After five weeks of dating, Stephen proposed to Phoebe. Robertson thought the proposal was too fast, especially as Phoebe was not interested in Stephen at first and was still hung up on Todd. Daddo found Stephen's eagerness to settle down with Phoebe strange. He told McGowan ("TV Week") that Stephen views marriage as a "important institution" and Phoebe is "the right person" for him. Stephen also views Phoebe's reluctance to date him as a "challenge". Daddo believed Stephen had old-fashioned views about marriage and explained that Stephen was instantly attracted to her. A BBC Online writer explained that "Stephen's hippy upbringing made him yearn for a traditional life and he saw in Phoebe, pregnant as she was, a ready-made family."