MovieChat Forums > William and Mary (2003) Discussion > I find William to be a whiny, self-pityi...

I find William to be a whiny, self-pitying, insufferable git

posted 12 years ago by abby_s
13 replies | jump to latest

Just started watching the DVDs and I cannot get over how annoying William is. I loved Martin Clunes in Doc Martin so it's not an acting issue - it's the character of William. He started to annoy me almost right away when he couldn't be bothered to listen to Mary talking about how much her mother upset her. He was completely focused on getting laid and had no interest in having an actual conversation with this woman he claimed to be in love with. That's the other problem I have with William. Yeah, yeah, yeah - love at first sight and all that but even if that's what HE is feeling, why put the pressure on Mary to feel the same way after such a short period of time and then WHINE about it. I could not believe it when he broke it off with her in S1E6, she should have dumped HIM after he started whining about Ruben in an earlier scene. He spent so much time pitying himself that he was completely clueless about the feelings and concerns of other people. Yes, his mother was a spiteful witch but he made choices in life - no one forced the business on him or forced him to marry a woman he did not love. He has a $1.5 million pound business he can sell and do all the things he wanted to do. He needs to get over it and stop whining.

There are some serious misogynistic overtones to this show - if a female character acted as William does, she'd be portrayed as a clingy, sociopathic stalker one step away from burning bunnies. She would not be the sympathetic heroine. Mary is always getting taken to task for expressing her opinions and being assertive advocating for her clients but William asks like a hysterical primadonna and is never called on the carpet. I love Julie Graham and Martin Clunes but I really hope that the writing for William improves in Series 2 and 3.

I know I am getting way too aggravated over a show that first aired 8 years ago but this really bugged me.

[–] AltaireIII 12 years ago

He isn't exactly warm and caring so far. I am into season 1 here in the U.S.

I sense the character needs to be all knowing and life is not that way. Did his mom deceive him about her financial wealth or did he assume she had no money? Assumptions about people can prove true. But that is not the usualy result of assumptions.

[–] Faye-9 12 years ago

I like his gentle, caring, loving and kind demeanor. Some characters aren't always lovable immediately. Would you dislike your friend's husband if he were a sweet man like William? I doubt it. Unless you're really a mean person which I doubt you are or you wouldn't be interested in a series about people and not car chases and super heros.

[–] digitaldiva 12 years ago

Hi Faye-9,

William and Mary has recently began being broadcast on a local Los Angeles television station. I'm a Doc Martin fan and have now fallen in love with this character. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but I find William to be a lover of humanity, of strong character and quite classy. He works in a misunderstood profession dealing with the living as much as the dead, is broad-minded, kind and incredibly passionate. He's a wonderful character.

[–] mlewis78 11 years ago

I've only watched two episodes of S1 so far. Mary was whiny and annoying, especially in the 2nd episode. She was in bed with him and started whining about people who send their kids to good schools and then finds out about where William's daughters go to school. Then she walks out and says she can't be with someone like him (because his girls go to a good school).

I'm watching episode 3 now. I'm sticking with this dvd rental only because I like William. Hoping that Mary will be likeable in time.

[–] randommovies2002 10 years ago

I'm in the middle of s3 and Mary is still abrasive and too impulsive. (And seriously, I question her judgment for getting involved with an ar$e like Reuben!)

[–] TanteWaileka 9 years ago

Well, it's five years since you posted your comments, but I have to say I agree with you 100%. I like Martin Clunes but the character he plays in William and Mary is quite similar to the character he played in Doc Martin. Had either character been a real person, etc. personally I would not have dated either, not more than that first introductory date. Both characters do have some charming aspects but really, I hate chauvinistic, self-centered men, and both characters are about 65-75% that way. Too much, ugh.
:)

Life is a journey not a destination. Fear nothing.

[–] amorehl-93-99338 9 years ago

"the character he plays in William and Mary is quite similar to the character he played in Doc Martin"

Wow! Really, are you serious? Sure you watched the right shows? Watched either for any length of time? The two characters are nothing alike.

[–] lilyrowan 9 years ago

I feel the opposite. William is a very nice man, and for the life of me, I cannot understand why he is attracted to the abrasive and self-centered Mary.

[–] morn1960 8 years ago

You can always tell the narcissistic, whiny, bitchy women online. They complain about any male character that is nice but who doesn't bow down and kiss the female characters feet. mary is a complaining, manipulative witch who cant see past her own nose, and Im just on the second episode, which is typical of the 2000's woman as anyone can see reading online posts from women

[–] carlottaeland 8 years ago

Amen morn1960

[–] LCShackley 8 years ago

My wife and I agree.

[–] jonishackley 8 years ago

No way. He bends over backwards for her and all she does is bitch. She's made poor choices her whole life and when a decent, caring guy comes along she craps all over him. On the last episode now and I hate her so much that I don't even care what happens to her.

[–] lionheart2004 7 years ago

Mary is a huge pain in the ass. Makes him continue as an undertaker after he sells the business. He might be good at it but he hates being an undertaker and never wanted to do it.

She takes issue because he wants to send his kids to a good school that her kids couldn't get into. Her kids might have disadvantages because their dad is black but they also get crappy grades in school. She runs away from their wedding because her ex-husband interrupts it. Constantly abrasive and argumentative with little or no provocation.

Chip on her shoulder the size of Mt. McKinley.

I like the show but if I were William I would have given up on her after the first few weeks. When she made him go back to being an undertaker after he sold the business I wanted to shake her.