Betty: "Mr. Eldridge, I need you!"
Rupert Holmes (the great Remember WENN creator/writer) toys with us almost every week when it comes to the personal lives of the WENN staff. Now, I'm not saying this is a bad thing, but what has happened and where is it all going?
First of all, the name she typed is not necessarily that of the man she would eventually choose post-"All's Noisy on the Pittsburgh Front." A lot of things changed during season four. So, instead, we have to look at it from Betty's perspective in the middle of season three. Scott is desparately trying to get back into Betty's good graces after "Who's Scott Sherwood?" but he's not exactly succeeding. While Betty had been developing an interest in Scott, his deceit and the temporary return of Victor destroyed all progress Scott made in season two. Just two episodes after "FTPOGR," Betty practically blackmails Scott into keeping an eye on "Strange Loner" star Gavin Landru. She threatens to tell Gertie about Scott's little forgery, and Scott acquiesces. Had Scott actually been who he said he was, rather than a con man who lied his way into WENN, he would've had a very good chance at being the one chosen, but because of the facts presented above, I believe Betty chose Victor.
Mid-season three, Betty still had Victor on a pedestal. Not only was he her estimable mentor from the first season, but now he was risking his life for the Allied cause. Victor represented the ideals Scott lacked: self-sacrifice, loyalty, and working for a greater good. Not only was Victor in line to be a war hero, but he earned Betty's concern that he could be blown up twice in the same war. Also, he defied the rules to let Betty know that he was alive and secretly working as Jonathan Arnold. He trusted her with his secret identity and the means to contact his contact. I think that sort of trust would mean a lot to Betty, and it was very flattering to her that Victor came back to WENN to see her and no one else. Victor's return fulfilled several of Betty's dreams since (and perhaps even before) "Radio Silence." Thus, I believe Betty typed "Mrs. Roberta Comstock."
In "Courting Disaster," Hilary actually shows some esteem for Scott in choosing him to be her lawyer (by proxy?). She actually puts some trust in him, and the pair exchanged a few glances that made me curious. Bizarra also pointed out that in "Caller ID," Hilary was giving Scott the same jealous treatment she usually reserved for Jeff. However, my problems with Scott being Hilary's husband stem from Scott's behavior. In all of his attempts to make up with Betty, I can't believe he'd deceive her yet again. Also, unless there was a time when Scott thought he really had no hope at all with Betty, I can't see him marrying Hilary (unless there's a quick annulment all ready to be filed). I think Scott and Hilary would make a very interesting pair, and I do believe Scott would be willing to help out Hilary if she were in need, but I just wonder if he would marry Hilary if he was still attempting to pursue Betty.
Another candidate for Hilary's husband is Mr. Foley. My only real motivation for this theory is his expression when Eugenia hints at getting engaged in "All's Noisy..." He didn't look as happy as I might have expected. Either Eugenia's suggestion came too soon and he was simply shocked, or he realized there was something very big (well, tall, at any rate) standing in their way.
But during season four ("You've Met Your Match), Mr. Foley seems to develop a relationship with Eugenia, ending with her hint at marriage in "All's Noisy on the Pittsburgh Front."
Then again, season four showed us that Mr. Eldridge is a bit sharper than previously thought. He only pretended to lose his ticket in "Thanks a Lottery" so he could stay at WENN and not be treated differently by his friends and coworkers.
Those eight little letters
So what were the eight letters Betty typed at the end of "From the Pen of Gertrude Reece"? Well, assuming she really did type either "Comstock" or "Sherwood," here's my theory:
Who's Hilary's Husband?
In "All's Noisy on the Pittsburgh Front," Hilary makes the startling revelation that she's married to someone else (apparently someone other than Jeff). But who could it be? One of the popular theories floating around is that she married Scott Sherwood, and that theory is starting to grow on me.
The First Mrs. Foley?
Is it just the fans' imaginations, or is there something blooming between Maple LaMarsh and Mr. Foley? They kissed under the mistletoe in "Christmas in the Airwaves," and "Two for the Price of One" (proving to be one of the most relationship-filled episodes) has a great Maple-Foley scene. She sings "Strong and Silent," accompanying herself on the piano, and Mr. Foley places a red rose in front of her, on the piano.You're sure they're not married?
Gertie Reece and Thomas Eldridge act like they've been around each other for a long time. "The New Actor" serves as a recent example, when Gertie asks Mr. Eldridge to change the station so she won't have to listen to "Supper with Hilary Booth" while she's eating. The tangent Mr. Eldridge sets the conversation on warrants a sigh of exasperation from Gertie, who probably half expected it to happen.
Jeff and Hilary: more reunions than the Brady Bunch
They've been married twice. . .although it seems only the first time was legal. The similarities between them and their "Hands of Time" counterparts are becoming frightening. They love each other, they hate each other, Jeff goes off to London, he comes back, they love each other, Jeff goes off to London, a Czechoslovakian woman comes back claiming to be his new wife. Jeff returns, but Hilary says either he goes or she'll leave. It's a never ending soap opera.
Unclear and Present Danger
Tom Eldridge: occupation unknown
What exactly does Mr. Eldridge do at WENN? Even the staff doesn't seem to know what his position is. Could he be a spy, the elusive "contact" of Victor Comstock? Or maybe he just walked in to WENN one day for some unknown reason and kept coming back. Maybe even he doesn't know why he's there, and one day, it'll all come back to him.
Foley, . . .?
Yet another WENN mystery. What is Mr. Foley's first name? His brother calls him bro-bro, which doesn't help us at all. The other staff members don't seem to know his first name either.
Jonathan Arnold a.k.a. Victor Comstock
This seems pretty straightforward. We know that Victor Comstock works for the Allies as a spy by portraying Jonathan Arnold, the American voice of the Third Reich, right? Well, apparently not everyone thinks so. He admitted he was comitting treason by telling Betty he was alive and a spy, but his involvement with espionage may be more complicated. Some believe that Victor isn't telling everything. He may be a double agent, or perhaps he's playing both sides. So who is Victor Comstock really working for? Has he really been brainwashed by the Nazis? What else would ever prompt him to pull a gun on Betty? I guess we'll find out in May.
Who is Scott Sherwood?
The episode of the same name fails to tell us exactly who he is. Scott's past is very shady, and even what he has revealed is doubtful. Everytime Scott reveals something of his life story, we have to wonder if he's telling the truth and how much he's embellishing.
A girl like Maple
Maple LaMarsh formerly worked in burlesque shows such as the Crimson Follies and the Velvet Vanities, but is there more to her life prior to WENN? What don't we know? What should we know? Will we ever know?
Pavla Nemkova (Singer?): the Czechoslovakian tart
Or have I said too much? What did Jeffrey want to say to Hilary? Is Pablo (as Scott so fondly refers to her) really Jeff's wife? Or is she the gold-digger on her way to Hollywood via Pittsburgh the others believe? Perhaps both. Or maybe the marriage certificate is false. What is Jeff's explanation? Will he ever be able to let us know before Hilary kills him?
Mackie Bloom: man with a past
Mackie (McKinley) Bloom is an ex-con. . .well, sort of. He spent 6 months in jail after Paloma and co. testified against him. Apparently, Mackie was the chauffeur to their getaway car, but when Mackie knew what they'd done, he turned them in. They, in turn, turned on him, and Mackie wound up with a two year sentence. He was released after 6 months for good behavior.
Clones in the '40s?!
Doug Thompson, WENN's mild-mannered lawyer is not often seen, though he's occasionally mentioned due to his affection for Betty. Sharing those feelings is C.J., who appears to be a younger version of Doug. The resemblance is striking. So, what is the explanation to that? Is it just a mere coincidence that the two actors have similar appearances?
A WENN mystery revealed!
C.J. has a last name, and it's not "the Engineer." His name is C.J. Mc Hugh. Now what does C.J. stand for?
Thanks to Linda for the info!