August, 2025 → The Graceful Boon

Davina Shackleton: An Admirable Zero Bullsh*t Tolerance In Life And Career – Was She Right To Leave Waterloo Road After Ending Her Relationship?

Waterloo Road’s Davina Shackleton was introduced as Jack Rimmer’s, the headmaster, secretary. Davina’s career at Waterloo Road began as the school secretary and later became a teaching assistant, inspired by her support for Asperger’s pupil Karla Bentham. She was initially the PA to Head Teacher Jack Rimmer, with whom she also had a relationship. After Jack left, she took on the teaching assistant role and developed a romantic interest in Tom Clarkson. Her desire to become a teacher grew, leading to a relationship with Tom, but after realizing his growing closeness to Rose Kelly, Davina left Waterloo Road. Here, we break down Davina’s time at Waterloo Road – from the moment she started working as Jack’s secretary to the very day she was promoted to work as a teacher and left Waterloo Road. We explore her zero bullsh*t tolerance, both in her personal life and career ambitions. And we analyze whether or not she was right to leave Waterloo Road when she ended her relationship with Tom. Let’s discuss…

Lorna Dickey: Understanding One’s Mental Health Struggles Stemmed From An Underlying Illness – And Whether Her Suicide Was An Act Of Selfishness Or Cowardness

Waterloo Road is show is set in a failing comprehensive school of the same name and focuses on the professional and personal lives of the students and staff. It originally ran between 2006 and 2015, and then from 2023 to the present day (as of the publishing of this entry) on BBC. It was created by Ann McManus in response to the network requesting to provide an idea for a drama with everyday people and their everyday lives. She used the programme to explore many topical issues that occur within Britain, applying them to an educational setting. One character on the show was Lorna Dickey, played by Camilla Power. While she only appeared in 18 of the 238 (and counting) episodes of the show, Lorna made a lasting impression, even 18 years after her last appearance. Here, we break down Lorna’s entire character arc – from beginning to end. We explain how her story arc is meaningful to those who are struggling with their mental health stemmed from an illness. And we explore whether suicide is a selfish act. Let’s discuss…

Mara Baylor: The Real Meaning Behind A Healthy Relationship – And Whether It Takes More Than Love To Make A Marriage Work

In 2019, Sarah Hyland starred and produced the romantic comedy, ‘The Wedding Year, which also starred Tyler James Williams as her love interest, Jake. Hyland played Mara, a woman in her 20’s, living a carefree lifestyle. Mara is cynical about marriage and relationships as a whole, so when she meets Jake while using a dating app to select someone to go on a date with so she can get a free dinner, her entire world is turned upside down as she’s invited to attend a total of 15 weddings in one year. Here, we break down Mara and Jake’s entire relationship from the very beginning to the end to (spoiler alert, when they got back together). We explore why their breakup was the best thing that could ever happen to both of them. And we explain why it takes more than love to make a marriage work…and why it shouldn’t. Let’s discuss…

Carrie Bradshaw: How Her 25+ Year Journey To Finding Love Wasn’t Ever About Finding The Love Of A Romantic Partner – And How She Found The REAL Love She was Looking For In Herself

Carrie Bradshaw was first introduced to us in 1998. She was a writer; a sex columnist. She made a living off of her love life. Any guy she ever dated and/or slept with was sure to have been written about. She had 3 best friends who loved her unconditionally, without judgement or any kind of personal agenda. They were Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte. And even though she had people in her life who loved just she was, she was still looking for love; REAL love, as she put it. Without that REAL love, Carrie felt like she had nothing. She was lonely without it. In many ways, she was basing her life’s happiness around her love life and whether or not she had a man in her life. With Carrie’s story (finally) coming to an end on August 14, we all came to realize that her journey wasn’t ever about finding the love she was looking for in a man… but instead herself. Here, we break down exactly how she got to where she is today, starting from when we first met her in 1998, and ending in 2025. We explore both her on-and-off relationships with Big and Aidan. And we explain what her final breakup with Aidan means for her future. Let’s discuss…

Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Exploring Rape Culture Seen In The Entire Show – And Why Spike Attempting To Rape Buffy In Season 6 Actually Made Perfect Sense

With the recent news of the Buffy The Vampire Slayer reboot news, I couldn’t help but revisit the original series. More particularly, I couldn’t help but revisit the subject of sexual harassment and assault faced by Buffy herself. The Slayer, played by Sarah Michelle Gellar, is a teenage girl chosen to be a warrior destined to fight vampires and other supernatural forces. She’s a seemingly ordinary teenager, but then discovers she is the Slayer, a line of young women chosen to fight vampires and demons. She grapples with the responsibility of this destiny while trying to maintain a normal life. Buffy has the support of her core group of close friends, known as the Scooby Gang, who help her in her battles. This includes Willow, a gifted witch, and Xander, a loyal friend with a knack for getting into trouble. Buffy was always meant to be seen as a bada** throughout the show’s run. She was the one who could never be defeated; no matter how hard one tried, she just couldn’t be defeated. Here, we break down the raps culture as seen on the show. We explore why Spike attempting to rape Buffy in season 6 made perfect sense. And we explain why it was actually necessary. Let’s discuss…

Taylor Swift: The Influence And Business Of Friendship – And Where Exactly It All Went Wrong For Blake Lively In Her Failed Approach To Networking

Taylor Swift will be releasing her 12th studio album, The Life Of A Showgirl, this October. She’s actually just recently announced the album news on his podcast, co-hosted by his brother Jason, New Heights. The sixth track on the album is titled ‘Ruin The Friendship’ and is rumoured to be about the fractured relationship between Swift and Blake Lively. The once close friends first met in 2015, and along with Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, had been inseparable ever since. Swift is even godmother to their children. On the New Heights podcast, she said, ‘You should think of your energy as if it’s expensive, as if it’s a luxury item. Not everyone can afford it.’ Here, we break down Swift’s entire friendship with Blake Lively and her family, we explore all the reasons why it could’ve ended, and we explain the influence and business of friendship in Swift’s mindset, and where exactly Lively failed in her own method. Let’s discuss…

Demi Lovato: A Young Talented Woman Defined By Mental Illness And Addiction In Her Career – And She’s Now Redefining That For Herself

Demi Lovato recently made headlines when she reunited with the Jonas Brothers during one of their tour stops to perform two popular Camp Rock songs, ‘Wouldn’t Change A Thing’ and ‘This Is Me’. Also recently, Lovato released her 10th studio album and scored her first-ever Top 10 hit on the Billboard charts. In June of this year, she got married to her longtime love, Jutes, who’s also a musician. Things are certainly looking up for the young star. But it wasn’t always like this for her. Throughout the entirety of her career, Location faced much turmoil and the prospect people using her for their own gain. Here, we breakdown Lovato’s entire story in her career and personal from the very beginning up until now. We explore what her most recent reunion with the Jonas Brothers means. And we explain exactly where her troubles stemmed from and give a brief summary of where her life went wrong, as well as analyze exactly what the Jonas Brothers and Selena Gomez had to do with it. Let’s discuss…

Dana Plato: The Tragic Tale Of A Troubled Child Star Thrust Into Early Fame And Instant Success – And How Her Story Is Very Similar To Lindsay Lohan’s

Kimberly Drummond was a central figure on Diff’rent Strokes. She was the eldest daughter of wealthy widower, Phillip Drummond. She was caring, kind, generous, bubbly and witty. At times, she was shown to be a little bit too much of all those things. But these were traits that made audiences fall in love with her so easily. Kimberly accepted her adoptive brothers, Arnold and Willis, and welcomed them into her home right from the start. She didn’t see her brothers for the colour of their skin, but rather for who they were; personality and all. The young girl behind Kimberly was nothing like her whatsoever. Dana Plato was troubled. She left the series in part due to these troubles. But her life became tumultuous way before she left Diff’rent Storkes. While on the show, she experienced substance abuse issues, including an overdose and struggles with alcohol, cannabis, and cocaine. Here, we break down Dana Plato’s life before and after her early fame and subsequent massive success. We explore what led to her downfall and eventual death in 1999, as well as how it wasn’t much of a surprise to anyone. And we explain how her life was very much similar to Lindsay Lohan’s. Let’s discuss…

Shannon Price: A Living Proof That Domestic Violence Isn’t Just A ‘Woman’s Issue’ – A Compelling Breakdown Of Violence Against Men

In 2010, everyone who grew up in the 70’s and 80’s was rocked by the news of the passing of Gary Coleman, who played the lovable Arnold Jackson in Diff’rent Strokes. Shannon Price, Coleman’s ex-wife, made headlines recently when she failed a lie doctor test for her behavior following the 2010 fall that resulted in the former child star’s death on A&E’s Lie Detector: Truth or Deception. Price and Coleman married in 2007 after meeting in 2005, and though they divorced a year later, the pair remained living together until his death. She infamously removed him from life support, resulting in his death, after he was in a medically induced coma following a fall. In the 2024 Peacock documentary, Gary, Price said, ‘I would never hurt my husband, ever.’ Coleman’s friends and loved ones, such as former girlfriend Anna Gray and friend/manager Dion Mial, have publicly questioned Price’s actions and motives. Here, we break down Gary Coleman’s volatile relationship and divorce from Price. We explore how domestic violence isn’t just a women’s issue. And we explain why it’s such a dangerous assumption to make that it’s just that. Let’s discuss…

Marlee Matlin: What The Response To Her Abuse Allegations Against William Hurt Tells Us About How Society Views Female Survivors – And How Society And The Court System Have Failed To Protect Women

In 2009, Marlee Matlin bravely opened up about the abuse she’d endured at the hands of her ex-boyfriend, William Hurt, whom she dated for two years in the 80’s after meeting on the set of Children of a Lesser God, the 1986 drama which won her an Academy Award. The abuse was something she heavily detailed in her memoir, I’ll Scream If I Want To. She stated that when she won an Oscar in 1987 for her lead performance, which was presented to her by Hurt, she was afraid. She was afraid to have to face her then-boyfriend at such close proximity. By that point, he’d already began to abuse her. But at the ceremony, he’d already put on a facade of a supportive boyfriend, even signed her name. Following her revelation, she faces a lot of scrutiny for speaking up. Here, we break down Marlee Matlin’s relationship with Hurt and what followed after she’d opened up about the abuse she’d endured at his hands. We explore the stories of abuse of other women in media who didn’t survive like Matlin. And we explain what their stories tell us on how society and the court system has failed women everywhere. Let’s discuss…