Bride & Prejudice: Chris’ tragic goodbye to dad leaves Australia in tears
TV viewers were left devastated last night, after Bride & Prejudice favourite Chris was reduced to tears during a tragic final encounter with his father, Geoff.
Hoping that he could form some kind of functioning father-son relationship with his old man, away from the influence of his strict Jehovah’s Witness mum Yvonne, openly gay Chris wanted his father to bond with him and accept his identity ahead of his wedding to fiancé Grant.
But a seemingly emotionally stunted Geoff wasn’t giving his son an inch as Chris attempted to once again discuss his hopes his parents would attend the couple’s wedding in Palm Springs.
‘Won’t be any change in the answer,’ his dad said gruffly.
With his parents refusing to accept his homosexuality, reducing any family discussions to emotionless exchanges about his work life, Chris was clearly devastated that his parents don’t know him anymore.
‘I probably don’t,’ admitted Geoff. ‘The Chris we knew is long gone.’
Despite the cruelty of that remark – which echoed his mum’s comment that she felt her son had died, Chris still persisted.
‘No, I’m the same guy; a good person, I care about people. I look after people. I’m good at what I do.
‘The only reason I’ve kept my distance is I feel I can’t talk about my personal life. I feel like I can’t talk about anything that’s going on in my life other than work. And there’s more to me than just work.’
When pressed on the tragic collapse of their father-son bond, Geoff – who is not religious - claimed he could not accept his son because of his own upbringing. Bizarrely, he also seemed to indicate that he thought his son’s sexuality was some kind of choice.
‘I don’t hate you,’ he said. ‘It’s just, some of your choices work me up the wrong way. It’s not the way I was brought up. I don’t wish you bad but there’s some things I can’t accept. It’s got nothing to do with religion or anything.’
Despite the frostiness and hostility, Geoff ended by hugging his son and telling him he loved him – the first time he had done so in many years.
But the damage had been done, with Chris admitting he was sick of being treated so poorly, and being left to feel like dirt. While his parents have been given tickets to he and Grant’s wedding, it seems there is little chance of a happy resolution.
Poor Chris!
