I see the character of Andie McPhee as one of the most complicated characters on Dawson’s Creek, who evolved from serving as a new sparring partner and eventual love interest for Pacey Witter, to becoming a person who had to struggle with issues that the average teenager usually doesn’t have to face.
Andie McPhee is a self described "people pleaser" and perfectionist whose infectious enthusiasm differs drastically from all the other main characters on the show, who seem to want to demonstrate their "maturity" by making sarcastic and sardonic comments in practically every conversation they have. This was clearly demonstrated when Andie tried to convince the rest of the "gang" to go to the school dance. Behind this outward façade of cheerfulness, however, is a young woman with some very serious problems. Behind Andie’s pursuit of perfection lies a deep seated sense of insecurity that manifested itself more and more as the season progressed.
Andie McPhee brought love and loyalty into the life of Pacey Witter, as their initial sparring eventually evolved into a loving and caring relationship. Even the teasing that Andie and Pacey traded back and forth masked a mutually warm affection between these two characters that was a delight to watch. Andie has a great capacity for love and understanding, and this helped Pacey develop qualities in himself that were always there, but he had never had the chance to show anyone. Andie convinced Pacey that he could accomplish more than he himself believed he could accomplish, and she was the first person in Pacey’s life that really believed in him. Pacey managed to turn his life around, confident in the love of Andie, and I, for one, found that to be a wonderful development. At the core of Andie’s being, however, is a terrible tragedy and sense of loss which has hurt her to her very soul, that tragedy being her brother’s untimely death. Andie has had to witness the mental deterioration of not only her mother due to this death, but eventually, Andie herself succumbs to a similar mental breakdown as well. Andie had a very naïve view of life in many ways, and she had relied on her father to protect her, but once her father abandoned their family, she clung on to the hope that they would all be reunited again, unlike Jack, who recognized that their father’s loss was permanent. Andie is a young woman who tries to cope with her deteriorating mental health as best she can, and who tried to remain optimistic as long as she could, but eventually harsh reality flooded in on her, and even the love of Pacey and Jack could not save her from herself.
I hope that the character of Andie McPhee returns next season having recovered from her breakdown, and that she will be reunited with Pacey, but more importantly, like the rest of the characters, I would like to see her character be further developed, and for the show to focus on each character, so we could better understand who they are.
Best
viewed with 800 x 600 or higher
Web space provided by GeoCities
E-mail: ImaCreeker@hotmail.com
ICQ: 30094017
Site design © Shannon 1999
aka iluvJoshJackson