Paul Lynde as Uncle Arthur, Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha, and Erin Murphy as Tabitha in the Bewitched episode entitled The No-Harm Charm, originally broadcast by ABC on April 25th, 1968.
Sorry for this being almost a month late. These past few weeks have been... more than emotionally taxing. I'm feeling okay enough to write coherently and just relax for a little bit, so... that's why I'm here!
That all to say... lezz get into dese :)
Also, huge shoutout to @rychtygluigi for the suggestion of portraits for these; apologies for not doing so earlier 🙏
(TW: homophobia, capitalism, family conflict, depression, potential divorce, relationship issues)
So right off the bat, Arthur was born on the same day as his twin brother, Tony (November 19, 1977 (obvi)), except he's the younger of the two.
Growing up, Arthur was the polar opposite of his brother. While Tony preferred to enjoy his childhood as much as possible, Arthur was always knee-deep in whatever he could find to keep himself busy. Admittedly, he wasn't a fan of his living situation. As such, he was determined to get as far away from it as possible.
He became a carbon copy of Pio. He'd often accompany Pio on his paper routes or swept street corners just for extra money... all at the behest of his brother and parents who just wanted him to be a kid.
Thankfully, he did have a few breaks in between. He was an avid sports fan, and would sometimes dream about being a star basketball player. He'd spend hours playing with his brothers in the school courtyard; granted, he struggled due to his height, but he showed the both of them once he hit his growth spurt.
Nevertheless, Arthur insisted that he knew better than all of them. Unlike all of them, he was gonna make a name for himself.
... except he took it to the extreme.
He was a child prodigy in school, often performing the best in class and winning multiple awards, particularly in mathematics. As such, he had it in mind that he was going to be an accountant when he got older, and he even planned his life around it just as much. Eventually, that was all he could focus on, getting rid of most of his other hobbies... including basketball.
Admittedly… he was a little stuck-up, thinking he was smarter than his brothers for pursuing a more "prestigious" job, which he'd constantly remind them of… much to their utter annoyance.
While Pio did admire his work ethic, he'd get really annoyed by his brother pushing himself too hard when there really was no need. He knew what it felt like to be in work-mode, and he'd rather his brother experience that when he was at an older age. They'd often get into fights, which only worsened once Pio eventually dropped out of school for his job.
Sadly, Tony wasn't any better. They never got along, and it only got worse when Tony came out to Arthur. At the time, he went along with whatever the media had to say about being "an upstanding citizen." And... considering this was the 80s, you can probably guess what that meant.
Needless to say, when Tony left home after dropping out, Arthur wasn't exactly jumping up to find him.
Home became a lonely place for Arthur over time. When he wasn't constantly arguing with his family, he was either holed up in his room studying or outside at the library or walking around the basketball court. He always felt guilty for not being close, but he told himself that he was different from them... they'd understand that, in time.
And then he met Marie.
She was relatively new to Brooklyn, originating from Chicago. Like him, she was also fairly gifted, though not as stuck-up. She had plans of going into cosmetology.
The two met when they were still in high school (his junior year, and her sophomore). He thought her career choice was... unorthodox. Though he couldn't deny that she had a talent with it, and it made her happy to do! So, for the most part, he shrugged it off.
She was one of the few people to get through to him, calling out his behavior when he acted up, though he didn't take it much to heart. Still, he respected her viewpoint on things, and he could sit and listen to her talk about her hobbies for hours.
And... sit next to her...
... maybe watch a movie...
... so much more.
They stayed together throughout high school, and were even dubbed "cutest couple" of their graduating year, something the both of them thought was ridiculous. He ended up giving her a promise ring at graduation… and then later married her at 21!
He never wanted her to meet his family, stating that they weren't the kind of people she'd want to be around (although she had some thoughts on that). He even moved out and got an apartment just for the two of them, just so they would be as far away as possible. Sure, he made time to visit, even meeting baby Mario and Luigi when they were born, but that was it.
Things were going perfect, in his mind. Sure, he had to wait to start college as money was tight, but that wasn't a big problem! Soon, he and Marie would move out to NYC and they'd have a rich life together!
… until Marie got pregnant.
To say that threw a wrench in his plans was an understatement.
They'd only been married for three years, and things were already stressful as they were still struggling to make ends meet all by themselves, not to mention their savings for college was... less than ideal.
But seeing that positive test, he could already see his college fund going down the drain… along with everything else.
He and Marie fought pretty heavily during that time, almost to where they considered divorcing (they couldn't due to the cost). Eventually, Marie kicked him out of the apartment, all ready to raise their baby alone if she had to. And Arthur, for the first time in his life... had no direction.
So he headed back home.
He came to the doorstep a changed man. He hardly said a word when he was welcomed inside; for all he knew, everyone had been harboring resentment... and at that point, he didn't care anymore. Not when he'd lost so much.
For the first week there, he mainly just stayed holed up in his old bedroom, refusing to speak to anyone. Occasionally, he'd go out and play with Mario and Luigi (who were three-years-old at this point), but eventually, it grew too painful, especially when he became reminded of what he'd inevitably have in just a few months.
It took a while, but thankfully, Pio managed to knock some sense into him (albeit gently). He and Arthur had a long talk one night out on the porch steps, which cleared up a lot of things… and it even made him realize a few things about himself.
He never actually wanted to be an accountant
He was just doing what he thought was expected of him.
Being surrounded by so many sources reinforcing his life would be meaningless without a proper job... it scared him. But the more he thought about his life in that position, the lonelier it felt when he could only picture himself at the top.
... the truth was... he loved Marie… way more than he'd let himself believe.
He never really appreciated his vows when he made them, nor for how strong and independent she'd been. And all the while, she supported him in whatever endeavors he wanted to pursue. And most importantly, he found... he wanted to have kids with her… and he was happy to have called her his wife.
The thought of not knowing where to go scared him, but he didn't want to just give up altogether, or end up living a life that just wasn't for him.
It took some time, but he eventually got a job working at Coney Island as a concession stand attendee, and later as a basketball coach at the local high school. Sure, it wasn't the lavish job he imagined for himself, but it didn't matter... he was happy!
And, eventually, after a long talk he even got back with Marie… and welcomed their oldest son, Stanley, a few months later ❤️
In the present day, Arthur's a sports guy (obviously). When the bros were younger, he and Tony made it their mission to teach them EVERY sport imaginable during the summers. They... later regretted that when little Mario wanted to kick EVERYTHING in sight.
He's softened up a lot more since Stanley's birth, but especially so when Marilyn (born 6 years later) was born. He's a good dad, despite being pretty strict and sometimes grumpy. Sometimes, when he'd come home from work, he'd play baseball and video games with them (he's not particularly good at them, but he enjoys them well enough). Marilyn manages to crush him every time though.
Every. Time.
He's also managed to mend his relationships with the rest of his family by A LOT. Things really helped when he and Marie moved back in with them, much to their delight (and Marie's satisfaction as she'd always wanted to meet them).
They're by no means perfect, ofc; him and Tony don't have a close relationship, and he still occasionally bickers with Pio, but it's a far-cry from where they used to be.
And besides, every year, he manages to snag free tickets to Coney Island for the family whenever they get the chance to go.
He's also lessened up on his homophobia. When the bros (and later on, Marilyn) came out, he changed his tune, deciding he loved his niblings and kids more than whatever shit the world said. He's not perfect by any means; he doesn't understand what being nonbinary means, and he had to read several articles to understand what aroace meant when Marilyn came out. But he still tries.
He also loves his wife. Not as much as Mia and Pio, but he's pretty darn close. The two of them bicker a bit (usually because of Arthur's stubbornness), but at the end of the day, he's willing to go to bat for her, and he'd be damned if anyone hurt her.
Plus, he can make a pretty good jalapeno casserole (he learned it just for her after she told him it was her favorite food… he absolutely hates it though)
Gen fic Arthur Morgan & Abigail Roberts (canon Abigail / John as a background) • pre canon • baby Jack • no warnings
So I started writing this 6 years ago when my middlest kid was about Jack's age. Authentic tired momma realness. I think I'll finish it but here's a snippet to kick me into gear
It was early, the sun not yet fully over the horizon, when Arthur heard stirring coming from Abigail’s tent. He’d awoken early, as he always did, rising to that restless sense that there was work to be done just before the first morning birds began their calls. The campfire had fallen to embers, and it was as Arthur stoked it back into life, holding his black and bitter coffee to warm cold hands, that he’d heard those soft, small, sounds.
A small, lonesome cry as Jack awoke - not for the first time since the adults of the gang had laid down to rest. Abigail’s soft “Hush, baby,” came seconds after, her voice hoarse and weary. A frown tugs at Arthur’s lips as he is reminded, yet again, of John’s absence. Marston had run off some seven months ago now, and there’d not been hide nor hair of him seen since. “Go to sleep Jackie, just a little longer, come on, now.”
Arthur didn’t mean to eavesdrop. Truly, he didn’t. And it felt, sometimes, like he was getting too involved in the affairs of Abigail and the boy; Arthur knew if they all lived in polite society, perhaps it would be best if he were to marry Abigail, in John’s absence. Seeing as the bastard might as well be dead - or very well could be - and Arthur was the closest thing he had to a brother, and unwed himself. He downs his coffee in a quick, angry swallow, shaking his head as he tucks his mug away with the others near Pearson’s makeshift scullery.
He couldn’t marry her - though maybe he oughtta - but that didn’t mean he couldn’t help now.
For a big man, he moved all but silently, a relic from his days as a homeless waif, picking pockets and stealing morsels from slow and dim-witted adults. It served him well then, and had ever since. But he scuffs his boots against the dirt and pebbles of the ground now in his approach, clearing his throat as he comes to his purposefully noisy halt outside Abigail’s tent.
“Miss Roberts, if you’ll forgive me,” Arthur rumbles, voice low, and crouches by the tent’s flaps to wait. The sounds of movement come from inside and before too long, Abigail pokes her head through the canvas flaps, eyes scrunched half-shut against the cold grey light of dawn. She looked run ragged - as she often did, since John had left.
“Arthur? Sorry - did I - did we wake you?” Jack’s small sounds can be heard from inside, the lad babbling happily to himself, very much awake. “Call me Abigail, for goodness’ sake,” this she adds with a yawn, barely stifled behind a slender hand.
“Naw, you know me. I don’t sleep.” He chuckles slightly, knowing it was a joke the women oft repeated amongst themselves, and one he didn’t mind particularly. “Listen, Abigail, I ain’t got nothin’ to do this mornin’, an’ if you’d trust him with me, I could take little Jack. Get yourself some more shut-eye.”
Abigail stared at him for so long that Arthur begins to speak again. “Course, I don’t know nothin’ about little boys, so it ain’t - don’t you worry. I’ll fix you a coffee.” Just as he starts to rise, her hand darts out, gripping him by the forearm, imploring him to stop.
“Of course I trust you with him.” There’s an edge of desperation in Abigail’s voice that is rarely present, despite everything the woman has been through in these past months. Surprised, Arthur meets her gaze; her blue eyes are all but swimming with gratitude. “You sure you don’t mind, Arthur? You ain’t got other business to take care of? He can be a handful.”
Bringing his hand to pat the one still gripping his arm, Arthur offers up a small, lopsided smile. “What, more’n that drunk fool Williamson I been corralling about the place lately? Naw, he ain’t gonna pose me no trouble.” He shifts, kneeling so that he can peer into the darkness of the tent, looking for the boy. “I’d like to, Abigail. I know -” He sighs heavily as he shakes his head, a sharp huff of breath leaving him in a cloud of mist. “I know it ain’t been easy on you, these months, since Marston went and left. Let me take ‘im.”
The silence between them grows brittle as Abigail removes her hand, running fingers through her unruly dark hair as she shakes her head. “Damn fool man he is,” she mutters, eyes downcast.
-------
Oh yes I really do gotta write some more of this don't i
I'm working on a sort of comic strip involving the two of them, but I think it would only look good as a digital piece. Since I'm not very confident yet with my drawing tablet it might take a while to finish, but felt this was too cute not to share.
Today marks the 100th birthday of comic character actor Paul Lynde (1926-1982). My 2013 post on this comedy idol was a rather barebones critical appreciation of his acting style, so I thought it fitting to celebrate his extraordinary career in much greater detail today. It may seem a little dry given the famous personality of this sunburst of a man; so for more effusive description, see that…
Remembering Paul Lynde on his birthday! (June 13, 1926)
Known for his iconic wit and signature voice, Paul Lynde was a comedic genius whose flamboyance lit up TV screens long before queerness was safe to express openly in Hollywood.
Though he never publicly came out, Paul became a beloved figure in the LGBTQ+ community, subtly opening doors and cracking jokes that made us feel seen.
Happy Birthday to a legend who made being “different” look like dazzling fun. 💫
"I saw a big buck in the forest today, pa. He was watching me, but it felt like I was something special to him. You always said that the biggest ones with golden fur reminded you of Uncle Arthur. I thought that you were just telling some silly stories about being watched by some crazy buck, but you were right. I felt him before I could see him, just like you did. And his fur really does glow like the morning sun, just like you said. It's times like these where I wish I had one of them cameras. I'd like to carry a picture of him with me, even if I don't remember him very well."
"I knew that he meant a lot to you and that you were his brother. Maybe not by blood, but I guess that's just how family is sometimes. I know that you and ma don't want me to remember what happened in that gang, but I always wished that I could remember some of it. I always wished I knew what kind of a man Uncle Arthur was whenever you talked about him. You always made him sound so righteous and kind."
