Barbara was around 14 when Ann got divorced. 8th or 9th grade. She couldn't wait maybe 4 more years to get divorced and start her independent life? Julie and Barbara had a home in Logansport. They had grown up there and spent their childhoods there. Their grandparents were close by. They had friends. More importantly, they needed their father.

Ed was a good father and loved them and wanted them. They were ripped from him. Maybe Julie would have never run away with Chuck if Ed had been there. I get the impression that Ed was a different sort of father before the divorce, maybe not as lenient as he became later when he was reduced to being a weekend dad. Ann couldn't have waited? Ed wasn't a bad husband. I doubt he even wanted the divorce. Barbara was probably right that he married Vicki just because he was lonely.

Ed wasn't abusive. He didn't beat Ann or the girls. He didn't cheat on Ann. He provided for his family. Ann even told the girls that he was a "damn good father". I understand Ann wanting her own life, but why tear the family apart? And I'm not being sexist because I would feel the same way if it had been Ed who wanted his own life and initiated the divorce.

Barbara was around 14 when Ann got divorced. 8th or 9th grade. She couldn't wait maybe 4 more years to get divorced and start her independent life? Julie and Barbara had a home in Logansport. They had grown up there and spent their childhoods there. Their grandparents were close by. They had friends. More importantly, they needed their father.

Ed was a good father and loved them and wanted them. They were ripped from him. Maybe Julie would have never run away with Chuck if Ed had been there. I get the impression that Ed was a different sort of father before the divorce, maybe not as lenient as he became later when he was reduced to being a weekend dad. Ann couldn't have waited? Ed wasn't a bad husband. I doubt he even wanted the divorce. Barbara was probably right that he married Vicki just because he was lonely.

Ed wasn't abusive. He didn't beat Ann or the girls. He didn't cheat on Ann. He provided for his family. Ann even told the girls that he was a "damn good father". I understand Ann wanting her own life, but why tear the family apart? And I'm not being sexist because I would feel the same way if it had been Ed who wanted his own life and initiated the divorce.

Yeah, you have a good point here!!;) And that it was HER that left!! Uprooting the girls taking them away to another place when they were already set!! :( More realistically it would be the Husband to leave and the wife and kids would stay in the house!! ;) Like with me, not to get too much of my personal business here, but when my Ex and I split HE left and I stayed in the house with the kids,;) they were much younger than Julie and Barbara, but still!!:(

If none of this happened, there wouldn't be a show. Just saying.

If Ann felt the need to move out, then she should have. As far as Ed goes, I'm not throwing rose pedals at him. The time he couldn't pay anymore alimony yet he had a new house, a new pool and a maid was a crock.

If none of this happened, there wouldn't be a show. Just saying.

I'm well aware of that. I certainly didn't need it pointed out. I started the thread to discuss Ann's decision from a real life perspective.

I'm well aware of that. I certainly didn't need it pointed out. I started the thread to discuss Ann's decision from a real life perspective.

I don't see that my pal Torgo said anything wrong there. He was just adding his two cents like everybody else here.

That being said.

I totally agree with you. :wave:

I have written this before. Ann was selfish to uproot the kids from a loving father to move them away from their friends to a city far away from their dad. She did it for her own selfish reasons but was supposed to be applauded for being some kind of feminist role model for showing them how to be independent and stand on their own.

This could have waited until the girls were out of high school and she had some kind of training and a job. She basically made this move on a wing and a prayer. Didn't sound very responsible to me.

No higher learning or work experience but she quickly becomes an ad exec at a company right off the bat.

Only on TV. :rolleyes:

If Ann felt the need to move out, then she should have. As far as Ed goes, I'm not throwing rose pedals at him. The time he couldn't pay anymore alimony yet he had a new house, a new pool and a maid was a crock.

I never said that Ed was perfect. That's the great thing about this show. It didn't make either parent the perfect, fluffy, sugary sweet, typical sitcom parent. They were very realistic with human frailties. Ed was wrong in the child support episode. However, we must remember that this was after the divorce. Vicki was different from Ann, and Ed feared losing another wife.

I don't see that my pal Torgo said anything wrong there. He was just adding his two cents like everybody else here.


Thanks any ways, Anna. I forget how serious we're supposed to be when discussing fictional shows. I'll stick in the threads where people don't need to lighten up.

I don't see that my pal Torgo said anything wrong there. He was just adding his two cents like everybody else here.

That being said.

I totally agree with you. :wave:

I have written this before. Ann was selfish to uproot the kids from a loving father to move them away from their friends to a city far away from their dad. She did it for her own selfish reasons but was supposed to be applauded for being some kind of feminist role model for showing them how to be independent and stand on their own.

This could have waited until the girls were out of high school and she had some kind of training and a job. She basically made this move on a wing and a prayer. Didn't sound very responsible to me.

No higher learning or work experience but she quickly becomes an ad exec at a company right off the bat.

Only on TV. :rolleyes:

Plus this was the 1970s, and higher education wasn't as important as it is now. You could advance without having a degree. Now you can't get to first base without a degree.

Thanks any ways, Anna. I forget how serious we're supposed to be when discussing fictional shows. I'll stick in the threads where people don't need to lighten up.

Baby, please don't go. :wave: I need you!:)

Plus this was the 1970s, and higher education wasn't as important as it is now. You could advance without having a degree. Now you can't get to first base without a degree.

True. Today's world is even more demanding and competitive in the workplace.

I thought it would have been more realistic if Ann had a series of grunt jobs not just have her platonic lawyer "boyfriend" get her one where she goes from serving coffee to having her own office and clients in a few months. :rolleyes:

Needless to say, I want a job like that! I am very creative. I think most of us could write better campaigns than she did. :lol:

I personally wouldn't have left Ed and uprooted the girls. Not just yet anyway! I think if I wanted my independence , but my man wasn't beating me or cheating on me and a good Father and provider. I'
d stay and maybe just find my own job or go back to school or something. ;)

Why any woman would want to do that is beyond me???:confused: I'm an old fashioned girl content to be a housewife (or a Peg Bundy) :D depending if one wants to see me as being homey and domestic or just lazy!!:lol: Such a shame in this economy it can't be anymore! :(

But seriously, that's what I would have done. Seen if I could hold a good job and support myself before leaving my Husband and whole town! By that time the Girls would have been out of high school!;)

I personally wouldn't have left Ed and uprooted the girls. Not just yet anyway! I think if I wanted my independence , but my man wasn't beating me or cheating on me and a good Father and provider. I'
d stay and maybe just find my own job or go back to school or something. ;)

Why any woman would want to do that is beyond me???:confused: I'm an old fashioned girl content to be a housewife (or a Peg Bundy) :D depending if one wants to see me as being homey and domestic or just lazy!!:lol: Such a shame in this economy it can't be anymore! :(

But seriously, that's what I would have done. Seen if I could hold a good job and support myself before leaving my Husband and whole town! By that time the Girls would have been out of high school!;)

Amen, Sister Golden Hair! Some women don't know how lucky they are. Ed may not have been perfect but given Ann's fiery temper I have to believe that he must have been so bruised by their marriage and divorce that Vikki a woman who actually valued him must have been quite the comfort to him after being stung by Ann's rejection.

He got the short end of the stick with the kids and that wasn't fair.

True. Today's world is even more demanding and competitive in the workplace.

I thought it would have been more realistic if Ann had a series of grunt jobs not just have her platonic lawyer "boyfriend" get her one where she goes from serving coffee to having her own office and clients in a few months. :rolleyes:

Needless to say, I want a job like that! I am very creative. I think most of us could write better campaigns than she did. :lol:


Yes!! Agreed! Like Alice! ;)


I related much more to Alice than I did to Ann!!! That was more realistic, working in a greasy spoon diner after being a Housewife with no outside work skills and suddenly being on her own and having a Son to support than suddenly being an ad exec or whatever the heck Ann was!! :rolleyes:

Yes!! Agreed! Like Alice! ;)


I related much more to Alice than I did to Ann!!! That was more realistic, working in a greasy spoon diner after being a Housewife with no outside work skills and suddenly being on her own and having a Son to support than suddenly being an ad exec or whatever the heck Ann was!! :rolleyes:

Bonnie Lembeck do you think Bonnie Franklin insisted her character be put in a more "white collar" kind of job so as to contrast with Linda Lavin's character? Just a random thought here. ;) :crazy: :lol: :wave:

True. Today's world is even more demanding and competitive in the workplace.

I thought it would have been more realistic if Ann had a series of grunt jobs not just have her platonic lawyer "boyfriend" get her one where she goes from serving coffee to having her own office and clients in a few months. :rolleyes:

Needless to say, I want a job like that! I am very creative. I think most of us could write better campaigns than she did. :lol:

I agree. I doubt that David would have had enough pull to get her the job. She should have had grunt jobs first and worked her way up. As far as we know, Ann had never worked outside the home and had no job skills.

I personally wouldn't have left Ed and uprooted the girls. Not just yet anyway! I think if I wanted my independence , but my man wasn't beating me or cheating on me and a good Father and provider. I'
d stay and maybe just find my own job or go back to school or something. ;)

Why any woman would want to do that is beyond me???:confused: I'm an old fashioned girl content to be a housewife (or a Peg Bundy) :D depending if one wants to see me as being homey and domestic or just lazy!!:lol: Such a shame in this economy it can't be anymore! :(

But seriously, that's what I would have done. Seen if I could hold a good job and support myself before leaving my Husband and whole town! By that time the Girls would have been out of high school!;)

I agree. Ed wasn't abusive so Ann could have taken night courses at the local college and developed some skills. Julie and Barbara were old enough that they didn't need her to be with them 24/7 anymore. Of course we don't know how bad things actually were in the household before the divorce. No abuse, but lots of fighting and constant bickering. It may have been unbearable if all Ann and Ed did was fight. In "Dad Comes Back" part 2, we see how quick both were to anger. In 2 seconds time they were in a shouting match.

Amen, Sister Golden Hair! Some women don't know how lucky they are. Ed may not have been perfect but given Ann's fiery temper I have to believe that he must have been so bruised by their marriage and divorce that Vikki a woman who actually valued him must have been quite the comfort to him after being stung by Ann's rejection.

He got the short end of the stick with the kids and that wasn't fair.

Yes, Vicki was totally different from Ann. I think that Ed married her because he was lonely and bruised. Ed never wanted the divorce. In "Dad Comes Back", he told Ann that he couldn't help but wonder what went wrong. Ed was basically abandoned. Abandoned when he was NOT an abuser, or an adulterer, or a deadbeat, or a bad man, etc. Ed messed up in the child support episode, but it seems that he had never before been a drinker or an irresponsible deadbeat. This was after he had been married to Vicki and wanted to please her. In the end, he sees that his primary responsibility is to his two daughters.

Yes, Vicki was totally different from Ann. I think that Ed married her because he was lonely and bruised. Ed never wanted the divorce. In "Dad Comes Back", he told Ann that he couldn't help but wonder what went wrong. Ed was basically abandoned. Abandoned when he was NOT an abuser, or an adulterer, or a deadbeat, or a bad man, etc. Ed messed up in the child support episode, but it seems that he had never before been a drinker or an irresponsible deadbeat. This was after he had been married to Vicki and wanted to please her. In the end, he sees that his primary responsibility is to his two daughters.

Yes!!!

He screwed up royally in DCB but only because was in over his head and didn't want yet another wife to abandon him.

They should have let Ed and Vicki have their own off screen family so Ed could finally get to raise his own children without the rug being pulled out from under him.

I agree. Ed wasn't abusive so Ann could have taken night courses at the local college and developed some skills. Julie and Barbara were old enough that they didn't need her to be with them 24/7 anymore. Of course we don't know how bad things actually were in the household before the divorce. No abuse, but lots of fighting and constant bickering. It may have been unbearable if all Ann and Ed did was fight. In "Dad Comes Back" part 2, we see how quick both were to anger. In 2 seconds time they were in a shouting match.


Yeah that's true! ;) And Ann wasn't too thrilled with Ed's "Performance" !! :eek: She called him "Speedy Gonzales " once, remember? :D

Yes!!!

He screwed up royally in DCB but only because was in over his head and didn't want yet another wife to abandon him.

They should have let Ed and Vicki have their own off screen family so Ed could finally get to raise his own children without the rug being pulled out from under him.

Yes, Ed even says that he was losing Vicki. He was desperate. He basically hit rock bottom when he got drunk, acted a fool, and even said that Barbara was his favorite. I'm proud that Barbara told him what he said, and he apologized to Julie. The ending is sad when Ed is talking to Vicki on the phone and is so worried about losing his second wife.

I too wish that Ed and Vicki could have had a family. Vicki wanted kids, but Ed was reluctant because he already had what he considered his family. Being a good father was important to Ed. Ann basically says this at the end of "Dad Comes Back". She states that Ed didn't just do the fun things in being a father. He also did the not-so-fun things such as crying for his children and disciplining them. During the marriage, he didn't leave the "mean" things to Ann. If he spanked them, then he wasn't always Mr. Nice Guy. He also prayed for his children. It's clear that Ed took an active part in parenting, and this was totally ripped away.

Yes, Ed even says that he was losing Vicki. He was desperate. He basically hit rock bottom when he got drunk, acted a fool, and even said that Barbara was his favorite. I'm proud that Barbara told him what he said, and he apologized to Julie. The ending is sad when Ed is talking to Vicki on the phone and is so worried about losing his second wife.

I too wish that Ed and Vicki could have had a family. Vicki wanted kids, but Ed was reluctant because he already had what he considered his family. Being a good father was important to Ed. Ann basically says this at the end of "Dad Comes Back". She states that Ed didn't just do the fun things in being a father. He also did the not-so-fun things such as crying for his children and disciplining them. During the marriage, he didn't leave the "mean" things to Ann. If he spanked them, then he wasn't always Mr. Nice Guy. He also prayed for his children. It's clear that Ed took an active part in parenting, and this was totally ripped away.

Yes. All because Ann needed to "find herself". Everyone else be damned. From what we saw Ed just seemed like a man beaten down by a woman who couldn't control her temper and blamed her unhappiness on not only him but David Kane too.

Yeah that's true! ;) And Ann wasn't too thrilled with Ed's "Performance" !! :eek: She called him "Speedy Gonzales " once, remember? :D

She emasculated him every chance she got.

I HATED how she treated him. She was such a witch.