Mike's Initial Reaction Review:"Gifted"

Mike's initial reaction review:"Gifted"

Good Points

1) Character Development?? There appears to be some character development in this episode. Jodie seems to have become more of a best friend to Daria now, in that they understand each other better than anyone else. Jane on the other hand has had less interaction with Daria in the last couple of episodes. Quinn also is growing, too; which is more surprising. She seems to be fed up with the whole fashion club scene and is smart enough to go to someone smart (Jane, in this case) when she needs help.

2) Marital Trouble: Helen drops some not too subtle hints that she doesn't really like Jake. Of course, Jake is oblivious, but Helen's 'hints' are not really unexpected since she has been uncomfortable around Jake from the start (except for "Road Worrier").

3) Kevin & Brittany are more interesting when they don't say all that much. Her face after being told to "rent a brain" is hillarious. Kevin's (and Mack's) homage to Bart Simpson was amusing- "I will write until my hand is numb"

Bad Points

1) Jane?? Jane has become less of a major character lately. Three of the last four episodes have Jane in a small peripheral role. I, for one, hope that this doesn't continue.

2) Helen's competative streak: I hope that this trait of Helen's is downplayed more in the future. While it is integral to the character, it doesn't have to be the focus of everything she does. However, it was funny to see her react the way she did to the Landons (she couldn't say anything right, she knew it and couldn't do a thing about it).

Overall, I feel this episode is a marked improvement over "The New Kid" and "That was Then..." The goods outweigh the bads, for me, and I give it a B+.

[email] wrote in message ...

in

now,

Maybe it was just me, but did anybody else expect Jodie and Daria to swap books in the last scene in study hall? THAT would have been some character development.

In article , "NVRaptor" wrote:

I expected that they would, but was VERY happy to see the writers didn't go for the obvious cliche ending!

Overall, I found this to be an outstanding episode and clearly worth waiting for. There was a huge amount of development for the show. We saw each Fashion Club member separately, at home. We found out more about Jodie in this one episode than in all the others combined. Quinn let her defenses down to Jane...who kept hers up.

Heck, it was great all around. And Daria even almost sorta laughed!

-TDH

[email] wrote:>Maybe it was just me, but did anybody else expect Jodie and Daria to swap

YES!! I was soooo certain they would. I was actually a bit depressed when they didn't.

"Don't worry, I don't have low self esteem. It's a mistake. I have low esteem for everyone else."---Daria ("Esteemsters")

In article , [email] (JewlyaRose) wrote:

expect

No, no, no. Jewlya, that's what they would have done on "Saved By The Bell"!

Daria's different.

• TDH

well, why couldn't Zac then run in between them and steal both books.:) SIlly speaking, Jewlya

"Don't worry, I don't have low self esteem. It's a mistake. I have low esteem for everyone else."---Daria ("Esteemsters")

"Cut and paste sweetie, or else no one will know who you are talkin to....and don't u post to be heard and understood?"

[email] (JewlyaRose) writes:

I think it was better this way. After all, Jodie will eventually read _Heart of Darkness_, if she hasn't already, even if only for a class. So there would be nothing gained for her.

And, well, if Daria reads Dale Carnagie, she'll do it in private. And, well, I'm not convinced it would do her any good. It's a good book, but it's predicated on the notion that other people are worthwhile and interesting. In Lawndale, this may not be the case.

• Ian

Got a point... most of those lawndales aren't either. Jewlya

"Don't worry, I don't have low self esteem. It's a mistake. I have low esteem for everyone else."---Daria ("Esteemsters")

"Cut and paste sweetie, or else no one will know who you are talkin to....and don't u post to be heard and understood?"

Yes, that was exactly my thought too. Possibly they'd trade books, flip through them and then hand them back, but my impression was they were leading to a switch.

Not that it would lighten Daria's character up any, but Jodi's got a sarcastic streak in her that could make her Daria & Jane's match. [her line about other blacks at Lawndale] Jodi is one of the few people who really understand Daria, which gives her ways to manipulate Daria (the yearbook in "The New Kid") It's nice to pit Daria against an intelligent opponent instead of the usual gang of idiots.

In article , "NVRaptor" wrote:

That would have been too cliched. I was expecting it also, and I'm VERY glad they didn't do that. The point of the ending, it seems to me, is that Daria is Daria and Jodie is Jodie, and they're both perfectly cool with who they are...but now they understand one another a little bit better.

RAB

I thought they were gonna switch also.

--Marc

NVRaptor wrote:

Mike's initial reaction review:"Gifted"

Good Points

1) Character Development?? There appears to be some character development in this episode. Jodie seems to have become more of a best friend to Daria now, in that they understand each other better than anyone else. Jane on the other hand has had less interaction with Daria in the last couple of episodes. Quinn also is growing, too; which is more surprising. She seems to be fed up with the whole fashion club scene and is smart enough to go to someone smart (Jane, in this case) when she needs help.

2) Marital Trouble: Helen drops some not too subtle hints that she doesn't really like Jake. Of course, Jake is oblivious, but Helen's 'hints' are not really unexpected since she has been uncomfortable around Jake from the start (except for "Road Worrier").

3) Kevin & Brittany are more interesting when they don't say all that much. Her face after being told to "rent a brain" is hilarious. Kevin's (and Mack's) homage to Bart Simpson was amusing- "I will write until my hand is numb"

Bad Points

1) Jane?? Jane has become less of a major character lately. Three of the last four episodes have Jane in a small peripheral role. I, for one, hope that this doesn't continue.

2) Helen's competition: I hope that this trait of Helen's is downplayed more in the future. While it is integral to the character, it doesn't have to be the focus of everything she does. However, it was funny to see her react the way she did to the Landons (she couldn't say anything right, she knew it and couldn't do a thing about it)

Overall, I feel this episode is a marked improvement over "The New Kid" and "That was Then..." The goods outweigh the bads, for me, and I give it a B+.

Mike

Mike's Initial Reaction Review:"Gifted"

Good Points

1) Character Development?? There appears to be some character development in this episode. Jodie seems to have become more of a best friend to Daria now, in that they understand each other better than anyone else. Jane on the other hand has had less interaction with Daria in the last couple of episodes. Quinn also is growing, too; which is more surprising. She seems to be fed up with the whole fashion club scene and is smart enough to go to someone smart (Jane, in this case) when she needs help.

2) Marital Trouble: Helen drops some not too subtle hints that she doesn't really like Jake. Of course, Jake is oblivious, but Helen's 'hints' are not really unexpected since she has been uncomfortable around Jake from the start (except for "Road Worrier").

3) Kevin & Brittany are more interesting when they don't say all that much. Her face after being told to "rent a brain" is hilarious. Kevin's (and Mack's) homage to Bart Simpson was amusing- "I will write until my hand is numb"

Bad Points

1) Jane?? Jane has become less of a major character lately. Three of the last four episodes have Jane in a small peripheral role. I, for one, hope that this doesn't continue.

2) Helen's competition: I hope that this trait of Helen's is downplayed more in the future. While it is integral to the character, it doesn't have to be the focus of everything she does. However, it was funny to see her react the way she did to the Landons (she couldn't say anything right, she knew it and couldn't do a thing about it)

Overall, I feel this episode is a marked improvement over "The New Kid" and "That was Then..." The goods outweigh the bads, for me, and I give it a B+.

Mike's Initial Reaction Review:"Gifted"

Good Points

1) Character Development?? There appears to be some character development in this episode. Jodie seems to have become more of a best friend to Daria now, in that they understand each other better than anyone else. Jane on the other hand has had less interaction with Daria in the last couple of episodes. Quinn also is growing, too; which is more surprising. She seems to be fed up with the whole fashion club scene and is smart enough to go to someone smart (Jane, in this case) when she needs help.

2) Marital Trouble: Helen drops some not too subtle hints that she doesn't really like Jake. Of course, Jake is oblivious, but Helen's 'hints' are not really unexpected since she has been uncomfortable around Jake from the start (except for "Road Worrier").

3) Kevin & Brittany are more interesting when they don't say all that much. Her face after being told to "rent a brain" is hilarious. Kevin's (and Mack's) homage to Bart Simpson was amusing- "I will write until my hand is numb"

Bad Points

1) Jane?? Jane has become less of a major character lately. Three of the last four episodes have Jane in a small peripheral role. I, for one, hope that this doesn't continue.

2) Helen's competition: I hope that this trait of Helen's is downplayed more in the future. While it is integral to the character, it doesn't have to be the focus of everything she does. However, it was funny to see her react the way she did to the Landons (she couldn't say anything right, she knew it and couldn't do a thing about it)

Overall, I feel this episode is a marked improvement over "The New Kid" and "That was Then..." The goods outweigh the bads, for me, and I give it a B+.

Mike

P.S. I am sorry for any double or triple posting of this message since I am new to dejanews.

In article , [email] wrote:

Maybe "best friend" is overstating it -- Jodie has always been depicted as an ally to Daria and Jane. As for Jane's relative absence, well...there have been quite a few Jane-centric episodes, but never one focusing on Jodie before. It's nice to broaden the scope a little bit -- and the title of the series isn't "Daria and Jane" although some may well feel it ought to be!

There too, Quinn has shown signs of not being the perfect Fashion Club member in the past. She's only just smart enough to occasionally get bored with it, but certainly not smart enough to ever do anything about it.

An over-literal reading of her dialogue, I think. Jake and Helen are doing fine, but when Helen is stressed out (as she was because of the Landons) she won't hesitate to lash out at poor old hubby. That's just the way she is -- maybe you need to have known a lot of tightly-wound, overly aggressive type A professionals to really grasp that this kind of talk doesn't necessarily mean anything. Anyway, the couples that are genuinely headed for trouble never talk like that.

LOL!

See above.

Really? I thought both of those were great!

RAB

In article ,

other

True, that probably is an overstatement, Jodie is more of an ally than a friend. (Jodie and Daria are at least on the same wavelength). With Jane, they have made her out to be Daria's BEST FRIEND, I think that it's odd that Daria hasn't had more contact simply because they are supposed to be best friends.

IMO, every time she shows these signs, she is pulling herself farther away from the rest of the fashion club

start

I think that you're right, that these comments were a result of talking to Mrs Landon, but I feel that in the overall series Helen is at best tolerant of Jake. Most of their relationship seems(I don't know if it actually is) one sided, Helen does most of the work(voluntarily) and she then resents Jake because he does so little. But she also doesn't really want him to do more so he'll depend on her. It's one of those vicious things :)

I guess we can agree to disagree. My grades and reviews will mostly be relative, so when I say that it's a marked improvement, I'm not saying that "Taht Was Then.." or "The New Kid" were particularly bad, just that I though this episode was much better. Here are my grades so far for this season(they may change and are only MY opinion, so don'y anyone take them personally):

2-14  "Arts 'N' Crass"          A-
2-15  "The Daria Hunter"        C-
2-16  "Quinn The Brain"         B-
2-17  "I Don't"                 B
2-18  "That Was Then..."        C
2-19  "Monster"                 B+
2-20  "The New Kid"             C+
2-21  "Gifted"                  B+

Mike

In article , [email] wrote:

<snip>

Whoa, Mike, you area a HARD grader!!!

-TDH

In article ,

I don't think that they are *that* bad, notice there are no D's or F's. My grades for the first season were a bit higher, I'll share them too if you want(and I can find them).

Mike

In article ,

Found em:
Here's my chance to give my grades.
1-1 Esteemsters		 B
1-2 The Invitation       A-
1-3 College Bored        B-
1-4 Cafe Disafecto       B+
1-5 Malled               A
1-6 This Years Model 	 C+
1-7 Lab Brat 		 A
1-8 Pinch Sitter 	 A
1-9 Too Cute 		 B+(+for the fake boobs)
1-10 The Big House 	 A (possibly my favorite)
1-11 Road Worrier  	 A-
1-12 ...Don Jake      	 A-
1-13 The misery Chick	 B-
2-14 Arts and Crass 	 A-
2-15 The Daria Hunter 	 C- (Probably the worst episode, not quite an F or D)
2-16 Quinn The Brain     B-
2-17 I Don't		 B
2-18 That was Then...	 C
2-19 Monster 		 B+
2-20 The New Kid 	 C+
2-21 Gifted		 B+

Mike

ok..i was gonna ignore it as opinions i need not reply to, until... .>2-15 The Daria Hunter C- (Probably the worst episode, not quite an F or D) How can u call anythin the worst...especially that!!!! Seein tracy left in the dust with quinn staring at her as the bus rolled away....and helen and jake in the tunnels....Aw...at least a straight C if not a B-... Jewlya

"Don't worry, I don't have low self esteem. It's a mistake. I have low esteem for everyone else."---Daria ("Esteemsters")

"Cut and paste sweetie, or else no one will know who you are talkin to....and don't u post to be heard and understood?"

Okay, since this is gonna be my first post here, let's start with grades:

Scale as follows: A - I watch the tape over and over and over B - Good episode C - Could have been better D - Serious flaw(s) F - Indistinguishable from Regular Television

101 Esteemsters A (Self-esteem classes are one of my peeves; nice parody; I laughed all the way through it) 102 The Invitation B 103 College Bored B 104 Cafe Disafecto B 105 Malled C (although the Doo-Dads thing was great and I borrowed from it for an IDFF post) 106 This Years Model C (Most viewers confused the mercenary group with a militia) 107 Lab Brat A (A Bernstein classic) 108 Pinch Sitter A (The tie-in with CIA mind control deprogramming was priceless) 109 Too Cute B 110 The Big House C (The family court thing was a bit contrived, but I liked the use of styrofoam tablets) 111 Road Worrier A (Now we're starting to get into Daria's head) 112 ...Don Jake C (Making fun of the sixties has to be done, I suppose) 113 The Misery Chick A (Getting into Daria's head again -- WooHoo!)

201 Arts and Crass A (Daria takes action!) 202 The Daria Hunter D (This was a great idea gone horribly wrong. I got the impression that the writers fought over this a lot. Daria and Jane should have set up observation posts to feed false intelligence to the ground forces. The carnage could have been spectacular) 203 Quinn The Brain A (Daria takes action, we get into her head, and see how pretty she really can be) 204 I Don't A (Nice ep, but I hate weddings. Could have done more with Lerman. Looking forward to more Amy) 205 That was Then... A (Got into Trent's head this time, vinyl lives, and Daria inherits some of it. Now looking forward to Trent and Daria listening to music together...) 206 Monster A (Got into Quinn's head, reveals her despair and reveals Jodie's insight. Worries that Quinn might be rubbing off on her. Splendidly done) 207 The New Kid A (Back into Daria's head, reveals that despite her best attempts, the worlds shallowness invariably rubs off on her. She blames it on Quinn, as she was afraid might happen in 'Monster'. Also found out that Quinn and parents are furthering a communist plot to corrupt Daria. It is in danger of working, and Daria knows it) 208 Gifted A (Daria now knows that education isn't a cure for shallowness. Convinces Jodie, now has a new friend, I think. Quinn is in danger of becoming suicidal, because she is better than the other FC members, but would rather conform than use courage to form a rival FC group)

If my suspicions are correct, I would look for a change in Daria's tactics in future episodes. I can't say what, but she's going to have to become good at something she can gain recognition for that doesn't involve pandering to superficiality. Perhaps she'll get a job with a local newspaper or TV station, and fall into some big scoop that gets her national recognition.

Or, perhaps Quinn will have a crisis, and Daria will help her through it and gain a bond with her (in a sarcastic sort of way). Don't laugh; this kind of thing has been foreshadowed (Too Cute [You don't need a nose job. You're perfect], Monster [conscience got to her])

Hmm. Sounds like an idea for a fanfic. Or, a season finale!

Kind regards, Strider

On Fri, 03 Jul 1998 06:59:21 GMT, [email] wrote:

It sounds interesting, but I personally think you may be reading too much into this. IMHO, Daria and Quinn are typical siblings: They fight like wet cats trapped in a small box with only one mouse, but in the end, they *are* sisters and will stick up for one another... well, Daria will, anyway. :-) It reminds me of my brother and me; we used to argue and bicker until my mom couldn't stand it anymore, but if he got into a tight spot, I'd defend him to the death. It's no big thing, it's just... family.

Martin ---- "I don't have low self-esteem... I have low esteem for everyone else." - Daria

In article , [email] (Richard Bensam) wrote:

the other

It's WAY overstating it. They had a kinship going because they were both there...alone. I was happily surprised at the beginning when the writers didn't automatically send Jane and Daria together (much as I like Jane). It put a welcome new spin on the show.

Correct.

Or a spin-off..."The Lanes".

I don't think that's it. Quinn was the one kicked out of the first two homes, and it wasn't exactly willingly. Only at the last home did she flee on her own...and she took off knowing she had nowhere to go. I think there's still some life in Fashion Club subplots.

the start

Agreed.

And he's a easy target.

Well, I don't know about THAT.

This actually was a very insightful observation and, perhaps, the best of Mike's entire post. Personally, the less K&B, the better.

the last

Let me reiterate my support for as much Jane as possible, but understanding that other characters can be brought into the mix to enrichen it.

Agreed, again. In fact, "The New Kid" may very well be my favorite "Daria" of all.

• TDH

In article ,

wrote:

The more I think about it, "best friend" probably wasn't the best term to use here. But that's OK, this is how I'll learn for next time.

up

smart

much.

And we didn't have to hear Brittany's new and improved "even whinier" voice. That's worth a few points in my book.

and

B+.

I explained this in my posted reply to Rich, I think we can just agree to disagree here since everyone will have a different opinion on every episode Most of the other points I covered in that post as well. Overall with my review, I am happy with the responses. I am new to this NG and frankly, I didn't really know what to expect but I am glad to see this develop in to at least a good rebuttal to my review. So, I believe I will make this a weekly occurrance on the newsgroup.

One more aside before I close: As the name implies these reviews will be my initial reaction to an episode, as soon as it's over I'll write down what I think. In other words, I can change my mind in the future, after any other reflection(and in this case I am starting to).

Mike

I am new to this NG and let me say DARIA RULES! It is currently my favorite show

on television and its protrayal of high school life is more accurate than the very many attempts TV has made before. Adding to the success are probably the facts the show is a CARTOON and on CABLE. So hooray for both.

Have seen every ep except Nos. 1,2, and 6 from the first season. I think so far my favorite has probably been Arts and Crass. I thought this ep "Gifted" was very good and shows awesome promise for the show to continue with its quality streak into the future!!!

and I agree with the members who think Jane Lane ROCKS!!!

--Marc

[email] wrote: