Character Relationship Map: Cathy

Characters

• Cathy (played by Kathleen Wilhoite) — protagonist

  Cathy Andrews is an unmarried woman who hopes to build a career and find a sensitive, nurturing, sexy partner. Though she presents single life as appealing, she envies her engaged friends. Her casual...

• Irving (played by Rob Paulsen) — protagonist

  Irving is Cathy's casual romantic partner. Cathy discovers him entertaining Brenda at his apartment, and details in his refrigerator lead her to realize the affair has lasted for weeks. He later calls...

• Andrea (played by Allison Argo) — supporting

  Andrea is Cathy's friend and helps her try to move on from Irving. She takes Cathy out to look for another man and later accompanies her when a blind date arrives. When the man jokes about having two...

• Mom (played by Shirley Mitchell) — supporting

  Cathy's mother is concerned about her relationship with Irving and advises Cathy to stay in her apartment and wait for his call, rather than go out looking for someone else. Cathy also tries to justif...

• Brenda (played by Desiree Goyette) — supporting

  Brenda is the woman Cathy finds at Irving's apartment when she visits one Saturday night. She and Cathy both storm out after discovering the situation, although Cathy later returns to hear Irving's ex...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Irving → Brenda (Romantic Affair Partners) — Irving has been seeing Brenda while involved with Cathy.

  Cathy finds Irving entertaining Brenda at his apartment, and later realizes from the food in his refrigerator that their involvement has lasted for we...

• Cathy → Mom (Family Mother And Daughter) — Cathy's mother expresses opinions about her relationship and what she should do after the breakup.

  Cathy justifies her casual relationship with Irving to her mother. Her mother insists Cathy stay in the apartment and wait for Irving to call.

• Cathy → Irving (Casual Romantic Partner) — Their casual relationship is strained when Cathy discovers Irving has been seeing Brenda.

  Cathy describes her relationship with Irving as casual. She visits his apartment and later tells him to meet her at the awards ceremony.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Cathy → Brenda (Conflict Rivals In A Love Triangle) — Their connection arises from discovering they are both involved with Irving.

  Cathy arrives at Irving's apartment and finds him with Brenda; both women leave after confronting the situation.

• Cathy → Andrea (Social Friend) — Andrea supports Cathy as she tries to move on from Irving.

  Andrea takes Cathy out to look for another man after Cathy discovers Irving's affair.

Story Analysis

Cathy balances career ambitions and hopes for romance while facing Irving's affair and deciding how to respond.

Plot Progression

1. Ambition and Unease — Cathy dreams of a fulfilling career and an ideal relationship, while feeling envious of her engaged friends. She defends her casual relationship with Irving to her mother.
2. The Affair Revealed — Cathy is disappointed that Irving will not attend her awards ceremony. At his apartment, she discovers Brenda and then realizes from the refrigerator that the affair has continued for weeks.
3. Searching for a New Start — Andrea takes Cathy out to look for another man, while Cathy's mother urges her to wait for Irving. Cathy finds no message from him and turns unsuccessfully to personal ads before accepting a blind dat...
4. An Awkward Date and Reunion — Andrea uses mace to drive away Cathy's blind date after he jokes about seeing both women. Irving later calls about his possessions, and Cathy directs him to the awards ceremony, where she wins employe...