Flow of Madness

This is my analysis and interpretation of the relationship that existed between Sid and Cassie. 

Sid and Cassie are a strange couple in many ways. Sid is an extremely passive teenage boy who does not understand subtle hints. Cassie is this seemingly happy yet contradictory character who craves for an unconditional love yet wants to leave most of the time. Together these two characters are thrown together by Tony’s insisstence that Sid loses his virginity. From there a love story begins between two lost souls who never seem to be on the same page. 

In the beginning Cassie was meant to be the one to deflower Sid. That was her role and her function. People often ask what is it that drew Cassie to Sid. My interpretation of events is as follows. Cassie started to genuinely adore Sid in the first episode and then it grew into a full blown crush in the second episode. I think that Cassie sees how kind and harmless Sid is. I also think she enjoys Sid’s simplicity. He does not think too much or over think. He does not get bogged down by things and he lets life passively happen to him. He may have a sarcastic or self deprecating comment or several, but he never asks questions. He just allows life to go. I think Cassie who is someone who has a hard time with that side of life enjoys that. I also think that Cassie is someone who craves attention and love. The way that Sid is obsessed with Michelle ignites the longing for someone to have that same obsession with her. So I definitely think that there is a part of Cassie that liked wanting something destructive. 

Sid of course is so wrapped up and busy with his feelings for Michelle that at first he does not fully notice Cassie. When Cassie tries to commit suicide after Sid deserts her on their date to chase after Michelle and play Tony’s game. Sid feels bad but does not fully understand why this happened or why it has to do with him. This feeling is unsettling. It is not until Maxxie shows him the drawing he drew of Cassie that Sid starts to see Cassie in a different light. 

With a new found attraction and excitement over Cassie. Sid’s feelings shift so much that when Michelle starts to give Sid what he’s been dreaming of for years he stops her. Claiming that they both want and miss other people. Solidifying the strong feelings he is developing over Cassie. While helping Tony look for Effy he swears he keeps seeing Cassie. Finally Sid catches up with her and they share a kiss only to be interrupted by Michelle worried about Tony. Sid decides he needs to find Tony leaving Cassie alone at the diner. This is a major hurt and sore spot for Cassie. She has been ignored by her parents for years and never seems to be top priority for anyone. Sid leaving on Michelle’s advice is a sore spot for Cassie. 

After this moment Sid decides to fight for Cassie and wants to give her a message before she goes off to Scotland to regain her mental health. This is the first time we see Sid actually participating in life instead of reacting to it. He goes off on a search for Cassie. He never finds her though. He always seems to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Never catching her. Finally with the help of Tony they meet on the bench and decide to give it a go. 

Sid finally lost his virginity and finally has a girlfriend. Only she is in Scotland. The distance and Sid’s lack of confidence encourages Sid to believe that Cassie is cheating on him. He immediately starts in on himself and it does not cross his mind for a second that it could be a misunderstanding. He decides that Cassie cheated and that he is a worthless piece of shit for thinking that a girl would be faithful to him. He confronts her and never allows her to explain herself, because that has to be the only explanation. Cassie reacts to Sid’s accusation defensively. After Sid’s dad dies there is a shot of Sid going up to Scotland and Cassie on a train south. Again signifying that they are not on the same page. Things are not working. 

Loneliness then drives Sid to sleep with Michelle. Cassie finds out about them and she reacts badly. Showing the spiteful and bitter side to her personality. Both Sid and Cassie never communicate about their hurt yet draw conclusions about what happened based on their insecurities. Cassie assumes that Sid sleeps with Michelle, because he still has feelings for her and that he holds Michelle as more important. Sid assumes that Cassie cheated on him due to the fact he is a loser. Both of them refuse to talk about things and they go many months carrying on without that communication. Sid still with Michelle and Cassie acting out spitefully. 

Both of them are hurt and feel betrayed. It is not until Effy intervenes that Sid decides to confront Cassie about everything. He goes over and they have a quick conversation about how they both feel before having make up sex. Though they do admit to caring about one another and they do admit to feeling hurt. They never truly communicate about things. Sid being the clueless guy he is makes comments about Michelle and also forces Michelle on Cassie instead of realizing that Cassie may need time. May need gestures on Sid’s part to work past things. Cassie also has this cynical side that has surfaced and she more than ever has this desire to flee. When Chris died Cassie actually does flee and goes to New York City. 

Sid again being passive misses and is disappointed by Cassie’s departure. However he does not fight for Cassie until Tony forces him too. 

This is why Sid and Cassie are a beautiful couple that just simply never worked. They are both insecure and the feelings that they have for one another do not have a foundation to stand on. They are always on the wrong page. Even in the last scene Sid and Cassie are so close, but Sid is walking the wrong way. 

Cassie running off to New York City was probably the best thing to happen to the relationship. It gave time and space to Cassie to deal with her feelings and create some separation. Sid though still needs to grow up and figure things out in order for their relationship to work. 

Sid and Cassie are both lovely characters with good hearts and good intentions who are stalled by broken self concepts.