"This is an excellent point Bob. I think we are obviously seeing more subtle foreshadowing that may eventually lead to a Marten/Faye relationship or relationship fiasco. I'm guessing that both may eventually be down and require comforting or consoling and then "it just happens". Hard to say and I don't think it'll be for awhile, but the comic the other day seems to strengthen the idea that they are either meant to be together or that they are meant to totally languish apart."
Sorry, but I don't see a Marten/Faye relationship happening anytime soon, if ever. The few times we've seen them alone together lately they just seem awkward together. I don't think post-"The Talk" ended up the way either of them wanted or expected. Sure, Faye knew that Dora would snatch Marten up, but she did ask Dora to promise "not to steal Marty away completely." She obviously expected to continue a significant friendship with him, more than 3rd wheel or roommates who barely see each other. From some conversations with Faye shortly after "The Talk," it would seem Marten also expected something more than what they have now. But aside from working at the library and band practice (what has Deathmole been up to?), Dora has monopolized Marten's time. This obviously bothers Faye a lot, and is probably what drove her to jump Sven. But she's witnessed Dora's overreaction on a few occasions so she's decided to just deal with the situation as is for fear of upsetting the apple cart. I don't think Faye is over Marten. However, losing Marten was a big step in self-improvement for her, so I don't see her acting on any feelings. Plus she has feelings for Sven at the moment as well. Marten probably misses hanging out with Faye, but he's over her. So sorry, but I think the Marten/Faye ship has sailed.
That being said, Marten isn't the right guy for Dora. The girl obviously has some issues and they keep coming up. She's either unwilling or unable to work on them. When she said her insecurities came from being overshadowed by Sven and having girls use her to get to him, I think she was only telling half the truth. In a really early strip, Sven took Dora out to lunch and Dora talked about how she liked Marten but he and Faye had mutual feelings. Sven said something to the extent of "that hasn't stopped you before." Dora has probably hooked up with or tried to hook up with a guy who was in another courtship/relationship at least once before, and she probably had it blow up in her face. She expected she had a boyfriend, but he went back to the other girl or got upset with her for ruining what he had with someone else. Or she learned that if he cheats on someone else with you, he'll probably cheat on you, too. This kept her from acting on her feelings for Marten until "The Talk," but she's still carried her preconceptions over to her relationship with Marten. Dora needs a guy who is into her from the get-go, and that's not Marten. If Jeph ever introduces such a guy, that might be the catalyst needed to break them up. I don't think Dora would dump Marten and pick up with someone else right away, but meeting someone like that might make her realize that the situation she's in with Marten isn't good for her. Then we might actually get some Dora character development, hoorah!
