Afternoon! Now that the dust has settled on the watchalong and I've had time to contemplate - which means I've been round the supermarket and had to distract myself from the obvious joys of which fruit and veg to buy and what's for tea tonight - I think it might be time to return to Delphin's essay question posed last night:
Is Elvis a good 'un or a bastard? Discuss
Let us look at the evidence for each argument.
Not turning up for his wedding to Georgie combined with not phoning, not writing and indeed sending his best mate CJ to do his dirty work on the day is indicative of bastardly behaviour. The rather abrupt way in which he informed poor old 'Debs' she was dumped also suggests at the very least a lack of consideration for others feelings if not downright callousness. Furthermore, to make no contact in two years or attempt any explanation even at a later date shows a weakness and lack of maturity and Georgie might consider herself well-rid.
However, deciding to take responsibility for his previous actions in spite of only a fairly cursory relationship with his daughter's mother is indicative of man with some morals. Although we have accused him of being selfish in pursuing Georgie immediately after the rescue, which was probably more ill-advised than anything and borne out of desperation on finally and unexpectedly coming into contact with her again, we should remember that in the past two years he has left her alone to get on with her life despite the fact that he has been suffering in silence and according to his own admission his entire life has been his daughter. It should also be considered that the more time that passed the harder it would have been to address the situation that he caused and he might have thought he had no right to intrude on Georgie's life again especially if she was now happy. Furthermore, when he decided not to go through with the wedding he probably believed he was doing the right thing for Georgie. There is, in my opinion, an element of self-sacrifice in his actions.
In conclusion I would say he is a man who had good intentions but made a very bad error of judgment. The error was not to trust Georgie with the knowledge of his daughter's existence or possibly to believe that she wouldn't accept him with a daughter in tow. He didn't give Georgie a chance to decide for herself whether it was something she could live with or not and he has certainly lived to regret that decision.
I therefore conclude, your honour, that in my humble opinion Elvis is a good 'un with flaws.