Doonesbury by Garry Trudeau for January 17, 2022

But Chase wouldn’t ask you to do it. He wants to remain in the closet.

Chase may be overlooking the bigger picture of Mark introducing his significant other to his family. Mark wouldn’t do that unless he cared a great deal about Chase. There’s the option of considering it flattering.

Dad, I’d like you to meet Bait.

This is not going to end well, I suspect. And I don’t remember this story line.

Easy to say ’I’d do it for you’ when that isn’t possible.

Maybe he’ll be more upset that he isn’t Jewish.

Does anyone else remember that Phil Slackmeyer billed his son for a refund of all the money he spent rearing him?

I wouldn’t be sorry if this revelation kills him!!

I feel like the real issue is that Mark’s parents obviously don’t listen to his radio show.

I never liked their relationship. Chase always looks angry, and Mark at heart is still a stoner hippie.

Crabs make good bait, I’m told.

When is Mark going to get the slick haircut?

Almost everyone has to meet the parents sooner or later. Best to get it out of the way and get on to the BBQ and beer stage of things.

It’s obvious Mark picked Chase because he unconsciously reminded him of his father – and we all know how those kinds of relationships work out.

No, you wouldn’t.

Mark, did you at least call ahead?

Does this situation ever end well?

Riiiiighttt – cut to the Chase.

Assuming he hasn’t already come to terms with them, and judged them to be good.

.

Some people are just rotten, worthless scum by their own choice.

Even a woman’s parents would be askance if she brought home someone who looked and acted like Chase!

Another example of someone who can’t say “no” to a bad idea.

God what an ugly looking partner, Mark could do better!

Did ANYBODY like Mark’s Dad upon meeting him for the first time?The older he got the worse he became.

I don’t remember how this arc turned out but I’d think that Phil and Chase, having so much in common politically, might actually hit it off.

Mark says it “time for THEM to deal.” I don’t remember Mark’s mother appearing in this story arc. Perhaps I’m thinking of a different one.

If Chase wants to remain in the closet, why is he wearing lipstick?

I presume Mark didn’t force Chase into the car at gunpoint.

Why couldn’t Garry Trudeau have come up with a better looking and nicer guy for Mark? Even a “young Republican” would have been better and would work with their opposite viewpoints. Chase is just an insult to or parody of closeted gay men, most of whom are just better than he is even if they feel the need to hide their partners from the world. Mark deserved better.

All this “toxicity” about a character’s looks. Tsk tsk.

He says that now knowing he wouldn’t have to.