Mary seems like a nice young gal in her early 30s then she seems like 50 by the end of the show. What happened? She aged so quickly over night? Not just her appearance but her character. She went from happy and bubbly to apathetic and grouchy. She even insults Ted. So unlike the Mary Richards we know and love. Maybe shes bitter because shes not married and doesn't have any children?
Since the premise of the show was about a single woman in the working world, I doubt that was the reason. The whole idea from the start was to explore the work life, home life and dating life of the modern single woman. The reunion movie in 2000 had both Mary and Rhoda with a daughter, but Mary was widowed and Rhoda divorced.
I think it had more to do with the political and social state of the era. Considering between 1970 and 1978 the U.S. had a bad finish to an unpopular war, had a very controversial president resign under very suspicious circumstances, it's not surprising that the attitude of the show got increasingly cynical. If you look at other tv shows from the mid to late 70s, cynicism and sarcasm were common and reflected feelings of the American population (All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Sanford and Son, Chico and the Man, Barney Miller).
Whatever the reason, it made the later Seasons much less enjoyable. Also the strict convention that a woman couldn't have a career and also be married. As if by Women's Lib she had to live by an even stricter lifestyle than tradition says.
sharethe strict convention that a woman couldn't have a career and also be married.
Maybe shes bitter because shes not married and doesn't have any children?
I think it had more to do with the political and social state of the era. Considering between 1970 and 1978 the U.S. had a bad finish to an unpopular war, had a very controversial president resign under very suspicious circumstances, it's not surprising that the attitude of the show got increasingly cynical.
I think Mary in the beginning was quite meek and afraid to stand up for herself. She was very people-pleasing and got stepped on a bit for it. I think as the seasons progressed she grew into her own more, learned to be assertive. I don't think at all she was bitter about not being married and having children. I feel the whole premise of the show was that you CAN have a fulfilling life as a single, career-oriented woman in your 30's/40's. Even though her personality evolved, she still seemed happy and bubbly to me, but she became more of a strong-willed woman. I personally enjoyed the transformation, and found it quite realistic.
shareI think both Rhoda and Lou showed Mary that you could still be a decent and upstanding person while still having strength and a backbone.
While I did prefer the sweeter, gentler Mary of the earlier seasons, the changes she made in herself were necessary for her grow as a character.
Additionally, being around characters like Phyllis, Ted, and Sue Ann made it necessary for her to get tougher if she was going to be able to hold her own with them.
Al - Alicia
An - Andrew
Jo - Joseph
Be - Benjamin
'Even though her personality evolved, she still seemed happy and bubbly to me, but she became more of a strong-willed woman. I personally enjoyed the transformation, and found it quite realistic.'
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I don't think that was necessarily character evolvement, but just the actress changing or becoming more uninhibited. Lucy also changed in ILL, but it likely was not due to the writing.
She had that youthful looking long hair in the beginning then she traded it off for the matronly shorter style as so many women did in those days when they hit middle age.
shareHer hair style in season 6 was hideous. Didn't make her look any younger or older, but made her look much less attractive
share>>> She had that youthful looking long hair in the beginning
That was a wig, BTW.
Scariest words in English: We’re from the federal government and we’re here to help. R. Reagan
Maybe she's bitter because she's not married and doesn't have any children?
>>> Yikes. If that's your unflagging opinion of women, then maybe this show's not for you. The whole novel (at the time, and to a degree still now) premise of the show was that a woman could have a fulfilling life without marriage and children and not feel that she was missing out on something.
I disagree.
Scariest words in English: We’re from the federal government and we’re here to help. R. Reagan
Mary Tyler Moore was an alcoholic, as well as a diabetic, and I think that may have had an effect on her appearance in the later seasons. She definitely looks different in season 6; noticeably paler, bags under her eyes, etc. Her hairstyle also changes several times, over the course of the season (though it improves over what she starts with, at the beginning of the season). I haven't read her memoir; but, I do know she was having marital issues and her drinking was part of the problem.
As for the character, she had grown over time, with new relationships, and life experiences. She had a command of her job, good friends, and had gone through changes. It's called maturity.
Fortunately, Ah keep mah feathers numbered for just such an emergency!
I disagree; she looked older than 32 when the show started, and looked as young when it ended. She had the bags under her eyes during the first season, and it looked like her make-up was too sheer. She looked better at the 2.5 season mark when she lightened her hair and cut it.
shareJust watching season 7 after a season 1 binge.live seen all seasons but 7, and was just going back and watching my fave EPs before into the final season..and was surprised at how different Mary is in season 7..it's quite a shock.. i find her rude and even self serving at times in a bad way. I realize her character had to grow and it's good she became more confident and assertive but I also find her grouchy and unpleasant in season 7.
Not liking this season so far..Mary's new apartment always bugged me..I think the show lost its charm in the last few seasons. Can't beat the first 3 seasons though!
It's not the political climate and the economy/war era and all that obligatory stuff that some people offer as a reason. Nor was it necessarily a conscious characterization change by the writers.
I just think Moore changed/grew as an actress and got more laughs with her different tone in the later seasons. Moore was visibly more nervous as an actress on the first 2 seasons. It's only a TV sitcom, and Moore herself may not even been aware of the difference. (same as Lucille Ball on her show)
I do like that, or so it seems, that in season 7 Moore seemed to step back and let some of the other characters have more screen time, she seemed to let those actors have their times to shine. That's a nice thing to do.
sharewas surprised at how different Mary is in season 7..it's quite a shock.. i find her rude and even self serving at times in a bad way. I realize her character had to grow and it's good she became more confident and assertive but I also find her grouchy and unpleasant in season 7.