‘Girl Meets World’ episode 3 review: The highs and lows for Riley and Lucas

For week three of “Girl Meets World,” the show started to show us some of what it does best … even in the process they did still continually remind us of one of their weakest links.

This episode was great for a number of reasons, starting with a bigger role for Topanga as she was starting to realize that Auggie, desperate to impress a girl, was trying to grow up too fast and shunning some of his own interests. There is a weird sort of mortality that comes into question watching this show, given that some out there have spent decades now with Ben Savage and Danielle Fishel, and have grown up right alongside them. It makes you question time, whether you are doing the best thing with it, and also the importance of being in the moment and enjoying what is around you.

Also, August Maturo (who plays the Auggie character) is to us at the moment the star of the entire show.

Meanwhile, Riley got a chance to do some fun physical comedy this week as she realized that another girl named Missy was taking an interest in Lucas, and was even trying to go to the movies with him. This was once again a story about maturity, and whether or not the idea of “going to a scary movie” alone is something that kids in middle school should really be thinking about. Lucas eventually turned her down, but not without some great embarrassment and one-liners. The scene of Farkle getting to be #2 on Missy’s list, and him getting really excited about not actually doing what he set out to do, was a highlight of the episode.

The real problem with the show right now is as simple as this: Lucas is vanilla. Riley’s only interested in him at first for his looks, and the whole time that most of the conflict is happening, he just sits there with a vacant look like he’s oblivious to everything. When he does finally speak out, he says and does the right thing. We know that this show is optimistic and idealized, but this guy is getting a complete Mary Sue treatment right now. It’s too much.

Still, it doesn’t take away too much from the fact that we had the best episode of the show yet, and one with evidence that the writers are finding ways to mix creativity in with the sentimental moments. Grade: B.

What did you think of Friday’s “Girl Meets World” episode? Do you think that the show is improving as a whole? Share your thoughts with a comment, and to get some further news on what lies ahead, sign up now for our CarterMatt Newsletter.

If you want to see a preview for the next new episode, you don’t have to look any further than this link!

Photo: Disney Channel