On Bree's Dad's death and his lack of name

[onetruegnome]

Throughout most of the LG15 series, Bree's Dad has been an important figure although mostly unseen. It is reminscient of some other notable characters from television:

Vera, Norm's wife from Cheers.

Maris, Niles' wife on Frasier.

Wilson, The Taylors' neighbour on Home Improvment.

Although never fully seen they did have one thing in common that Bree's Dad didn't - THEY HAD NAMES.

To put "In Memoy of Bree's Dad" is not only impersonal but it seems sloppy.

Realistically, Daniel should have known Bree's dad's name. It was mentioned by Bree that she had known Daniel for 2 years. He should have known at least her last name and could have put "In Memory of Mr. A" or whatever the first initial of Bree's last name is. I could understand that we are to pretend this is real and he might not have wanted to put Bree's last name on the Internet.

It was a running gag for years on Seinfeld about Kramer's missing first name, but eventually we learned it was Cosmo. I think we deserve a last name for Bree and at least a first name for her dad.

[spaciegirlreturn]

Yeah, he should have had a name. I didn't like how they did that part. On the other hand, on Sex and the City, when we finally found out Mr. Big's name (John..I think), it was anticlimactic and lame. But still..saying, "Bree's dad" was weird.

[angie78gg]

I thought it kinda sucked, whether its R/l or arg. He should have atleast had a name. Even if it was BOB..( no, thats not a reference to battery operated toys either). Just clarifying that, for the dirty minds on here.

[mwgraves]

I am in the minority...yeah he was a major "player" in the show, but, since I never actually saw his face at all...it doesn't matter to me that he had a name...

Plus...we all just watch the show, I think to keep it impersonal may help Bree along with her grief...

That's my opinion

[BrokenBliss]

Lol, I like all the sitcom comparisons. There's a language I understand!

Also reminds me of the novel Of Mice and Men where Curly's wife never had a real name... just Curly's wife...

That's a mistake they made from the beginning I guess, not giving Bree a last name.

[ApotheosisAZ]

Put yourself in Daniel's shoes for a moment. Are you going to reveal Bree's last name online? Of course not. The same reason that none of us should ever reveal our own last names applies here. It's a safety issue.

[Flautapantera]

While it is kinda awkward to read "In Memory of Bree's Dad," I think the issue is both one of respect and of anonymity. We'll have to infer from Daniel's conversations involving Bree's father that he wouldn't refer to him by any other name but the very placid moniker. From what we can tell, neither Daniel nor Bree called her father by his actual name on a daily basis - what should be so different now that he's dead? Also, I agree with Apotheosis' point that there isn't any reason to include his given name on a tribute video as it doesn't make any difference to the story. The point that Bree's dad was killed was relayed quite clearly without the use of an actual name.

[nobackspacebutton]

I think that normally, in a real situation, a name would have been entered into the video. But if there was as name, and it was something like Joseph Crawley...then we would be able to search the internet for any relatives to this Crawley and we would over analyze to how his name is similar to Crowley and his first name is biblical related as well. Perhaps the Creators chose this impersonal option because they didn't want us to look too deeply into the name of a character that would lead our searches no where. They didn't want us to focus too much on something too irrelevant to what they were trying to do.

Also, to protect Bree's identity or family...and since she was homeschooled, maybe she knows better than to put her last name up on the internet.

[Ashley]

Put yourself in Daniel's shoes for a moment. Are you going to reveal Bree's last name online? Of course not. The same reason that none of us should ever reveal our own last names applies here. It's a safety issue.

Calling him by his first name would have been something disrespectful in most people's eyes. And I agree that broadcasting their last name would have been stupid.

Perhaps calling "In Memory of Mr. S" (or whatever letter their last name starts with) would have been better.

[onsweetavenue]

I don't know about the anonymity part. Theyhave no problems disclosing their locations and intimate parts about where they are living plus every clue they can think of, but when it comes to last names they get shy? I don't know about that...


And anyway if you aren't going to reveal the last name the first name or any name would be better than "bree's dad"....just my opinion.

[Kasdeja]

I kinda see it in the same way as all the adults on Charlie Brown, I guess. I mean, we never see her parent's faces...we never hear them talk. Heck, for a long time all we saw of her dad were his legs.

[BrokenBliss]

Yeaaah but c'mon, just give them a common name like Smith Johnson or John Smithson, no one can over analyze that.

[Kasdeja]

Pfft, yeah right, lol. We overanalyzed the flower Daniel gave Bree with her breakfast and the yogurt she ate.

[milowent]

Yeaaah but c'mon, just give them a common name like Smith Johnson or John Smithson, no one can over analyze that.

imagine ... John Smithson!!! Is that related to THAT john smith! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Smith. OMG!

personally, i think it would have been nicer to give bree's dad a name. i mean, he must have one, right?[/url]

[bethy]

Why is this such a big deal?

Besides, I've decided to call him Leigh Vamessage, just for fun.

Seems like a guy names Leigh would wear a beret. And the name is anonymous enough that is fits his persona. Plus, it totally fits what we know about him.