That was always true about these characters, even in the better days with better actors playing the characters.
The Spauldings saw people who other Spauldings loved as a threat. That's why Alan hated Beth--there wasn't a damn thing wrong with Beth (not back then, anyway). She was just a threat to his dominance over Phillip. (This also showed how much he preferred Phillip over Alan Michael, how deep down, Phillip was the "real" Spaulding to him. He was fine with AM marrying Harley. Of course, he was motivated to get some of AM's trust fund but he should have loathed Harley. Back then, he had no problem with her).
Alex and Alan were always threatened by whoever the other was involved with. (Chris and Bev made those scenes pretty funny, the ascerbic barbs always landed perfectly).
Yep, you could see it as something mildly incestuous. Alan and Alex grew up protecting each other against an abusive father, they were probably isolated from others by him. It makes sense. In the end, they really only loved each other. The way Chris and Bev played it, it wasn't icky. Underneath the humor of their constant making fun of each other's partners, it was sad.
But in the later years, with not as good writers and actors who didn't play the subtleties of their relationship, it came across as very cringe.
By
DeeVee ·
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