When I was a teenager, I bought this silly board game called “Marry, Date, or Dump.” Recently, out of boredom, I even brought it out of the dust and played it with some friends and family members. Chaos ensued and crazy choices had to be made between film characters, actors, presidents, historical figures, and more.
Soon I thought, what could be more fun than continuing to ponder what fictional characters I would date, dump, or marry? I know I can’t be the only one that has played this game with their friends in their spare time…
In this same spirit, I have decided to select a few movies, TV Shows, and books where I have to make this decision between the characters AND you get to join in on the game as well by telling us just who you would want to marry, date or dump in the comments below. I am sure my choices will be vastly different from several of all yours. So, without any further delay, here is Round One of Marry, Date, or Dump (scroll down for Round Two):
Fictional Characters to Marry, Date, or Dump – Round 1
(By Autumn Topping)
THE SOURCE: Veronica Mars
WHO:
Logan Echolls
Duncan Kane
Piz
THE SOLUTION: I had a big toss-up on this one because Logan is very destructive as a character and has a lot of problems that wouldn’t be good for a marriage. Still, I decided to marry Logan because at least I would never be bored. Also, he does pack a good punch when you need defending.
To date, I went with Piz because he is a good guy if just a little bland for Veronica. Choosing to dump Duncan was quite simple for me. While he was an interesting character while it lasted, I never found his personality particularly enticing.
Also, even though Veronica and Duncan didn’t end up being brother and sister in the end, and the fact that they were both drugged when they lost their virginity to one another, the idea that Duncan knowingly slept with Veronica while he thought she was his sister kind of gives me the creeps.
THE SOURCE: Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
WHO:
Colonel Brandon
Edward Ferrars
Willoughby
THE SOLUTION: This is one of the hardest ones for me because the men are kind of equal in my eyes. Willoughby gets a bad name because he makes some poor choices, but I do think he has redeemable qualities that I can’t help but be drawn to (like Marianne). I love his passion for instance and his literary knowledge (a weakness).
That being said, I would probably marry Edward because of his intense loyalty and honor that he reveals. This is no cheater. His quiet and shy demeanor also intrigues me. I would date Willoughby for the reasons I listed above, though I still feel torn about Colonel Brandon. I couldn’t marry him because he was too charming to trust.
Then I would have to dump Brandon just because I had to make a choice (that could change depending on my mood). However, if this was the movie Colonel Brandon and Alan Rickman, it could turn into a date or marriage. I’m still bummed that the scene of him rescuing Marianne in the rain doesn’t exist in the book…
THE SOURCE: More Jane Austen Men
WHO:
Mr. Darcy
Mr. Knightley
Captain Wentworth
THE SOLUTION: Almost equal between the three, but I have to go with marrying Captain Wentworth because he goes against the crowd. I love a nonconformist. His intense focus on Anne is even more attractive though and the idea of being on the sea is super romantic and free sounding.
Then, I would date Mr. Darcy because it is Mr. Darcy (though Pemberley IS a good marriage selling point), and I love his personality type.
I would sadly dump Mr. Knightley just because I LOVE the other two characters so much. Plus, I don’t need someone who would presumably give me lectures all the time…
THE SOURCE: Some Vampires…
WHO:
Damon Salvatore (The Vampire Diaries)
Mick St. John (Moonlight)
Mitchell (Being Human UK)
THE SOLUTION: I would definitely (and without a doubt) marry Mick because he is Mick: romantic, old-fashioned with manners, hates video games, snarky, loves to investigate, would be able to protect you, and isn’t as psychotic as the other two (he only kills bad guys).
I would then date Mitchell even though he has MAJOR addictive problems: like killing women or say a whole train full of people just because he was in a bad mood. He does at least want to be good, and he is very sweet to those he loves.
Lastly, I chose to dump Damon because while he can be amusing, he could kill one of your family members if he felt like it (he even killed one of his own).
THE SOURCE: The Genius category
WHO:
The Doctor (Doctor Who)
Fox Mulder (The X Files)
Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock)
THE SOLUTION: Marry Mulder because he’s Mulder. Also, I adore a good conspiracy theorist (on television, anyway) and someone who isn’t afraid to be different and go against those in power. His perfect blend of cynicism and romantic idealism makes him the perfect choice. He can teach you how to play baseball, and his genius and intellect will never bore you. Sure, I may have to put up with the random alien abduction or haunted house, but it would be worth it in the end.
Of course, I would have to date the Doctor because I would want to go on adventures around the universe or even travel in time. I didn’t choose to marry him because he has some emotional commitment issues.
I would then dump Sherlock because he is just too rude for my taste. I LOVE intelligence, but Sherlock would likely drive me up the wall within a week. Then there is the drug problem…
Fictional Characters to Marry, Date, or Dump Round 2
(By Rebecca Lane)
I decided to take a chapter from Autumn’s book and try out her game Fictional Characters to Marry, Date, or Dump. Now, I’ve never played this game before, so I was a little leery at first. I am one of those people who cannot settle on a choice if her life depended on it. I want them all. Why do I have to choose?
Despite my firm belief in monogamy, I am a secret lover of the Anita Blake novels because she doesn’t make you choose which character the heroine ends up with. She gets to keep them all! Ah, if only life could mirror fiction at least once in a while.
But, in the sense of fair play and levity, I am indeed going to choose today. I have come up with four groups of men to choose from and let me tell you; it wasn’t easy! So, let’s start!
THE SOURCE: Vampires in Film and Television
WHO:
Edward
Klaus
Spike
THE SOLUTION: The first group I have dubbed as the sexy on-screen vampires. I chose Edward from Twilight, Klaus from The Originals, and Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This one wasn’t such a hard choice for me. I would definitely marry Edward. I mean he sparkles, he’s handsome, he’s sweet and honorable, and he could protect me from anything. It’s his kind character that bumped him into the marry category over the other two.
For my second choice, I decided upon dating Spike. He’s got a bit of a wild side, which would be fun to experience, but he’s also got a softer side. I think he’d be a good cuddler (yes, I made that word up) underneath all the bravado.
And that leaves poor Klaus in the dust as the dumped contender. He’s a little too volatile for me. While he’s certainly good-looking, I feel like even when he’s on your side, you still need to watch your back.
THE SOURCE: Amber’s Top List of Smolders
WHO:
Mr. Darcy
Mr. Thornton
Fox Mulder
THE SOLUTION: This one was definitely harder for me to decide. Well, scratch that; the first one was easy. I chose Mr. Darcy to marry. Wouldn’t you? The next two had me going round and round in my head about character traits, looks, and all sorts of other stuff. I even ended up making a pros and cons list.
In the end, I chose to date Fox Mulder. He’s just so geeky and cute, and well, he has a really awesome smolder. Although I love Mr. Thornton, he’s a little too much like Mr. Darcy for me, so I decided to mix things up a bit and go for the sexy nerd.
THE SOURCE: Doctor Who
WHO:
The Ninth Doctor
The Tenth Doctor
The Eleventh Doctor
THE SOLUTION: I’ll admit, this one was easy for me. I would totally marry the tenth doctor. Who can resist David Tennant? He’s just too cute. The eleventh doctor is just too much like a child playing with toys, so it’s hard to imagine dating him seriously. I’d feel like I had to watch over him and ensure he didn’t blow up any planets. He’s a bit too carefree and childlike for me.
Now, the ninth doctor I would definitely date. He’s got that sort of brooding characteristic of Mr. Darcy, and I absolutely love Christopher Eccleston. He’s much more serious than the other two doctors, and I think I could use a serious guy in my life for a little while. But, in the end, the tenth doctor is my knight in shining armor.
THE SOURCE: Once Upon a Time
WHO:
Sheriff Graham
Captain Hook
Baelfire/Neil
THE SOLUTION: For my final game round, I have chosen to pick between the leading men of Once Upon a Time. I know; I’m probably the only person obsessed enough with this show to still think about having them on my list. But I don’t care.
It was easy for me to pick who I would dump. I don’t really like him at all anyways, so Neil would be the first to go for me. I find him utterly boring. I wish they would just get rid of him already. Unfortunately, that’s not likely to happen, but a girl can always dream, can’t she?
I had a harder time choosing between Captain Hook and Sheriff Graham. Captain Hook has that wonderful redeeming quality about him. I’m a sucker for a reformed rake. Sheriff Graham, on the other hand, already has the good guy act down pat. He didn’t really need redeeming, despite his little affair with Regina.
But, in the end, I had to choose. So…I chose Sheriff Graham to marry and Captain Hook to date. I’m still not sure I made the right choice. I really do like them both, but what’s done is done.
So, go ahead, play along. I’d love to hear what some of your choices would have been. And despite my hatred of choosing between men, I actually did enjoy myself. I might have to search out that board game of Autumn’s and make her and Amber play a round with me.
That’s it for “Marry, Date, or Dump.” Who would you choose in these scenarios?
RELATED:
We just finished Halloween, but thinking about Literary Costume Ideas can still be fun!
Check out my Ten Literary Crushes
PIN THIS ARTICLE! AND MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW US ON PINTEREST.
MORE ROMANCE:
This was a fun article. HMM so many choices. Out of all of them I would definitely want to date the Doctor because he travels everywhere at every time period and he is always trying to save someone. Never a dull moment with him. ( I admit though I would not mind one date with Damon but that would probably be it, as he obviously is not to be trusted, that is If I survived the one date with him. Very risky one date could be the death of ya) I probably would lean toward marrying Colonel Brandon as I have a thing for military men.lol
I don’t know who wouldn’t want to at least ‘date’ the Doctor. He would definitely have the best dates. And a date with Damon would definitely be risky.
I have to admit I like the movie colonel Brandon better than the book Brandon. Mostly because I have a secret raging crush on Alan Rickman.
Also Wentworth is the one I’d marry too, his letter is swoon worthy.
The movie Colonel Brandon is just more romantic than the book version. And who doesn’t have a crush on Alan Rickman? Also, Captain Wentworth’s letter is definitely swoon worthy. I love him more each time I read Persuasion.
I definitely want to play this game! Let’s see, game 1. To me it’s just a given. I would marry Logan, date Piz and dump Duncan. I don’t care if Logan’s a bad boy, he’s all about epic love so he wins!
Game 2 is a little bit harder. BUT I’d have to marry Edward, date Colonel Brandon and dump Willoughby. As much as I love Colonel Brandon I’m not sure if I would realistically be into him in real life. He’s the guy I probably should like, but don’t.
Game 3. All so close! But I’d have to agree with Autumn. I’d marry Captain Wentworth, date Mr. Darcy and dump Mr. Knightley. It’s pretty hard to top Captain Wentworth’s letter. Plus he has a fantastic disregard for society’s rules.
Game 4. There’s no way I would choose to marry anyone but Mick here. He’s the chivalrous immortal who you can trust. I would date Mitchell and then dump Damon.
Game 5. Marry Mulder because if you can marry Mulder you always marry Mulder. I’d date the Doctor. BUT he would be really tempting to marry. Then again, you don’t really know if suddenly he’d up and ditch you, so there’s that. I’d definitely dump Sherlock. Entertaining to watch on screen BUT in real life he’d drive me crazy.
So basically I made almost all of the exact same choices as you. 🙂