I might be a little biased because I liked that actor (younger) in Law n Order -- thought he was attractive -- so in a way I think I "see" the man (physically) that Brenda saw 10 years earlier.
However, apart from that, I do accept the notion of their earlier affair for many reasons.
1. There's a very strong suggestion that he became more and more of an a-hole as he climbed the ladder (we see that as the race for chief is on, in S6 I think and beyond), so to me the implication is that he was far less an a-hole when Brenda knew him back in DC, when he was lower in the hierarchy.
2. I find Pope's personality (when he's not in full-ambition mode) appealing -- he has a wry sense of humor, he sometimes uses his authority well/wisely, and he has a take-charge mode that Brenda (given her Daddy issues) no doubt found very appealing when he wasn't her boss. (I think her need for strong Daddy might have diminished over time, as she herself had more and more authority.) Plus, Pope can be both charming and vulnerable in his personal, one-on-one moments with her.
3. Add to that Pope's need to be unfaithful -- unbroken pattern for him -- meaning that he must have courted the *hell* out of her, and I can absolutely see it.
That said, I can see why others don't buy it: Their personalities are so different that it's hard to picture them together; the chemistry isn't super-strong (tho I think that's intentional on the part of the writers and actors -- I think Brenda finally sees Pope in a different light); and they aren't really at the same level in terms of what society considers attractive in a man and a woman.
"All you need to start an asylum is an empty room and the right kind of people."
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reeseslightning
8 years ago
I'm rewatching the series for the first time in a while and I absolutely agree with your assessment. But I'd like to include one more: he admired her intelligence. For a woman like her, that would be a difficult hurdle for most men (in general) to deal with. There's a respectability there between them that probably was the biggest turn on for her. She was damn good at her job and proved her worth - not saying I agree with all her methods but she was a natural at interrogation. It was always Pope's defense of her when she rubbed people the wrong way and they couldn't deny it.
Make him do it again - Ilithyia
The voice says I'm almost out of minutes - Cas
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[email protected] (6052)
8 years ago
There's no tried and true formula for who we are attracted to. There a few current actors who have heartthrob status whom I don't find appealing in the least. It's just a matter of personal taste.
Years ago I remember how Robert Redford made women swoon. I thought he was very handsome but he held no appeal for me, yet I thought Judd Hirsch was sexy as anything. Had a crush on him, still do!!!
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