[spoilers] Lucas. Just Lucas.

[Byatil]

(17-01-2011 01:43 AM)binkie Wrote:  

(14-01-2011 10:48 PM)Byatil Wrote:  Lucas seems to place more trust in women than he does men...

This is a really provocative insight with enormous potential for further consideration. What prompted your initial observation? Do you have a theory to explain the gender element in Lucas’ complex concerns about trust?

From what I've gathered he places a good deal more emotional-investment in women than he does in men. He confides in Ros, Ruth and even Jo to an extent, yet only fleetingly converses (awkwardly) with Malcolm and offers a drink to Ben. His converse with the male characters generally seems to be more focused on being polite in order to build relationships. Obviously, his link with Harry is a rather shaky one, and when they spend time together it often ends in an argument. Even Connie has quite a strong emotional link to Lucas - "It was me, Lucas. Not Harry."

On a very superficial level, I would assume that his perception of men has been tainted by his role within MI5, as well as his time spent in prison. I'm working under the assumption that he was kept in a male-dominated environment for 8 years, where there's a strict unwritten rule of keeping quiet. It is generally seen as unacceptable for men to show weakness to other men, so it makes sense that Lucas would hold more emotional-investment in women.

His relationship with Adam was interesting, however. I think perhaps Lucas thought he could model his "new self" upon him, or else saw a lot of the "old Lucas" in Adam's character. They seemed to get on really well right from the start, so it would have been interesting to see their relationship developed further. It's a shame Adam had to go and sacrifice himself!

Sorry for the short/uninspired reply, I'm rather tired and trying to write quickly