Pick-Up Artists: Shane & Oliver's Long Games

8/26/2015

It's about time we had a chat about some of Shane's methods. And did you catch that time Oliver almost let his strategy slip?

Sometimes actions speak louder than words. Sometimes the words speak louder because you can't take action. Each instance is a perfect descriptor of how Shane and Oliver have pursued each other in ways we may not have paid the most attention to.

We've talked about it several times---all the times Shane tried to push her relationship with Oliver places it wasn't ready to go. But I think in my analytical haze I neglected to cover the most obvious methods through which Shane set her sights on Oliver, and executed with varying results.

The Song

Shane learned quickly that dancing with Oliver wasn't going to be easy---literally or figuratively. And that was no more obvious than when she tried to negotiate a song to which the pair would dance. Needless to say, she struck out at first.

But by the time the night before the showcase came around, Shane had managed to not only find a new song, but locate it on vinyl. She found a creative way to compromise between her desire to dance to something more her style, while respecting his love for the classics.

What's interesting, however, is that song she chose. Really, Martha Williamson chose the song. But as the character Martha created, Shane made a conscious decision. Sure, it definitely fit well with their routine tempo. But take a second to listen---and I mean really listen---to the lyrics of the song she chose, Billy Joel's "And So It Goes":

Could Shane have been sending any more obvious a message to Oliver? Chief among some of the overall very apropos lyrics:

So I would choose to be with you,
That's if the choice were mine to make,
But you can make decisions too,
And you can have this heart to break.

It described them both perfectly, in a painstakingly beautiful way---Oliver wanting to be with Holly, and Shane wanting to be with Oliver. And, if the results of this entire situation were any indication, Oliver truly did have Shane's heart to break---and he definitely broke it for a minute.

The Christmas Dress

I recently chatted about howOliver and Shane use Rita and Norman as a conduit through which they navigated and negotiated their own relationship. In that post I showed you a clip of Shane and Rita from the Christmas film where Shane encourages Rita at the salon to buy a new dress and pursue her relationship with Norman more directly.

It didn't occur to me until the moment I pulled that clip that Shane had a distinct plan. Do you think Rita would have gone to a salon before the Ball if Shane hadn't made the suggestion? And do you think Shane just pulled that bombshell red dress out of her closet that night as a last-minute decision? I doubt it, Postables. Shane, consciously or subconsciously, had a plan. Dare I say it worked. Rarely do we find Oliver speechless.

Oliver Almost Lets It Slip

If ever there was a time Oliver let his potential interest in Shane fly like a mailbox flag it was in For Christmas. Jordan Marley encroached upon territory which Oliver considered clearly marked, and he made it known just where the boundaries were. Oliver's speech to Shane was wrought with allusions to his long-term plan for courting her, which apparently began to take shape when he shared his dance lessons with Shane.

He takes great care to explain to Shane that the dance steps learned with him were to stay between them. It was his way of laying the foundation that would eventually earn him the right to dance with Shane for the long haul---literally and figuratively!

Fortunately for Oliver, this conclusion is so deeply buried in between the lines that Shane didn't seem to quite grasp the implication or its consequences. She certainly understands, however, that Oliver is upset about something. She only realizes he's serious after Oliver dips her.

So, Postables, what are your thoughts---long games or coincidence? Drop your reasoning in the comments.

Pleased With The Observation & Totally Sold On The Conclusion,
~C

5 Comments

Julie

8/26/2015 06:33:39 am

There's so much more to this story...for example, Shane has evolved so much since we first met her in the Pilot. In the Edge of Forever, even though Oliver was clearly upset with her, she tells the girls, ready to release their mother's ashes, that Oliver would be good candidate to say something meaningful at that moment. She's constantly supporting him through his statements, even involving faith into those comments, which will surely resonate with Oliver. And probably the biggest statement on Oliver's long game was the simple phrase "I went out and bought a porch swing", along with all the dialog about "the hole in his department" and having the right chemistry to "work" together.
Shane revealed her long game on that porch, too, when she made the final comment about "the two of you", hopefully making it really click for Oliver that the reason she was leaving was because she thought Oliver was getting back together with his wife. If that didn't make the scenario perfectly clear for Oliver, then this relationship thing is going to take a LONG time.

I must say, however, that I'm kind of content with the fact that their relationship could take a while. They still have things to learn about each other's pasts and their hopes for the future. I can't wait to hear Oliver share something like "I'd always hoped to have a son who would carry on the legacy of public service with the US Postal Service". Shane's reaction to that would be interesting.

I also have thought that from the beginning, Martha's end game is that Shane has to go from being a doubter to a believer in God. Oliver's faith is very central to his being, and I thought that the series would show Shane's journey back to some sort of faith. I feel like she's getting there. She's certainly talked of faith as I mentioned above, but I think Oliver's going to want something more concrete...like her going to church with him for Christmas services.

I have no doubt Martha's going to take us on a very wonderful journey in getting these two together, and since Oliver doesn't much care for failure and considers the bonds of marriage sacred, he's going to want to be sure this relationship will work before he entertains getting involved. I'm sure that we'll see things happen along the way that will keep the push-pull thing playing out. I know we're all going to enjoy watching the endgame play out.

Chandel link

8/26/2015 07:42:21 am

I agree, those are definitely some good moments! I like to think of their relationship having two phases: pre-Holly & post-Holly. My moments definitely take place pre-Holly, and the ones you're referring to are post-Holly. I definitely think it's important to separate these two eras in their relationship because the boundaries for what they can express and how are very different. These are signs I missed early on, but what you discuss about the porch scene are the dawning moments of a new phase of expression for these two, and I'm excited to see where it goes, too!

kathy

8/26/2015 09:33:20 am

Looks like the song backfired on her, but she was really at a disadvantage with not knowing about the anniversary. Also she didn`t seem to notice that he once again checked the Paris bin before their conversation. Why a man , whose wife has been gone for what , one or two years would agree to dance on his anniversary is beyond me anyway. He had to call it off because he still held out hope she would return to him, and honor her commitment to him. As you see at the end he`s in tears that he is once again alone, and Holly chose to break his heart. Did he realize that he broke Shane`s heart too? She was good about taking the high road and just letting it go, but her face told it all.
I think by the time we got to Christmas Oliver had started to "imagine life without Holly, " and didn`t want anyone encroaching
on his " turf." Shane was all about team O`Toole, asking him for guidance, and asking him to just come. Think a telling sign was when Oliver told Jordan exactly what Shane`s necklace looked like, that even caught Shane off guard.
Another wonderful blog.

Frances

8/26/2015 10:06:39 am

I love your article Chandel! - I also love how you're able to make the gifs that you use in your blog! Pretty keen!

Anyway, I have to admit that it was kind of nice to see the jealous side of Oliver come out in "For Christmas," if only for a little while.

Oliver needs to show a little more emotional feelings toward Shane because as human beings, we all need that solid affirmation from time to time to keep the fire lit.

Katrina R Gilberts

2/6/2020 11:23:57 pm

Nothing makes me happier than this show right now. I'm actually framing some quotes for a new decor in my bedroom as well as an owl image or two.

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