Gen 4 - Michael (The Lawyer)

Born 1949, Michael is Thomas and Betty's eldest child. He had a stable and normal upbringing in the rich suburb of Oasis Springs, meeting few of the challenges of the rest of the country. But in spite of this, Micheal early on became politically self aware. Perhaps it was growing up when he did, when protests filled the streets and young people were sent off to a war no one understood that meant he quickly formed opinions on justice and doing the right thing. Yet protests and marches and fighting the police never felt like the right choice. As a teenager Robert Kennedy became han inspiration and his murder hit him hard. He himself decided that he wanted to become a lawyer, to fight, with legal means, for what is right. In January 1970 he enrolled in Britechester law and moved across the country, leaving his family and his girlfriend behind. 

At Britechester Law, he learns more than just legal proceedings and how to interpret the law. In a time of upheaval and clashes of politics and opinions, he learns how to debate, protest and volunteer for issues he finds important. Around campus there are outdoor protests, walk-outs, sit-ins, lectures, debates. And in all of this, Michael feels right at home. In the debate-club he meets Robin, and falls in love. Robin is everything Linda is not. Ambitious, smart, argumentative, opinionated... and Michael can't get enough of it. Yet somehow he doesn't have the guts to tell Linda he's met someone else. Not by post, he convinces himself. He'll take care of that later, at home, after graduation but before Robin comes out to meet him in Oasis Springs. 

His plans backfire, as when he returns home, Robin comes with him as Linda is waiting for him. The two meet and for a while it seems as if he'll lose them both. Picking himself up, he goes to beg for Robin's forgiveness, which she amazingly gives him. The two move in together, and eventually marry in a quiet civil ceremony. Michael dream of children, but Robin is more hesitant. Her goal is to become a judge, and a child might hinder her ambition. Eventually, however, she relents, and in 1980 Christopher is born. Michael and Robin has very different views on parenthood, however, with Robin insisting on working just like before and Michael wanting her to stay at home. They manage to compromise, but it does tear on their relationship from time to time.