Home Movies Theory

[randomguy]

Hey everyone, watching some old HM episodes, I've developed a theory, and I'd like to see what you all think. And this does NOT, I repeat, does NOT pertain to Josie. So no blender jokes....

...That being said, I was checking out Spectre's Home Movies site, and he lists the plot of this weekend's Home Movies. It's summed up in one line: "McGuirk feels threatened by Andrew". Andrew, for those who don't remember, is Brendan's dad. This gave birth to a little theory of mine: If you watch closely, I think it becomes clear the McGuirk is Brendan's father figure. Think about it. Take, for instance, "Identifying a Body", in which Brendan is the only kid who goes to...errr...identify a body with McGuirk. They sit on his car, look at stars, and ponder life, in a somewhat deep way. Or "History", where McGuirk, despite screwing it up, makes an honest attempt to help Brendan and is saddened when he fails. You can see this in any episode where he gives Brendan advice, which is most all of them. Another good example of McGuirk's obvious affection for Brendan is when McGuirk asks him to go to Cancun with him (Discount rate or not, I didn't see him asking Melissa or anything) Or my personal favorite, their brief conversation at the end of "Class Trip" They have a short, ackward little exchange which is highly reminiscent of many a stilted father-son dialogue. Brendan seems to return and appreciate his attention most all of the time as well. Anyway, I was just wondering what everyone here thinks of this. Why do they get along so well? How is it that they relate? What does this mean in future stories? Etc., Etc.... just curious.

[hello_lola]

Um, duh! J/K :p . The cool thing about McGuirk is that he feels a responsibility to guide Brendan, unfortunately, he himself has no idea what he's doing. Brendan is obviously smarter than McGuirk, but since he's just a kid, with no male role-model, he is easily led astray by McGuirk's well-meaning, but completely awful, advice. Personally, I'd rather have McGuirk than Andrew for a dad.

[ccffan01]

Interesting piece of writing there.

[Shnay]

Originally posted by randomguy
Brendan seems to return and appreciate his attention most all of the time as well.

I pretty much see it as the othe way around. I think it is Brendan who is desperately seeking the attention of McGuirk, and it is McGuirk who seems to "return and appreciate [Brendan's] attention." I think McGuirk is a genuienly good person, despite his many, many flaws, and sees something special in Brendan.

I say that Brendan is "desperately" seeking guidance for a few reasons. I think there are several occassions in which we see that Brendan has a lot of insecurties, and that he also (despite making light of it) is troubled by his home situation. Now, maybe I'm over-analyzing like the "It's in your best intrest to..." therapist, but I think it's clear that Brendan is a kid who needs, and wants, guidance from someone.

McGuirk, in his position as a sports coach, is the best person Brendan knows to fill the position of a strong male figure (his dad just showed up, so I'm not counting him here). And, while he may not know about American history, he provides Brendan with what he needs, which is just a "dad" figure to talk to.

I think the special relationship that they have developed can be seen on lots of occassions (many of which randomguy mentioned). I think the most interesting one is when they go camping (they went camping...talk about "father/son activities"). The discussions that McGuirk has with Brendan are much different than anything he says to the other kids.

The two, with their odd and unique situations, have formed a bond, and each of them provides something of use to the other. McGuirk provides a father figure and Brendan makes McGuirk feel like his life means something more than being a single, drunk "soccer coach at the elementary school level."

[Jake]

I like randomguy's theory, but I can think of one episode it contradicts with, the one where McGuirk singles Brendan out, accusses him of doing drugs, and makes him clean up Mr. Freckles' crap.

[Allen's Nickname.]

I like randomguy's theory, but I can think of one episode it contradicts with, the one where McGuirk singles Brendan out, accusses him of doing drugs, and makes him clean up Mr. Freckles' crap.

Just like a real Father-Son Relationship.

[Zorakfan]

*revs blender*

..Damn, wrong thread/week.

[Spooky05]

that theory holds up quite well compared to some others i've heard including..umm..well, i'm not going to mention it here. :rolleyes:

i can understand the entire gist of finding a father figure in the absence of the real father, because thats how i grew up. i don't know him (my real father) at all. never heard from him, never got child support, nothing. so, from my point of view, this theory is very plausible.

i wonder why i never had a soccor coach father figure..oh yeah..i refused to participate in physical activities. well, that explains alot. :p

[randomguy]

Well, I guess "Pizza Club" pretty much validated everything. I mean, the McGuirk/Andrew conflict certainly lended some light to the whole issue. I especially liked something I think some people might miss: Brendan's movie was about a child learning to share two fathers, and in the end, McGuirk joined Andrew and Brendan in their pizza club tradition. I think that, more or less, confirmed everything.

[spectre316]

I'm with randomguy on his theory. I've always thought the same thing, and since "Pizza Club" has shown main aspects of the problem, I'm pretty sure his theory and my believing of it are correct.

[SSJ_Gogeta]

I Agree with ya...

(adds nothing to conversation & runs away)

[isaackelley]

McGuirk is clearly Brendon's Horrible Father figure. McGuirk desperately needs Brendon. McGuirk is a friendless, couthless, idiot. His relationship with Brendon is the only thing he has in his life to indicate that his life has any value at all.
Now, with Brendon's actual father back in his life, McGuirk is in a dangerous and threatened position. Brendon doens't have the same need for a male role model, and who would have McGuirk as a role model if they had any other options available. I fear McGuirk has a rocky road ahead of him.

I love John McGuirk.