Who Was The Real Villain? My Unpopular Opinion On Why Did I Get Married.

As a screenwriter and film critic, I have a love/hate relationship with Tyler Perry Productions. No, I will not elaborate any further in this blog (lol). However, Why Did I Get Married and Why Did I Get Married Too have a special place in my heart. Again, no, I will not elaborate any further in this blog (lol). With the third installment of this storyline coming to Netflix soon, I thought this was a great time for me to fully analyze these films and share my unpopular opinion. For decades, Mike was widely accepted as the villain, and I accepted that for years, too. However, after watching these films for the umpteenth time, I can confidently say he was not the true villain. Let me explain.

Mike: Yes, he was absolutely wrong in the way he strung Shelia along and simply played in her face. To cheat is one thing, but to cheat with a friend is another. He was wrong for not protecting her and defending her when she was kicked off the plane. Although she did meet the weight requirement to purchase an additional seat, he should have deboarded the plane with her. HOWEVER! He is not the true villain out of the bunch. For starters, I do not believe Sheila’s weight was the real issue in their marriage. I believe that was a surface-level problem. The film painted him out as a superficial, shallow, selfish, and cruel husband. Yet Shelia never read the room. She blamed herself for the demise of her marriage, yet she did not pour into herself. She did not try to repair her marriage from within. Instead, it was this “my man, my man, my man” approach. This allowed Mike to constantly reject her, which then places the blame solely on him. If the weight was really the problem, and repairing her marriage and receiving her husband’s approval was her ultimate goal, then why wasn’t she in the gym and on a diet? If that was what it took to fix it, then why didn’t she apply her efforts to that? Instead, she wallowed around in pity, feeling sorry for herself, and continued to accept his crass and poor treatment. The focus was on Mike suggesting for Shelia to drive across the country and not an intervention and reality check for her as to why she did it. Which again, paints him out to be the ultimate villain and Shelia the complete victim. Which is not totally fair. Sure, he was dead wrong! Especially creeping into Trina’s room while his wife’s best friends were a few doors down. (Don’t get me wrong, he should not have been cheating on his wife with anyone). However, you have a man who is desperate to break free and a woman who won’t let go. And the solution is to pacify her while he does as he pleases. Even her friends coddled her. Angela was the only one who was willing and ready to tell her the truth. The truth that could arguably already have been known to Shelia. Because how was it that Angela said, “And you need some condoms” to Mike at the dinner table, and she completely ignores it and focuses her attention on Troy hooking up with Trina. She knew! That’s why she was so desperate to get Trina her own man so she would leave hers alone. Furthermore, Mike is not the real villain in this story. In my opinion, of course. So, if I do not think that Mike is the villain, then who? I’m getting there….

Angela:  Do I think she was the villain? No. But do I think she was faultless? Again, no. Although Angela provided financial security, Marcus did love her. I remember at one point I had concluded that Marcus was only with her because she was financial security and Kesha did not have any motion. Now, I disagree with that theory. In all of her yelling and drinking, I now believe that Angela was truly insecure. Especially insecure about Kesha. Which is why she was always throwing her money in Marcus’s face because that was one thing she thought she had over Kesha and knew she could not compete with. Despite all of that, I do believe Marcus really loves his wife. Yet, the constant drama allowed him to impair his judgment and cheat on his wife with Kesha. Not because he wanted Kesha, but because Kesha was easy at the moment. You have one woman who is constantly reminding you of your shortcomings and another who thinks you are the best thing that has ever happened to them. Which is why I think he played both sides of the fence. Yet, do I believe Angela is the villain? Again, no. So, if I do not think Mike or Angela is the villain, then who? I’m getting there……

Diane: Do I think she was the villain? No. But I do think she was a victim. Let me explain. Diane did not like Terry. She liked and possibly loved the life they created together. Which I believe was what she put on that long list she was writing. The house, the bank account, the vacations, the image. But him as a person, hell no! She did not want to have sex with him. She did not want to spend time with him. Another man was able to give her “the glow”. Another man was able to occupy her thoughts so much so that she slipped and called her husband by his name. It wasn’t until Terry walked away that she realized the life they created together, and that is what she did not want to lose. Terry could have suggested they sleep in separate rooms and publicly stay together, and she would have been just fine with that arrangement. But again, I do not think she was the villain either. Then who, you ask? I’m getting there; be patient. Just keep reading…..   

Shelia: I’m going to start by saying that Shelia did not deserve Troy. Don’t fight me. She didn’t. She bashed and had an attitude with Mike in public, but the moment she could be of service to him, and he accepted her, she was right there in his face. Cancer, my ass! That's what they have nurses for! Not to mention Mike had money and connections, and although she claimed she did not care about that stuff. She did! Which was why she stressed that they “spent their last” to go on that vacation. She wanted to keep up with Angela, Terry, and Patricia. Sadly, Troy was willing to love and protect her the way she wanted Mike to. It was not Troy she loved; it was how he treated her, but deep down she always wanted Mike. And I can not wait to see what their storyline is on Why Did I Get Married Again. But as much as I can find flaws in Shelia, I still do not think she is the true villain. Hold tight, we are almost there.

Gavin & Patricia: Simply put, we have a couple who experienced a great loss. Tragic. I never want to imagine it. HOWEVER! Gavin and Patricia were only married for the sake of their child, and when they lost that child, both were consumed with too much grief and guilt to leave the other. Therefore, they went through the motions and stayed in a marriage they both wanted out of. And as a way to cope, Gavin thought having another child would cure their failed marriage. This is why, when they were in the process of their divorce, neither could explain the true reason for it. Are they the villains? No. Just two people dealt a very tragic hand and did their best with it. So who is the villain?.....

Terry:  Terry! Dr. Brock! The pediatrician who is home by five! VILLIAN! Not only is he the villain but a possible narcissist. He brags about Diane’s career success in public to Gavin. “Top litigator at her firm”. Yet, belittles, demeans, and undermines her career in private. Aware of her ambitions, knew of them since they were in college, yet works to sabotage her career. “Monica, don’t call no more; we’re on vacation.” However, calling his nurse to overnight an antibiotic for his friend does not infringe on their vacation? Not to mention, when Diane came back, he played games with her and pretended he was having an affair with his nurse. Terry knew who Diane was and what she wanted and still married her, then made her feel bad for still wanting those things he already knew she wanted. He was selfish and completely disregarded everyone else for his self-interest. Diane told Patricia she was defending a teenager being charged with capital murder. Yet, Terry insisted she put their vacation over the welfare of her client and their trial. So, if this teenager would have lost their life to the justice system, it was okay as long as he got to spend time and have sex with his wife? Again, sabotage. Because if Diane wouldn’t pick her career over him, then the next best thing would have been to damage her career and force her to choose him. In my opinion, Sheila should have been with Terry. Nonetheless, he is the villain! Fight me!         

Despite the love/hate relationship I have with Tyler Perry Productions, I am excited to watch Why Did I Get Married Again. Is Shelia still chasing behind Mike? Is Angela still crashing out every time a woman walks by Marcus? Is Diane still running from her husband and ignoring their kids? Is Troy still broke? Why does Mike have hair? Is Taraji the new Trina? And most importantly, is Terry still the villain?