Falling in Love with The Nanny
“The flashy girl from Flushing... the nanny named Fran!”
If you are among the fashionably cultured than your brain played the music that belongs to this 90s iconic show. Now, I will admit that I was five when the show ended, but I had a fabulous mother that raised me on classic re-runs and The Nanny fit that bill.
Due to the quarantine, brought to us by COVID-19, I have been looking into past shows I can talk about and came across The Nanny. This incredibly clever show never hides it’s ultimate romantic destination. It draws us in because we know how it will end, so it is easier to enjoy the journey from Flushing to Fifth Avenue.
Maxwell and Fran are completely different which brings them together quite nicely. Their bond began as a mutual respect for each other’s authority in the children’s lives. Maxwell is the breadwinner and has provided stability for the kids, but it took Fran’s influence to make them bloom. In the Pilot we see each kid begin their transformation; Maggie gets a peek at life outside her shell, Brighton gets some constructive and positive attention that he has been craving, and Grace gets glimpse of childhood without a therapist. Maxwell gets to see what his relationship with his kids could look like.
“Just what you needed...sir.”
There are always sparks between the two leads but you really get to see it in the little moments when one or the other is describing their ideal person and the other shows up. Some moments are seen during jealous flare ups or Freudian slips… which happen often. But the most important thing between them is friendship. It builds from respect to trust, and from trust to love.
Maxwell proves his worth by always being there when Fran needs him: camp reunion, kissng contest rejections, and dating rejections. Fran proves her worth by being right. Her unconventional ideas are exactly what he needs, they may happen in a roundabout way but the results are undeniable.
From the moment they first interact we see the potential, but mostly because of the telling looks that Niles is giving. Any obvious moments that Maxwell misses Niles is quick to shove back under his nose. I think we can safely say that Niles is the Captain of the ship, and he will do whatever he can to keep it a float. I believe this is for two reasons: 1. Because he wants what is best for his friends, 2. He loves torturing C.C. with tantalizing details. But that torture is because he mistakes his own admiration for loathing. Both C.C. and Niles are never complete until they have left a conversation with a scathing quip or two at the other’s expense. But their story is for another post.
I like Fran and Maxwell’s relationship it is not automatic. Attraction may have sparked but the love took time to bond. I don’t really believe in love at first sight because “love” has many definitions and levels. These two leads show us that there is hope when you are building respect and trust, because you notice one day that love was sealing the foundation of a wonderful romance.
Maxwell got a second chance at love, and Fran didn’t settle for well enough. Together they patched a cracking family foundation and built a loving home.
Well until next time,
Peace out Lovers!
