Welcome back, today we will be discussing Hal’s relationship with Millie Owens and how it differs from the other relationships in the play. This will also include how Madeleine Martin and Sebastian Stan did so well at creating this relationship.

I’ve seen Picnic four times, two with Seb and two at my community theatres, and am currently reading the script  for the first time. One thing I have noticed with Sebastian’s performance is how spot on he is with William Inge’s original writing of Hal. He allows Hal to have those tender moments not just with Madge, but with Seymore, Mrs. Potts, and especially with Millie.

Millie is the little sister of the prettiest girl in their town and she really isolates herself because she will “never be as pretty as Madge.” Madeleine Martin really plays on that insecurity and Sebastian’s Hal picks up on that really quickly. Their relationship isn’t about getting closer to Madge because his Hal sees the strain between the two sisters.

Their first interaction is defending both of them and I would argue that he sees Millie being ignored before he sees the harassment of Madge because it’s only when the situation escalates that he drags bomber off. He also acknowledges Millie first out of the sisters. Millie shows him kindness and open arms and when she offers their shower, it solidifies their relationship.

One thing upon reading the script and re-watching Sebastian’s performance is how much you see him lean on Millie instead of Alan, someone who is supposed to be a good friend. He is embarrassed over Flo Owens’ scolding of his lack of shirt and he withdraws towards Millie who welcomes him.

He’s impressed with Madge, giving their relationship a more physical attraction, where Millie and Hal are cut of the same cloth and that’s why they get on so well. Sebastian and Madeleine play up on the characters childish tendencies and it makes it so much more enjoyable to watch with parts like them racing to go swimming. There is also hurt feelings about going to the picnic with Millie, he is afraid of embarrassing her because of his lack of propriety. 

When Millie enters trying her best to be comfortable in a dress that differs from her tom-boy attitude, Hal notices. He wants her to wordlessly know that he is just as uncomfortable as she is. That’s why he starts talking about how fantastic she is at swimming. Madeleine and Sebastian make their relationship very familial, like they could be the siblings in the show and I think that was done on purpose as the two actors look strikingly similar to each other.

Throughout the play you watch Alan strike Hal down and Millie knows how that feels, that’s why they get on so well. Hal encourages her to be herself and she lets him know that it’s okay to be himself. I particularly like the scene where she draws him because I feel that is one of the few moments you see the real characters of Hal and Millie. 

All of this makes Hal’s leaving all the more terrible. The audience hears Hal say he loves Madge, but their is the understated love between Hal and Millie. The audience is watching the distance between Hal and each Owens girl and that gives such a powerful message. Madge loses love, but Millie loses understanding. You hear in Madeleine’s voice as she calls out that he makes it to the train the heartbreak in her voice. This is because Hal understood her, let her be herself.

Sebastian and Madeleine give so much to their character’s relationship and it is truly spectacular. They show so much with saying little and it’s amazing.

So we, the HBC, have a passion for the man above (obviously.) Now I have become the Seb analyzer for all his roles. If you would like to avoid spoilers for shows or movies that he’s been in please blacklist the tag #in this essay I will

This is to keep you from finding out about his shows or films that you want to watch.

If you want to keep up with them let me tell what I will base these “essays” off of! I am a second year psychology student that has a focus in behavioral psychology, but I am also a theatre minor. My university looks at the why of acting and breaks it down which is why I am so focused on dissecting roles that I have watched. This is one persons opinion and if you disagree please be kind considering I work very hard on each analysis I do. I would love to converse if you see it differently but only in a respectful manner.

If you have a Sebastian character you want broken down feel free to shoot me an ask or a message, or if you have a certain scene, tag me in it and I will get to it as fast as I can!

Tagging some people just because they helped me start out: @eurynome827 @cchellacat @buckmesideways22 @book-dragon-13 @igothroughphasesalot @thesaltyduchess

Lots of love,