Nice way to start off a new blog - digging up something that was laid to
rest
nine years ago. See the part in the description about this all being
"totally random?" Yeah. I meant that.
THE WILL & GRACE SERIES FINALE
Most fans of
Will & Grace would agree that there were problems with the series finale. I have always said that I appreciated that the writers and producers were able to keep that whole "fate brought them together and fate will keep them together" thing full circle. That said, a lot criticism was aimed at the fact that Will and Grace spent nearly twenty years not seeing or talking to each other, following a pregnant Grace's decision to reunite and raise her child with her ex-husband, Leo. I join the masses in this thought. I don't believe Will and Grace would have let that happen, based what we were shown of them and their relationship over the course of eight years. Yes, Will was pissed for bailing on a baby again. In doing so, however, Will was actually able to have a biological son via surrogate, so the falling out became moot as Will ultimately benefited from Grace's choice. That, however, is not my big problem with the finale. I believe one particular character had a MAJOR plot hole that no one seemed to notice.
KAREN WALKER.
In the series finale, Karen and Jack are having lunch when Karen's credit card is declined. She's been battling against her husband Stan in a nasty divorce and is awaiting news of her settlement. After making a call to inquire why her card was rejected, Karen learns that she will get no settlement at all. She is told that everything Stan had was borrowed, and she had no claims over any of it. Karen Walker, after living as "one of the richest women in the world" for over a decade, was now completely broke. That's truly sad. Too bad it's crap.
Here's why:
Toward the end of Season Five, Karen discovers Stan is having an affair with Lorraine Finster, a cafeteria worker he met while in prison. Karen leaves Stan and files for divorce. Before the divorce is finalized, Stan unexpectedly "dies" while having sex with his mistress. At the funeral, much drama is made about the fact that Stan changed his will after meeting Lorraine. Karen forces all the mourners out of the church, Neutrogena gift bags in hand, so the new will can be immediately read. All of the main characters soon learn that Stan has left almost all of his money, possessions, companies, and real estate to Karen. Lorraine is left with nothing more than affection.
We learn at the end of Season Seven that Stan faked his death and disappeared, as he had gotten himself into some serious trouble and was in danger. From a legal standpoint, Stanley Walker died in 2003. Karen therefore inherited a sum of around 980 million dollars, Walker Inc, Walker Property Management, A stretch limousine, various vacation homes, and the mansion she and Stan shared. All of these assets would have been transferred into Karen's name, and her name alone. A large sum of money was also set aside in a trust fund for their maid, Rosario, which she would receive following twenty years of service to Karen. Even though Stan's "death" and subsequent disappearance came with the aid of the federal government, the above mentioned transfers HAD to take to take place to make it seem legit to all involved.
According to the all legal documentation, Karen was now widowed and primary heir to Stan's estate. This is confirmed when she is later allowed to legally marry Lorraine's father, Lyle Finster, in Las Vegas after famously stating to Jennifer Lopez, "I own everyone.". Another episode revolves around Karen being ousted and almost immediately reinstated at Walker Inc as the President and CEO of the company - a position she blackmailed her way back into and was never shown to be removed from again. When Stan finally reappears, he and Karen briefly reunite - but not until after Stan practically begs Karen to let him come home to her.
Though Karen refers to her relationship with Stan as a marriage, she never formally remarries him - which she would definitely have to do considering she had been legally married to another man while Stan was gone. Stan therefore never has any spousal rights to anything Karen owns, which is everything he left her when he faked his death. Karen is even personally charged and sentenced by a judge when one of the apartment
buildings she owns as Walker Property Management is discovered to be in slum condition. This happens AFTER Stan comes back. Additionally, Karen wouldn't have to divorce Stan this time around - she could've just thrown him out of her house.
So here's the problem all summed up. When Karen reunites with Stan, she has nearly a billion dollars in her own name. She personally owns a penthouse mansion, vacation homes, and various commercial properties. She owns and is President/CEO of a successful international company. She owns one of New York City's largest property management firms. All of this was transferred into Karen's name when Stan faked his death. When Stan reappears, he has to practically beg for Karen to let him come home. Even if Stan amassed a borrowed fortune while working through Malcolm during the years he was assumed dead, Karen would still be extremely wealthy on her own. Karen would not be broke.
I'll say that again with more words for emphasis:
There's no way Karen would have been left broke in the series finale of Will & Grace.
To further push this point home, it is shown that Karen is VERY business savvy. She has amassed a staff of private detectives, accountants, and lawyers to help her keep a constant watch over her fortune. Will is her primary attorney who performed the reading of Stan's will and subsequently carried out the transfer of all assets into Karen's name. If something fishy was going on that would have put Karen's wealth in jeopardy, she and Will would have both known about it the second it happened.
One more little plot hole from that same finale:
After Jack inherits a fortune from Beverly Leslie (who was tragically, yet comically blown from his high-rise balcony by a gust of wind) in the finale, Jack and Karen move in together. Jack financially supports Karen and keeps her in the lavish lifestyle she was accustomed to for the rest of their lives. However, they are shown to be doing all that lavish living in KAREN'S MANSION. The establishing shots preceding the scenes of Karen and Jack at home in the future (where they memorably sing a duet of
Unforgettable) are the same ones that were used throughout the series to transition to scenes in Karen's mansion. They are living in the very home she supposedly lost at the beginning of the episode.
So there you have it. My biggest complaint with the series finale of Will & Grace. Did you notice it too? Share your thoughts and comments below!
Until the next rant....
-Jeremy
