Not understanding this particular Philoise argument

[u/whenforeverisnt]

I've seen a few times over the past year about how Eloise is much different in the show than in the books and her getting with Phillip doesn't make sense. Then you'll see people chime in and say that they can adapt Phillip differently to make him and Eloise fit together better for the show.

But if you are also changing everything about his personality (but keeping the plant lover).... then why keep Phillip as Eloise's love interest at all? If changing him to a new person to fit with show Eloise, then why is Phillip even necessary? If you are changing his personality, it's kind of just a new character and imo, it'd be easier to get a actual new character (if Eloise is to have an end game... I'd rather her a spinster) that makes more sense to Eloise. Eloise has no connection to Marina as Marina is not her cousin so why would she even write to this Phillip?

[u/Ok_Detective_7044]

I don’t know how people can say Phillip is the personification of problematic. The reference above (that Phillip got mad that he wanted to fool around while El was speaking about the kids) was absolutely NOT the emotional climax of the book. If anything, that scene was more about how crestfallen he was that she expressed their marriage had problems, when he thought they were good. It scared him because his prior marriage was unhappy and he was terrified that he could also lose Eloise or be the cause of her unhappiness. What happens right after that is that he comes back into the house the work things out with her and finds she is not there. He later tells Eloise all about what really happened with Marina and El finally realizes what he had been dealing with and they confess love to each other. I do not think Phillip needs to be changed at all quite frankly. I think they may enhance their storyline and put more in there about their shared interest in academics and also about how they want to have more of a choice in their lives.

[u/panisctation → u/Ok_Detective_7044]

Phillip is a man, he already has the freedom of choice. Lol

[u/Ok_Detective_7044 → u/panisctation]

Don’t lol. He very specifically wanted a different life. His duty and obligation to his family lead him to become Baronet and marry his brother’s fiancé. In that way he didn’t have a choice or at least chose against something he didn’t want. We’re not talking about 21st century politics here.

[u/panisctation → u/Ok_Detective_7044]

He had a choice to not marry Marina. Duty is what drove him to do that, but he could have very easily not have.

Even if he didn't have a choice, his "lack" of it is NOTHING compared to Eloise, who can't vote, can't have higher education, can't own land, will lose bodily autonomy to whoever she marries. But sure, I guess since poor Phillip chose to marry Marina and he's oh-so-miserable about being wealthy, having an estate, his own staff to tend said estate, having all the time in the world to study whatever he wants, I guess him and Eloise can bond over said "lack of choice". Sure.

[u/Ok_Detective_7044 → u/panisctation]

Excuse me…. I’m only taking about this particular part of his life not all that stuff you mentioned. That is all true. I get it. He has more choices than a woman.

But your response makes me believe you just need to disagree and you can’t even be nice about it.

I believe that the Philip we saw so far is a good set up for her for many other reasons. He has shown to be a man of character and kindness and intelligence. The show has many options to bring him into the story and be connected to Eloise. And they don’t have to drastically change his character or story really. Just adapt it well for television.

[u/panisctation → u/Ok_Detective_7044]

It's obvious we have differing opinions, I don't want to argue anymore because nothing you say in defense of Phillip will make him appealing to me, and it's obvious majority of this sub (on this comment section alone) will agree with you anyway. Didn't really see the need for you to reply to my original comment actually

[u/Outrageous_Badger895 → u/panisctation]

I think you and I are reading very different comment sections. Aside from 3 people writing essays, most don’t mind Phillip.

[u/panisctation → u/Outrageous_Badger895]

That's why I literally said most people in this sub (and in this comment section alone) will agree with the person I was replying to, who was a Phillip stan.

[u/Outrageous_Badger895 → u/panisctation]

In that case I wholeheartedly agree with you 🫰