I've been on holiday and just catching up with the show. Is anyone else really disappointed with what they have done to Mick's character and the Mick / Linda relationship? I’ve always loved both characters. Their relationship certainly hasn’t always been perfect and they’ve had their ups and downs but I think establishing them as a couple who would never cheat on each other was a really unique stance to take. Mick has pretty consistently been shown as devoted to Linda and completely in love with her. They are childhood sweethearts, they had three kids really young (before they were twenty, I think). When other guys were dating Mick was committed to one girl. After Linda was raped it looked like they weren't even having sex for several months. In an episode from March 2015, by this time Mick knew about the rape, where Linda tried to be intimate with him but flinched away when he got too close, he was so loving and gentle, reassuring her that everything was fine and saying he could wait. Another man may well have left after not getting any for so long but not Mick. Plus, the two of them have been shown to have an honest relationship in terms of communication - one of the basic cornerstones of any relationship.
I do think that Mick’s actions have been very out of character in these last eight months or so. He’s been acting like a manchild. I get that he felt resentful but what happened to communication? He could’ve also gone to see Linda in Watford more often and actually made the effort to spend time with her. IIRC he was there in February. IMO a mature person would have pulled the remaining members of his family together and held the fort whilst Linda was away tending her sick mum. I know Elaine got better so there’s obviously another reason Linda was away for so long but I would’ve actually preferred that the show explored how long-distance can affect a relationship without making one character into a cheat.
One of the most upsetting things about the Carter week episodes for me was destroying Mick as a character. I thought he behaved despicably to Linda and was totally out of character. I do think Mick cares about Whitney but I don't find it plausible at all that he could be in love with her, especially as he’s said many times that he loves Linda with all his heart. When the couple were first introduced women flirted with Mick and he wasn’t interested. Suddenly, Linda is away for more than two days and he’s lusting after another woman. I lost a lot of respect and sympathy for him because not only did he not take any responsibility for his actions, he blamed his wife for them. I felt that he became just like any other cheater, with the same pathetic excuses, who doesn't know what he wants or who he loves. On top of that, he promised not to see Whitney again and then goes to see her again! It’s like he wants to have his cake and eat it too.
Mick is no longer someone to emulate, to look up to. Mick and Linda's relationship was one of the most stable in the show. It's really pretty rare for a couple to have been together for as long as they have. I feel like TPTB have totally ruined their relationship. It's no longer unique. And yes, I know this is just a show but you get attached to these characters. I watch EE for the drama, I love that. But life is hard and sometimes you just want a stable, happy relationship even if it is only on tv.
I’ve also had some problems with the way Whitney has been portrayed. Also, the way she been spoken about on social media and forums is disgusting and sexist but this post is long enough. Does anyone else feel the same about this love triangle storyline?