No, they call me Christian at my office. There's like a bunch of Chrises in my office, so me being Christian is pretty helpful actually. That wasn't a direct quote in my status. But a lot of friends and family call me Chris, it's not something I have a problem going with.
Hey Chris, you suck. Your Cubs suck too.
Nope. The Cubs are the best and they won the World Series and it was like the best night of my life and I love them.
Anyway, I haven't watched the episoe yet.
Nailed it.
This episode was half written by Danielle Fishel and right out of the gate I'm impressed. The writers for this show seem pretty feast or famine, either they GET IT or they know even less than Jon Snow. It's Riley and Maya hanging out, singing the closing theme to some show on Netflix and they're about to watch episode a billion of the series. WAS THAT SO HARD? WAS THAT THE HARDEST THING YOU'VE EVER DONE? THAT'S ALL I EVER ASKED FOR. SUDDENLY THEY'RE REAL PEOPLE. If you had asked me yesterday, I would have said it was impossible to do anything other than fucking soul searching in the Bay Window. But they're just watching Netflix! I'm so happy.
Riley decides to defy her mother for the first time since the Reagan administration by watching more episodes of Red Planet Diaries instead of helping at the bakery. I'm glad this episode exists because we get to see what Danielle thinks Topanga is supposed to be, what she thinks her own character's place and power are. And she impresses me right away by having Riley dismiss her mother's power. Pretty much everyone who writes or comments on this blog has expressed distaste for Topanga's godlike power and influence in this show, and immediately Danielle dismisses that power by having Riley dismiss it. Excellent.
Cory is having a breakdown about it, but that shouldn't surprise anyone. It's not my favorite quality of Cory's, but that's who he has always been.
Aw, that's not fair. Maybe Ashmawey contributed a lot. Maybe Danielle's contribution was just "I want to do an episode where Topanga's a main character and maybe she and Riley get in a fight." and Ashmawey took the ball and ran with it.
They give Sarah an extremely rare line where she sort of breaks the fourth wall. It's a cute joke, I'm sure she had fun with it, so that's good enough.
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| Pictured: Real time footage |
Auggie sucks, nobody cares.
The dialogue gets a little too on-the-nose about its self awareness here as Riley describes the difference between real life and television. I'll blame Ashmawey for that. Sorry bro, shoulda known what you were getting into.
Oh come on, Boy Meets World did that too. "But that was a TV show, this is real life." "Trust me, it's the same thing." "But TV can combine many days in one 30 minute show." "Trust me, it's the same thing." That could easily be Danielle. I DON'T LIKE YOU USING ASHMAWEY AS A SCAPEGOAT, SEAN.
Oh come on, Boy Meets World did that too. "But that was a TV show, this is real life." "Trust me, it's the same thing." "But TV can combine many days in one 30 minute show." "Trust me, it's the same thing." That could easily be Danielle. I DON'T LIKE YOU USING ASHMAWEY AS A SCAPEGOAT, SEAN.
Topanga's pissed, but Riley stands her ground for probably the first time ever. I still hate Auggie, but his seizing the moment to gain favor with his mother is eerily reminiscent of when my own older sister got in trouble. Too real, can't handle.
Danielle also directed this episode, and as I've said many times I don't know dick about directing, but one moment here definitely caught my eye. Rowan is taller than Danielle. The fact that I didn't know that speaks to the way their scenes together are usually shot. That's been true for a while. In Season 1 they were the same height and in Minkus' first episode, Topanga comments on it as a point of pride for Riley. HOWEVER! For seemingly no reason, the shot switches to a zoomed out camera. Like, it's MID SENTENCE that they do this, and the only possible reason is to MAKE SURE WE KNOW that Riley is taller than her mother now.
Riley's defense in this story is that she's growing up mentally, and Danielle uses this shot to complement that by showing how she's grown up physically. Pretty much every shot here makes sure we notice that Riley is taller. They could have had Riley sitting down for this, which I imagine is why almost every scene with these two is at the dinner table, so I think Danielle definitely wanted to reinforce the height difference in this scene. It really adds a lot to this struggle of a parent trying to scold their child, when that child is larger than them. Our default is to side with the parent, but the framing makes us wonder if maybe Riley is too old for this bullshit. Very well done.
Eh, I think you may be over-reading that. Again, it's a fact been true for most of the series, and Riley's height is well known and has been remarked upon. Riley's never really been shorter than her, she was the same height by like episode 7.
Eh, I think you may be over-reading that. Again, it's a fact been true for most of the series, and Riley's height is well known and has been remarked upon. Riley's never really been shorter than her, she was the same height by like episode 7.
I'm PRETTY SURE... Like, 99% sure... That I have been saying for YEARS that we need to see Riley get in trouble, and now here it is and it's one of the best executed scenes all season. You might almost think that I know what I'm talking about.
In class, Lucas doesn't have much to say except reminding us that he brought s'mores to the finale viewing party. Danielle clearly understands what version of Lucas works. She's really knocking this out of the park so far. Unlike the Cubs, who suck. What city in Florida do you live closest by? I want to know who to mock.
Cory's discussion about diplomatic surrender compels Riley to take that route with her mother. This is the example I always go to, but in Me And Mr. Joad, Turner doesn't give a shit about shit, he's just trying to teach a book to some kids, and then Shawn and Cory run away with the idea. I really wish that could have happened here, but it's hard to imagine Cory not tailoring this lesson to his daughter's situation.
I think this battle scene between Riley and Topanga strikes a really good balance. I find myself identifying with Riley (interesting, I've been firmly on Team Topanga this whole episode), but I'm sure any parent watching with their kid would identify with Topanga, basically this idea of "You think you deserve something for not being a piece of shit all the time?" But when you're younger, you're thinking "I could so easily be a piece of shit all the time, and you're lucky that I'm not." It's definitely not black and white, and Meets World always thrives in the gray areas. Unless of course this episode ends with Topanga being black-and-white correct, in which case this was all a waste of time and I'll regret saying good things about it.
Here again Danielle uses their height as the basis of the shot. They start out both seated, Topanga goes on the offensive as she stands up, as in the above picture, but then Riley stands up to retaliate and again it zooms out to make sure we see their heights.
Riley decides to take Eric's Stormy Weather route when her parents play the "live under our roof" card, like Alan did all those years ago. Lemme tell you somethin, every kid in America hates that card. I'm really nervous about the resolution of this episode, because young people are identifying pretty hard with Riley in this fight. Every teenager has had this fight their parents, and no one is going to be satisfied with a preachy respect-your-elders resolution.
So Riley takes her seventeen dollars over to Maya's. Is Shawn here? He must be, right? The fact that Shawn lives with Maya now is probably never going to come up, but it's a pretty significant lore point.
This bothers me too. Maya's place is in a shady neighbohood, and is clearly pretty small and crappy. Shawn has a gorgeous home upstate in the country. They should be living there. Maybe he and Katy decided that they will eventually move to Shawn's place, but they don't want to take Maya away from her school and friends in high school and will ride out the next three and a half years and then move upstate. That is what I will pretend.
And yeah, where is Shawn in all this? If he knew what was going on, he would send Riley right the fuck back home. I get you can't use Rider much, but mention him when we're at where he should live.
This bothers me too. Maya's place is in a shady neighbohood, and is clearly pretty small and crappy. Shawn has a gorgeous home upstate in the country. They should be living there. Maybe he and Katy decided that they will eventually move to Shawn's place, but they don't want to take Maya away from her school and friends in high school and will ride out the next three and a half years and then move upstate. That is what I will pretend.
And yeah, where is Shawn in all this? If he knew what was going on, he would send Riley right the fuck back home. I get you can't use Rider much, but mention him when we're at where he should live.
"Riley is my entire reason for being."
Ahahaha, that's fantastic, she doesn't give a shit about Auggie. Oh I love this script, I really do. Even more because the sentiment mirrors the magnificent Uncle Daddy in season 4 of Boy Meets World, "You think he likes yelling at us? ... He doesn't, he hates it."
Auggie's "That's honest." has got to be the funniest thing he's ever said.
Auggie's "That's honest." has got to be the funniest thing he's ever said.
Indeed, both Topanga and Riley want to apologize to the other. That's a relief. Topanga retains her Topanganess while still managing to concede ground, as does Riley. I don't really want Cory to interject his life lesson here, but maybe it's in the contract or something. Wow okay, "The thing human beings are entitled to, is to make a wrong decision every once in a while."
That is a god damn sequel! That is how you make a sequel! That is Cory Matthews passing on his life experience. A lesson from Cory's own heart, from his own life, from the Cory we all know. I can't believe it, I never thought I would see this day. That's all I ever wanted. That's... all I ever wanted...
I do want to note that his full line though is "You know the difference between martians and human beings? The thing human beings are entitled to is making a wrong decision every once in a while." Martians can't mistakes? Says who? That's such a weird statement, and it's said in Cory's serious voice with nice music. Why are we bringing martians into this at all? I get it's because of Red Planet Diaries, but that was just a silly sentiment. That was too clever by half.
During the tag scene, Riley and her friends ever so slightly break the rules of being grounded by singing the Red Planet Diaries theme song together.
And that's perfect, honestly. She's paying the consequences, but they're still teenagers. That's something Michael Jacobs has understood since day god damn one. This is THE. FIRST. TIME. that Riley has felt like a Matthews. She has been a Lawrence since season 1, but today my friends, Riley is a Matthews. She took a stand, learned a lesson, and even though she wasn't necessarily wrong, she is still meeting the world in understanding how things have to work. It's odd that they didn't draw any direct lines from Riley's behavior here to Cory's old penchant for getting in trouble, so it may not have even been deliberate, but it's definitely still there.
What has felt so Lawrence-y about her since Season 1 exactly? I guess I can't think of what defines the Lawrences as a family.
So we had Riley and Maya being real people, Sarah got some lines, the boys were all the goofy versions of themselves that work the best, Riley channeled her Matthews bloodline, she got in trouble like I've wanted since the very beginning, Topanga doesn't care about Auggie, Cory gave us a lesson based on his own life, and we got a classic Meets World gray area resolution to an extremely relatable teenager vs parent fight, in addition to the compelling directorial choices made by Danielle that I talked about. This episode is excellent. It makes me incredibly happy that Danielle understands what makes this universe compelling. The Strong brothers have done a lot of directing, but the only other episode written by a cast member was of course the brilliant Meets Semi Formal by Will Friedle. The actors really get it, man. That's fantastic.
It's two episodes in a row now that I've used the phrase "That's all I ever wanted," and the next episode was written by the legend herself, Mackenzie Yeager, and directed by Ben Savage. Am I actually excited? Is this what excitement feels like?
Hot damn.
I'm not going to say too much in this very delayed review because I suspect most people have moved on from this episode and won't read it. And because I more or less agree with Sean on all fronts. This was a great episode. Sean hit the major points, I kind of chimed in when I wanted.
No way of knowing if this was mainly Danielle with just some input from Ashmawey, a professional, to turn it into a script. Or if this was Danielle had an idea and Ashmawey essentially wrote it himself, Art of the Deal style.
What I have been able to discover is that in 2015 Ibrahim Ashmawey wrote and co-starred in a movie directed by Omar Ashmawey (who appears to be his brother) that starred as as its lead... Danielle Fishel. So, my guess is Danielle had an idea for an episode, but didn't feel like she had the chops to make a whole script out of it, so she approached a writer she had just worked with to collaborate and bing bang boom Girl Meets Her Monster.
Anyway, I'm not going to say anything else beyond.
Episode Rating: A
Episode MVP: Danielle Fishel, naturally, but I really thought Rowan and Ben were great too.
No way of knowing if this was mainly Danielle with just some input from Ashmawey, a professional, to turn it into a script. Or if this was Danielle had an idea and Ashmawey essentially wrote it himself, Art of the Deal style.
What I have been able to discover is that in 2015 Ibrahim Ashmawey wrote and co-starred in a movie directed by Omar Ashmawey (who appears to be his brother) that starred as as its lead... Danielle Fishel. So, my guess is Danielle had an idea for an episode, but didn't feel like she had the chops to make a whole script out of it, so she approached a writer she had just worked with to collaborate and bing bang boom Girl Meets Her Monster.
Anyway, I'm not going to say anything else beyond.
Episode Rating: A
Episode MVP: Danielle Fishel, naturally, but I really thought Rowan and Ben were great too.
Interesting point about Maya living with Shawn now. Would have been funny to see his reaction to Riley saying she lives there now. I'm surprised you didn't say something about the very end where Topanga and Riley sit on opposite sides of the door like Riley and Maya did when Maya had detention.
ReplyDeleteI don't even remember that :S
DeleteI was largely trying to ignore that bit at the end where they're on opposite sides of the door
DeleteI finally saw that bit with the door just a little while ago, on the Saturday re-run. It's probably the most Dinsey-ish thing about this episode.
DeleteBut it's not that bad--seeing as Topanga had twice opened the door to make sure Riley wasn't breaking her grounding rules, it kind of makes sense for her to linger at the door.
Interesting you bring up Shawn, Sean. I didn't even think about him when I saw Maya's apartment.
ReplyDeleteWhile we're talking about height differences: did you notice the height difference between Riley and Maya? Riley's basically Maya's mom.
I never really minded Auggie but holy was he EXTRA annoying here or am I just noticing he's annoying? Yelled half of his lines. I think it's hilarious that the episode where Topanga pretty much doesn't care about Auggie is the one Danielle wrote.
On first watch, Riley seemed a little out of character for me. Why? Because she wasn't a 7 year old here. She was an actual teenager here. Danielle knows Riley doesn't have to be stupid or airheaded all the time.
I have to add: not only did the teens act like teens, the parents acted like parents. Let me first say that Cory was really annoying me during the "peace talk" between Riley and Topanga. It's like *serious line-joke-serious line-joke* with Cory making all the jokes. Really messing up the flow. But when he broke into seriousness "Oh come ON, Riley"--that was good. Cory and Topanga acted like parents.. like Alan & Amy level parents. They weren't being Riley's best friends--they were telling her to her face what's up.
It's really late so I'm gonna stop for now.
You are 100% right about "oh come on riley." I should have written about that line, that is a shining star of Cory being a parent in this series.
DeleteYou're missing the point about Auggie. The joke was that he was trying too hard to kiss Topanga's ass since Riley was in trouble, and he was trying to emphasize to her that she should (according to him) love him more. That's why he was speaking his lines too loud.
DeleteThat was the impression I got too, Anonymous, but while it makes sense in-story for Auggie to kiss up to Topanga, it still doesn't make it that enjoyable to watch. Especially since roughly ninety percent of Topanga's storylines have been about Auggie.
Delete"while it makes sense in-story for Auggie to kiss up to Topanga, it still doesn't make it that enjoyable to watch." this.
DeleteThis one is seriously solid. This is exactly what I pictured when I heard that they were making "Girl Meets World" in the first place.
ReplyDeleteAnd there's some pretty solid continuity. I'm not positive, but I think "Red Planet Diaries" was the show that Riley and Maya wanted to watch when Riley was supposed to be babysitting Auggie in "Girl Meets Brother." So seeing a nod to that, and how the girls are even more obsessed with it, was fun.
Riley's outright defiance was, truthfully, the most realistic "Bad" behavior we've ever seen. Compared to the stuff in "Real World," this is so much better it isn't even funny.
If I had to complain, I'd argue the classroom scenes didn't work very well...mostly because they were in the classroom. Seeing the rest of the class also obsessed with RPD was fun, but it could have worked just as well in the hallways or the cafeteria.
Overall, I'd say this was probably the second best episode of the season, right after "I Do." This isn't perfect, but considering Danielle had been given virtually no foundation of a Riley/Topanga dynamic, this is excellent.
There's more stuff to add, but I just got up a few minutes ago, and I'm hungry.
Yes, it is indeed the same show they watch in Girl Meets Brother. I recognized the theme song right away but I wasn't sure if Sean/Christian would (didn't seem like they did right off the bat)
DeleteNice catch about RPD. That makes it even better!
DeleteWhile we're on the subject of continuity, perhaps Topanga thought she had the right to take Maya's phone because Cory bought it for her in Girl Meets Boy, so they're likely the ones paying for it.
DeleteThat was my thought as well--if Cory and Topanga are the direct, continuous source one of Maya's privileges, they should have the right to take that privilege away as well.
DeleteBesides, given that the girls share classes, it's not like Topanga could tell Riley "No computer, no phone, no Maya for three weeks."
I noticed it, because "Red Planet Diaries" sounds a lot like "Red Shoe Diaries" which was a soft core porn show on HBO in the early '90s hosted by a pre-X Files David Duchovny.
DeleteOh, and about Riley moving in with Maya, and how Shawn is supposed to be there.
ReplyDeleteI'm willing to bet that Shawn and Katy are still on their honeymoon, and that this episode is set very shortly after "I Do."
Riley was needed in the bakery, and there was no sign of Katy. For the last year and a half, we've seen Katy is more than capable of handling the bakery by herself. If Katy isn't in town, then that makes sense for why Topanga needs Riley in the first place.
As for Shawn, if he had been at Maya's house, and had knowledge of the fight, I'd be inclined to believe that he, knowing full well what it's like to run away, would drag Riley home himself.
so if shawn and katy are still at their honeymoon so that means maya is staying at her mums house by herself?
Deletei liked this episode wow riley was so disrespectful to topanga but im glad topanga stood her ground. In boy meets world cory had disagreements with his parents like when amy wanted cory to see other people because topanga moved away, when cory proposed to topanga at their graduation or when cory got his licene and wanted to make adult decisions but alan was scared to let cory grow up.
No, Maya has a grandmother who lives with them, remember? We saw her in World of Terror 1.
DeleteCryptid456-"As for Shawn, if he had been at Maya's house, and had knowledge of the fight, I'd be inclined to believe that he, knowing full well what it's like to run away, would drag Riley home himself."
DeleteWithout a doubt, Shawn would have given an earful and then some of "you have no idea how lucky you are."
Yeah true. i want see an episode were shawn and maya have a conflict were he has to yell at her or ground her and has to find the line between being her friend and her stepdad.
DeleteThere's a lot of potential in seeing Shawn having to learn the balance between "friend" and "parent." Or Eric or even Josh for that matter. There's a reason so many of us BMW veterans loved "Uncle Daddy."
DeleteIf it has to be Shawn realizing he has to be a disciplinarian for the first time in ever, I think an episode structured around Maya slacking in school might be a good idea.
I still remember distinctly Shawn lamenting that "[he] could have done better" while he was in high school. If he finds out that Maya is deliberately not tryign as hard as she's capable of, he may well blow a gasket.
Yeah thats a great idea its why girl meets world needs more seasons. they are renewing all these shitty disney shows and making new ones, when are we going to find out if girl meets world is getting a season 4.
DeleteIf the situation occured, I think Shawn would come up with a really clever or creative way to punish Maya. This sounds like a great idea for an episode.
DeleteA handful of ideas for Shawn being a more "creative" authority figure come to mind, but I think I'd rather just see Shawn give a good old-fashioned lecture, in the style of the magnificent Alan Matthews.
DeleteGiven Shawn did seem to want an authority figure like Alan as a father himself, I could see him modelling his own parenting style after Alan.
DeleteReally, I think an Alan-style parenting style, one that has a foundation of steadfast, present discipline, would be just the thing Maya needs.
DeleteChildren need structure and boundaries--nobody knows that better than Shawn.
While we're on the subject of Alan, I think Riley could do with getting a lecture from her grandfather as well. And Cory too for that matter.
I agree whole-heartedly.
DeleteBut do you mean Riley could do with getting a lecture from Cory, or Cory could do with getting a lecture from Alan. Because I think both are kinda true.
I think Riley (and by extension, the audience this show is geared towards) could do very well from a lecture from her grandfather. If nothing else, I believe that there is today, an ever-growing need for kids to learn that "harsh" does not mean "bad."
DeleteAlan had to work his fingers to the bone for everything he has. A lot of the time, Riley and her friends get things handed to them.
(The Spirit Award in "Flaws" comes readily to mind, as does the re-instatement of the Fine Arts with no cuts whatsoever in "Creativity")
I think Alan Matthews could teach us all a great deal.
i liked Jonathan Turner as an authority figure towards Shawn hunter he wasn't afraid to yell at shawn when he messed up even though shawn wasnt his kid. like in that episode home when shawn went to mr turners house thinking mr turner is cool and wont yell at him for being brought home by the cops.
Deletei cant wait for them to be in the same episode together in the season 3 finale.
Hated this one. Will never look at Topanga the same way again, and I mean that in the worst way. Yes, at first, I tried to be hopeful, "wow, will someone finally stand up to Riley getting her way in everything?" But Topanga went way too far, into total control freak territory. It felt like she was taking her resentment over having to be constantly stuck at the corner of Augie Blvd and Ava Drive out on Riley. Hated that everyone was afraid of Topanga. It's not the cast's fault (except, apparently, Fishel, to some unknown percentage). Heaven knows Corey tried to help (and Farkle and Zay and Ranger Rick, for the 15 seconds they were in it). But wow, this was terrible. The tension and shock over the control freak overdoing it made everything not funny. And yes, where the heck was Sean? How out of order was this? Is he not married yet or what? Either way, shouldn't Sean or Corey have said something like "Um, you're mad she blew off helping you, her mother, at the bakery, but SO CLOSE to her age, YOU blew off going to a good school to stick with/marry a boy your parents thought was not a great idea for you? Hello?" Also, yes, Riley's use of the word entitled was not a wise idea on her part, but her counterarguments weren't without merit-- she does the right thing all the time and you freak out the one time she doesn't (even though yes she had a terrible attitude about it)? Is this family so good because they're AFRAID of Topanga all the time?!? And yes I DID feel sorry for Augie, YES AUGIE. Geez Topanga does the kid have to bite the face off a bear to get YOUR attention? Sigh. This whole script would've worked so much better with 13/14-year-old Corey, Alan, Eric, and Sean...
ReplyDeleteWanted to see one of Topanga's parents drop by and say "After being great for years, YOUR daughter isn't doing exactly what you want her to all of a sudden? My prayers are finally being answered?"
DeleteI hardly think asking Topanga asking her teenaged child to help out for a few hours in a family business (and not a particularly intensive one at that--a bakery, even a nice one, is not the same as a sit-down restaurant with hot meals) is worthy of being considered the actions of a "total control freak."
DeleteRegardless of Riley's desires, her mother asking for help in the bakery isn't something that happens often--I don't think we've ever seen Riley work in the bakery before.
Which is a shame, since there's a couple of ideas for an episode in there. Imagine if Riley had to deal with a customer who was unreasonably demanding and mean-spirited.
As for everyone being afraid of Topanga--it made sense. Topanga is clearly the authority figure in the Matthews family, and more to the point, the last time Riley screwed up, in "Demolition," Riley was scared of the ramifications, which she frankly deserved.
And finally, Topanga is Riley's mother. She asked Riley to help her. From Topanga's point-of-view, and if we're being honest, from mine, that really should be the end of the discussion--at least prior to the teenage rebellion.
I don't care how well-behaved Riley is on a normal basis--she deliberately disobeyed her mother for self-serving reasons, (and it was to watch a TV show, it wasn't like Riley was cramming for finals and neglected her other responsibilities).
To compare Riley's selfish behavior here, to Topanga's decisions regarding her relationship with Cory is...honestly, I'm not sure how they can even be done.
Also, it may not have been much later, but that what, 3 years further on, does make a huge difference. There is a -slight- point if referring to "Long Walk to Pittsburgh", but blowing off going to a good school seems to be more akin to referring to her not going to Yale. At 18, you are old enough to decide whether you want to go to a great school or be with your boyfriend, at that point. At 14-15, deciding that binge-watching something you can watch -later- is more important than helping out a family-run business is not even on the same scale.
DeleteI was, in fact, also thinking of "Long Walk to Pittsburgh," yes.
DeleteIn that case, it does have a bit more validity, but I think Topanga, in hindsight, is very aware of how stupid her rebellion would have seemed to her parents. And it's still not quite in the same league.
DeletePlease don't bring politics into this. This episode has nothing to do with it. This episode frustrated me because i have grown to really dislike Auggie and Riley based on how there is little to no character development.
DeletePlease don't bring politics into this. This episode has nothing to do with it. This episode frustrated me because i have grown to really dislike Auggie and Riley based on how there is little to no character development.
DeleteI thought it was just me. It felt like Topanga was a terrible mother. She never explained to Riley WHY she needed help at the bakery after school, and quickly said "end of conversation" to dismiss Riley's point of view. Maybe it's realistic in terms of bad parenting when it comes to unruly children, but adults should be able to remember how they wanted to be treated as teenagers - with a modicum of respect towards a young adult. All Topanga had to say was something along the lines of, "Just remember that I'm expecting a lot of people at the bakery today, and I need your help after school. I'm sorry that you won't be able to binge your show, but if we work together I am sure that you will be back in time for the finale. Let's record it just to be on the safe side. But I really need your help today, okay? In return, I'll pay you the wage of a barista, and we'll split the tips if you do a really good job."
DeleteIf the point of the episode was to show the immaturity of teenage rebellion, then we should have seen at least an attempt by Topanga to be empathetic towards her daughter before the situation escalated. And if the episode was about both parent and child going overboard, then it would have been nice to see Topanga offer a lesser punishment, because three weeks seems ridiculously unreasonable when Riley has almost been a Mary Sue character for most of the show and apologized to her parents. On top of everything else, Topanga took away both Maya and Riley's phones, and I guess Maya didn't have a working phone at home seeing how she couldn't call Topanga during the night... then Topanga and Cory kept pushing Riley about how she had no power and should be thankful and couldn't get out of her current predicament until she at least attempted to move out... without any method of communication if there were an emergency. Just awful parenting.
I'm liking the show more and more.
ReplyDelete>I hardly think asking Topanga asking her teenaged child to help out for a few hours in a family business (and not a particularly intensive one at that--a bakery, even a nice one, is not the same as a sit-down restaurant with hot meals) is worthy of being considered the actions of a "total control freak."
ReplyDelete>
Agreed. It was the reaction that came after Riley disobeyed that I was talking about.
>Regardless of Riley's desires, her mother asking for help in the bakery isn't something that happens often--I don't think we've ever seen Riley work in the bakery before.
Which is a shame, since there's a couple of ideas for an episode in there. Imagine if Riley had to deal with a customer who was unreasonably demanding and mean-spirited.
>
Agreed. That could be a worthwhile thing to explore.
>As for everyone being afraid of Topanga--it made sense.
>
Sadly. That was the worst thing-- I couldn't exactly say it was out of character (let's recall that when someone didn't like her daughter, Topanga apparently sent that girl's family to jail. Yeah, dismiss that as a stupid joke if you want, and you'd be right, but I felt like her behavior this episode fit into a pattern I'd been trying to ignore all this time).
>Topanga is clearly the authority figure in the Matthews family, and more to the point, the last time Riley screwed up, in "Demolition," Riley was scared of the ramifications, which she frankly deserved.
>
Sure... (I am not saying that sarcastically)
>And finally, Topanga is Riley's mother. She asked Riley to help her. From Topanga's point-of-view, and if we're being honest, from mine, that really should be the end of the discussion--at least prior to the teenage rebellion.
>
Oh, Riley was in the wrong. Especially with that attitude. But... let's look at this another way. Topanga at the end was like "I shouldn't have let this get this far." Oh, really? What do you think you should you have done differently, Topanga?
To go back to my beautiful pipe dream of this being a BMW episode with Alan, at some point Alan would have stormed out the kitchen door to fume in the back of the house, and Feeny would have talked to him and made him see things in a different light. That's the problem with this show. Feeny wasn't just for kids. Feeny was for adults, as needed, too. Corey Matthews is the Feeny of this world, but he only knows how to Feeny for kids, not other adults so much. And the show misses that lack. I think it's what's wrong with America today, really: no one knows how to Feeny (for other adults).
>I don't care how well-behaved Riley is on a normal basis--she deliberately disobeyed her mother for self-serving reasons, (and it was to watch a TV show, it wasn't like Riley was cramming for finals and neglected her other responsibilities).
>
>To compare Riley's selfish behavior here, to Topanga's decisions regarding her relationship with Cory is...honestly, I'm not sure how they can even be done.
>
A valid point, but... this just seemed forced. I can't help but wonder if one of the writers (but whom? We'll probably never know) was working out their political frustrations. "How can they say they want to write in Bernie!?! Stupid millenials or whatever they are, I'll teach them how entitled they are and how we know better."
And of course doing ANYTHING that helps Trump get elected is wrong, but I notice that this episode aired on election weekend...
And what about when Topanga was walking around the cafe giving people bills and practically throwing them out, including a couple who'd just sat down to look at the menu, just because she was in a bad mood? Who's immature and irresponsible (and a very bad businesswoman) now? ("But that was just another stupid joke," you might say, and you'd be right, but really, where/when do/will the stupid Topanga jokes that we're supposed to ignore end?
DeleteI think the bill thing was there to show that Riley's coming was very important to her. First, it showed that there's a lot of work, second, that she's preoccupied with what's happening with Riley. Although it's a somewhat stupid joke, I think it fitted with the story.
DeleteSure, but really, where/when do/will the stupid Topanga jokes that we're supposed to ignore end?
DeleteFeeny was a true grown-up. Corey is not. It would be wonderful if there was someone Corey could go to for advice. Something this show lacks are strong fully developed grown-up characters.
DeleteInstead of more time with Auggie, it would be great if they let Corey and Topanga be more adult, and give them storylines. They knew people outside their normal target demographic would be watching, so why not do something for them.
Meh. Even in BMW, the only story lines for Alan and Amy had to still link back with Cory somehow. Whilst GMW is particularly bad, any adult storylines would be needed to be seen through Riley's or possibly Maya's eyes. Like was done in Girl meets Brother, for example. It can certainly be done better, but it's unrealistic to expect a storyline focused purely on the adults without any relevance to the kids.
DeleteNow, I have said that I would like a true Cory/Topanga storyline (they toyed with it once when Cory/Topanga had the house to themselves and then Ava turned up, but it didn't go far enough), it would be needed to be shown through Riley's eyes. "Why do they need a night out? They dated all through high school!" though that's a bit cliche; but I'm not a writer. Or when I do it's a bit more fantasy/sci-fi rather than this.
Will van Roekel-it would be needed to be shown through Riley's eyes. "Why do they need a night out? They dated all through high school!" That's not cliche-it's prefect. "Mary Tyler Moore" and "Fraiser" had an awards show episode almost every season. Make Cory and Topanga's anniversary the GMW version of it. Have the kids doing something fun at home and show what Cory and Topanga are doing during their big date night.
DeleteThe Maya-centric story could be she overhears part of a fight that Shawn and Katy are having and thinks it's about her. Shawn and Katy have to patch up/fix their issue, and convince Maya it isn't about her at all.
Actually, I could see the Maya-centric part be that Riley has always had two parents who love her and each other; whilst until recently Maya had only one who had to give up everything just to get enough to live on. "You don't know how lucky you've been".
DeleteMy God. It took three seasons, but they finally did it. Riley Matthews actually acted like an actual teenager....actually. They cracked the code. And all it took was for one of the actors to write something.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sean. I believe Danielle came up with the story and she most likely worked with the other guy on the teleplay. Of course, she would have been credited for that specific role so I'm probably wrong.
Anyway, this episode was really good for the first half, and then kinda fell off the rails a little bit in the end. I think it became too schmaltzy. Like the ending scene with Riley and Topanga at the door.....they didn't need that. I was laughing at that so hard because it felt like one of those things Family Guy would have made fun of or something.
Either way, Riley and Topanga felt fresher than they have in a long time. I really liked Riley having a set of balls in this episode, flat out saying she didn't understand why people were scared of Topanga. For the first time that I can remember, she was audacious and stepped up to the plate by shutting down her mother of all people. Topanga was in rare form too. She was taking care of things, dictating the rules, not backing down or acting OOC. I liked this side of her. I think Cory was doing a little too much with the comic relief, which is why that scene in the kitchen before Riley left didn't work for me. Some of the dialogue was a little bit too forced and Cory's interjections weren't funny at all. At least until he started becoming serious on a dime.
And yeah, the guys were in rare form tonight too. Riley's friends all played their parts well and were really entertaining. It was fun to see all of them having fun and sprinkling in their side jokes.
As for Zay, I think Sean's on to something. He's really smooth on the camera and he just knows how to deliver his lines well. I think he gets that from his father. Watching a lot of Fresh Prince, it's amazing how DJ Jazzy Jeff was so skilled as a comedic actor. His timing and delivery just felt so natural so that has to run in the family.
I'm going to watch this episode again because I don't want to say it was something it wasn't, but I definitely think that if the show was like this more often, we wouldn't criticize it so much.
Yeah I am blatantly ignoring that ending door moment. The review works better if I don't have to mention how insane it was.
DeleteIt would've worked if they said some hurtful shit to each other. But they didn't go thaaat far
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Delete"It would've worked if they said some hurtful shit to each other. But they didn't go thaaat far."
DeleteWould it work though? Speaking for myself, I think I'd rather an episode where especially harsh words were exchanged have a more...personal, more individualized reconciliation. Let Riley rest her head in Topanga's lap again--that's something we haven't seen in a full year.
As for the general idea of "saying hurtful shit to each other," I'd support it.
An episode where circumstances arise that Topanga and Riley have a more heated fight, with sharper exchanges of words, could add a layer of depth to the Riley-Topanga dynamic.
To go off that hypothetical scenario, I've made no secret of my desire for a "Girl Meets Scapegoat" episode, with Riley taking the blame for something Auggie does, and Topanga is very harsh with her for it.
Cryptid456-"To go off that hypothetical scenario, I've made no secret of my desire for a "Girl Meets Scapegoat" episode, with Riley taking the blame for something Auggie does, and Topanga is very harsh with her for it."
DeleteI still think it's fantastic. I wonder who would figure out that Riley is covering for Topanga? No one in the main/supporting cast has siblings who could relate to that. The really should have done this in middle school when they had Harley.
err... Cory could. He has both an older and two younger siblings. Maya and Shawn probably could as well, based on that their truth detector is fairly good with the 'don't con a conman' cliche.
DeleteWhile it's likely that Maya would immediately figure out what's going on--if for no other reason, she and Riley spend most of their time together.
Delete(On that note, that's another good thing about this episode. Riley stared down Topanga by herself--usually when the girls mess up, they both messed up).
But I'd be more interested in seeing how the show explores the ideas of Riley willingly taking the blame for something she didn't do, and then feeling the guilt of lying and dealing with whatever consequences there are.
More to the point, how does this affect Riley's relationship with her mother? If Topangais very harsh with Riley over whatever the offense was, however justified Topanga would be from her own point of view, she may end up saying that isn't easy to take back.
Will van Roekel-"Maya and Shawn probably could as well, based on that their truth detector is fairly good with the 'don't con a conman' cliche." Totally love it!
DeleteThe perfect scenario is that the kids do not have school. Cory is out of the house due to some sort of professional development/teacher training type thing. Topanga is at the bakery but has no problem leaving Riley alone with Auggie. Maya is spending part of the day with her mother, which is why she isn't there when the awful thing happens. Topanga comes back and Riley takes the blame.
Cryptid456-
That would be something really interesting to explore. I wish we saw more of Topanga and Riley interacting with each other.
The lack of Riley/Topanga interaction is one of the things that makes me sad Kit, rather than angry, with regard to this show.
DeleteI just want them to interact--we've all reminiscenced at length at Alan Matthews, and we've all wanted Topanga to be the new Alan.
And as it happens, the idea for a harsher argument between Riley and Topanga came from one of my favorite episodes of "Little House on the Prairie," a show I watched far too much of in high school.
In a season one episode, "The Award," the soft-spoken mother Caroline outright screams at the usually well-behaved (and extremely remorseful) Mary for accidentally starting a fire in the barn, while studying for an extracurricular examination.
Sean has repeatedly mentioned that he finds anger to be an overlooked emotion in story-telling (and after some thought on the matter, I'm inclined to agree).
I would love to see an episode where Topanga isn't just angry with Riley, but the reconciliation has to truly be earned.
Alternatively, in months past, everyone has seemed fond of the possibility of a Take-Your-Daughter-to-Work-Day episode. Let Riley, and the audience, see Topanga in her element.
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ReplyDeleteI love you Christian and Sean. I love you too Mike. I didn't know GMW was bad until I read your recaps. I also read Nick anddisneyreviewed.Mike. I also agree Jessie was better in season 1 and Henry Danger sucks. I sympathize with your girlfriend being an alcoholic and falling in love with Jessie. I read Thank You, Heavenly. My mom's always on my ass.She constantly tells me to shut up and hits me anytime she feels like it.Riley is a white privileged teen and has the easiest life in the world.She doesn't have enough conflict.She's mad that someone doesn't like her.Tons of people don't like me.I go to school with them. The girl only says she likes Riley because she's coming back to get her revenge and Riley gets away with everything: sneaking in the school at night.Everything is her way or the highway. Your mom sent a girl's family to jail because she didn't like you.You got Lucas even though he belongs with Maya and the alternate spot even though you should have been the mascot. I'm currently living in the hellhole called Crappy Middle America. Send me a postcard from Rileytown. I want to live with you. Topanga should be my mom. I'm glad That's So Raven and Hey Arnold is coming back.They were both better shows.
ReplyDeleteI'm going out on a limb here by saying that Topanga taking away Maya's phone is because Cory gave Maya a phone in season 1 episode 2 to keep an eye on Riley. While it was a bit much, if they pay for her phone, and Maya most likely uses it to contact Riley, taking the phone away makes sense.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I imagine Katy and Shawn are on honeymoon still and that Maya is with Grammy Hart - that's who was taking care of her whole Katy worked all those double shifts right?
Lastly, I think Cory was written as being the grown up version of Cory that we expected him to turn into... Still goofy, but working at being both a supporting husband and realistic father.
Yeah, that's what I thought as well. Though if Shawn and Katy hear about that at any point, the first thing they would likely do is buy her her own phone. Mind you, Cory stripped the whole class of their phones in that episode, and that was much iffier.
DeleteNick and Disney reviewed.blogspot. My mistake. I love you Christian Sean and Mike Campbell.
ReplyDeleteThe "Sarah as the Maya" lines amused me thoroughly.
ReplyDeleteIt was pretty funny, especially considering that Sarah looks exactly like her sister, minus the hair and glasses. I wouldn't be surprised if Sarah actually auditioned for Maya's role in the first place.
DeleteI cracked up at that line. Especially as from what I understand, Sarah is actually the older one.
DeleteAs was predicted, I tend to follow Topanga's side on this one, though it did go a bit too far. But you don't get rewards for being well-behaved, or at least you do but not in the matter of overlooking when you -do- misbehave.
ReplyDeleteSomewhat amusing that not only did Danielle get her own character the best it's been (her being dismissive of Cory and Auggie's continued presence seems more about losing one is never fine, I don't think it said anything about her feelings about either Cory or Auggie), she also seemed to get Cory as one of the best. I guess she's had to learn Cory's character almost as well as her own though given Topanga supposedly knows him better than anyone.
To me, it did seem to be a bit snarking about the culture of binge-watching, as shows that don't take that into account suffer a bit.
The "whilst living under our roof" argument may seem overdone; but it's a valid argument. Where it starts to lose traction a bit, is if/when they start paying board. Though my own parents stopped using it when I was somewhere between 16-18; certainly when I graduated high school.
Is the "living under our roof, you follow our rules" argument really ever not valid? Even if you pay board?
DeleteFirst you live with your parents, then if you go on to college, you follow the college rules for residency, then you get an apartment and have to obey the landlord's lease, and then you buy a house, and if you have a homeowner's association (do they have those in Australia?), you have more rules.
As for dismissing Auggie and Cory, it's pretty obvious Auggie is kissing up to his Mommy. And Cory is her husband--that's different than her daughter.
It does lose a certain amount of validity. As in, they're paying their own way, so you can't ask them to do things for you, like helping out with a home business, merely as a part of living in your household.
Deletethe whole you live under my roof speech alan gave Eric that speech when Eric was going to quit school.
DeleteWhen they started talking about under my roof, I thought they were going to rip off "The Cosby Show" episode where they make Theo pay his own way. He has to pay rent, he has to pay for his food, and other stuff.
Delete"Was he this good when he started?"
ReplyDeleteYes. Yes he was.
Was I the only one that found that "Whole-Maya Hart-edly!" line from Maya genuinely amusing? The delivery was hilarious and her smile afterwards was like "Wow that's actually a really good pun!"
ReplyDeleteLatest Tweet: Girl Meets Writers @GMWWriters · 10 hours ago
ReplyDeleteNext: Mortimer Twigglebottom Smythe
December: A Christmas Maya Carol
January: World Meets Girl, Sweet 16, Goodbye.
So it appears the season will end in January.
I liked the episode well enough and this review.
ReplyDeleteExcept for the beginning of your reviews.
I think "Chris" should know that the Cubs are fucking awesome.
I agree with Sean. The writers need to do more of this type of episode. Not everything has to about the meaning of friendship and relationship dramas. Show us more of them just being teenagers and doing what teenagers do (that's still Disney appropriate).
ReplyDeleteDo a version of the "Friends" episode "The One Where No One Is Ready" before a school dance. Do any episode involving a school dance that isn't centered on relationship drama. You have three established couples. I wish the writers would have fun with it and do something silly and comedic.
They have three couples; only Farkle/Isadora has been properly established. Lucas/Riley is just tragic in that, as others have commented on before, Lucas just wants the talking, nothing the slightest bit romantic, not even holding hands. Shawn in high school made a better boyfriend than Lucas. Maya/Zay is rather reliant on Lucas/Riley, and though I do think it has potential, the way it stands right now is 'well when they're doing something, we can too'.
DeleteI have to agree with Will, that while Kit's idea has a lot of merit, it's not particularly likely we'd see an episode like that.
DeleteWhile Zay's brought up the idea of double-dating, Friar has made it quite clear that he has no interest whatsoever in day-to-day romantic interactions, to say nothing of additional effort for actual dates.
Even the "important talks" that Frair wants to ONLY be between him and Riley are underwhelming--aside from that damn veterinarian-library scene, the only other "important talk," from my recollection, was in "Girl Meets Bear."
It's a shame really. I never saw that episode of "Friends," or any episode really--it was long before my time, and I never saw the appeal in syndication--but it sounds really funny. One mini-disaster after another could be great.
Or something akin to "Train of Fools," where Riley and her friends are going somewhere on the subway, only for the subway to break down and strand them.
That in itself is the problem. That veterinarian scene keeps being brought up. Seriously, he's meant to be this ultimate boyfriend, and he's relying on something from back before they were really ready to be dating?
DeleteLet alone BMW, virtually any show I watched as a teen, had more than 2 important talks in over three years. Hell, I could even argue Maya and Zay have had as many, and they're supposed to only be a 'so we're not left out' couple.
Cryptid456-I would love to see a GMW world version of "Train of Fools."
DeleteBefore I begin, Fuck the Cubs! Go Tribe! (I'm allowed to be salty)
ReplyDeleteI will echo many here when I say I really enjoyed this episode. It's refreshing to see the girls act like normal teenagers. Not just act like it, but doing things normal kids this century do. And I also liked that they really didn't give Riley much of a leg to stand on. She was absolutely in the wrong at about every turn in this episode. You know that old saying about picking the hill you die on? Riley picked the wrong hill to die on.
I liked the table scene, because it was a believable fight between a 15 year old and her mother. Mom is upset at the kid for not listening, and the kid complains about not being rewarded for being a good person. Bad move, Riley. Really bad move. How do I know? I've made that argument before. Guess what, I lost. Bigly. But you know what, I like that they made Riley very stubborn and irrational about her position, because that's how kids are when they are in an argument.
I did have a problem with Topanga apologizing, because she was absolutely in the right with how she handled things. Riley's lucky she was only grounded.
Episode Grade: B+
Episode MVP: Danielle Fishel. Wrote, directed, and was the best part of the episode. It was nice to see this version of Topanga, considering the show absolutely ruined the character.
Better luck next year, pwfan.
DeleteNo, on second thought, not better luck next year. Your team beat my beautiful Red Sox and cost David Ortiz his fourth World Series ring. I'm allowed to be salty too.
In all seriousness, I kind of had a problem with Topanga apologizing too, at least at first, since I agree with you that Topanga wasn't even a little bit in the wrong.
Then I figured that Topanga thought she might have gone too far by telling Riley to "get out, I don't want to see you right now" as too harsh, so I softened my position on it.
There's also the possibility that there may be a scene that showed Topanga being a bit sharper with Riley, and that scene wound up on the cutting room floor.
Overall, I think "B+" is a very fair grade. This is an excellent filler episode, but there's not quite enough new ground to justify an "A."
And frankly, this is the best episode for Topanga since...honestly, I think we'd have to go back to the original show.
I have a hard time trying to figure out what was different about Topanga in this episode. Intimidating was clearly her #1 trait in this episode, which is pretty much in line with GMW, but not necessarily BMW...
DeleteI genuinely thought we were gonna get a nice Cory/Topanga moment at the very end. But they had to point out "Godzilla" one more time, which was frustrating.
Intimidating was a pretty major trait of hers in the latter seasons of BMW as well. And it was always clear who would be the disciplinarian between her and Cory.
DeleteHaving said that... yeah, I thought we were going to get a Cory/Topanga moment as well. I didn't really have an issue with Cory continued call-outs of Godzilla, but it might have been nice given most of the episode was focused on her scary self, to show off her tenderer self as well, even if just for the tag scene.
Intimidating was certainly a trait of Late Seasons Topanga--remember in Season 6, how she chased Feeny around the college campus demanding he raise her grade to an A?
DeleteAs for this scene in itself I didn't mind it so much...but in retrospect, it'd be nice for a Disney Channel show to show the parents in an independent light. To my knowledge--and given that I only watch GMW, this is very limited knowledge--we haven't had that sort of thing since "Good Luck Charlie."
I think I would have liked to see Topanga play the "Godzilla" bit for laughs--making monster noises at Cory for fun, kind of like how Cory was "Swamp Monster" way back when shortly after they were married and living in that tiny apartment.
To be honest, though yeah, as Megan comments below, seeing them kiss would be nice - what little I know of teen shows, they're probably one off the adult couples who are honestly shown to still have real affection for each other still. It seems usually on teen shows (and this isn't really recent, though it's gotten worse), the only time you see the parents is to show either how amazing it is the kid has it together, or to explain why the kid is so messed up.
DeleteWasn't it a recurring theme of season 5 for Shawn and/or Cory to go "Topanga!" in fear?
And yeah, if the Godzilla bit had been done for laughs by Topanga, it could have been cool. I would have preferred that or actually being genuinely hurt that that's how Cory sees her. (I do acknowledge that the kids seeing her as that she wouldn't necessarily mind) to what we got.
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DeleteOn the whole, I agree with you--I'd love to see more moments between Cory and Topanga that are romantic. Even if Riley and Auggie think it's gross their parents are still lovey-dovey...maybe even especially then; one of my favorite gags on "Last Man Standing" is when the parents decide to show small displays of intimacy, and their youngest teenager to whine "Ewwww."
DeleteBut in general, parents that show genuine affection, and are competent role models, are few and far between on most shows aimed at children. And that's a shame. Especially since this show is the sequel to Boy Meets World--the home of the legendary Alan and Amy Matthews, who may well be the best television parents of the 90s.
I do recall the boys occasionally gasping "Topanga!" but the only instance I really remember in "Ex-Girlfriends' Club," and then Eric and Jack were there too.
Amy and alan were affectionate on boy meets world they kissed and felt like a real couple and real parents when they did discipline their kids. I felt girl meets her monster was a realistic i feel topanga is kind of disciplinarian and cory is not so much.
DeleteWell yeah; but even then they were the exception. Even in season 4, it came across that Topanga would be the disciplinarian.
Deleteyeah like this quote from season 4 shallow boy when topanga says I believe that a family falls apart if there are not strong, authoritative role models at home.
DeleteHeck, Will, it was clear to me in Season One of BMW, when they had those mock family structures, and Shawn and Stuart were their "children," that Topanga would be the disciplinarian. Even if Cory had said she /had/ to behave that way, she just seemed too good at it.
DeleteYou have a point on that Cryptid; but season 4 was when I think Cory and Topanga were first, even if subconsciously at that point, setting up how their future would be.
DeleteWell of course, I do believe it was Season 4, that the future was set in stone.
DeleteIt was a season four episode when Cory visited Topanga while she was baby-sitting, and while Topanga insisted the little boy she was watching stay in bed, Cory was willing to let him watch his favorite show, as the boy argued that the people in charge had moved it from seven-thirty to eight-thirty and were trying to kill it.
It was also some of the best meta-humor I've ever seen, because the scene was funny in its own right.
Cory was goofy in this episode but i liked how he kind of was tough on Riley when she said maybe i shouldn't live under this roof anymore.
Deletei want to see cory and topanga kiss
ReplyDeleteRatings are in: 1.6 million views . Not great, but pretty average for this season.
ReplyDeleteThat's rather disappointing. How'd it compare to the rest of the Friday night line-up?
DeleteI edited the "peace talk" scene between Riley, Cory, and Topanga:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_LEWFCfByU
I took out some of Cory's unnecessary (imo) interruptions--do you think the scene flows better?
It's a little choppy, but at the same time, if I didn't know better, I'd swear this was something out of Boy Meets World.
DeleteTopanga was channeling Alan Matthews in that scene.
As for Cory, it did seem better. For what it's worth, now that I stop to think about it, I'm almost certain that Eric interjected some of his own "funny" commentary when Cory was getting a lecture from their parents.
I like that you mention the closeness to BMW because imo, if Cory didn't interrupt 1000000 times, this may have been (one of?) my favorite parenting moment of GMW. It's just so damn choppy the way he cuts them off after every sentence.
DeleteTo be honest, I didn't mind the unnecessary interruptions. It made it seem a bit more effective when he -did- start backing up Topanga. Seemed to be almost like Cory finally stepping forward and being a parent - he won't be a disciplinarian the way Topanga is, but not totally without discipline.
DeleteWill has a fair point--Cory emphasizing "Come on, Riley!" does have a certain element of Cory realizing that things are getting more serious.
DeleteUnfortunately, since we haven't seen Cory be truly serious as a parent since the pilot, it does feel a little disjointed.
But on the whole, I think the scene works. It helps that the laugh track is a bit more diluted with the lack of Cory's interruptions.
cory can get mad when he wants to be like that big fight he had with topanga in boy meets world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4nKo5PsruA and shawn said he wasnt going to go to college.
Deleteyeah Eric was the comedic relief in serious episodes and scenes i like that one scene from a long walk to Pittsburgh part 2 when Eric walks in the living room and says i hear yelling and Alans like upstairs and Eric is like no no i hear yelling im not involved im staying.
speaking of eric lol when lucas said i got S'mores it sounded like something eric would say.
DeleteA prettyboy gone goofy. Yes, history might repeat itself. :)
DeleteActually Jet, the more I watch this scene, the more I like it.
DeleteTopanga confronts Riley over thinking she should be rewarded for doing the right thing.
The thing is, we've actually seen that Riley does think she should be rewarded for doing the right thing! Remember the Riley Awards from "Rileytown"?
This episode is getting better and better the longer I dwell on it.
Cryptid456--glad you appreciate the scene as much as I do. It's serious and very real with parent-child arguments.
DeleteWill--I just think Cory interrupted [one] too many times. Like who actually found "Entitlement Avenue" funny?
Eh, I didn't mind "Entitlement Avenue" that much, myself. That said, I think the scene does work a bit better without the interruptions, since it helps keep the focus on Topanga.
DeleteYall need to tweet the writers and tell them to check out the recaps and comments at girlmeetsworldreviewed.blogspot
ReplyDeleteJet - I didn't mind entitlement avenue. When it got to "On the corner of Entitlement Avenue and It's all about me Boulevarde" might have been too far; especially as it was that whole Godzilla sketch.
ReplyDeleteMegan - Yeah, Cory can get mad. But we haven't seen him -mad- in GMW. The most we've seen is hurt/upset. But to be fair, him being mad about Shawn not going to college is not one of my favourite moments. Not everyone gets anything out of going to college.
I'd argue that we have seen Cory get mad in GMW.
DeleteThere was the pilot of course; he was furious with Maya, and with his daughter for condoning the behavior--and it makes it all the more annoying that Cory has no control of his classroom.
More recently, there was "Lady of New York," where he was frustrated that Riley and Maya half-assed his assignment...but given that he gave Riley virtually no information for the assignment, and we have no reason to believe he would have done so as her father, it weakens the impact.
But other than that, we haven't seen much. Which is a shame--there's been a fair few episodes where Angry Cory would have improved the episode. Imagine if Cory actually overheard Friar shouting at Riley back in "Ski Lodge."
thIS is the quote from things change when Shawn said he was taking the job instead of college
ReplyDeleteShawn Hunter:I'm just saying I need time to think.
Cory Matthews: No thinking! Barry is on his way to Tahiti because of you.
You are going to college!
Shawn Hunter: You're not my father, Cory.
Cory Matthews: If I was your father, Shawn, I'd spank you! Because that's what you deserve! A big spanking! Now, take down your pants! lol i think maybe Cory was so mad at Shawn that thoes words came out of his mouth
Yup. And Cory was in my opinion, in that entire episode, only caring about himself. Shawn not going to college - it may have worked for Shawn. He already had a job. Mr Feeny moving he had no right to be upset about. I can -just- forgive him for Topanga and Yale, and if his only issue about change had been that, I would have been 'well, it's kinda sucky; but they -did- just get back together', but on top of everything else it was not Cory's finest hour. I'm sure there are better examples of Cory being mad.
Deleteyep. i made a girl meets world/boy meets world tribute video https://youtu.be/SgozB7oPJvw
DeleteFor all you BMW fans out there, one of our old favorites is back on TV. Ethan Suplee (Frankie Stechino), is now a regular on a series called Chance. It stars Hugh Laurie (House) in the lead role but Suplee has a big part. It is a Hulu original series so you need Hulu to see it but reviews I've seen are good.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, I heard that is supposed to be good. Isn't Laurie a doctor again?
DeleteAlso, I am delighted to hear that Suplee is still actively acting. Frankie was my second-favorite recurring character, after the magnificent Chet Hunter.
The two nerds from Season 1 (you may remember when Riley was invited by a mature looking guy who turned out to be 2 kids in disguise) are starring in a new Disney series that's unlike anything they've ever done: http://hollywoodlife.com/2016/11/11/mech-x4-premiere-new-video-disney-channel-show/ I wish them success.
ReplyDeleteI've seen a few commercials. It looks halfway between "Power Rangers" and "The Troop" (A Nickelodeon live-action series that never was given a fair chance).
DeleteI probably won't watch it, but Twelve-Year-Old Cryptid would have loved it.
Those guys played Academic Top Half and Bottom Half in Girl Meets Popular. The Top Half kid also was in Girl Meets Smackle.
DeleteThis show was originally supposed to be on Disney XD (the channel for boys) but about a month ago Disney changed where it was going to air. This will be the only show on Disney Channel that isn't oriented towards girls and the only one without a girl in the main cast.
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ReplyDeleteThat was a great episode. Coming in a week late, there is not much more for me to say about it.
ReplyDeleteDoes anybody remember how they fixed their timeline issue in WOT3?
It was implied that because Maya and Riley started talking again, that Auggie could exist again so we went back to the original timeline. Unless I'm misinterpreting your question.
DeleteWill's right, more or less, but the less said about the last few minutes of WOT3, the better.
DeleteI'm glad you enjoyed this one, Milestones. But I do think most of the bases have been covered, unless one were to explore broader ideas, Topanga's role in the show on an episode-to-episode basis, and how this episode in particular compares to what we usually see, for example.
I forgot to add this piece to my original post. But I didn't want to ignore it entirely.
ReplyDelete"The dialogue gets a little too on-the-nose about its self awareness here as Riley describes the difference between real life and television. I'll blame Ashmawey for that. Sorry bro, shoulda known what you were getting into."
Actually, Sean, this reminded me of a scene from Boy Meets World. Remember in "A Long Walk to Pittsburgh Part 1," Cory and Shawn discussed how Topanga would not move away permanently.
"The doctor on ER, she left."
"ER is real."
I don't know whether or not Fischel wrote that particular passage, but it's not as if there isn't precedent in the Feeny-verse.
Yeah. Even in GMW there's precedent. When Cory was trying to encourage Shawn to move in to their apartment building
Delete"I'm not your wacky neighbour" "But you could be!". Or something like that. The occasional bit I don't mind; and they don't make a habit of referring to themselves as a TV show.
i kind of wish Eric would move into the aparment building and be the wacky neighbor/uncle lol
Deletei loved the bit where topanga goes to take mayas phone and maya says you can do this? she seemed more sad that riley about getting into trouble.
DeleteHey Cryptid, Will, I guess I will drop a couple of random thoughts/responses here after all.
DeleteGiven his job, wouldn’t Shawn be away from home more often than not? It would be interesting to see his relationship with Maya develop and what he would do in this sort of circumstance. But we may never see that. This episode would augur well for the future, if GMW gets one.
I’m inclined to see the confiscation of Maya’s phone as indicative of the nature of Topanga’s relationship with Maya rather than of the nature of Topanga’s relationship with the phone.
The joke about the English dubbing of Godzilla: was their audience supposed to get that?
Good points about the fourth wall stuff. I’m reluctant to relate this again to Community—because if I tried hard enough I could probably find ways GMW reminded me of The Rat Patrol—but that is something that the show raised to an art form. Though I appreciated the effort, and didn’t hate the result, what they did in Her Monster was a little clumsy. The best GMW might have achieved in this regard was the Eric/Riley exchange in Mr. Squirrels about her shoes.
Milestones, his job would have to be carefully balanced - as in, before, he would do any job required, because he had no-one. Now he has a family, that elusive work/life balance would have to come in to play.
DeleteI think the confiscation of Maya's phone is both - as in, Topanga does treat Maya as her own kid for much of their time (though that should be changing with Shawn around, and Katy able to act like a mother-figure); but I don't think there's any doubt that one of the reasons she really -can- confiscate that phone is that Cory bought it for her.
I didn't even get the joke about the English dubbing of Godzilla; but I never was into Japanese cinema.
I didn't think the fourth wall stuff was terrible in this episode; certainly no worse than the stuff in "Long Walk to Pittsburgh".I'm really not a fan of fourth wall stuff for the most part though, so me not hating it means it's probably reasonable. I'm really not a huge fan of Community; but I tend to go for British shows for my comedies.
Always a pleasure Milestones, I've missed being able to discuss episodes at length with you, my friend.
DeleteI think Will's right about Maya's phone--Cory bought it for her, so there's no real reason that Topanga (who makes most of the family's money) shouldn't be able to take it away.
I got the joke about English dubbing and thought it was funny, but Milestones, you may be right, it could go over the target audience's head.
The best example of fourth wall humor in the Feeny-verse was probably Shawn's stunned "What the hell kind of tv show is this?" when it appeared Topanga moved away for good in "Pittsburgh." As far as this individual show is concerned, I actually think the early paper airplane toss in "Commonism" was pretty funny (ignoring of course the episode being so dreadful).
I'm not familiar with Rat Patrol, but will put it on the list of shows Mike and I should consider watching.
my favorite fourth wall joke from boy meets world is
DeleteCory: I guess it's easy to sound smart when you've got the best writers in Hollywood writing everything you say. Mr. Feeny: I wouldn't know.
Will, valid points—except for the bit about not liking Community. And, with regards to the phone, if the Mathews are paying her monthly bills, then there is no question about it.
DeleteI used to watch some British sitcoms in 70s, a few aired up here back then, but none since. Which ones do you follow?
Cryptid, my friend, I feel the exact same way.
Unless you read something about it that intrigues, I wouldn’t chase after Rat Patrol. I watched it when I was a kid and thought it was very cool, but about all I can remember are jeeps with mounted GPMGs crashing over dunes, a character with an Australian slouch hat, and an Afrika Korps officer played by the guy who later would be in The Forbin Project. I just picked it as a show that in no way, shape, or form resembles GMW. I couldn’t tell you if it was, in fact, any good.
I forgot to respond to your comment about how little Disney there was in this episode. I couldn’t agree more. I wonder if GMW’s frequent detours from Disney mode, and not the juvenilia we tend to lament here, is reason it might be on thin ice with the network.
I like megan b’s forth-wall example. I going to have to watch BMW again.
I think at first they certainly paid her bills. Not so sure about more recently; but he bought it with the understanding that she tells him if Riley gets in trouble, and she did make a point of saying to Topanga "I would have called but well..."
DeleteAs for British sitcoms - some of these aren't good, but I enjoy them: Red Dwarf, 'Allo, 'Allo, Open All Hours, Fawlty Towers. There's a few others, but those are the ones that top my list. Yeah, most of them are old now.
Cheers Milestones, this feels much like the old days, which gives me great pleasure.
DeleteYeah, this one didn't feel particularly Disney-ish, though that tends to be true in episodes where very little time is spent in the classroom--though that isn't a rule by any means.
Given that it's a smartphone, it's likely part of a package plan that is really annoying to try to get out of, and therefore Cory and Topanga are likely still paying for it.
Never heard of any of those sitcoms but Red Dwarf...and I'm not sure how I even heard of Red Dwarf in the first place. Was it TV Tropes?
"I like megan b's forth-wall example. I going to have to watch BMW again."
Guys! He's going for his second showing! That's my boy, Milestones!
Red Dwarf is oft-used as examples in TV tropes where it applies, so maybe.
DeleteI wouldn't know. I don't have a smartphone. Haven't yet found someone who wants to be Cory to my Maya... though the fact I'm 38 may have something to do with that.
I only know the name "Red Dwarf," but Fawlty Towers is one of the funniest shows ever made. John Cleese, with Graham Chapman, wrote scripts for Doctor in the House, another British show (actually a series of related "Doctor" shows) I watched back them. This taught me to dial in on writing credits at an early age.
Delete"I going?" I wish I could write more than a sentence or two without some sort of cognitive mishap.
"Then" vice "them." Fuck me.
DeleteAnd yeah, Cryptid, this does feel like old times.
i like re-watching season 1 of boy meets world, its weird seeing Cory, topanga, Shawn and Eric as little kids and then watching girl meets world with them all grown up. Eric is defiantly different in season 1 compared to later seasons.
DeleteWe've recently slowly started introducing our son to BMW. It's really weird seeing him watch it
Deletecool i cant wait to show boy meets world to my future kids lol, how olds your son?
Deletedo you think it would be weird for rider strong when he starts introducing his son to boy meets world lol.
My son's 14. As for Rider... do you really think he'd be the one to introduce his son to it, if anyone does? I get the impression though he likes the people he worked with; it's not something he looks back on with great pride or anything. Even GMW I think he does to support his friends more than because he gets a huge kick out of playing Shawn again.
DeleteFor some reason, Will, I was under the impression your son was younger than that.
DeleteIn any case, I get a kick out of hearing you're introducing your son to the wonder that is BMW.
We have a few shows he watches; but he watches them a long time after they're on; as we're trying to get him to enjoy each episode, rather than binge-watch.
DeleteHe recently watched the season 1 Christmas episode of BMW. He has a great love for quoting both shows, and if you mention something even slightly linked to a particular episode, he'll start quoting at you.
For the record, at 14, he quite likes Girl meets Bay Window for example, and loves quoting that particular episode.
"Bay Window" is one of his favorites? Well, it certainly is quotable. And I do think you're right not to have him binge watch, at least for a first viewing.
DeleteJust wait until he gets to the Feeny Call, heh heh.
Teenagers can be pretty strange when it comes to television habits now that I stop to think about it.
When I was only a couple years older than your son, my favorite show was "Touched By An Angel." And my second favorite show was "Deadliest Warrior."
Like I said, I was a weird teenager.
He loves Eric, and he does like the episode which had Riley and Maya doing the Feeny Call. To his credit, despite obviously knowing where Cory/Topanga end up, he does seem to be taking it as a different show, without preconceptions.
DeleteHe hasn't yet seen any of season 3 of GMW, but he has stated he thinks Maya/Lucas makes more sense, so we've got some interesting times ahead.
I haven't even heard of "Deadliest Warrior". I -think- "Touched By An Angel" actually reached Australia, but only years after it was originally on.
Simply put, "Deadliest Warrior" is a Who-Would-Win show, where vikings fight samurai, pirates combat knights, an Indian Rajput fights a Roman centurian, and Vlad the Impaler fights Sun Zhu. Very bloody, often nonsensical, but I loved it anyway.
Deletein the kitchen scene when Riley said to topanga i think she knows she is being unreasonable and this is a big moment for all the kids in the world. i was like wow i cant believe she said that that would of gotten me a slap in the face probably if i said that to my mum as a teenager.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Christian, glad to see your points on this episode.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that about this new writer--it's interesting, alright, though there wasn't anything about it on Wikipedia. Must do more research.
Fair point about Topanga mentioning way back in "Maya's Mother" about Riley being taller than her, though I'm not sure Sean is wrong on that scene being shot deliberately.
But I have noticed that Riley is taller than her mother, and no small part of me wonders whether this may be one reason Topanga hasn't been used as an authority figure more often.
And like you, I was also on Team Topanga for the entire duration of the episode, but I was a weird teenager.
Oh, and congratulations on the Cubs winning.
guys. Mech-x4. why does xd get all the good shows?
ReplyDeleteI think Cory's point about the Martians is that Martians (or all we know) are fictional characters. Or that in the show they're perfect or whatever.
ReplyDeleteYou can easy have short authority figures. I'm about 6'6" and both my parents are about 6'0".
Oh, I know that authority figures can be shorter than those they're in charge of.
DeleteI was more speaking to television as a medium.
I think Alan was still taller than Cory and Eric by the end of BMW. Though, you do have a point: Mr. Feeny was never not an authoritative figure and he was shorter than Cory by Season 3.
Yeah, Alan definitely remained significantly taller than both his sons, who were roughly the same height (Eric slightly taller) and both on the short end for dudes.
DeleteWhile I don't disregard Will's point, given that television is a visual medium, I am inclined to think that height of actors helps convey certain dynamics.
DeleteWith regard to the Feeny-verse Jonathan Turner was taller than Shawn and Cory for Seasons 2-4, as well. Though some of that might have been the hair.
But then we get into writing--significantly taller than his students he may be (and whatever the benefits of his position in the classroom there were) it was clearly a struggle for Jonathan to adjust to being responsible for Shawn, rather than just in charge of him for an hour a day.
And now with Topanga, I do think that her being shorter than Riley has possibly had an effect on the writers placing them together, especially when using Topanga as an authority figure.
That said, it's just as likely--and possibly moreso--that the primary reason that Riley doesn't get many scenes with her mother is that the writers pair Daughter Riley with Daddy Cory, while Mommy Topanga is paired with Son Auggie.
I'm willing to bet this would have been the case had the writers kept Riley's one-year-older brother Elliot. There seems to be something inherently funnier about parents being paired with their opposite-gendered child.
It's also true, even in the real world, that sometimes shorter figures have to fight harder to prove their authority. On first meeting someone, you -naturally- incline more to listen to someone taller.
DeleteTo be honest, the fact Topanga is shorter than Riley though, actually meant that when she really hit with the authority, it was a lot more imposing. I may also be sensitive; as I keep getting told it should be 'easy' for me to impose authority.
That's also a fair point Will, and considering Topanga is a lawyer (Of what exactly, I'm not sure. Different episodes imply different branches of law for Topanga's job. Which is extraordinarily unlikely), her entire career is based in no small part on being assertive and authoritative in her points.
DeleteAnd you're not wrong on Topanga rising to the occasion being all the more effective--though that may be how delighted I was in seeing a good Topanga again.
i liked Jonathan Turner as an authority figure towards Shawn hunter he wasn't afraid to yell at shawn when he messed up even though shawn wasnt his kid. like in that episode home when shawn went to mr turners house thinking mr turner is cool and wont yell at him for being brought home by the cops.
Deletei cant wait for them to be in the same episode together in the season 3 finale.
http://moviepilot.com/p/will-friedle-girl-meets-world-interview/4140165
ReplyDeletehere is a new interview with will friedle
he talks about Eric Matthews new youtube series and that we are going to see more of Eric Matthews in the future
Excellent, thank you
Deletei cant wait plus with it being or youtube he would have more freedom than if it was to air on Disney channel. it would be cool if the other boy meets world cast guest stared in his web series.
DeleteThat was a great interview. Really, really excellent.
DeleteI can't wait for those little shorts.
Also, are we to suppose that Eric was actually elected President in the Feeny-verse?
If Eric Matthews was a candidate, wouldn't you vote for him?
DeleteProbably.
DeleteFunnily enough, there was an article published in response to that first little video.
https://creators.co/@TishaMaeEaton/4136058#_ga=1.215909015.1040921942.1477008797
Well, this sucks.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nbcnewyork.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/Wrestling-Star-Big-Van-Vader-Has-Less-Than-2-Years-to-Live-401328136.html?_osource=SocialFlowFB_NYBrand
Fuck.
DeleteLatest tweet: Girl Meets Writers @GMWWriters · 7 hours ago
ReplyDeleteFriday: A very funny episode.
Then: Not so much.
Apparently the remaining episodes are more "real" than funny
Because those "serious" episodes have a greaaaaat track record.
DeleteJust watched Girl Meets Hollyworld. I have to say I was thinking I wouldn't like it based on the promo, but it was pretty funny. Don't miss this one.
ReplyDeleteI wish rider strong was in more episodes with katy now that they are married.
DeleteSilly Christian, I always read your take on the episodes! In fact, I always keep the newest review tab open until you properly reviewed it and gave it a rating. So don't assume we've all moved on! ;)
ReplyDeletestirac0dispra Matt Mueller https://wakelet.com/wake/2CphzkP3dK_KBmvBWUGDO
ReplyDeletedephopilsblos
compspecYplac-koOmaha Kathy Smith link
ReplyDeleteclick here
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midpugesttur
Disneyified version is "Topanga wanted Riley to be at the bakery because it was secretly a watch party all along"
ReplyDeleteI think the reason they kept cutting to the wide shot of Danielle and Rowan together was not only to show that Riley was taller than Topanga but also to show that Topanga didn't need to be the tallest in the room to wield the power. That's super realistic. I'm like 4 inches taller than my mom, but when she and i got into spats like this, she could hold that air of power and intimidation even though she was shorter than me. I think they're doing the same thing with Topanga in this episode
ReplyDeleteI personally thought it would've been interesting if Maya turned away Riley when she just automatically assumed she could go to her house after leaving Cory and Topanga's house. It would've been a nice callback to the episode of BMW after Cory and Topanga got married and they couldn't find a place to live.
ReplyDelete