Happiest Season: 5 Reasons Abby And Harper Belong Together (& 5 Reasons Riley Was The Better Choice)

Throughout Happiest Season, Abby questions whether she and Harper belong together. Many fans think she’d be better off with Riley instead.

You Are Reading :Happiest Season 5 Reasons Abby And Harper Belong Together (& 5 Reasons Riley Was The Better Choice)

Clea DuVall’s holiday film Happiest Season premiered with immediate discourse. While fans hoped for a fun LGBTQ+ rom-com, there were many deeper issues at play during this film. Much to her surprise happiness, Harper invites her girlfriend Abby home for the holidays for the first time, but the story soon takes a turn.

Throughout the film, Abby is confronted with the question of whether she and Harper should be together or not. This comes into play when she meets Harper’s ex, Riley. Riley exemplifies the possibility of being in a loving and healthy relationship, whether Abby admits it or not. Holidays are a difficult time for anybody, especially when deciding who is the best partner to end up with.

10 Harper: Learns From Past Mistakes

Harper has the most character development from start to finish. She is the epitome of how not to treat your partner, unlike other movies featuring same-sex couples.

She makes the most mistakes out of all the characters. But ultimately, she takes responsibility for it. She is finally able to admit that she hurt Riley when they were in high school. While she is in denial for a long time, Harper can understand how her actions hurt those around her and tries to make amends. Harper and Abby have been together for a while now, and it makes sense for them to stay together and continue to grow.

9 Riley: Spends Time With Abby

Abby’s time with Harper’s family is strained at best. Besides the fact that Harper is not out to her family, she prioritizes their needs above the needs of her partner. The only time Abby has fun is when she and Riley go out to a bar. Riley encourages Abby out of her comfort zone and sing Christmas songs.

Abby gets to be herself when she’s around Riley and enjoys herself. This is not something that Harper was overly concerned with.

8 Harper: The Relationship Allows Abby To Do A Lot Of Good

Harper has a tense relationship with her family. She and her sisters are always vying for validation from their parents and even fight with each other over it. The only person who doesn’t conform to this is Harper’s sister Jane.

Jane is the most isolated from her sisters and the one that Abby bonds with the most. Without Abby, Jane never would have had her dreams realized either. Through Abby, she meets John who manages her series of young adult fantasy books. Everyone seems to be much happier for the continuation of this relationship by the end of the film.

7 Riley: Put Herself Out There For Abby

Riley is one of the most vulnerable characters in Happiest Season. She is confident in herself and knows the choices she wants to make. When she first meets Abby, she has no reason to reach out to her other than human kindness.

Riley sees Abby alone at the country club and overhears Abby’s concerns about her situation with Harper. Riley personifies the spirit of Christmas movies. While she didn’t know Abby well, she became a friend to her when Abby had no one she could be herself with.

6 Harper: Put Her Family On The Line

Although it took her a long time to get there, Harper makes the right decision in the end. She is confronted with the ultimate choice between Abby and her family.

Her fears of losing her family have come to light and she decides that Abby is what is most important. Even though there is the threat she might lose her family, Harper admits she loves Abby in front of everyone at Christmas. This is a big step and shows how important Abby is to her, ultimately.

5 Riley: Is Empathetic

An important element of any romantic relationship is empathizing with your partner. Most of Harper’s actions are selfish. She asks Abby to come home with her and essentially closets her. Harper shows little concern for how that would affect her partner. When Abby raises concerns, Harper acts like Abby is suffocating her.

Riley never gaslights Abby. She listens to what she has to say and supports her, even if it is just through friendship.

4 Harper: The Family Connection

Harper never allowed her family to choose to accept Abby or not. By lying about their true relationship, her family never had the chance to accept her. When they understand that Abby and Harper are together, Harper’s father Ted decides to prioritize this truth.

He doesn’t make his decision to forgo major campaign funding to gain Harper or Abby’s trust. He does it because it was the right thing to do. It is nice for Abby, who has lost most of her family, to be able to regain family ties. Even though Harper’s family is far from perfect, and has a lot of work to do, this could be a nice connection for her and pro for the relationship generally by the end of the film.

3 Riley: Is Ready To Be Out

Abby’s needs are rarely met in the film. One of the most important things to her is her need to be with someone ready to be themselves. Harper’s need to please her family shoves her and Abby in the closet.

This is unhealthy and causes Abby and Harper to fight constantly. Riley acknowledges how great Abby is and has no hang-ups about being out. This is something that Abby needs.

2 Harper: Allows Abby To Understand More About What She Wants

Harper resists being true to herself for almost the entire film, and this really shows Abby where they differ on this point. Abby knows that being herself is the most important thing she can have, and pushes for it, even if it means risking her relationship.

While Harper didn’t necessarily mean to do this, in a way, the experience strengthens Abby’s understanding about who she is as a person. Going through such a meaningful experience together could mean good things for the rest of their relationship.

1 Riley: Supports Abby and Harper

Riley does most of the work of the thankless queer character. She supports Abby when her partner has abandoned her. She is gracious to Harper even after everything Harper put her through. When Abby considers leaving Harper at the Christmas party, Riley does what anyone in her situation would not.

Riley could have put a wedge between Harper and Abby. Instead, Riley offers Abby a perspective that Harper is struggling with herself. Riley is selfless when she doesn’t have to be. She proves herself to be a caring person, one who deserves to find someone.

Link Source : https://screenrant.com/happiest-season-harper-abby-riley-best-worst-relationship/