Even in a gleefully negative comic there is optimism although it's slightly hidden: It comes out through a comic character's sheer tenacity. He keeps going and trying to find some sort of fulfillment regardless of his perpetual failure record. That's a form of hope a form of optimism. Really hokey I know but it's true.
When you're rich and famous you are the dominant force in a relationship even if you try hard not to be. I've talked of sacrificing everything for Fleetwood Mac but I realize now that it is simply the only thing I've ever wanted to do.