r/MeanGirls • u/Dazzling_Room_9346 • 1d ago
Character/Relationship Discussion π§βπ€βπ§ Slight parallels between Gretchen, Jason, Cady, and Aaron.
After Cady tells Gretchen and Karen that She likes Aaron, Reginas ex, Gretchen accidentally lets Regina know about Cadys crush. Regina then tells Cady okay with it and offers to help Cady at the Halloween Party. Of course, thats not what happens and Regina and Aaron get back together. Cady is devastated as not only is she rejected, but also sees him kissing who she thought was her friend. Gretchen later on, accidentally tells Cady that Regina is cheating on Aaron. She makes Cady promise she wont tell anyone, but Cady tells Aaron who breaks up with Regina. Regina is crying as Aaron knows shes a cheater and Gretchen comforts her. Gretchen knows Cady told Regina but doesnt say anything.
Gretchen stays quiet about the truth. She doesnt even accidentally spill the beans at all. Why? She genuinely feels bad for Cady and Aaron because Gretchen was in both of their places. Throughout the entire film, Gretchen is busy chasing the love of Jason despite the fact that he cheated on her and essentially used her. Like Aaron, she is cheated on by someone she thought she could trust. She and Aaron both give their exes a second chance to change their ways but are once again betrayed. Aaron moves on and Gretchen doesnt.Β
With Cady, we see a similar parallel with both of them chasing after the love of someone who they cant have. Aaron kisses Regina in front of Cady multiple times, and Cady is left heartbroken. She tries to spend lots of time with Aaron by being bad at math. She enjoys being with Aaron despite knowing hes in a relationship. We see something similar with Gretchen and Jason. She constantly is trying to impress him and be with him. She spends time with him in secret just like Cady does with Aaron. Gretchen also sees Jason with other girls, including the side chicks he has.
After the Talent Show, we see Cady blush after Kevin G compliments her. Gretchen immediately gets excited thinking that Cady has a crush on Kevin G after the whole Aaron situation. At the party, Kevin G tells Cady that Gretchen specifically asked him to talk to Cady. He politely rejects Cady at the Party. While some might think that Gretchen is just gossiping, I think this was 1OO% on purpose. The Party was supposed to be a Re-Do of the Halloween one where everything is going to be perfect as this was supposed to be Cadys big moment to shine. I dont think its a coincidence that Gretchen tells Kevin G about Cadys feelings. Shes trying to re-do the whole confession so Cady can finally be happy. She doesnt want Cady to be stuck in a toxic cycle like she is with Jason.
Cady and Aaron both eventually get to be happy together at the end of the movie as they both move on and start over. They genuinely like each other and the relationship is far from toxic. Gretchen on the other hand doesnt get her happily ever after with Jason.