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(Yes, too much TV. Damn GAP commercial tune is stuck in my head)
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I thought this episode was a pretty average episode, and would agree with whoever gave it a C. It did have some amusing parts (like the SSW marathon repartee), but it was so overwhelmed by supporting characters and subplots that there didn't seem to *be* a plot. Fashion Club plot - been there, done that. If the writers could come up with a new twist with it, it might've been interesting. But this has been visited before. Quinn got stood up, Sandi has a leg up. Then Sandi got dumped, Quinn has a leg up. It's *always* like that, one person has a leg up, and at the end, the other person does. Either something seriously FC-shattering happens soon, or this subplot will get tired FAST.
IMO, everything before the cruise was pretty amusing. Daria and Jane's witty comebacks, their interesting SSW marathon (Remember that scene where Daria and Jane were dropping off to sleep, but still had to get a sarcastic comment edgewise? That was funny). But as soon as they stepped on the cruise, Daria and Jane faded into the background. Yes, they had that scene with the chips, but it would've been way better if Jane did do some gambling with it and literally swept the house clean. Instead, they had to catch up with their sleep.
The episode was fraught with conflict. Helen vs. Jake, Ms Li vs Helen, Mr. Demartino vs. gambling problem, Jake vs getting away from DeeDee, etc. Again, it would've been a whole lot better if Daria and Jane were more *involved*. The show is named "Daria" for a reason. This episode was amusing, yes, but it could've been so much more. Maybe have a whole episode on just Helen vs. Jake, that would be interesting to see how Daria and Quinn is handling it. However, it turned out that "Just Add Water" turned out all wet.
"Must... stick... head.... cold... water...."