25. Girl Meets New Year Summary
In this episode, Riley must decide between sense and sensibility if she goes with her heart or her head.
References
There were two and a half tasteful references. First, when Cory tells Lucas that this lesson will be on the test, that's a reference to Mr turner telling Shawn the same thing in season 2. Then there was a double reference. Eric and Rachel play the couples game, and it was also during a love triangle in the episode when the final choice between Eric and Jack was made in season 6. The couples game was played in season 5 at the ski lodge with Lauren, and all the uncomfortable questions that were asked during the game this time refer to that.
Review
This was a very satisfying episode. They finally got back to the love triangle, which is the most interesting active story at this point in the season. I loved Riley and Maya's joke about how nothing else will happen until they sort out what happens with Lucas and Maya. I also loved the returns in this episode. Smackle was back, and she made the most of her screen time. She had me cracking up at the New Years' party. I love her witty banter with Lucas, but the highlight was her hug with Riley, asking if she had adequate pressure. I loved that Harper was finally back; her lesson in sense and sensibility was excellent and served as the center point of the episode.
Do you lead with heart or head? It seems simple, but people debate it, and I'm glad Harper taught that both are important neither one is better than the other the correct answer is the balance between the two. I think Harper even got Cory to raise his game a bit. I thought his lesson was good too about the difference between grown friends and feelings. I also loved that the adults didn't directly tell the kids what to do; they guided them, and the kids had to figure it out for themselves. Another positive return was Charlie garner. I think he does an excellent job of complicating the story and moving things along. However, his entire character could be summed up in his line to Cory and Topanga "I'm a good person." It's a bit heavy-handed like they just keep making the point Charlie is a good guy (like him like him). Clearly, some of that was on purpose, but I think they could have made him more realistic and allowed Riley to fall for him a bit. I think that would have made the scene on the roof more impactful if Riley realized she liked him, but she didn't love him, but it's tough to conclude that when she never really gave him the time of day.
Also, because she never really gave him the time of day, Charlie seems like a young Joe Goldberg always around and never getting that reciprocation. One of the elements that make this episode great is Farkle. Farkle putting Riley on a timer was great. Very dramatic, and it really gave the episodes a sense of urgency and drama. Also, talk about starting the year off with a bang. This episode gets me really excited to see the fallout now that all the chips are on the table. Also, I like Riley and Charlie's sort of breakup. I thought it showed growth for Riley to be honest with herself and Charlie and speak up, and I thought it was an important lesson that as much as Charlie likes Riley and is a good guy, it's still not enough a relationship can't just be good on paper you need more. My criticisms for this episode are that I didn't think Farkles HA Laugh was appropriate when he is telling his friend he will tell everybody her secret because it's not supposed to be malicious. Also, I thought the Gabriel reference was forgivable but definitely unnecessary and strange coming from Farkle, a nonbeliever.
Grade A-
Streaming Assignments
The homework is the BMW episode that I think shares a similar theme to this Girl Meets World episode. The extra credit is where you can find all the smaller references Girl Meets World made to Boy Meets World.
Homework Graduation season 5 Cory (has to choose between sense and sensibility when Topanga gets into Yale), Season 2 Cyrano,
Extra Credit season 5 Heartbreak Cory, season 6 Getting Hitched
24. Girl Meets Hollywood Summary
In this episode, the girls kidnap an actress so Maya's mom can get an acting part.
References
When Farkle says what cape at the end, that is a reference to season 1 Boy Meets World when a kid wearing a cape was asked why he wears it every day and said what cape. Also, this whole episode is a reference to Eric in Hollywood when they parodied Boy Meets World.
Review
I really liked this episode. Once again, Riley and Maya are actually there doing something worthwhile. It is not cookie-cutter either they have kidnapped a woman. This was an exciting and creative way to explore Maya's wild side and her wanting to help her mother. Maya kidnapped the actress so she could make sure her mother got the acting part. Speaking of Maya's mother, who is one of my favorite parts of the show. It turns out she knows this kidnapped woman. They used to be best friends. The fact that the super successful actress and Katy used to be best friends added a deeper level to the story. Maya and Riley had to figure out how two best friends could ever have drifted apart. The story is that the successful French actress was not actually French at all; she was Kelly Jo from Arkansas, and she left her best friend behind when she got famous, which made their reunion song in Topanga's living room even better. Also, the song is super catchy. It will be in your head all day after you hear it.
I also thought this episode did a great job with the side story. Sara, the extra, has a directer father, as she told us in season one. Well, she wrote a movie about Katy and Maya's life and her dad's making it. This also gave the other characters lots of opportunities for funny bits while auditioning to play themselves, and of course, none of them made it. I think the writer also slipped in some funny commentary about show business how it is supposed to be about authenticity, but all these directors want is the biggest draw, so much so that they would rather put a name actress over the woman the role is based on. And finally, I loved the ending when kelly jo stepped aside for Katy and gave her the break of a lifetime, and the friends United and sang once last time. " Hey, I am kelly Jo, And I am Katy Hart."
Grade A-
Streaming Assignment
Homework Eric in Hollywood season 5
Extra credit Cory Alternative Friends season 1
23. Girl Meets Pluto Summary
Cory, Shawn, and Topanga go back to Feeny's house to open a time capsule in this episode. Riley and her friends make one for class.
References
There were a few good references in this episode. They referenced Shawn and Cory as old people in BMW season two "They want you to take the rolls. They went back to Feeny's house and yard, which felt really nostalgic. They also did the bit where Shawn and Cory are caught by Feeny and gasp and point, which happened several times. They also referred to the first time Cory said I love you to Topanga. They also referred to the Lauren saga in season five with Lauren's love letter. Angela saga was also referenced as Shawn put the contents of her purse in his time capsule. Also, Shawn references being a ladies' man when Riley calls him a jerk.
Review
I love this episode. Firstly I think GMW tied in Riley's hope for Pluto well as the theme. Also, I liked how every artifact they dug up tied to the theme of having hopes and dreams even when things seem impossible. Shawn had to believe in love, believe he could find it for himself in high school even when it seemed like he never would, and the purse girl he fell in love with had a boyfriend. This ties into the Girl Meets World theme of giving into hope and Shawn's current story. Angela hurt him, and now he has to allow himself to give in to hope and allow himself to believe he can find love. Topanga buried Lauren's note, which taught her to believe in Cory and their relationship even when it seemed like they would never be together again. Cory got the Jean jacket. Topanga had dumped him after he said I love you, but he had to believe in their relationship, and in Topanga, even when it seemed like it was over and because he did, all of the Girl Meets World was possible.
Also, I love that they developed a mentor relationship with Maya and Shawn regardless of the relationship between Shawn and Katy. Knowing how important mentors were to Shawn, it is great to see him give back to Maya. Also, I love that Feeny got to meet Maya and Riley. I only wish he would have been able to give them advice, but Riley telling Feeny Cory is a great father and Maya saying he is the best teacher ever but saying Cory says you are. Phenomenal. I loved that moment. I also loved Riley taking charge in this episode. She made sure Maya did not give up on hoping she made good on her role as the good influence. She also inspired Shawn to seek love. She planted the seeds in his mind. She also helped her friends to put more meaningful things in the time capsule, and by the end, I think they put things in there that were truly worth uncovering. I only wish Riley would have put something more personal in there. I know they tied it in by saying did you hear they are thinking about making Pluto a planet again but still.
The last scene was absolutely perfect. Shawn testing Katy and comparing her to Angela, and realizing different can be good. They were not done yet, though, because, in the end, we find out that Maya has not given up on hope and is actually wishing for Shawn to be her father, and it was the perfect ending. I love this episode so much because it was the perfect balance of old and new. The old cast had an exciting story with plenty of nostalgia, but the new cast had a good and meaningful story as well, and together they formed an excellent new story about Maya and Shawn, and Katy. Also, they have an excellent setup for a future episode with Angela.
Grade A
Streaming Assignments
Homework: What I meant to Say season 3, I Love You Donna Karan season 5, Chasing Angela season 5, Heartbreak Cory season 5, Torn Between Two Lovers (feeling like a fool ), season 5,
Extra Credit Breaking up is hard to do season 2, Father Knows Less season 1, Back to School Season 2, Things change season 5, Angela's ashes season 7
22. Girl Meets Game Night Summary
In this episode, Riley invites her friends to family game night.
References
This episode was a huge reference episode and was actually pretty important to the series. The minor reference was when they pointed out that John Quincy Adams was the son of Cory’s high school namesake John Adams. In Boy Meets World season 1 Preunion, the kids acted out the revolution just like the kids in Girl Meets World. The more prominent episode theme is from Model family season 1. In that episode, Cory learns how to run a family from his parents through a class assignment; here, they use a board game and class lesson to explore family dynamics.
Review
I love that Riley is finally rebelling. She is not doing anything wrong per se, but she is showing that she is her own person with her own drives and wants and not just an agent of her parents, so that is a huge plus. Also, I think this episode signaled to Cory and Topanga and the audience that’s it time for Riley to spend more time with her friends and less time with her parents. This development feels incredibly satisfying as it is a culmination of the last two episodes, Girl Meets Brother, where they smothered Riley and Girl Meets Home For The Holidays, where Shawn arrived and opened up Girl Meets World, and made it feel like the start of the new season. Girl Meets Game Night has continued that trend.
This episode had lessons for the parents and kids. Cory needed to learn to let go. Topanga has to realize that Riley would come back to them and that she does look up to Topanga as well. While it is important to gain independence, Riley learned that she should not push aside her parents. They all learned that life is ultimately about the long game, not short-term success. I also thought this was one of the funnier Girl Meets World episodes, but it always gets a comedy boost when Ava is around. Also, random side note, but does Lucas remind anyone else of season 5, Jack, from Boy Meets World?
Grade A
Streaming Assignments
Homework Model Family season 1.
Extra Credit Preunion season 1, Back 2 school season 2
21. Girl Meets Semi-Formal
Summary
In this episode, Riley is in a love triangle with Charlie and Lucas. Jack and Eric return.
References
This episode has a lot of great references. Firstly, they directly reference the tutorial video Cory watched in season one about growing up (also fifties-style video). That one was about hormones. They also make two references to the turnaround dance(BMW S2). Firstly in the tutorial, when they say the dance will determine the rest of your life. Cory thought getting asked to the dance would change his entire life and give him value or devalue him. His daughter feels similarly. The second reference was when Riley, just like her father before her, accepted a date to the dance without seeing who it was. Underpants reference. They have Cory say underpants just like he did in season six in the now infamous gif where he sees Shawn in his underpants with Topanga.
Also, there are some substantial Rachel references here. Firstly to Jack and Rachel joining the Peace Corps in the season finale. Also, they have Eric yell Rachel like he did in season 6 Bee true. Also, they use Rachel's love triangle with Jack and Eric as a theme for this episode. Also, Jack and Eric are trying to decide who will influence who, which is a callback to season 7 when they worked together, and they were not sure who was supposed to rub off on who. Also, bringing Jack back to the dance was a reference to when Eric and Jack chaperoned the prom in season 5.
Review
I really liked this episode. I think they did an excellent job of advancing the storyline of Riley and Lucas possibly being like brother and sister instead of the lovers they thought they were. I think Charlie shook things up, and he was immediately likable. I also like that we are giving Riley other options. Lucas has other options in episode 3, but thus far, Riley has only had Lucas and sort of Farkle. I also loved how they wrapped Jack's story from season 7 and brought Eric and Jack back together. I would have enjoyed this episode If it was just Jack and Eric and their storyline. However, Riley and Charlie's story makes this episode even better.
This episode is what Riley's childhood should be about change and pivotal moments. This story had excellent stakes as Riley's choice could impact the whole friend group. Also, it tied beautifully with Eric and Jack's story when Jack helped advise Riley based on his relationship with Eric and Rachel. That moment alone made me appreciate the love triangle between Jack and Eric and Rachel more in retrospect. This was another great episode. The only thing it was missing was a Maya and Jack moment and an appearance from Rachel.
Grade A
Streaming Assignments
Homework Getting Hitched season 6 BMW, Boy Meets World Extra Credit His Answer season 6, Her Answer season 6, Ain't College great season 6, Hogs and Kisses season 6 We'll have a good time then season 6 , Resurrection season 6, Brave New World Part 2, Promises Promises season five, You Light up my Union season 7
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