Parker: I love you, Tommy. Thomas: And I love you, Parker. [4.09 - ‘Til Death Do Us Part]

"Parker" vs. "Miss Parker"

During my last tP marathon, I've noticed something I hadn't realized before. And I'd love to share it with you. Until last year, I'd only watched tP in my language (Italian). I know, it sounds weird to you, because English is your native language. But in Europe all countries have this traditional dubbing thing. And it is really helpful when you're watching a tv show or a movie, because not everybody speaks English (specially old people). If you're curious about it, Italian dubbers are *amazing*. And our lovely pretender was dubbed by one of the best, so he sounds young, charming and naive at least as much as MTW. He's very good and agreeable to listen to. And yet, in the Italian version there are many things that are very different from the original, especially if we're talking about Parkerisms or Jarodisms. And that sometimes is quite annoying. And lately I've noticed something really interesting.

Tommy always calls Miss Parker just "Parker".

      Instead Jarod never calls Miss Parker without mentioning her title. She's always "Miss Parker", to him.

       This was such a brilliant choice! It's nice, because it gives Miss Parker and Tommy's relationship a sense of intimacy, something we never see between her and J. The fact that Jarod calls her "Miss" is kind of formal, but that "miss" is aimed to remind us of their childhood, of that glass that always stood between them. The fact Jarod doesn't call her by name is weird, since he's the only one who knows her first name. They probably never allowed him to do so when they were young, and I guess Parker asked him not to. So Jarod obediently calls her "Miss Parker", even when he talks with other people about her. *Always* I think this is important. I don't know why, but it is. And I realized it just in the last few months, because in our Italian version, Jarod calls her "Parker" a couple of times, maybe because of lexical choices to let Italian words fit better with English ones.

Thomas: I wish I would have met you when I was a little boy. Parker: And why is that? Thomas: Because my whole life, everything that I’ve ever done or felt up until this moment was wasted because you weren’t a part of it. I love you Parker.

[3.18 - Wake Up]

Thomas: Honey, have you seen my red flannel shirt? Parker: I need more information. Thomas: Uh, red...flannel... Parker: Hm, doesn’t ring a bell. Thomas: You’re always wearing my shirts. How come? Parker: ‘Cos they smell like you. I like that. Thomas: Well, I need something to wear to work. Parker: So take it, if you think you’re man enough. Thomas: I’ll tell you what, I will make you a deal. Parker: Hmm, I’m open for negotiations. Thomas: Yeah? When I die, I’ll leave you all of my shirts, okay? Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere. Okay? [3.18 - Wake Up]

[3.18 - Wake Up]

Thomas: Well congratulations Parker. It looks like you’re finally in control of your own life. Parker: Yeah Thomas: How does it feel? Parker: Confusing. Thomas: I’ll bet. Listen I’m gonna go lock the back door. You shut off the lights, okay? Parker: Okay. [3.17 - Ties That Bind]

Mr Parker: Angel, I am terrified. Parker: Of what? Mr Parker: You’re all I have, you and your brother. You leave I lose probably the best part of me. But if you think that leaving is the best for you then, um, go with my blessing. Parker: Are you serious? Mr Parker: I just want you to be happy, that’s all I’ve ever wanted. Well it’s late and, ah, we have to get up early so, ah, goodnight sweetheart. Thomas. Thomas: Yeah. Lyle: Goodnight. [3.17 - Ties That Bind]

Thomas: Are you sure that I can’t get anybody anything to drink? Mr Parker: No thank you, Thomas. Parker: Daddy, you wanted to talk to me about something. Mr Parker: Ah, I am not young anymore… Parker: Daddy… Mr Parker: No no, let me finish. I’m a creature of habit. I don’t like change, that’s the way I am. But I’ve been thinking about you and your young friend here. And uh…well I’ve been selfish. Parker: I don’t understand. Lyle: The um, Yakuza have a saying that love and fear fly to heaven on the same wing which means the things we do because we love somebody are also the things we do because we’re afraid. Like when Dad tried to pay Thomas to go away. Parker: What? Why didn’t tell me that? Thomas: Because it wasn’t a big deal. He just...he made an error in judgment, that’s all. Mr Parker: One of many, I’m afraid. [3.17 - Ties That Bind]

Parker: It doesn’t matter what I do, they’ll never let me go. Thomas: I don’t understand, you’re a grown woman. Certainly you can make your own decisions. Parker: It’s not that simple. Thomas: Who could that be at this hour? Mr Parker: I hope we’re not interrupting anything Angel. Parker: No. We were...What are you doing here Daddy? Lyle: We just dropped by to make sure you were alright. Parker: Alright? Mr Parker: Oh, to hell with it. I wanted to talk to you sweetheart. Do you mind if we come in? Parker: Sure. [3.17 - Ties That Bind]

Mr Parker: Ah. Nothing like the smell of freshly cut wood. What’s the spacing code on those for floor studs? Thomas: Ah, two and a half feet. Mr Parker: Lot more than 18 inches. That’s bad economics. Thomas: It’ll double the life of the structure. That’s all I care about. Mr Parker: A man of integrity. Thomas: You, ah, you know something about carpentry? >Mr Parker: I know a little about a lot of things. Thomas: Could you, uh, could you hand me a bonding clamp please? Mr Parker: I guess you’re wondering why I’m here. Thomas: She told you she wanted to leave. Your daughter and I don’t keep secrets from each other. Mr Parker: Your tools are old. You could use some new ones. Thomas: Can I help you with something Mr Parker? A blank cheque? Mr Parker: Fill in any amount you want, we shake hands, get on with our lives. All of us. Thomas: I love your daughter, Mr Parker. No amount of money in the world could ever change that. [3.17 - Ties That Bind] A man of integrity, indeed. *Nice Tommy*...

Parker: You’re going to make someone a wonderful wife. Thomas: You should see me with a vacuum. Why aren’t you dressed for work? Parker: Because it’s a beautiful day and I thought we’d grab some wine and go out to the... Thomas: Parker, you have to talk to your father. Parker: I know. Thomas: If we’re ever going to have a future together you’re gonna have to be honest with him. It’s the only way we can ever be free. Parker: I know. Thomas: I can’t live without you. I don’t want to even think about it, okay? [3.17 - Ties That Bind]

Thomas: Parker, if something is not right we’ll deal with it...together. I’m a fixit man, remember? Parker: I guess that makes me your new project. Thomas: And this one I’ll never sell.      [3.16 - P.T.B.]

Thomas: Is that a yes? Parker: There are things about me, things that you need to know before you make me a part of your life. Thomas: Parker there are... Parker: You were right. It wasn’t me talking. I haven’t been me for a long time, not since...I think you made me realise that...there are places in me Tommy, dark places. Thomas: And you’re afraid that if I see them, that I’ll reject you? [3.16 - P.T.B.]

I love the fact she's wearing 'normal' clothes in this scene. Like if she really was trying to change. This is not the Centre Miss Parker, it's just Tommy's Parker.

Parker: I see someone who’s only connection to the world is an empty house, a box of nails and a rusty pick truck. I don’t have that luxury. I have obligations, I have relationships. Thomas: Obligations? Relationships? You make it sound so personal, so warm. All your mail is stamped Occupant. Your...your phone number is unlisted and I have yet to meet even one of your so-called friends. Parker: I have a life. Thomas: Which you refuse to share. That’s not a life Parker, it’s a life sentence. Parker. Please don’t make me leave part of my life here. Please. [3.16 - P.T.B.]

Thomas: This place is locked up like Alcatraz. Parker: What are you doing here? Thomas: You didn’t mean what you said. That wasn’t you talking, that was your father, it was this place, whatever the hell this place is. Parker: It’s so easy for you isn’t it? Waltz into somebody’s life, rip it apart like it was some damn remodelling job? Keep your favourite parts but throw out the rest. No consequences, no commitment. Thomas: This is a commitment. Can’t you see that? [3.16 - P.T.B.]

Have you ever noticed how sweet her voice is when she talks with Tommy? It sounds so different... *_*

[3.16 - P.T.B.]

Thomas: That was the realtor. Parker: So are they going to buy the place? Thomas: They already did. I was going to tell you earlier but I was waiting- Parker: You don’t have to clear it with me. Thomas: There’s something else. I, ah, I bought a new house for us to restore. Together. It’s in Portland. Parker: I love Maine. Thomas: Oregon. Come with me Parker. Parker: Oh! To Oregon? Thomas: Why not? Parker: Well first of all I have a career. Thomas: Oh right, right. The same career that gave you an ulcer and nearly killed you. Parker: It’s not just the job. My family. Thomas: You buy a plane ticket, you visit. Parker: You don’t know my family. Look it’s just not a decision I can make right now, here, in my bathrobe. Thomas: What are you scared of? Parker: Nothing. You’re just asking a lot. Thomas: I need to leave soon. [3.16 - P.T.B.]