I don't know how Ted Wheeler keeps getting called the useless dad. He's there for his kids, and works hard to give them everything they want. He helps out around the house even when he's tired from work. I mean, he once mowed the lawn in the rain. He probably told Mike a thousand times to do it but the only person they listen to is their mother. He's going to be the reason that they have money to go to college. He's going to be paying for that. Yeah, he falls asleep a couple times in his chair so that automatically makes him a bad dad? If that's the worst thing he's done then he's a goddamn saint if that's the absolute worst thing he's done. And he has a hard time picking up on social ques? Just say you hate autistic people. Yeah, he doesn't know where his kids are sometimes but neither does Karen, she just thinks she knows where they are. Neil Hargrove was abusive, Lonnie abusive and neglectful. Yeah, Ted can put his foot in his mouth but if that's the worst thing he's done then he's a pretty damn good dad. He's just a victim of not enough screen time and being autistic. The dude is burnt out. Jonathan was right about Nancy, she does live in a bubble and doesn't appreciate the things that are easily handed to her. . By who, again? Oh yeah, Ted! But a lot of you live in a bubble, too. I think Jonathan would appreciate having a dad like Ted especially being autistic himself. He's not the best at socializing either. Ted's not useless, one of the things that a parent needs to do is being able to provide for their kids and it's just as important as what Karen does. He works hard so that Karen can be there for their kids. If Karen wanted to work, I don't think that Ted would have stopped her. . .it doesn't seem like he's capable of that. The only one holding Karen back, as proven in season 3, is Karen herself. The problem with their marriage is they're not in love and they lack passion but all you guys see is a wife who's miserable in her marriage and you automatically assume it's the husband's fault. If Joyce Byers can leave her shitty abusive husband when she doesn't have help then Karen can leave an unhappy but safe marriage but Karen's just too comfortable to leave. She chose Ted because he's safe and dependable. I would have done the same because fuck passion. . .safe and dependable is the sexiest option. Give me someone who can provide for me but also give me the choice to make choices for myself, too. Picking Ted over Billy was a smart choice for Karen. I just don't get how Ted keeps getting called the useless dad and husband when actually that's not accurate at all. I keep seeing posts where Karen is an underrated character and I'm just like no?? That title belongs to Ted. I think Ted is fucking funny and I love his beef with Dustin. Providing for your family isn't nothing.
