I actually don't think Phil is homophobic as in simply doesn't like homosexuals. I think he just wants a son who is like him, all macho and stuff. I think if he had another son then I don't think he'd mind Ben being gay. I also think if Ben were all hard and was going around hitting people all the time, I don't think he'd mind him fancying men. Like I said, I don't think it's being gay that Phil doesn't like, it's more the stereotypes that go with it.
EE Phil: 'Your friend'
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Originally Posted by Corrie_Fan2:
“I'd go so far as to say you don't need to be a homophobe to struggle to come to terms with having a gay child. I'd give EE every credit for portraying this with Linda, Pam and Phil.”
“I'd go so far as to say you don't need to be a homophobe to struggle to come to terms with having a gay child. I'd give EE every credit for portraying this with Linda, Pam and Phil.”
But Pam accepted Paul's sexuality.
Originally Posted by Lizzie Brookes:
“But Pam accepted Paul's sexuality.”
“But Pam accepted Paul's sexuality.”
Mutedly accepted. Or have I been totally misreading her reactions to seeing Paul and Ben together in her house for months - there always seemed to be an undertone there of disapproval.
Originally Posted by Corrie_Fan2:
“Mutedly accepted. Or have I been totally misreading her reactions to seeing Paul and Ben together in her house for months - there always seemed to be an undertone there of disapproval.”
“Mutedly accepted. Or have I been totally misreading her reactions to seeing Paul and Ben together in her house for months - there always seemed to be an undertone there of disapproval.”
I don't think this had anything to do with Paul being gay, simply that she felt Ben would be bad news for him, which is fair enough considering his track record.
As for Phil's reaction, I had a different take on it to other people here. For me, it came across that he wasn't saying 'your friend' because he had done a u-turn on accepting Ben's sexuality; I think in that moment he didn't want to admit that Paul was Ben's boyfriend and that Ben was in love with him because it would have been admitting to himself that the news he was about to deliver would utterly destroy Ben. He was trying to convince himself that it had never been serious between Ben and Paul because in his own way he wanted to protect his son from heartbreak. It was a very 'real' moment, one of the most poignant of the episode.
Originally Posted by _elly001:
“I don't think this had anything to do with Paul being gay, simply that she felt Ben would be bad news for him, which is fair enough considering his track record.
As for Phil's reaction, I had a different take on it to other people here. For me, it came across that he wasn't saying 'your friend' because he had done a u-turn on accepting Ben's sexuality; I think in that moment he didn't want to admit that Paul was Ben's boyfriend and that Ben was in love with him because it would have been admitting to himself that the news he was about to deliver would utterly destroy Ben. He was trying to convince himself that it had never been serious between Ben and Paul because in his own way he wanted to protect his son from heartbreak. It was a very 'real' moment, one of the most poignant of the episode.”
“I don't think this had anything to do with Paul being gay, simply that she felt Ben would be bad news for him, which is fair enough considering his track record.
As for Phil's reaction, I had a different take on it to other people here. For me, it came across that he wasn't saying 'your friend' because he had done a u-turn on accepting Ben's sexuality; I think in that moment he didn't want to admit that Paul was Ben's boyfriend and that Ben was in love with him because it would have been admitting to himself that the news he was about to deliver would utterly destroy Ben. He was trying to convince himself that it had never been serious between Ben and Paul because in his own way he wanted to protect his son from heartbreak. It was a very 'real' moment, one of the most poignant of the episode.”
BIB - I hadn't thought of that, although given Phil's track record it seems unsurprising that Ben and others may misunderstand even if Phil didn't mean it the way they thought he did.
Originally Posted by Lizzie Brookes:
“BIB - I hadn't thought of that, although given Phil's track record it seems unsurprising that Ben and others may misunderstand even if Phil didn't mean it the way they thought he did.”
“BIB - I hadn't thought of that, although given Phil's track record it seems unsurprising that Ben and others may misunderstand even if Phil didn't mean it the way they thought he did.”
It's only my take on it and I could be completely wrong, but it was just the impression I got. Phil is at heart an emotionally stunted man and I think the idea of telling his son that his boyfriend had died horrifically was just unthinkable for him. So he downplayed it because he was hoping Ben would then downplay it too. Of course Ben wouldn't, because he was in love with Paul, and Phil seemed to realise that the moment it was out of his mouth. It made the hug between them even more poignant as Phil really had to step up to the plate and accept that Ben wasn't going to be okay with this news, and that he needed to act like a dad to him.
I found it ridiculous when Phil said friend. Im surprised steve agreed to saying that but i guess he doesn't get a say because if he did then Phil would of said paul not friend. I know he's never accepted ben being gay but that just felt completely wrong.
Originally Posted by OhWhenTheSaints:
“I actually don't think Phil is homophobic as in simply doesn't like homosexuals. I think he just wants a son who is like him, all macho and stuff. I think if he had another son then I don't think he'd mind Ben being gay. I also think if Ben were all hard and was going around hitting people all the time, I don't think he'd mind him fancying men. Like I said, I don't think it's being gay that Phil doesn't like, it's more the stereotypes that go with it.”
“I actually don't think Phil is homophobic as in simply doesn't like homosexuals. I think he just wants a son who is like him, all macho and stuff. I think if he had another son then I don't think he'd mind Ben being gay. I also think if Ben were all hard and was going around hitting people all the time, I don't think he'd mind him fancying men. Like I said, I don't think it's being gay that Phil doesn't like, it's more the stereotypes that go with it.”
And the KKK aren't racist they just don't like blacks
It was in keeping with how Phil thinks, but just after when Ben breaks down in tears and then Phil cuddles him was quite touching and that is the actual turning point (I hope).
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