The Look: Male Vulnerability

It's really late, I can't sleep, I haven't blogged in a while, and this is the result of that.

A very long time ago I posted a blog about the 3 types of man crying seen on television and in movies. I've been thinking about another post similar to that one, except this one is about the look. The look is a commonly used facial expression for men on tv. They give the look to the woman they are romantically involved with, usually during a time of suffering, grief, confusion, or general unhappiness. It's my favorite look ever. Allow me to explain.

The look tells the woman that her man is seriously trippin. It's so romantic. It says in just a look that he is lost and alone, that he needs someone to understand, and that she is the only thing keeping him from disappearing completely. It says I know I'm stupid sometimes, but right now I just need you so badly. Please be there for me. And let me tell you, it works. It doesn't matter what the couples official "status" is, she is for sure going to comfort him. They could be fighting, they could be broken up, they could honest to god hate each other, but the second she sees the look nothing else matters.

I've provided three examples from different tv shows to help illustrate.

This is Eric and Sookie from True Blood. They are not even a couple. In fact, Sook sort of hates Eric. But then Eric's maker died and she stayed with him. She was probably going to leave but then she saw the look and it was all over.

Everyone knows Sawyer and Kate from Lost. This is from early on in their relationship when it didn't even exist yet. Kate was just supposed to kiss Sawyer so he'd tell her where he'd hidden all the guns but then she saw the look and what was supposed to be a quick platonic kiss turned into the basis for their relationship.

Finally there's Blair and Chuck from Gossip Girl. Chuck's dad had just died and he'd pushed away everyone who cared about him, including Blair. He showed up in Blair's room and she was about to send him away but then he turned around and gave her the look. Needless to say, she did not kick him out and instead spent the night comforting him.

The look is a beautiful thing. It allows male characters that are supposed to be tough and emotionless to have an extremely vulnerable moment without being sappy. It's not fake or manipulative, it's honest and raw, and their female counterparts are always just waiting for it. It's the moment when you see who is really the strong one in the relationship. I love it.