One thing I never understood in the Ian McKellan episode…
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Extras
RetroActionMovieFan — 10 years ago(January 23, 2016 05:55 AM)
Andy is desperate to be a serious actor, will do anything to achieve it, even self humiliation, loss of friendships. Will put himself in any scenario if it means he may have a chance at climbing a little way up the showbiz ladder. He gets a chance at a serious play directed by Ian McKellan. Everything he wanted and his real big chance at a serious acting career.
Why does he care what four guys he hasn't seen since his school days think of him? Why would he willingly sacrifice everything that is important to him to save face in front of four guys he couldn't care less about.
I just never got that. -
drakeyequation — 10 years ago(March 29, 2016 10:21 AM)
Andy didn't have what it took to become a serious actor. It was one of the rare moments where his agent was bang on the money for a change. Darren advised Andy that taking a gay role would show a different side to him and demonstrate his versatility as an actor, but Andy ultimately wasn't able to put aside his insecurities for the sake of theatre.
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HarveyManfredSinJohn — 9 years ago(September 01, 2016 07:30 PM)
Yes, Darren actually came up with the goods for once; a role in a new play by Sir Ian McKellen is a pretty big deal and if he'd done a good job, it would have opened up tons of opportunities for Andy. But he was completely ungrateful from the start, and for once none of the blame could be landed on his agent.
Clinton/Kaine 2016 -
HarveyManfredSinJohn — 9 years ago(September 01, 2016 07:27 PM)
It just demonstrates that Andy isn't as high-minded and principled about his integrity as an actor as he likes to think he is.
For all his whining about artistic integrity, it appears all Andy really wants is the approval of others, including a bunch of bigoted numbskulls from highschool. Perhaps his thirst for approval and validation dates back to that very highschool peer pressure and desperation to fit in with the 'cool kids'.
It's an interesting development because in most other episodes we're almost led to feel sorry for Andy and believe he is some type of hapless comic-Kafkaesque character who's being constantly hard done by, and yet there are various hints throughout the entire series that he's as capable of selfishness and pettiness as anyone else, and of course his insecurity and desire for respect has always been his Archilles Heel.
Clinton/Kaine 2016