Opinions - Did Chris and Ellen stay together?

[Godlover]

Posted: 11/27/16 at 5:38pm

If Miss Saigon were a true story, How do you think Chris and Ellen's story ended?  Did they stay together or split up?  In my opinion, Chris totally and truly loved Kim and would never have been with or married Ellen had Saigon not have fallen and then he believed her to be dead.  Since John says in the musical that Chris went crazy when he lost Kim and spoke to no one for a year, this tells me all I need to know.  After Kim killed herself, I believe Chris saw the true Ellen and her self-centered-ness (not wanting to give Tam a better life in America because she said they wanted kids of their own, and the fact that she basically threw the info that Chris was married in Kim's face - she should not have been the one to tell her), and paired with the fact that his true love was Kim and he now has their child, I believe he walked away from Ellen.  

[ebontoyan]

Posted: 11/27/16 at 5:52pm

Chris and Ellen stays together, bringing up Tam and their own children together!  Even if Chris truly loved Kim, Kim is dead and he has moved on.  Yes Chris went crazy after Saigon fell but he got out of that darkness with Ellen by his side.   Ellen did not want to take Tam since she thought it meant taking Kim as well and Kim thought she was Chris' wife! Ellen said "if it was only Tam..."  What woman would want to share her husband??!

[ebontoyan]

Posted: 11/27/16 at 6:04pm

Ellen was much a victim in all this as Kim. Chris lied to her (or omitted some facts) about his relationship with Kim.  Why couldn't Ellen tell Kim about Chris and her when Kim literally was in her hotel room oblivious of reality??!

[Tag]

Posted: 11/27/16 at 6:22pm

Miss Saigon II: Love Never Dies

[kdogg36]

Posted: 11/27/16 at 8:04pm

Godlover said: "After Kim killed herself, I believe Chris saw the true Ellen and her self-centered-ness (not wanting to give Tam a better life in America because she said they wanted kids of their own, and the fact that she basically threw the info that Chris was married in Kim's face - she should not have been the one to tell her)"

It's been a while since I've seen Miss Saigon and my memory may be faulty, but I don't think that's an accurate characterization of the scene where Kim learns that Chris is married. Ellen is very tentative about it and doesn't seem to enjoy the confrontation at all.

I agree with those who find Ellen to be a victim; she seems entirely blameless to me. I don't think there's anything in the show to indicate that Chris would leave her.

 

[kdogg36]

Posted: 11/27/16 at 8:04pm

Godlover said: "After Kim killed herself, I believe Chris saw the true Ellen and her self-centered-ness (not wanting to give Tam a better life in America because she said they wanted kids of their own, and the fact that she basically threw the info that Chris was married in Kim's face - she should not have been the one to tell her)"

It's been a while since I've seen Miss Saigon and my memory may be faulty, but I don't think that's an accurate characterization of the scene where Kim learns that Chris is married. Ellen is very tentative about it and doesn't seem to enjoy the confrontation at all.

I agree with those who find Ellen to be a victim; she seems entirely blameless to me. I don't think there's anything in the show to indicate that Chris would leave her.

 

[Dave28282]

Posted: 11/27/16 at 8:11pm

Chris has only known Kim for a few days. I think, especially in the filmed version, Kim comes across as kind of obsessive. Chris and Ellen have been together for 2 years and I think 2 years is a good measuring point where you can say you actually know the other person a little.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 11/27/16 at 8:29pm

I think, especially in the filmed version, Kim comes across as kind of obsessive. 

Obsessive???  She's a 17 year-old girl. Her parents were murdered, she's having to whore herself to survive, an American soldier falls in love with her, goes through a "wedding" ceremony, defends her against a monster who is violent and demands ownership of her, promises to take her to the US, but gets srparayed amid chaos, destruction and death everywhere and ends up having his child, a constant reminder if him while fighting for their survival.  Isn't "obsessive" just a tad bit reductive given them events of the plot?  It's the hope that keeps them alive amidst poverty and devastation.  It's not obsession.  It's determination.

Updated On: 11/27/16 at 08:29 PM

[PatrickDC]

Posted: 11/27/16 at 9:31pm

I don't have an answer or much of an opinion -- never really cared for the show -- but this situation should be viewed in the context of the time period. Vietnam veterans as a whole were called "Baby Killers" and spat upon, not at all like the US veteran heroes of previous wars. Given what Chris went through, both on the battlefield and, if you will, the "bedroom" during the war, Ellen may take pity on him and realize that a wartime situation is different from any other situation. She may view herself as a healer and stand by him to help heal his figurative wounds. 

On the other hand, the Women's Liberation Movement was well underway in the United States. Ellen may have gotten swept up in that, realizing she suddenly has opportunities largely unavailable to women of previous generations, and that a scarred Vietnam vet will take too much love and care, meaning any dreams she may have of being an independent woman in the 70s and beyond will take a backseat and may never be realized. 

[adamgreer]

Posted: 11/27/16 at 9:46pm

Funny this topic popped up today. I just saw a local production of the show which made very clear at the end that Ellen did not remain with Chris. During the final tableau, after Kim offs herself and Chris runs to her, Ellen very pointedly turned and walked offstage as the music swelled. I don't think I've ever seen it staged this way before. 

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 11/27/16 at 10:29pm

I personally think the best productions of Miss Saigon are those that showcase both Kim and Ellen as victims of the war....and not as Ellen as the "other woman". They are each THE woman at various times of Chris' life and at a different time in the war.

I would like to think that Chris and Ellen stayed together but I would wonder if the guilt that Chris would feel after Kim kills herself would prevent that from happening. He might feel too guilty to be happy...but it's hard to say. Kim more than anything wanted the American Dream for her son and if Chris realizes that he and Ellen can give him that, maybe it would eventually work out

[Theater_Nerd]

Posted: 11/28/16 at 10:45am

Tag said: "Miss Saigon II: Love Never Dies

 

I had to do everything in my power to not spit out my coffee when I read that!