Character Analysis
More than a Meathead
Andrew (Emilio Estevez) is a stereotypical jock. But, as you're probably expecting at this point, he's not just some broad caricature of a meathead. Like everyone else in this movie, he possesses hidden emotional depths. No one's really a stereotype on the inside—they just act like stereotypes all the time on the outside.
But, at first, he conforms to all the stereotypes about him. He assumes that Bender is a "nothing," someone who "doesn't count." When Bender harasses Claire, Andrew sticks up for her and almost fights Bender—who pulls a knife on him. Technically, this is kind of chivalrous, but it feels like Andrew's just following what his persona demands. He's not actually a defender of the weak. As revealed later on, the whole reason he's in detention is because of a vicious act of bullying, performed to impress his friends and his Dad:
ANDREW: […] And my friends, they just laughed and cheered me on. And, afterwards, when I was sittin' in Vernon's office, all I could think about was Larry's father. And Larry havin' to go home and… and explain what happened to him. And the humiliation… f***ing humiliation he must've felt. It must've been unreal… I mean, I mean, how do you apologize for something like that? There's no way… it's all because of me and my old man. Oh, God, I f***ing hate him! He's like this… he's like this mindless machine that I can't even relate to anymore. "Andrew, you've got to be number one! I won't tolerate any losers in this family…. Your intensity is for s***! Win. Win! Win!!" You son of a b****! You know, sometimes, I wish my knee would give… and I wouldn't be able to wrestle anymore. And he could forget all about me.
Whoa. Is this the Breakfast Club or the Daddy Issues Club?
What About the Morning After?
So, Andrew discovers his emotional and empathetic core and learns that all the other characters have issues with their parents too. Unfortunately, he had to tear the skin off some kid's butt to do it. At this point, we're supposed to think he's not that bad. He's growing and revealing things about himself. He's not a total jerk.
To the end, Andrew gets together with Allison, the Weird Girl. But in order for this to happen, Allison has to receive a makeover from Claire so she looks more "normal" and befitting a guy like Andrew. It's probably the most controversial part of the movie, since, even though the movie argues against giving into other people's conceptions about you, Allison has to change in order to win Andrew over. A lot of people found that pretty lame.
In summary, Andrew overcomes his self-conception as an arrogant jock by bullying a kid, crying about it with a group of friends, and finally getting together with Allison Reynolds. Yet his future remains to be seen. Will he still be as tolerant and kind toward Brian and the other physics club kids when he gets back to school? Will he stick with Allison? These questions are yet to be answered.
Andrew Clark's Timeline