. Show me, quote me this emotional distance of Marshall's. 'Cuz as far I've seen...
Bam.
Kiss on the cheek, and I've danced closer with girls I had no interest in, and who had no interest in me.
Good for you, but that doesn't make it any less romantic, passionate, or sincere. Last I checked, you
usually kiss someone you like as a way of showing affection and being intimate, whether its on the cheek, lips...or elsewhere. Though, I do love how the previous panels were overlooked. I mean who goes on dates and spends time together alone, anymore?
Also, had you paid more attention, you'd know that was their first date and that Marshall and Karen had just met. In the previous strip, she had just asked him out (to go running), so I'd assume that afterwards they decided to make it an all day thing. And kissing someone on the cheek when you've just met them and this is your first date with them, means that you're interested. Marshall is unsure of people's feelings, therefore he probably didn't want to dive straight into a relationship or go any further without getting to know her first.
If they were standing, they could pass the classic "shine a light between them" test that used to be insisted upon by chaperones in a more genteel age. Look at the body language--he's facing the ceiling, she is facing him.
Doesn't make it any less romantic, he's spending some time with the girl he likes. Also, as we've seen, Marshall isn't ready for sex yet, so its quite normal for him to play it safe and avoid placing himself within temptation. His body language suggests "We're just talking, enjoying each others company, but this isn't going any further."
You seem to have stopped reading this right after the grope. Note that even with that lead-in, he's simply not thinking on that level, at all, until Karen re-introduces it.
Yet he wasn't offended by the grope, nor did he get angry. I could see it as
wierd had he said, "Don't touch me like that" or reacted in a similar manner, but he didn't. He didn't mind at all.
Probably the most persuasive of the strips, for your argument, because of the off-camera lines (and I WISH we could have seen him, rather than Aggie, during that exchange). However, again, look at the body language in the background of frame 4. Is he leaning over, embracing her closely, maybe even murmuring something romantic in her ear? No. He's standing ramrod-stiff, hands on her hips, like they're about to waltz.
Really, I don't see the problem with that. That's just your perspective, because I don't see anything wrong with his position or anything questioning about it. So what if they're not passionately making out. He's holding her while she showers him with affection, and I don't think he's complaining either.
Frankly, this left me unimpressed. Again, it's the sort of thing a good friend might do, as well. He admires Karen, supports her--but he doesn't say anything about how he feels about her. Oh, and by the way--a pedestal is just another form of distance.
That's just you then, because it further proves his point. Couples do support and defend one another, and his words does show how he feels about her, it shows that he obviously thinks highly of and respects her.
I don't know how you define "show of desire", but dating, kissing, hugging, bedside cuddling, groping (no, he didn't do the groping, but he wasn't complaining), giving gifts, defending her infront of a large crowd... All that checks out in my book. If you want roof top seranades, go look up Duane, 'cuz that's not how Marshall does it.
Nope. Again, it's not desire--looking at the strips you highlighted, all I really see is someone doing all the things he thinks someone in a relationship should do.
No, that's desire with control. He's making sure that doesn't put himself in a compromising situation. Everyone is different, you may not see Marshall writing poetry and showering girls with gifts, but also won't see Rich giving a rooftop serenade or wearing a suit. You do what suits you. Every guy is different, some guys enjoy snuggling in the backseat of a car, some spend ridiculous amounts of money to please her, some just like beauty and not brains, some guys use girls, whereas others may enjoy spending time with the girl he likes by doing activities they both love.
This is how Marshall acts because he's Marshall, just as Duane acts with Penny because he's Duane. He shouldn't be singled-out or have his feelings down-played when he's shown interested in someone.
1. We're just kids.
2. My eyes are up here!
No normal, heterosexual teen male has ever said either such thing.
Seriously? Amazing, I never met someone who knew every single straight, teenage male on the planet, let alone talks to them about their views, beliefs, and experiences on a regular bases. Tell me, what is normal? Because then I can tell you that no one is normal.