There are several fundamental ingredients to a successful relationship, the three most important ones being communication, commitment, and common interest. The following are also important: honesty, trust and respect. Victors and Ingrid's relationship lacked all of these aspects at one time or another and therefore suffered greatly.
             A relationship will not thrive without communication; it is the most important factor. Communication usually stops when the couple's relationship becomes more physical rather than intimate. This is what happened with Vic and Ingrid at the start they had a strong physical attraction which later proved to be a constraint to their communication. A good example of this is when Ingrid falls down the stairs and isn't even informed by Ingrid or her mother and Vic finds out from a neighbour who just happened to walk into his store. Vic and Ingrid did talk at the beginning when they were getting to know each other, but that is inevitable. After getting to know the person the communication needs to continue with thoughts, concerns, encouragement, discussions, etc.
             When communication exists in a relationship, any troubles and problems which may intervene can be faced, talked through and sorted out promptly. Whereas if the communication is lacking then the problem will not be raised and will drag on and grow to cause arguments and misunderstandings.
             Mr. Rothwell is one who had the right idea about communication. After he is asked to pass on a message from Vic to Ingrid he replies with "I'm not carrying any messages, Vic. If you want to say anything to Ingrid you'll have to tell her yourself." (Page 82 Speech 2)
             Vic and Ingrid do finally start to discuss their relationship and what they want to change. In the park Ingrid asks Vic, "Do you realise how long it is since we had a proper talk about anything?" (Page 83 Speech 5)
             They really missed having 'one on one' serious conversations. The problems encoun...