‘Girl Meets World’ season 2, episode 12 reaction: ‘Girl Meets Yearbook’ and an identity crisis
Tonight’s new episode of “Girl Meets World” carried with it the strong sort of emotional through-line that you would expect to see on this show at this point. It was a tale about identity, and learning that despite whatever “True Detective” may be telling you, your best self is not necessarily your worst self.
Instead, your best self is really your true self, and you shouldn’t be afraid of being that. Riley and Farkle in particular started to become incredibly insecure after seeing entries in a yearbook labeling them as specific things. They tried to change up their entire personalities as a result, only to realize that this did not exactly work. Sometimes, you really just have to be yourself and embrace why people like you in the first place rather than changing that.
Oh, and we should also mention now the ensuing awkwardness that came through all of this between Riley and Lucas, as the two try to continue to figure out what their dynamic is as friends, potential romantic partners in the future, or something else. This storyline was a reflection in some ways of Riley’s jealousy, and in turn it may cause her to question just how she wants her relationship with him to be perceived.
Now, the weakness with this episode: Outside of a few references here and there, this episode did not necessarily bring up as much on the “Boy Meets World” front. At least it was nice to see Topanga in a scene with another adult not named Cory and she Maya’s mother got together for a chat. This episode was at least solid entertainment, though probably a little too saccharine for the older crowd.
What did you think about this episode, and were you a little bit bummed out by the lack of adult stories? Share with a comment, and head over here to preview what will be coming on the Disney Channel series next week! Also, be sure to sign up here to piece together even more news on all we cover, sent right in your direction via our official CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: Disney Channel.)
Rachel Heller
August 9, 2015 @ 7:19 pm
I thought that Girl Meets Yearbook was wonderful because it teaches kifs an important life lesson about being themselves and being comfortable with it. I like that Farkle is growing up and I liked Dark Riley. However, chipper Riley is the best Riley. Cory’s Greenland/Iceland lesson tied in nicely to the main storyline. As to if Riley and Lucas become more than friends remains to be seen. Episode grade:B+.
Anonymous
August 8, 2015 @ 4:38 am
Riley did not call Lucas her brother. Maya, pretending to be Riley, referred to Lucas as her (Riley’s) brother. This, while according Maya’s mother in this episode would indicate that Riley actually feels this way, is in no way supported by Riley and Lucas’s actions towards each other. They have always shown indications of attraction or a “crush” since episode one. Having similar dispositions, despite Maya’s strange “epiphany,” does not make two people the equivalent of siblings. Riley and Lucas are similar in that they are both positive people, but it presents itself in different ways: Lucas is not nearly as cheery or chipper as Riley. In fact, the relationship of Lucas and Maya is much more similar to a sibling relationship (I am a sibling, so I would know) than that of Lucas and Riley. While some people may think that Maya and Lucas are simply “hiding” their attraction, it actually is very similar to how siblings interact. Lucas does not in any way act like Riley’s “brother,” despite what Maya may have led us to believe. Unless you count the fact that he supports her and cares about her, which is also found in the relationships of friends (which they are) and boyfriend/girlfriends (which they might eventually be). I strongly disagree with the writers’ implication that similar personalities are the beginning of a “sibling” or non-romantic relationship. I find relationships that spring from constant, sibling-like teasing (such as Ron/Hermione and, if it happens, Lucaya) to be the least realistic of all “ships” in every single instance they occur. Also I find the idea of Maya betraying Riley that way to be a terrible idea, as the show mainly centers around their friendship. I would much rather see Rucas and Joshaya than ever see Lucaya. We’ve already seen instances of Maya being the Shawn to Riley’s Cory and Lucas’ Topanga (Maya asks Lucas out to push him toward Riley, Shawn once asked Topanga out to push Cory to ask her out). Putting Maya in between the relationship because for some reason she thinks two positive people should be more like siblings than a couple is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.
Mackenzie Hollister
August 11, 2015 @ 11:39 pm
I totally agree with that