Yeah I think it's funny when Fred and Esther banter back and forth BUT sometimes Fred goes too far. I think Esther really did care about Fred deep down, many times she would start out trying to be pleasant with him, but he always insults her. When Fred was in the hospital Esther came in genually concerned about him, then he tells her to open the window knowing she could be shot.

I just thought he was way too mean to her.

I agree that Fred was really aggressively nasty to her, but I think it's implied that a lot of his hostility is based on history. Esther didn't think Fred was good enough for her sister, and she more than likely (in this fictional world) talked him down while she was alive.

I get the feeling that hurt Fred and he won't ever let it go.

Think him being mean to her was any different then him being that way to Lamont?


Probably didn't treat Elizabeth much different either.

Think him being mean to her was any different then him being that way to Lamont?


Probably didn't treat Elizabeth much different either.

Actually, I think he likely treated Elizabeth like china. Considering the way he doted on her namesake, lookalike niece- and the fact that in all her trash talk about the 'Fish-Eyed Fool', Esther never implied that he wasn't a good husband to her late sister. Also, not until many decades after her death did he consider remarrying (then only to save his last-ditch spinoff) despite the fact that I'm sure quite a few women in the neighborhood would have been eager for an instant family with Lamont.
Now, WHY he treated Lamont like a 'red-headed stepchild' instead of the only offspring of the late wife he'd put on a pedestal is a puzzler. Then, one has to wonder if SHE ever objected to Fred calling their son 'Dummy' all the time or could she have AGREED with that assessment.

I do. I like Esther a lot more than Fred actually. She has her ISSUES, but underneath she’s kind and affectionate; when she gets love and kindness she RETURNS it- her relationship with Lamont for example.

And all this horses*it about her being ugly. Well maybe she’s no Vanessa Williams but he sure as h*ll is no Denzel Washington. FS needs to take a lot in the mirror; IMO he’s crack it a lot faster than she would!

Actually, I think he likely treated Elizabeth like china. Considering the way he doted on her namesake, lookalike niece- and the fact that in all her trash talk about the 'Fish-Eyed Fool', Esther never implied that he wasn't a good husband to her late sister. Also, not until many decades after her death did he consider remarrying (then only to save his last-ditch spinoff) despite the fact that I'm sure quite a few women in the neighborhood would have been eager for an instant family with Lamont.
Now, WHY he treated Lamont like a 'red-headed stepchild' instead of the only offspring of the late wife he'd put on a pedestal is a puzzler. Then, one has to wonder if SHE ever objected to Fred calling their son 'Dummy' all the time or could she have AGREED with that assessment.
You must have not watched the show enough if at all.

He treated her like dirt.

You must have not watched the show enough if at all.

He treated her like dirt.

I saw the whole show and I never saw any indication that Fred was anything other a doting and true husband to the late Elizabeth (and even Esther never said anything to the contrary despite her otherwise ardent dislike of him).

We could go round and round on this but I think it would be best if we simply agree to disagree about this subject.