#dotandhugh

Miss Fisher Christmas Cards 2017 (1)

My MFMM Calendars for 2017: November

I usually made my calendars post on the first of the month but missed it earlier due to my hiatus. However, I feel compelled to post it now because I don’t like deviating from routines, not too much anyway. Next month I shall resume normalcy.

Left: The MFMM official calendar this month features Dot and Hugh. This is a scene from S1E6 Ruddy Gore. Hugh couldn’t make the operetta because of a footy match, but when he was called on duty to help investigate the death at the theatre, his first and foremost concern was Dot’s safety. What a sweetheart.

The bottom of the official calendar continues the theme: “Detective Robinson (Nathan Page) relies on the good police work of Constable Hugh Collins (Hugo Johnstone-Burt), who wins the heart and eventually the hand of pretty, sweet, but surprisingly shrewd Dot Williams.” Words like “pretty” or “sweet” are often used to describe Dot, but this is the first time I see “shrewd”. Right on!

Right: My custom-made calendar this month is dedicated to all 10 regular cast members. I used the Shutterfly calendar template to create this compilation, and it’s one of my favorites of all time. Unfortunately, I had trouble duplicating it using other apps, so this may remain the only copy.

@adventuresses_club_americas is kicking off an early start on Instagram to celebrate Valentine’s Day and asking what our favorite Hottie (Hugh and Dottie) moment is. Here is my answer (from S1E13 King Memses’ Curse). Adorable!

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p.s. No rabbits (or police constable) were harmed during the filming of this scene.

Miss Fisher Random Thoughts (316)

I often wonder where Dot and Hugh were heading, literally and figuratively speaking, after the little church wedding in S3E8 Death Do Us Part.

Hugh just got promoted to the Senior Constable, so he wouldn’t have saved enough money to buy or rent a place of their own. They couldn’t possibly go stay in the Collins’ bungalow or the Williams’ house since they rushed the wedding without inviting them. From the teary goodbye Dot bid Phryne, I am fairly certain that they didn’t return to Wardlow that night. My headcanon is that Phryne gifted them a night at the Windsor so that they could have some privacy at their wedding night. (Note: Some speculated that they never consummated their marriage that night, which was quite possible but not a thought I would like to entertain.)

What about afterwards? Did Hugh move in to Wardlow to help Mr. Butler and Dot housesitting? It seemed like a practical thing to do but not socially acceptable at that time. Besides, Hugh was set on being the provider of the family; would he be willing to accept such arrangement, even temporarily?

Then there was the paradox of Dot’s career. Even though Miss Fisher was off to England, I assume that she was still keeping Dot on the payroll, along with Mr. Butler. In S2E11 Dead Air, Dot made it very clear that she loved going on investigations with Miss Fisher (and she was mighty good at what she did). Would she keep the detective agency open while her employer was on sabbatical? I could see her accepting cases like finding missing persons and recovering stolen jewelry, but would she have the confidence to solve murder cases on her own? There is little doubt in my mind that Jack would offer his consultation or even solicit her assistance from time to time (since “City South Police have yet to appoint any policewomen”).

As for the groom, I imagine him to become fully supportive of his new bride’s career decision regardless of his mother’s disapproval. Although he was proud of her being a capable and independent modern woman, he secretly worried about her safety every time she went on an investigation. God bless our Dear Hugh!

Today (May 19), the world is watching the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Miss Meghan Markle, which reminded me of the wedding of Dot and Hugh. The ceremony might not have been as majestic and elaborate, but the intimate setting, especially Dot’s farewell speech to Miss Phryne at the end, moved us all to tears.

Although I am not religious, the Wedding Hymn by Sidney Lanier (American musician, poet, and author, 1842 – 1881) feels appropriate for celebrating the nuptials for both couples. Wish them a hundred years of harmonious matrimony (百年好合).

No shooting rabbits/bunnies today, Dot. It’s Easter after all. Truce?

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Happy Easter to those who celebrate!

MFMM Year of Quotes 2018 – March Challenge – L. M. Montgomery

When the prompts were announced (link here), I thought of Dot and Hugh right away. In my opinion, they are the perfect illustration of the quote “I don’t want sunburst or marble halls, I just want you.”

There is no denying that Phryne and Jack are the ultimate couple to the fandom. We laugh, cry, blush, gasp, scream, and go gaga over their every move. Those meaningful side glances, subtle touches, mirror image leans, and clever banters are being celebrated every day. Dot and Hugh’s steady relationship appears to pale in comparison with the power and magic of Phrack, but I adore their innocence, simplicity, loyalty, and commitment.

The young couple’s courtship was not filled with rainbows and unicorns. They faced monumental obstacles such as the Protestant versus Catholic battle and the paradox of pursuing a modern woman. The struggles sometimes proved to be too much for them, like when Father Grogen forbade Dot to see Hugh or later when Hugh cracked under the pressure and went fishing alone for a while, but they stayed true to each other and never wavered their love.

L. M. Montgomery’s quote reminded me of two intimate scenes between them. One was in S2E10 Death on the Vine when Hugh botched the marriage proposal he copied from Shakespeare. Dot encouraged him to try again using his own words and then told him “Now, that, Hugh Collins, was just perfect.” The other was the end of S3E8 Death Do Us Part when Dot decided to move up the wedding before her Miss Phryne’s departure. Hugh reminded her that it wasn’t going to be as grand as what she had planned, to which Dot responded “I love you, Hugh, and I want you”. Being with him was what truly mattered, not the glory of a big, traditional ceremony.

Sunbursts and marble halls may be grand, but nothing’s grander than two pure hearts in love. To Dot and Hugh!

@missfisherchallenges