Stuart is pushed into the 'Lazor Wolf' role in 'Fiddler on the Roof,' of the older man marrying a younger woman as a result of family/societal pressure. Felicity is pressured into marrying Stuart largely because it's what was expected during that time when there were fewer opportunities for women outside of marriage. Sadly, I think the age and looks factor does play a role for me too, partly because I'm looking at this from a 21st century perspective; and also, because Stuart is not a dynamic character. He's rather boring. It also doesn't help that an adult David Ferry's character was in a scene with the young Felicity in 'Felicity's Challenge.' Many of us didn't forget that scene and this actor pairing in the 7th season created instinctive negative reactions. It seemed wrong.Miss Lewis wrote:Why do we dislike or in some cases hate Stuart so much?
When I first saw Stuart, I wasn’t impressed. When I realized he was trying to court Felicity, my dislike for him was set. Why? Why did I decide so quickly I didn’t like him. Reading here and in another forum, I’ve realized I’m not alone in my dislike for him.
On reflection, this is my conclusion. I’m bios against his looks and age. He’s not handsome and he looks old. At his age, he could hang out with Felicity’s father. This is the root of my dislike for him. If the a younger and handsomer man had come and courted Felicity, I might have given him a chance. This is ugly reflection on myself, I’m bios to looks (at least on tv show). I’m not alone in this bios. Some RTA Fans have talked about how cute is Michael Mahonen (Gus) is. This tells me looks do count.
I don't think it's terrible. We're conditioned to have expectations in dramatic presentations such as tv, books, theatre, etc; and Stuart ultimately fails our expectations of what a classic rival should be. There doesn't seem to be a purpose in drama of having a protagonist unless they can create strong dramatic conflicts that pull the main characters together with a satisfying resolution. We didn't get that with Stuart. In 'So Dear to My Heart,' he goes out with a whimper and is quickly ushered out of town for the wedding. In the end, Stuart is simply a place holder. Someone who passes time until Michael Mahonen agrees to return for the one or two episodes agreed in his contract. Stuart just didn't have a history. He didn't have good character development and it seemed like he came out of nowhere. It also seemed like he was pushed on us and nobody likes that.Miss Lewis wrote: Gus Pike, also, had a personality that won me over. Stuart lacked this. If Stuart had won me over with his personality, I could have overlooked his age and looks. Summary of Stuart personality: Banker, likes Felicity, likes kids, likes Felicity, cares about his friends, and likes Felicity. Stuart never won me over. He never convinced me that he had a passion for anything but Felicity.
In real life, personality and honesty are a very important factor in whom I choose to associate myself with. I don’t choose friends by how they look. I choose them by how they act and who they are. I try not to be bios against looks, though if someone looks like shady character I avoid them for my own safety. If Felicity was my friend in real life, I would advise her to follow her heart. If her heart said Stuart then Stuart it is. Yet on a tv show, I have different standards. The Romantic interest should be charismatic and/or handsome. There must be drama and tension in the romance. Felicity/Stuart's romance lack these things. Am I terrible for having double standards for tv show and real life? I don’t know.
They missed an opportunity by not having Arthur return as a rival. He had the history with Felicity and the fierce rivalry with Gus, obviously still unresolved by his stalking behavior at the end of 'Felicity's Perfect Beau.'
Miss Lewis wrote: The Truth is Stuart never won us over by his looks, age, or personality. He was doomed to lose Felicity even before he began. Of course, anyone who loved Felicity was doom to failure once Gus Pike returned.
My favorite Stuart quote: Return to me?
Stuart she’s lost to you forever, she always was.