MovieChat Forums > The Secret Garden (1993) Discussion > Should Medlock go?

Should Medlock go?

posted 12 years ago by blaircam
12 replies | jump to latest

So, at the end Mrs Medlock says that she resigns.
It is not made clear whether she actually goes.
I did not detect anything malicious in her actions. Sure she was overprotective of Colin but I didn't think she deserved to get the chop.
So, should Lord Craven accept her resignation - do you think she deserves to go?
I think they ought to keep her on. I actually felt a little sorry for her at the end, she was only trying to look after Colin's best interests.
Thoughts?

"They who... give up... liberty to obtain... safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."

[–] Bellawen_Bolger_Of_Bree 12 years ago

I hope she kept her job also! It seems to me that she was meaner in the book, but I read the book as a child and saw this movie as a young adult, so I probably saw her much differently then.
Regardless, Maggie Smith is a wonderful actress and she gives Medlock a sweet side (like when she is crying and Martha comforts her and at first she pushes her away, but then sobs, "Oh, Martha" and my heart broke for her and I immediately wanted Lord Craven to say ok, you can stay)!

Formerly Lady Aethelwyne

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] FireMinstrel 9 years ago

Mrs. Medlock wasn't meaner in the book. When she found out that Mary was spending time with Colin, she shook her finger at her a bit, but then openly admitted that the two of them being friends made everybody's job much easier.

[–] gorgsharpy 11 years ago

Of course she stays. She was just carrying out his crazy orders.

"You couldn't be much further from the truth" - several

[–] ricky_says_hi 10 years ago

Well she said that when Colin and Mary had disappeared. For all she knew they had run off onto the moors and would starve to death. She meant to resign in disgrace. But since Colin and Mary only went to play in the garden, and Colin is walking too, she'll probably stay. Neither Colin nor Mary would actually want her to go. Although now that Colin doesn't need round-the-clock supervision and care, Medlock probably won't know what to do with herself

I'm gonna die of long hair!

[–] nancy-mitrione 8 years ago

With 100 rooms in that castle, she will have plenty of cleaning to do. 😃

[–] AcademyAwardWinnerJordy 10 years ago

Well, I have not read the book but I remember seeing a cartoon and Mrs. Medlock was actually keeping him sick so she could stay employed.

Ruin is a gift. Ruin is the road to transformation (Eat, Pray, Love)

[–] browntable759 10 years ago

I thought that was in a version of Heidi rather than The Secret Garden. In the movie, she looked genuinely pleased (though shocked) that Colin was walking.

[–] MisterDenton 10 years ago

I agree, I think she should/would stay. She was just as much a victim of Lord Craven's depressive state as Colin and Lord Craven himself. I think she genuinely cared for Colin and thought that she was doing the best she could, as everyone else did apparently.

But when he walks at the end, she is obviously overjoyed. I think Craven would keep her on, if only because he was so happy.

[–] skylands 9 years ago

Medlock was deeply shocked at what had happened and was reborn along with the rest. Her personality blossomed as she herself helped restore the garden and the children loved and adored her for the rest of her life.

Sadly though, Medlock broke her neck on the swing too.

[–] 9 years ago

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[–] ShackyWack 8 years ago

I hope not. She was doing what she thought was right. She could be great as the Lady of the House if not having to worry about Colin dying all the time.