Originally posted by Teral:
I wouldn't say Leela has bad taste in men as such. When she first met them they all seemed freidnly, nice and charming.
I understand your desire to defend her, but let's be truthful here.
Zapp: the hero of DOOP, 25-star general, etc. I guess he's goodlooking (how would I know), etc. His reputation make him sound like a true defender of what's right.
Had arrested her, was condensending to her, treated her badly, and, as she was ready to storm out, got her in bed by pitty.
Adlai: Her childhood love, tall, handsome, succesfull doctor, defends her agaisnt the other orphans, fulfill her lifelong dream of being normal
You couldn't tell Adlai was trouble? He was boring, non-accepting, and non-trusting. He didn't care about Leela, didn't listen to her, and as far as I can tell, the only reason Leela liked him was that he was cute (and a doctor).
Alkazar: charming, athletic, sensitive, and above all the last surviving male of her speices (or so Leela think)
All right, I'll give you half of this. Alkazar was fine until he got her in bed (95% of men), but turned to crap as soon as Leela and Him hooked up (50% of men). Perhaps she should have got to know him? But, I grant you, being under the belief that you were the last of your race, it is understandable. However, given her other relationships, it doesn't seem unusual.
Sean: Leela don't really see that he has been playing her all along, until Fry say so in WMIBACIL. And he apparently have a "beautiful, creative soul" she fell for.
It is hard to judge this one, because we only know it from comments (has there ever been a determination of when they went out? It always sounded like college to me). But, based on what we have seen of her other relationships and what we have heard, I don't think it was a great one.
Chaz: loyal, dedicated, ambitious, snappy dresser, all thinks Leela admire.
Overly full of himself, and Leela is old enough and experience enough to not be impressed by a mayor's aid. I think you hit on it with the ambitious and snappy dresser. Leela goes with Style first, and then gets surprised when she finds no substance.
And as Venus said, she dumped them all as soon as their real nature showed.
No, she usually got herself in too deep and only seperated when how bad the men were was blatently obvious.
However, that is why Leela and Fry have a chance. She has given their relationship time to grow and to be based on something. Fry has grown in his pursuit of her (cf. Parasites Lost, The Devil's Hands) as has she (The Why of Fry, The Sting). If anything, its the best relationship they have ever had, possibly ever will, given their track records.