My head is saying "I think the thing Sandy's trying to do here is called countersignalling - she's trying to call attention to how solid things are between her and Mike by acting in a manner that would go horribly wrong if they weren't. But things aren't solid, and Mike isn't being silent because he's lovestruck like he was in Model Girlfriend; he's being silent because he despairs of getting what he wants or needs out of this relationship. So Sandy doing this is arguably both weirdly sweet and quite tragic."
But my heart is saying "f!@# it, these two deserve each other."
two girls, similar but different, not quite as they seem.......
been playing around with more human designs for some girlies from @bittersweetcandybowl
Pieces have been falling into place for a long time now, but I feel like I can put something coherent together about it skjdnjkf
And I want to reassure all Sandy fans - this is NOT a bash-fest! It’s more a character-moment-analysis, which isn’t always flattering, but I will bring up good points too!
While reading the updated chapters of BCB, one sequence caught my eye in Unfulfilled Fantasy Part 2:
As a casual reader, it’s cute that Sandy first spoke to Mike while he was doodling a picture of her. She even brings it up and compliments how good he is at drawing!
But as a narrative artist, it’s interesting... that she noticed his drawing on his perfect A+ assignment.
What follows is her reaching out to him more, sharing lunch, and complimenting his hard work and high grades. She laments that her own grades aren’t nearly as high - and Mike jumps at the chance to help her study. Thus begins a sweet, genuine friendship!
(Unfulfilled Fantasy Part 3)
Now, of course, this DOES paint Sandy in a manipulative light - after all, she WAS best friends with Daisy (who also used to help Sandy with her studies) before Mike became relevant. And what happened there?
(Pillow Talk)
(Model Girlfriend)
Looks like Daisy became less important to Sandy than vice-versa. Owch!
Does that mean Sandy is a flighty friend who only pursues those who help her achieve her own goals, and once their purpose is done, they get dropped like a hot potato?
Well, possibly - but I don’t think it’s the entirety of Sandy’s personality, nor is it entirely her fault, per se.
(To The Top)
We only see this “you must succeed” side of Sandy’s mother after she has moved away and grown a little older. Even so, that doesn’t necessarily mean (as of this post) that her parents changed. It’s reasonable to consider the possibility that, because of her parents’ pressure to become successful, Sandy has always had a drive to win.
After all, we’ve seen how badly she handles “losing”, which can include everything from lower grades and losing a single life in an arcade game, to unsatisfactory photos and playful foot races with her boyfriend...
(To The Top) (Time Out)
(Model Girlfriend)
(Model Girlfriend)
I mean, certainly, we’ve all felt embarrassed about underperforming - but Sandy takes it quite personally. The pressure of this model life seems to preoccupy her, even while talking with Mike on the phone about missing him, wanting to go back to the good old days. As he’s sympathizing with her and promising lighthearted plans, her attention goes back to the fashion magazine.
(To The Top)
Now, THIS moment here is NOT a dig at Sandy not paying enough attention to her long distance boyfriend! Multi-tasking while on the phone is very commonplace! What’s interesting is that, while listening to Mike offer ideyas for a visit and all the simple joys of life they can indulge in... Sandy visibly reaches back to the fashion magazine. The thing that takes up so much of her time and energy.
It’s important to her.
And when she becomes successful, she’s practically glowing!
(Model Girlfriend)
She’s good at modelling! She excels so much that people are asking her for help! Sandy doesn’t have to ask anyone to help her be a better model! Certainly there is a huge team involved behind photo shoots and fashion shows, but in terms of being a model-in-demand, it all comes from Sandy herself. In her own words, “I’ve got it!”
So, Sandy has found something she can do on her own without relying on anyone else directly to teach her how. This part of her life that is so important to her comes to her naturally! What a thrill for a teenager to discover and embrace about herself! Her confidence is through the roof! What could possibly happen to suggest that anything about her life is less-than-perfect?
(Boy Toy)
Well... maybe she’s embracing her blossoming career too much. Or, perhaps she doesn’t know how to balance work with relationships - no one’s perfect, right?
But Sandy has to be.
So when she realizes something’s seriously wrong with a big part of her perfect life - say, paying attention to Mike - she DOES try to make it right!
(Class of 2008)
(Model Girlfriend)
(Witch Hunt)
Then... why so many unanswered texts? Why the inconsistent calls? If Mike is important to her, why does he feel more and more like he’s being left behind (even if he never openly admits it unless it’s a pencil-sketched nightmare)?
(Dial Tone)
Has he lost relevance to Sandy, as he fears? Has Sandy grown so much into her life away from Mike, her life as a model, that she has in fact outgrown him?
(Model Girlfriend)
Maybe.
(Witch Hunt)
And if that’s true - if Sandy has realized this during her last in-person visit, it explains why she hasn’t cut ties with Mike. Why she’s reluctant to address their situation.
Why she lets this go on, even if Mike tells her he needs her, because with enough time, he’ll backtrack and insist that everything’s fine, and that’s all she needs to keep this going.
Why perhaps, just like Mike, she doesn’t want to admit it. It’s because...
