Who's the Boss?

[TVLanFan]

Just wondering...maybe someone can straighten this out...

Was Ward the boss of Fred Rutherford, or was Fred Ward's boss? There have been a few scenes where Fred seemed to be the boss (he "makes" Ward work on a Saturday and Ward has to cancel a camping trip with the boys), but there seemed to be a couple of times where Ward seemed to be sort of "in charge" at the office...anybody have any insight on this matter? Was Fred the boss, or was he just really overbearing? Thanks!

[tdr]

The only scene I can recall where it is indicted that Fred is anybody's 'boss' is Ward telling June about some bad joke Fred told. She asked if anybody laughed, and Ward said, "Only the ones that work under him."

I don't see any indication that Fred was Ward's boss. They did work together quite often (in the relatively few times we see Ward at work), but it seemed more like Ward was the 'senior partner' of the pair. On the camping trip episode, Fred comes by the house with information that a 'report's' ('Thompson report' ?) deadline has been moved up to the following Monday, meaning it would have to be worked on during the weekend. Fred offered to work on it by himself since Ward has plans, but Ward authoritatively said, "No, I'll be there," with a clear hint that Fred could not handle the task competently. This is already a change from Fred's introduction in "The Black Eye," in which the 2 men seemed to be rivals and not at all friendly. Fred yells at Ward and addresses him as 'Cleaver,' and accuses him of jealousy over a project Fred landed instead of he.

[TVLanFan]

Thanks tdr - I think that what you wrote makes a lot of sense...and you're right...now that I think of it, Fred didn't really "make" Ward work that Saturday, Ward was afraid Fred would screw up the job. Thanks for your insight on this! Have a great day!