Mike's Delayed Reaction Review-207(2-20), "The New Kid"

Mike's Delayed Reaction Review- "The New Kid"

MDRR 2-20

A Question of Ethics- A lot of unethical things happened in this episode and most of them involved the yearbook. Mr. DeMartino really shouldn't have taken pages away from sports and clubs- he should have added more pages and upped the price. By the same token, Miss Barch shouldn't have kicked his ass to get the pages back. Ted's parents had no real business telling Jake and Helen how to raise their daughter and Daria had no right to give Ted gum (he did take it, though- who is at fault there?).

Defender of the Sword (nothing to do with virtual reality)- Ted may have been quirky but his 'involvement' with Daria caused her to act very defensively. At first, this behavior may have been justified to get Jake, Helen and Quinn off her back but they must have been worse than we were led to believe. This is evidenced by Daria reaction to Jane saying "oh, brother" (Daria said either "he's not a brother" or "there is no cult" as a response). The stress seems to have gotten to her brain....

Alvin, Simon, Ted (as in Theodore)- Ted ran the gamut of modes and activity. First he was curious and talkative, then he showed joyous excitement over getting a piece of gum, then he called Daria shallow (a supreme insult in itself) and said that she would get along with Quinn and finally he became 'almost interesting' after going to the arcade (I wonder how his parents took that one). He seemed to go with the flow in his own innocent sort of way and took the hits as they came.

Picture Perfect- Major continuity plus points to the writer of this episode for remembering that Daria has an interest, talent or both for photography as seen at least once during her Beavis and Butthead days. They even showed her carrying her camera around- some things don't change. (Note: I was running out of opinions, good or bad, about specific parts of this episode and needed this section to fill it out, so to speak).

I did laugh out loud a couple of times, but I can't say that I enjoyed this episode, it was too weird for me. Ted probably won't be back (except maybe in the background), but I can't say I'll miss him. As some people have pointed out - Daria is not doing anything to come out on top in 2nd season episodes like she did in earlier ones. 'The New Kid' is probably the best example of that phenomenon- she doesn't get the yearbook pages, Ted won't even talk to her anymore, she didn't get to exchange the software and she didn't try anything that could have swayed things in her direction (all she did was beat up Quinn and she probably does that a lot anyway). To top it all off the virtual reality scenes were virtual crap. The episode made me want to 'hit' something too- the cannel changer. C

Mike Quinn I can be reached through e-mail at: [email]

On Wed, 13 Jan 1999 18:56:48 GMT, [email] wrote:

The "even when she wins she loses" episodes in season 2 were what really got me into Daria, instead of just watching it once a week or so. Daria tries to introduce Ted to student life, and Ted dumps her because of it.

My favorite example of it were my all-time favorite Daria lines:

"Sooooo. Things are back to normal. Fashion good, brains bad." "We win, right?"

That was from Quinn The Brain, where Daria had to convince Quinn to quit posing as a brain.

It captures a feeling that many teenage outcasts occasional feel. That somehow, this isn't about popularity or High School. That they have been setup to fail in this world, that they are "losers". Somehow the "winners" will always succeed, and they will be left behind.

Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but that's why I thought this episode deserved at least a B.

___ Kyle ICQ #12773280

Uh-oh, someone just put me in a position of responsibility! The day has suddenly turned sinister....

Another Nugget Of Wisdom from the Wonderful World Of Kyle(TM)

In article , [email] wrote:

best

The thing about this episode that didn't click with me is what the hell Daria saw in Ted. Sure, he was sweet and sincere, like she said, but so's Mr. O'Neill.

I didn't mind the "even when she wins she loses" scenarios at all once I got settled into the change...even got to appreciate them more. It was just Ted's personality that put me off this episode. I dunno...I hate to sound *shallow*, but maybe if his voice weren't so grating.

On Wed, 13 Jan 1999 23:59:38 GMT, [email] wrote:

Ted was an experiment.

For one, it was a safe way to experiment with the whole "dating" experience. Training wheels, if you will. While I don't see Daria as the next new cast member on Dawson's Creek, making her a nun doesn't seem all that realistic either.

Second, she was intrigued by Ted's personality. He was the extreme end of where Daria has tried to place herself socially. We see Daria contrasted with the rest of the school so often, it was a chance to see someone on the other side of that spectrum.

___ Kyle ICQ #12773280

Uh-oh, someone just put me in a position of responsibility! The day has suddenly turned sinister....

Another Nugget Of Wisdom from the Wonderful World Of Kyle(TM)

In article , [email] wrote:

Ted was actually showing interest in her?

Quinn would die if guys stopped being interested in her; for Daria it was never an issue to begin with.

[email] wrote in message ...

Daria

What Daria saw in Ted: He's smart. Daria likes that, probably considering a trait more important than any other. (I think that's what she likes about Trent. He's actually pretty smart too, when he's awake.) Just another illustration of the differences between Daria and Quinn. While Quinn is attracted by "squarish teeth", or "boyish smiles," Daria is attracted by "Honest, ethical, and smart." She was very impressed by the fact he'd been home schooled. Jane was right, Daria was "really into this guy" despite her denials. She may not have realized it herself at first. I also believe this may be the first time we've even heard Daria use the word "sweet." Ted brought out a tender side of Daria we've never seen before. And Ted was interested in Daria too. Of course who wouldn't be? "You're crazy. I think that's why I like you." Sparks were definitely flying in that pizza place.

In fact Daria was SO impressed with Ted that I think it really hurt her to "lose" him, as if you could call what happened losing. It's not as if he'd left her for another girl, he left her for other interests, as guys of that age (or any age really) often will. This is where I think the story falls just a little flat. There wasn't really any justification for Daria quitting yearbook and avoiding Ted. Mostly the writers had to cut off that story line and restore Daria to the status quo. While they want Daria to change and grow with time, I don't think they want to turn "Daria" into a serial. So the "Ted" story had to be cut a little abruptly. Still, there's hope. There's nothing that says Ted couldn't be brought into another story sometime in the future.

I suspect Daria's frustration over Ted is what prompted her demonstrate to Quinn how she could hit. She probably blamed Quinn partially for the breakup since Quinn, under her parent's influence (bribery), had been trying to separate Daria and Ted. Daria isn't going to be interested in just anyone (idiots need not apply) so her dating prospects are therefore likely to be somewhat sparse compared to someone like Quinn who's only requirements are that the guy look "hot," have a car, and can afford take her to Chez Pierre (money can make anyone beautiful.) So when Daria loses one of the few guys she considers a real prospect it's a more serious blow. Of course she's frustrated, and takes it out on the one person she considers even more responsible than herself. Poor kid, sweet-sixteen-and-never-been-kissed and Quinn works to separate her from one of the few guys she could consider being interested in.

I think it's interesting that Jake and Helen were more worried about the relatively harmless Ted and his alleged "cult" than they were with the somewhat more "dangerous" Trent and his earrings when they met him in "Pierce Me."

One of the better episodes I think.

Bob

On Thu, 14 Jan 1999 11:45:31 -0500, "R. K. Henry" wrote:

Isn't that the way it always works, though? I've seen many a parental action or rule, intended to "protect" their daughter (usually it happens when she's their oldest), that ultimately backfires and the end result is the exact opposite of what was intended.

In article , [email] wrote:

I apologize that I wasn't clearer with this point. I don't really have a problem with "even when she wins she loses" scenarios, I was just pointing out the contrast between the 1st and 2nd season that I and others have noticed. My only criticism for this episode is that this theme seemed to me to be trampled to death instead of just mentioned, that was probably that pushed this episode down into the C range for me.

Mike Quinn I can be reached through e-mail at: [email]

The correct quote from "Quinn the Brain" is:

Jane: "I guess things are back to normal." Daria: "Fashion--good. Thinking--bad." Jane: "Yeah. We win." Daria: "I'm on top of the world."

I just happened to have a video capture on my computer to check against.

Bob

[email] wrote :

I don't know who started it, but the idea that Daria just doesn't "come out on top" in the second season the way she supposedly did in the first seems to be a most common perception amongst Daria fans, especially the more serious ones who were dissappointed by the 2nd sea. episodes. But putting aside the assertion's popularity, has anybody ever stopped to consider whether the statement is actually accurate about the series as a whole and doesn't just *seem* accurate after watching a 2nd sea. ep. you didn't particularly like? Certainly there are early eps. where Daria "comes out on top," (e.g. "Malled"-- Quinn must do Daria's chores for a month) but then there are ones like "College Bored" where at the end Daria has to give back all the money she made and the entire experience, as they say, "kinda sucked." Nor does Daria end up any better in some other 1st sea. eps, such as "The Invitation" (a "bonus sock" does not make up for having to take the scenic route home with Upchuck) and "Too Cute" (telling your sister she's insanely beautiful and "perfect" is *not* "coming out on top"). Simply put, in the first season Daria wins some (in "Lab Brat" & "Pinch Sitter" she gets an "A"), but she loses or merely restores the status quo (see "The Big House") in plenty too. But what about the second season? Is Daria really failing to "come out on top" here any more consistantly than she was succeeding in season one? So things don't work out in "The New Kid," what about "Gifted" where in a single transaction Daria makes more money ($50) than (I believe) she netted in the entire first season? And for what? For spending a weekend away from Quinn! I suspect Jane would have paid to have had that same privilidge! What other 2nd sea. eps. turn out well? There's "I Don't" where Daria ditches the wedding to go bowling with Amy, and then there's "Pierce Me" which ends with Daria escaping rebuke for her experiment in navel ornamentation AND making Quinn look like a complete fool for accusing her. Basically, Daria is in the same "win some, lose some" situation in the second season as she was in the first. Of course, she's not inciting anti-communist riots or calling up "Brutal Mercenary Magizine" anymore, but the more realistic victories in 2nd sea. eps. like "Arts 'N Crass" (where she gets to make her statement and still avoid punishment) count for just as much with me. Well, that's my position anyway, not that I expect the hordes of believers in the "Daria isn't what she used to be" 'phenomenon' to reconsider their opinions.

As always, B.B. Jan. 13, 1998 England

On Wed, 13 Jan 1999 23:50:19 -0500, "B_B_England" wrote:

<snipped a long post about Daria not always winning or losing>

The thing you missed is that the Season 1 vs. Season 2 thing isn't black and white. No one means to say "in EVERY season 1 ep Daria wins and in EVERY season 2 ep Daria loses". It goes much deeper than "winning" or "losing". It's the irony of Daria being put in a situation that forces her to fight for something that doesn't really help her at all was a prominent theme noticable in several 2nd season episodes.

___ Kyle ICQ #12773280

Uh-oh, someone just put me in a position of responsibility! The day has suddenly turned sinister....

Another Nugget Of Wisdom from the Wonderful World Of Kyle(TM)

In article , [email] wrote:

That's a really good point, Kyle. This type of thing is seldom absolute. But B.B.'s comments are valid, too. Daria is still 'winning' in some respects but her victories are more within the realm of possibility, or at least less outrageous, in the second season. Upon reflecting, it does seem that this notion did come from some peolpe who were upset with how the second season episodes turned out (does the name Wraith ring a bell).

Mike Quinn I can be reached through e-mail at: [email]

On Fri, 15 Jan 1999 14:12:49 GMT, [email] wrote:

I always kind of thought of it as the transformation from "Daria:Nerd Warrior Princess, heroine to all oppressed, fearlessly striking down the simple-minded populars with her wit, striking a blow for all loser-kind" to "Daria, realistic person with a unique life"

___ Kyle ICQ #12773280

Uh-oh, someone just put me in a position of responsibility! The day has suddenly turned sinister....

Another Nugget Of Wisdom from the Wonderful World Of Kyle(TM)

On 15 Jan 1999 16:17:56 GMT, [email] (Kyle) wrote:

I think it's part of that character development thing. It would make slightly more sense if she was one year older than in the first season (ie. was a junior in season 2); one can be thought of highly and included by the top people on campus for so long without being affected. Eventually, one loses her edge, possibly for the better, for her (but perhaps worse for those that are still in a season 1 state). In addition, that whole nerd bashing style tends to go out of style as people get older (and was virtually nonexistant at my own alma mater, Edison High).

You know Mike, Wraith *was* who I had in mind when I wrote that post. He was a serious fan for a long time, but then got turned-off by the second season for reasons he never really explained. About that time the complaint starts going around the message boards (back when Daria fans still used the things, and when there were some worth using) that "Daria isn't coming out on top like she used to" and that this was a reason to write off the second season. I'm with Kyle on the show's best qualities running a lot deeper than Daria "winning" and "losing," but that was what a lot of people chose to look at. The funny thing though, is that their whole objection was never accurate in the first place--Daria has ALWAYS been a win-some-lose-some show--and yet we've lost a lot of good people over this.

B.B.