For many viewers tuning into Family Matters in the 90s, the sitcom was more than just wholesome family fun. At its heart was the ongoing romantic pursuit of Laura Winslow by her nerdy neighbor, Steve Urkel. This dynamic mirrors another beloved sitcom, The Office, where the Jim-Pam romance captivated audiences. However, much like Jim’s initial tunnel vision for Pam sometimes blinded him to other connections, Family Matters presented a similar, and perhaps more compelling, romantic dilemma through Laura Winslow and her suitors. Was Laura so focused on a certain ideal that she overlooked a potentially more genuine connection? Let’s delve into the romantic landscape of Family Matters and reconsider Laura’s choices in love, especially in relation to Steve Urkel and Myra Bunkhouse.
Steve Urkel’s Unwavering Affection for Laura Winslow
From the moment Steve Urkel burst through the Winslows’ door, his infatuation with Laura was undeniable. Steve, with his iconic glasses, suspenders, and catchphrase “Did I do that?”, quickly became the breakout star of Family Matters. While his comedic antics were a major draw, the emotional core of his character was his relentless pursuit of Laura Winslow’s affection. Despite Laura’s consistent rejection and often exasperated responses to his advances – how many times did she groan “Urkel!” in response to his “Hey baby”? – Steve remained undeterred.
This persistent dynamic established a classic sitcom trope: the nerdy guy pining for the popular girl. Laura, often portrayed as stylish and sought-after, seemed worlds away from Steve’s nerdy charm. Yet, Family Matters skillfully navigated this dynamic, keeping Steve and Laura within a sphere of friendship, albeit a very one-sided romantic friendship. The sitcom formula inherently suggested a potential eventual romantic pairing, planting seeds for a “will-they-won’t-they” arc that kept viewers engaged.
Myra Bunkhouse: Accepting Steve for Who He Truly Was
However, Family Matters complicated Laura’s romantic narrative with the introduction of Myra Bunkhouse in the fourth season. Myra was presented as equally attractive as Laura, radiating a warm and cheerful personality. Importantly, she possessed a unique appreciation for Steve Urkel’s true self, eccentricities and all.
The cast of Family Matters with Jaleel White
While Laura often found Steve’s nerdy quirks embarrassing and off-putting, Myra embraced them. She wasn’t just tolerant of Steve’s unique personality; she was genuinely enamored by it. This distinction became starkly apparent when Steve transformed into his suave alter ego, Stefan Urquelle. While Stefan captivated Laura, Myra was unimpressed, even disapproving. Stefan wasn’t the Steve she loved. This pivotal plot point underscored Myra’s genuine affection for Steve’s authentic self, a stark contrast to Laura’s conditional acceptance. Myra’s love for Steve wasn’t about changing him; it was about celebrating him.
Jaleel White’s Reboot Vision: Myra’s Enduring Appeal
Despite Family Matters ultimately pairing Steve and Laura in its final season, the narrative choice felt somewhat forced, especially considering Myra’s established presence. The sitcom needed a resolution, and the classic trope dictated the popular girl eventually falling for the persistent nice guy. However, the storyline conveniently sidelined Myra, even resorting to comedic extremes like portraying her as a stalker driven to arrest by heartbreak – a plot point that, viewed through a modern lens, carries problematic undertones. Similar to how The Office faced criticism for Jim’s treatment of Karen in favor of the Pam romance, Family Matters‘s resolution felt at the expense of Myra’s character and her genuine connection with Steve.
Jaleel White himself has publicly expressed a desire for a Family Matters reboot that diverges from the original series’ ending. In his memoir, Growing Up Urkel, White reveals his vision for a reboot where Steve and Myra are married, with Laura living nearby, creating comedic tension. This concept highlights a growing sentiment among viewers: Myra Bunkhouse represented a more authentic and healthier romantic match for Steve Urkel. She appreciated him for his true self, offering unwavering acceptance and love, something Laura, in her pursuit of a different ideal, often failed to provide.
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Ultimately, Family Matters, while resolving the Laura-Steve romance, inadvertently posed a more nuanced question about love and acceptance. Was Laura’s initial rejection of Steve a misjudgment? Did Myra represent a more mature and genuine understanding of love – one that values authentic connection over superficial ideals? Perhaps, in revisiting Family Matters, we can appreciate Myra Bunkhouse not just as a plot device, but as a character who offered a valuable lesson in unconditional love and acceptance, making a strong case that she, and not Laura, was Steve Urkel’s true romantic destiny.
Family Matters is available for streaming on Hulu.
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