“Honey,” the stupid Chinese abuse victim who never gets it. This isn’t funny, it’s not social satire. It’s not even realistic. And it never goes anywhere, it’s all about making her look stupid and Duke look sociopathic. That’s all it’s ever about. It’s boring.
Honey keeps searching for a Mao substitute.I wonder if she is supposed to be one of the hundreds of village girls he is reported to have slaked his lust upon and that is why she is attracted to Duke’s indifference.
I’m not a long-time reader of Doonesbury, so I’ve never understood the undying love and loyalty that Honey shows for someone who barely knows that she’s there. Was it meant as a commentary on the average Chinese citizen toward the communist party or a comment on how some women only seem drawn to cruel men? Either way, it was never fun to read…
I completely agree with nearly all above, particularly Thuja & Argythree that this hackneyed story line is well past its sell-by date. Doing something else with it – maybe power reversal – would be interesting, but merely repeating ad nauseam over the decades is a tad depressing. Mind you, these once-a-weeks serve as little more than a general memory-jogger as to the very existence of the strip, rather than any meaningful plot development. Pity.
It’s a moot point which is the villain here – on the one hand Duke is callously indifferent to Honey’s feelings, on the other she’s a bit of a stalker who relentlessly pursues somebody who’s made it plain he doesn’t want her, and tried to take advantage of his post-zombie confusion by tricking him into a relationship. Either way I agree, it’s past its sell-by date.
Honey sees through Duke’s delusions and loves him anyway. But she lives in her own world of fantasy, in which they are a couple. She’s like far too many abused wives who stick with the bastards they are married to, unable to believe they could make it on their own. This sort of marriage-mad woman used to be common in the movies (Tuesday Weld in “High Time”, Jane Fonda pursuing basketball star Tony Perkins in another movie whose title I’ve forgotten.)
Interesting to see same characters in different times. Honey, he is just not that into you, as they say. And now, I have to get back to my whole deck of woman cards to play…
I agree with those who say that " that this hackneyed story line is well past its sell-by date." But — somehow this scene appears timely again, here in the Age of Trump.
A thought: I see many people wondering if that was a metaphor for Chinese people looking for a leader figure etc. I think this would be too far-fetched (not to say a little pointless and racist). As a recent reader and non-American, the original Honey subplot always looks to me like a metaphor for how China (or at least its politicians) secretly longed to copy USA’s worst face; not really dying to be an equality and worker’s rights and all that place. Maybe I’m judging in retrospect, but I can’t help feeling this is what the early story was about :) In addition to being a heart-breaking story about a short-sighted character reaching for something larger and overrated, of course.
It’s called LOVE, people. And it does exist! Hard core, take-no-prisoners, undying, unrequited, unextinguishable, LOVE. It has nothing to do with race, class, politics or status. Some of us are just hopeless romantics!! The world is indeed in a sad state when this can no longer be conceived. You guys need to pick up a book of poetry now and then. Or maybe you prefer Donald Trump’s distillation of HATE.
BE THIS GUY almost 8 years ago
Honey finds a way to snatch misery from the jaws of potential happiness.
Thuja almost 8 years ago
This arc is so tired.
Flash Gordon almost 8 years ago
She deserves SO much better than that jerk.
Thuja almost 8 years ago
“Honey,” the stupid Chinese abuse victim who never gets it. This isn’t funny, it’s not social satire. It’s not even realistic. And it never goes anywhere, it’s all about making her look stupid and Duke look sociopathic. That’s all it’s ever about. It’s boring.
David Huie Green LosersBlameOthers&It'sYOURfault almost 8 years ago
Honey keeps searching for a Mao substitute.I wonder if she is supposed to be one of the hundreds of village girls he is reported to have slaked his lust upon and that is why she is attracted to Duke’s indifference.
David Huie Green LosersBlameOthers&It'sYOURfault almost 8 years ago
(if so, that would make it both social and political satire.)
Liverlips McCracken Premium Member almost 8 years ago
Poor Honey. Has ever a sadder tale been told, than that of Honey and her Duke – he’s old?-————————— w/ apologies to Will
Argythree almost 8 years ago
I’m not a long-time reader of Doonesbury, so I’ve never understood the undying love and loyalty that Honey shows for someone who barely knows that she’s there. Was it meant as a commentary on the average Chinese citizen toward the communist party or a comment on how some women only seem drawn to cruel men? Either way, it was never fun to read…
PeterMarcus almost 8 years ago
I completely agree with nearly all above, particularly Thuja & Argythree that this hackneyed story line is well past its sell-by date. Doing something else with it – maybe power reversal – would be interesting, but merely repeating ad nauseam over the decades is a tad depressing. Mind you, these once-a-weeks serve as little more than a general memory-jogger as to the very existence of the strip, rather than any meaningful plot development. Pity.
Claire Jordan almost 8 years ago
It’s a moot point which is the villain here – on the one hand Duke is callously indifferent to Honey’s feelings, on the other she’s a bit of a stalker who relentlessly pursues somebody who’s made it plain he doesn’t want her, and tried to take advantage of his post-zombie confusion by tricking him into a relationship. Either way I agree, it’s past its sell-by date.
rlcooke almost 8 years ago
Honey sees through Duke’s delusions and loves him anyway. But she lives in her own world of fantasy, in which they are a couple. She’s like far too many abused wives who stick with the bastards they are married to, unable to believe they could make it on their own. This sort of marriage-mad woman used to be common in the movies (Tuesday Weld in “High Time”, Jane Fonda pursuing basketball star Tony Perkins in another movie whose title I’ve forgotten.)
summerdog86 almost 8 years ago
Was she ever shown without her glasses?
summerdog86 almost 8 years ago
But Jane Fonda and Tony Perkin’s had a happy ending in “Tall Story”.
montessoriteacher almost 8 years ago
Interesting to see same characters in different times. Honey, he is just not that into you, as they say. And now, I have to get back to my whole deck of woman cards to play…
montessoriteacher almost 8 years ago
Happy moms day!
King_Shark almost 8 years ago
If Honey returned to this strip I might actually start reading it regularly again. No, not really.
drycurt almost 8 years ago
Kinda tired of comments about characters as if they were real people.
NWdryad almost 8 years ago
Actually Honey looks quite attractive in that outfit.
WaywardWind almost 8 years ago
In the sixth frame, Honey looks like she’s put on a few pounds.
dipierro Premium Member almost 8 years ago
I agree with those who say that " that this hackneyed story line is well past its sell-by date." But — somehow this scene appears timely again, here in the Age of Trump.
Jessica_D almost 8 years ago
The mirror – a real magic mirror, Honey’s imagination, or someone responding via a “bug”?
Jessica_D almost 8 years ago
Honey looks pretty! Nice detail on the dress.
lunatics_fringe Premium Member almost 8 years ago
You have to admire her sense of dedication.^_^
s.gottlieb almost 8 years ago
I wonder how Honey got Mike’s old mirror?
Asharah almost 8 years ago
Honey, he doesn’t love you and never has. Get over it and move on already.
clayface9 Premium Member almost 8 years ago
“Bridal Bower”?
tulpoeid_ almost 8 years ago
A thought: I see many people wondering if that was a metaphor for Chinese people looking for a leader figure etc. I think this would be too far-fetched (not to say a little pointless and racist). As a recent reader and non-American, the original Honey subplot always looks to me like a metaphor for how China (or at least its politicians) secretly longed to copy USA’s worst face; not really dying to be an equality and worker’s rights and all that place. Maybe I’m judging in retrospect, but I can’t help feeling this is what the early story was about :) In addition to being a heart-breaking story about a short-sighted character reaching for something larger and overrated, of course.
arpee44 almost 8 years ago
It’s called LOVE, people. And it does exist! Hard core, take-no-prisoners, undying, unrequited, unextinguishable, LOVE. It has nothing to do with race, class, politics or status. Some of us are just hopeless romantics!! The world is indeed in a sad state when this can no longer be conceived. You guys need to pick up a book of poetry now and then. Or maybe you prefer Donald Trump’s distillation of HATE.