I don't remember the remark Veda made in the final encounter with Mildred in the HBO series, but the scenario is not quite the same as the book.
In the HBO series, Veda stops by the party celebrating Mildred's return from Reno. It suggests that Veda is feeling "something," remorse maybe, but she is feeling an obligation of some sort towards Mildred. The person I saw it with wasn't even sure whether Veda was faking the illness or whether Mildred had just gone nuts and was inventing a wild scenario.
...but in the novel, as I remember it ...
Veda, living in Glendale, is secretly exploiting Mildred's guilt for killing her music career; she is faking her throat illness. Veda is also faking humility and warm feelings towards Bert and Mildred while waiting out the rumors circulating about what happened the night Mildred strangled her. It is clear that Veda was quick to play her cards in just the right way to get her higher salary, lover/step-father and once again heartlessly use Mildred.
Veda is a variation on the femme fatale.
Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people. - Eleanor Roosevelt
Updated On: 4/12/11 at 01:55 AM