Lovely Blog Party: Lynda Day & Spike Thomson

 

Many people may be unfamiliar with the British program Press Gang that ran from 1989-1993. Sherlock and Doctor Who (revival) creator, Steven Moffet, made his first mark in British television with this little series. Press Gang was wildly successful during its run, as it was one of the first shows geared toward children and young teens; and dealt with the issues of the adult world through the eyes of adolescents who run a junior newspaper, The Junior Gazette. 

Its two lead characters, Lynda Day and James "Spike" Thomson and their on-again/off-again relationship that spans 5 years was a part of Press Gang's appeal. Lynda, the editor-in-chief of The Junior Gazette, is a driven workaholic whose whole life revolves around the paper. Lynda's often intense nature that borders on bullying, utilization and stooping to any depth to get her story tends to make her an enemy to her staff. And Lynda could care less what they all think of her. Actually, the more negatively people think of her, the more likely she is to rise to occasion to prove them wrong. 

Spike Thomson couldn't be any different from Lynda. The New York native from New Rochelle has spent most of his teenage years in England with his distant father. Spike's mother abandoned him and his father when he was baby and he and his father have never been close. Wild and rebellious, Spike makes a name in school as a troublemaker and a job at The Junior Gazette is his final chance to redeem himself. At first, Spike is determined to get out of his punishment, but upon meeting Lynda Day, a girl who is unlike any girl he's ever met, Spike changes his mind. His goal is now Lynda, to make her see that they belong with each other.

Through trial and error, frequents break ups and separation, Lynda and Spike always find themselves back together. Spike for all of his good qualities would be by today's standards considered sexist and misogynistic with his careless comments and actions when he gets frustrated with Lynda. Yet, instead of being insulted or upset, Lynda knows how to fire back and keep Spike on her level of reasonability. Spike is one of the few people who isn't afraid to have it out with Lynda when she has gone too far.

He once likened her to having the manners of an alley cat and slapped her on public television. Nowadays he would have been crucified. Instead, Lynda just rolled with it because she doesn't need to be saved or rescued. She can hold her own with adults, her staff and her boyfriend. That doesn't mean she's completely all iron. Lynda suffers from her own doubts and fears and few people see this. One them being Spike. When Lynda feels like she has failed or never been good enough, it's Spike that helps her to see reason.

Both of them have alpha personalities and both seem to enjoy trying to one up one another. However, the primary problem with Spike and Lynda is that the two of them are too stubborn to admit that they have vulnerabilities and fears. Whereas Lynda deals with reasons and facts and keeps her emotions under control, Spike is erratic and unpredictable and is completely run by his emotions. 

Spike tends to be the softer of the two, but that doesn't make him effeminate either. It makes him understandable. Years of loneliness from his absent mother and distant father makes him desperate for love and affection. His arguing with Lynda and driving her crazy gives him attention, but his general admiration and respect for her in her work develops into love. However, Lynda's indecisiveness causes him more heartbreak then he deserves.

At first Lynda's true love is The Junior Gazette and making it a success. Her dreams of becoming a famous journalist are her immense drive in life. Yet, when it comes to Spike she's conflicted. While Spike comes down hard on Lynda for her questionable tactics, he is also her biggest advocate and supporter. As the show continues, Lynda doesn't really change, because there is no reason for her to change. She is who she is and that's why she is able to run the paper as well as she does.

When things get too hard or frightening, it's Lynda's will of iron and quick thinking that gets everyone through. Lynda can handle a hold-up, but when it comes to comfort and tenderness, she tends to fall by the wayside. After Spike goes through in immensely painful situation, Lynda has a hard time dealing with how to console him. Yet, through Spike, Lynda's cold exterior begins to break down and she allows herself to feel and understand others.

Spike and Lynda start out as adolescents who are understanding the grown up world and the ups and downs of love. When the show comes to a close, they are adults who have in a short amount of time witnessed more than their fair share of death and sadness. Throughout it all, they have been there together and been there for one another. They learn about the world as they learn more about each other. Love isn't a game to Lynda and eventually to Spike, he sees this as paramount in his life to have someone who is steady and solid.

Spike and Lynda fight because they see the best in one another, even when the other person may not see it. Even if it means a heated argument and walking away, there is oftentimes right in both sides, it's just taking one person to admit the other is more right than them (it never happens). Spike has a moral conscience that tends to conflict with Lynda's do-whatever-takes mentality. And it's their moral over mind relationship that make them such a real couple. It's not always a happy ending for them. And when the show comes to an end, we all hope (very, very much) that there is happiness for the two of them to find.