Seeking “Mr. Right” Among Richard Armitage’s Varied Character Roles, 9/14/11 GratianaDS90 (Post # 14)

Getting back to the notion that there are women in the world—or at least of my acquaintance—who are still seeking their Mr. Right (see my blog post #2, “Late bloomers for love can and do bloom”:  https://gratianads90.wordpress.com/2011/08/27/late-bloomers-for-love-can-and-do-bloom-82711/ ).   Let’s continue that discussion of what women want in a man for their love relationship–but with a twist, by examining the characters portrayed by Richard Armitage and identifying the “finer” qualities that we want in our man.   Hey, we have to know what we want and what we’re looking for in Mr. Right if we have a hope of actually finding Mr. Right.

I should, perhaps, segue momentarily to aver and acknowledge once more that I am blessed with my ideal man in my hubby—as my recent poems I’ve posted here attest to.  My hubby is “my” Mr. Right.  But, that doesn’t mean that I can’t dream along with you—Ha!—especially when it concerns our favorite fella, Mr. Richard Crispin Armitage. 

So, let’s think about that, shall we?  What qualities will our Mr. Right have? I will give you my impressions of the qualities I admire in some of Mr. Armitage’s roles—as being Mr. Right worthy– to start each discussion thread off and then you may comment with your own thoughts where you like.  I’m just taking the roles in chronological order.  And I’ve numbered them because as we comment the discussion threads will get out of order.  Which character–or amalgam of character traits–would you like to see in your ideal man and Mr. Right?

Cheers!  Gratiana  ;->

P.S.  Thanks to RANet (www.richardarmitagenet.com) for their wonderful media resources and news related to Richard Armitage.

P. S.  You might ask, why didn’t Grati include Ian Macalwain or John Mulligan or Lee Richards, or Paul Andrews in the list?  Well, I haven’t seen those programs yet.  But do start their discussion threads if you want to.

1) John Standring/Sparkhouse (2002) — He is loyal, steadfast, all around a nice bloke as I mentioned in my blog post #4 (https://gratianads90.wordpress.com/2011/08/29/speaking-of-decent-loving-kind-steadfast-and-reliable-blokes-i-suggest-john-standring-in-sparkhouse-82911/).  Not to be confused with a Saint Bernard—though “he” is a big bear of a man—John Standring is warm and cuddly.   And you and John can learn together the “finer points of loving”, shall we say.  Because his first effort with Carol “Tweren’t brilliant”.  But, everyone improves with time, practice, and trusting in their love partner.  So, John can only go up from here.  Ha!

2) John Thornton/North & South (2004) — At first blush, he seems imperious and arrogant.  But it is only a veneer of hardness that encapsulates John’s loving heart waiting to be opened.  And when John’s heart opens to Margaret, he loves her with a “foolish passion” that will prove to be wise.  A fair man to his workers, Thornton monumentally misconstrues the situation with Margaret’s brother–and he treats her unfairly due to his hurt feelings.  However, though Thornton  believes Margaret to be in love with this other man, he still protects her–even though he has no hope of having her in his life.  So John is strong, caring, and selfless.  He will always put your interests above his own.  Life with Thornton would be a grand passion.  (In fact, the GratianaDS90 signature I created for my blog is of our favorite kissing scene from North and South:  https://gratianads90.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/lovelivesinour-heartsaug3011revrev.pdf )

3) Sir Guy of Gisborne /Robin Hood (2006 – 2009) — A man whose “entourage” is the castle garrison needs no introduction.  Sir Guy’s swagger, smirk, sensuous gaze, and seductive bad boy charm should have won him the heart of Lady Marian with one rustle of his black leather mantle.  But the show was called “Forrest Boy”, not “Leather Man”.  C’est la vie.  And Guy’s redemption from opportunistic social climber bent on reclaiming his position to esteemed champion would be a monumental project–one that Lady Marian only half heartedly undertook.  (See my post # 9, Sir Guy:  Broken Path, Broken Man:  https://gratianads90.wordpress.com/2011/09/04/sir-guy-of-gisborne-broken-path-broken-man-90211-post-9-rebuilt-90411/)  But oh, what a man!  Though if Sir Guy couldn’t be “reformed”, he would make a very nice “Mr. Right Now.”  Ha!

4) Claude Monet/ The Impressionists (2006)– A brilliant artist whose true genius was only fully appreciated after his death, Claude and his fellow impressionists revolutionized how we look at art.  And his private life was just as unconventional–loving freely and honorably, only bedding his hoped for second wife after she is free to love again.  How many men would love deeply and love chastely?  How many women could for that matter?  But a true and deep love sometimes requires a sacrifice before it can fully flower.  So, life with Claude would be beautiful, stimulating, and anticipatory.  But some things are worth waiting for.

5) Harry Kennedy/ The Vicar of Dibley (2006) — Who wouldn’t want to cut to the chase and get to their third date–kissing with tongues–with the playful Harry?  Tall, dark, and handsome, uncomplicated, and comfortably employed–since he bought that cottage for 500,000 pounds.  What is not to like?  Well, maybe those horizontally striped sweaters.  Ha!  Harry instantly falls in love with Gerry for her effervescence and humor–so he has good taste.  And he’s not afraid to be with a strong woman–Gerry–admiring and supporting her and not being jealous of her.  The song “I’m just wild about Harry” keeps playing in my mind.  Life with Harry will be loving, supportive, and fun.

6) Lucas North/ Spooks (2008-2010)– Eight years locked away in a prison–with only his tattoos to call his own?  Lucas needs loving and tender care like no other.  Not a “project” like Sir Guy.  But Lucas is definitely in need  of a woman to call his own. Though the Sarah girl was grating, we saw some of Richard’s most smouldering looks as Lucas come to the forefront–as when he asks her what they should do next as they wait for confirmation on something.  Sarah asks “next”?  to which Lucas replies, “Well, for the next several hours.”  Thornton may have burst ovaries around the world, but Lucas made us all wish we could bring “the spy in from the cold”.  Ha!  We’d warm him up with a hot toddy, and such.  And the element of danger is very sexy. 

7) John Porter/Strike Back (2010)– A man with guns!   And I don’t mean the kind that requires a FOID card.  Ha!    Porter’s is another redemptive story–but this redemption he effects on his own.  Don’t we love a calm, confident, and captive freeing fellow?  Porter to the rescue–be it a hostage crisis or the dishwasher leaking on the nice kitchen wood floor!  And he is resolute in his purpose, but willing to be talked out of killing you if you reason with him.  What a guy!  Ha!  (See my post # 13, Strike Back’s John Porter, Man of Honor:  https://gratianads90.wordpress.com/2011/09/12/strike-backs-john-porter-man-of-honor-91211-gratianads90-post-13/ ).  Life would be an adventure with Porter–requiring passports, sunscreen (he obviously used a lot since he didn’t tan in the dessert), and strategically hidden objects.  Just don’t expect to hide his birthday gift from him because he would have bugged your home the week before and listened in as you wondered out loud where to hide it.  And of course, he would act surprised when he opened his gift–night vision goggles, just what every covert operative needs.

8) Thorin Oakenshield/The Hobbit (2012 & 2013)– I know, he’s an expat–King Under the Mountain of the House of Durin in exile.  But what he lacks in wealth, he makes up for in spirit.  Fierce and regal–a Lion in Summer, not in Winter–Thorin is a leader of men, well, Dwarves and one Hobbit.  And as a leader he knows how to command and to delegate.  But the question is, does he pick up after himself  around the house?  Or does he leave his sword Orchrist, his fur coat, his armoured vest, and his knuckle rings lying around your dwelling as if he were doing a Gypsy Rose Lee strip tease act, as he walks in your door.  Sorry, I digress, my husband does that with his photo equipment.  Ha!  But seriously, with all of those layers of hair, beard, extra nose piece (And Richard’s nose wasn’t beautifully noble and big enough already?  Have The Hobbit makeup people not seen his real nostrils flare impressively?), battle gear, and clothing.  God’s Teeth, Thorin would have to be astoundingly strong to cart all of that battle quest gear around.    If you could stand the separation when he has to go off on a quest again (see my post # 8, Thorin and his Buddies: https://gratianads90.wordpress.com/2011/09/01/thorin-and-his-buddies-90111-post-8/), then you’re the girl for him.  (See my post #11 revised Thorin’s Hope–A Love Story:  https://gratianads90.wordpress.com/2011/09/08/thorins-hope-a-love-story-by-gratianads90-aka-lynne-grace-90811-post-11/)