#artloveharmony

[moonlightmmoons-blog]

🌹galaxy👽💎🌙MOON🌙

[artloveharmony]

Vanityfest – DAY 2: TROPES

Vanity’s love story is full of tropes, but each one seems fresh and new in their hands.

They are the ultimate odd couple. Who in their right mind would assume that Charity Dingle and Vanessa Woodfield would make a great partnership? Clearly it didn’t even occur to anyone for four years. Yet one day, some genius thought outside the box, found the odd couple trope worthy of exploration, and the decision was made to literally throw these two together to see if sparks would fly. Not only did they spark, they set the show on fire!

I vividly remember thinking, after watching Vanity’s first chapter of scenes (Oct ’17), what a crime it would be if they didn’t build a love story out of this dynamic duo. Even as a new viewer I could see the potential of a truly exciting and worthwhile partnership. Because they were so different to one another, this relationship was primed to have tremendous and lasting affects on them as characters. I could see Vanessa’s kindness and generosity breaking down Charity’s defenses, revealing the softer side she was so desperate to hide and protect. In turn, Charity’s edge and fierce no-prisoners attack on life would inspire Vanessa to take more chances and bring more fun and depth into her life. And all it took was being trapped in that cellar, drinking booze, and talking.

They were so refreshing in their attitudes and honesty with one another. Vanessa’s accusations towards Charity were mixed with curiosity and inquiry. She genuinely wanted to know why Charity behaved as she did. Had anyone ever asked Charity these questions before? Had Charity ever contemplated these questions herself? The look on her face and her surprisingly vulnerable remark, “Welcome to my world” spoke volumes.

We know now that the powers that be had been planning to explore Charity’s past for quite some time. It is impressive to look in retrospect at Vanity’s story with this understanding in mine. To see the slow and subtle progression, the tiny steps along the way to what is now understood to be Charity’s most revealing story to date. Earlier in 2017 Charity admitted to feeling empty. Her lashing out was a way to evoke something inside her… anything. But of course, it had only made things worse. Now here she was being confronted, “Is that your idea of fun? Winding people up? Are you really that bored and lonely?”

With these questions, suddenly the “easy” unchallenging Vanessa became the mirror to Charity’s soul, and the representation of her greatest challenge of all. This seemingly uncomplicated, apologetic, wouldn’t-hurt-a-fly vet instantly demanded the self-proclaimed con-woman’s attention. So much so, she was compelled to physically get closer, intrude on Vanessa’s space, crank up their sexual tension to its max, and inevitably engage in the most intimate of acts… a kiss. Was she testing her or providing an example of the ultimate wind up? Was it her way of shutting her up, or inviting more self-examination?

The kiss that launched the healthiest and most vibrant love story of our time … Vanity is proof that opposites do attract. Bad girl Charity vs Good girl Vanessa. The love of a good woman transforms and heals the damaged soul of the ice queen. Stay tuned for part 2….

[evaacrobat-blog]

Art

Why do I love art? Because this is a way to express your opinion, splash out your feelings and emotions in A BEAUTIFUL WAY. The art may be literature, music, drawing, dancing. I LOVE all of them. Because if you can show everyone how do you feel inside beautifully, then you are a wonderful person. Drawing, dancing and sometimes music is a way to splash out your emotions without any words. Meanwhile literature, poethry and, again, music is a way to show what's inside you ir what surrounds you by putting words together beautifully. Not only the realism and non-fiction is like that. The fiction, the fantacy also come from inside, it's imagination, it's someghing YOU've got.

Do you love art? What kind of art?

[artloveharmony]

Vanityfest – DAY 3: SERENDIPITY or DESIGNED

From the start of Vanity’s story I have wondered how much of it was planned in advance. I know soap opera stories are plotted well head of the actual writing. It’s like a jigsaw puzzle, fusing plots and character/relationship development (if you’re lucky) into short term and long term story arcs. Therefore, fundamentally, trapping Charity and Vanessa in that cellar was thought through and outlined. But was it strictly for the purpose of expanding Vanessa’s sexuality, or did they know this would be the first step in their long term plans for Charity as well?

Although I find the idea of serendipity intriguing, my stronger instincts tell me that everything happens for a reason – whether it is of Universal/Godly design, or of our own making – intentional or unintentional. In this case, there are just too many connecting dots within Charity and Vanessa’s story for me to believe that it was entirely random and simple “luck” and happenstance. While I’m sure not all the pieces were known from the beginning, there was enough to go on which allowed them to quickly take advantage of the good fortune that did manifest as the story progressed.

I invite you to follow me as I lay out my theory that Vanity was carefully designed by the writers, piece by piece, over an extended period of time, for a very important purpose: the revitalization and renewal of a long-standing, beloved character.

Firstly, according to producers, it was decided back in 2014 that they would explore Charity’s past in greater detail than they had previously, but circumstances (Emma’s maternity leave) put that story on hold. However, before she left, they introduced DI Mark Bails as someone she knew from her childhood (such as it was). At the time, Charity shared with Debbie that he had groomed her and abused her as a teenager, though she didn’t go into much detail. To accommodate Emma’s leave, they sent Charity to prison, after she did several legitimately criminal acts (however justified).

Upon her return in 2016 the groundwork continued to be laid, the key element being that she bought half of the Woolpack and became co-landlord and barmaid. This put Charity at the center of village life, interacting with villagers on a regular basis, including characters she hadn’t previously engaged with much before. She had always been a gobby person, but now she was able to use her snarky wit to its greatest affect.

And yet, as an ambitious business woman, being a barmaid was not enough to keep her attention. Her family was also faced with pending tragedy as her granddaughter Sarah had become ill. To help her, Charity concocted some outrageous schemes, her prime métier. One of which was to execute a jewel theft with the help of ex-con Frank. This led to a twisted plot of revenge, providing the most significant connection between Charity and local vet Vanessa, Frank’s daughter.

Even though Charity and Vanessa had little to no contact with one another, from the time Vanessa arrived in town to Charity’s scheme with Frank, they were living in the same village and new all the same people. Each of them had their respective reputations, for better or worse, and they each were well aware of the other. No doubt, had they wanted to, the writers could have found another way to bring Charity and Vanessa together, but having Charity as barmaid, and Vanessa steaming about her interference with her dad’s relationship, the stage could not have been set up better to create the most seemingly random encounter – which I conclude was not so random.

Vanessa had been having her own developing journey, including falling in love with her best friend Rhona, and later an 18 year old young man, Kiran. She had a one-night-stand with her other best friend Moira’s son, Adam, which lead to a “who’s-the-daddy” scenario when Vanessa become pregnant. Ultimately Kiran was proven to be the father, but he felt unable to be a proper dad, so he left town.

It was a rocky start for single mum Vanessa. Her son Johnny was born prematurely and was in hospital for weeks, creating a disconnect between her and her child. In time they found their connection and Vanessa became a devoted mum. Then in 2017 Vanessa helped her bff Rhona get justice, when she fought back and got her rapist husband Pierce sent to prison. Connecting all these experiences together, combined with Vanessa’s temperament and loyal/caring/healing nature, it almost seems inevitable that she would be the one chosen for the fateful task ahead.

In order for Charity to open up and reveal her traumatic past, and then to actually deal with it in any healthy way (if indeed they intended her to find some healing), she needed someone she trusted enough to confide in. Even before the confession, Charity herself needed to be in a place where she would be willing to open up about her experiences.

The Charity who returned from prison was the most wounded Charity to date. Her ordeals with Jai and Declan, and her time in prison, created the most armored and defensive Charity we’d ever seen. Even before she was convicted, her dealings with Bails during the Home Farm fire investigation was that of a woman completely shut off from her emotions. When she tried telling Debbie about her experience with Bails we saw a glimpse of the pain he’d caused her, but the minute Debbie shut her down, not wanting to hear her mum’s story, Charity closed the box again.

Jump ahead to her scheming ways with Megan and Frank and we saw a woman lost. She had no direction, no focus, emotionally shut down. She was grasping at whatever and whoever she could, creating chaos at every turn, biting back at everyone, friend and foe. Bringing Mark Bails into play with THAT Charity would not have generated a healthy story in any way shape or form. Charity was completely alone, not trusting or relying on even her family. A different Charity had to develop if she was going to face up to her past and find a way forward: the story goal the writers had decided to tackle.

Thus, the decision was made: bring someone into Charity’s story that would bring trust and hope into her life; establishing a foundation upon which they could begin their true exploration of her character. Vanessa became that person. How they came to this conclusion we may never know, but as I pointed out above, she was a perfect candidate. The best part being, it would come out of nowhere. It would be a completely new, fresh relationship, which was absolutely essential for this story to work.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Please note that I know absolutely nothing about how the writers made decisions, when, and for what reasons. I don’t know them or have ever talked to them. Although that is certainly something I would kill to do.  

Everything I’m offering here is my own speculation based on what I’ve seen on the screen and bits of gleaned from interviews. It is very possible I am completely wrong about everything. I have a tendency to over analyze, so simply take this as my crazy musings. Nothing more.

[artloveharmony]

Re-watching the past 2 months of Vanity, and it’s actually getting a bit ridiculous with their use of “like” and “care” to describe their feelings for one another. The word “love” has become deafening with it’s absence. It’s getting awkward now, the way they are avoiding it. 

Which is the main reason I think an “I love you” is coming very very soon. They can’t go on much longer this way. A couple who are this together, connected, committed...In Love... they would be using the word “love” as a natural part of their vocabulary by now. With everything that’s happening this week, the time has come!

[artloveharmony]

It's fascinating to read different perspectives re: Charity and Vanessa, and who is in the wrong at any given moment. I see both sides, in their rightness and wrongness, simultaneously. They each have very individual and distinctive sides to every issue they face, because they come from very different backgrounds.

Vanessa is very compassionate. She's a healer. She wants to fix things and set things right. This can give her a harshness and controlling personality that rubs people the wrong way. Yet at the core, she acts from her heart. She cares deeply and wants to take care of the people she loves. When she loves someone, there’s nothing she won’t do for them.

Charity is used to doing her own thing, her way. She's selfish because she's had to be, to protect herself, to survive. She's never been a part of a true partnership before. She's always had to fight for the things she wants and loves, on her own. Her world is cruel and unforgiving. Her self-worth is based on power and money. No one has ever loved her unconditionally. Even now her son is putting a price tag on his attention and love, or at least that's how she sees it. 

Vanessa needs to start putting her relentless energy into convincing Charity of her TRUE worth. Show her that there is no price tag on love and commitment. By stepping back and being supportive of Charity's decision, even when she disagrees with it, is the first step to that end. Charity on the other hand, needs to open up and let Vanessa be a part of her life in more ways than in the bedroom. She needs to see that her actions effect more people than just herself. And they certainly effect Vanessa now. 

We know Charity will fight for the people she loves when pushed hard enough. And recently, she has proven to be a caring and supportive girlfriend to Vanessa, when Ness lost her job. It’s only a matter of time...

They both clearly love each other enough to keep asking for forgiveness, and giving forgiveness. This is a big deal, especially for Charity, who’s never trusted anyone this much. They both are making mistakes. The question is, are they learning from them? I have faith that they are, and that both of them are growing as individuals, and as partners.

[artloveharmony]

Charity and Vanessa 4/27/18

Re-watching today’s Vanity scenes I had a few thoughts:

One of the frustrating things about Charity and Vanessa is how vastly different their backgrounds and perspectives are. That is at the heart of most of their rows. And frankly, in an episode like today, it was starting to feel like a tired argument. “Change the record” is right.

On the other hand, the fact that they haven’t yet let these differences totally break them apart, is 1. highly unusual, and 2. impressive. And it only makes their relationship that much more wonderful to watch.

They clearly care deeply for each other - IE LOVE each other - despite their differences. I only hope they continue to learn from their arguments, and not make the same mistakes over and over again. (Yes, I’m talking to you Vanessa.)

The money question, as well as the overriding case of getting justice against Bails, shows full well the chasm that divides them. Charity continues to point it out: Vanessa’s middle class, educated, safe world view vs Charity’s abusive, lonely, criminal world of pure survival. My hope is that they find a way to learn from each other and grow together BECAUSE of their differences. While Vanessa needs a dose of Charity’s reality mixed with her naivete, Charity needs a bit of Vanessa’s hope mixed with her pessimism.

It’s a good sign that, despite Vanessa being a right pushy cow lately, Charity is so quickly willing to let it go the minute Vanessa explains that it’s just because she cares so much, and that she will support her in whatever Charity decides for herself. (Let’s hope Vanessa has truly learned this lesson now, since she’s had to do this a couple of times this month.)

As important as it is for Vanessa to keep proving her commitment to Charity, letting her know how much she cares/loves her and that she’s not going to abandon her, it is equally important for Vanessa to realize and believe how much Charity loves and cares for her. 

The fact that Charity managed to swallow her fear long enough to threaten Bails the other day was all for her love of Vanessa. She has proven time and again how much Vanessa’s feelings mean to her. How many times has she apologized for her behavior in the past? Charity admits she’s not one for apologies, and yet she does for Vanessa. She doesn’t like to see Vanessa worried or upset in any way. In addition to apologizing, she often uses humour to make Vanessa feel better. Vanessa needs to understand this is Charity’s way of showing how much she cares about her. 

In return, Vanessa needs to start doing what she can to make Charity feel better when she’s upset... not worse. Make her feel better about herself. Telling her how amazing she is, and that she’s worth far more than money is great start. Give her the confidence, through Ness’s confidence in her, that she can do what’s best.  Instead of chastising Charity for being Charity, bend over backwards to convince her she doesn’t need to respond to things the way she used to. Like with the money. Instead of simply telling her what to do or what not to do, show her, offer her, suggest to her alternatives and let Charity decide for herself. Then support her decision. Which Vanessa finally did today. Yay!

Even when they make a mistake, they can both recognize and acknowledge when the other is acting out of love, even if it isn’t what they want them to do or say in the moment. It may or may not be what they need, but that is the case of any truly evolving relationship. The more they keep trying, and learning, and forgiving, and accepting, the stronger their relationship will become.

One final thought: It may seem like an odd thing to note, but I love how they always make-up... with sex. It shouldn’t be so amazing and unusual, but unfortunately it is, at least to me. On screen, this is something normally seen in male/female relationships. To have a female/female relationship so highly charged, let alone based on sex... is rare. 

This makes #Vanity that much more refreshing and important. Women are sexual beings too. If their relationship was only about sex (which it was at the start, let’s face it), the make-up sex would mean something all together different. But because this is a fully realized partnership, their sexy, flirty interactions and conflict resolutions make their relationship that much more healthy and natural.

[artloveharmony]

Just finished re-watching the last 2 months of Vanity clips, and I’m in tears. Charity is such a beautiful character. Emma is so flipping amazing! It is really hard for me to think about how awful Charity used to be without having a deep pain in my heart. 

Look at her now. She’s so much softer and gentler, and more sincere than she’s ever been. And not just with Vanessa. She honestly wants to do right by Noah. She really cares about Chas. (When she’s not being distracting by things, she’s trying to do her bit at the pub. At least better than before.) She’s not as snippy to people. Her lame attempt to distract Harriet with insults last week had no bite. She is a completely changed woman and I love her. Deeply.

I am continually amazed at and grateful for Vanessa. I used to think she was a flake. But now, she’s the strongest person in the village. Sticking with Charity, when lesser folk would, and have, run a mile. She’s put up with so much crap, and endured some serious rows with Charity, yet never backing down from her stalwart support. The way she stands by her... it’s gorgeous.

There are times when Vanessa seems so much younger than Charity, even though they are just a year or two apart. However, there were scenes when they’d be talking about Bails, and Charity would become her 14 year old self, while Vanessa transformed into the concerned, wise adult. Stunning.

I am really looking forward to the next chapter in their story. Just when I think these two can’t evolve much further, they do. This is one journey I am seeing through to the bitter end. Let’s hope that’s several years down the road.