I really don't understand how anybody can have a positive impression of Yoko after this. Sure, Linda and Maureen were also there, but they weren't on sitting next to their man the entire time, particularly when it came time to write. They withdrew to the control room or elsewhere, whereas Yoko never moved away from John. I don't know how she survived when it was time for a potty break! That must've been when John and Paul were able to have a discussion in the break room. I'm not sure how many of you have been in a band situation before, but when it comes time to write and rehearse, the band needs to be focused. And when George left, she sure was ready to step in wasn't she? Shouting into the microphone and all that...how annoying. Loved it when Linda's daughter one-upped her later by doing the same thing, only somehow sounding better as a 6 year old.
The overarching impression I get (from this snapshot of 3 weeks) is that Paul had to carry the load because John was (1) out of it, and (2) distracted by Yoko. Even Paul says if it comes time to choose between the Beatles and Yoko, John will choose Yoko. So yes, he is domineering at the expense of George, who doesn't help himself by being the youngest and most timid. Instead of speaking up for himself, George simply avoided conflict and withdrew. We all know people like that and many of us are probably the same way. But Paul did that in order to keep John's focus, and to keep him involved. I'm sure Paul looks at this now and thinks he could've done a better job being receptive to George, but he is also just in his mid-20s here, subject to the judgment of a person that age, and really has a lot on his plate in trying to preserve The Beatles. As their solo work would show, John and Paul were much better together than they were apart, and I think Paul understands this. Remember that it wasn't long after that Paul sang about John taking his lucky break and breaking it in two in Too Many People.
