Summer has officially ended and I'm didn't think of it as a vacation. Rather, a period of heading out to new places, doing some thinking, and a carefree environment to filter out what's merely fluff. High school is not the time for existential crises and acting on your own terms takes a ton of guts to instigate. But as teenage stereotypes go, some havoc is wreaked on all by yourself. Take a stand and seek advice, not necessarily buying into what crowds say. And as for life-changing matters, having someone support your decisions is comforting, but never get too comfortable with anything.. or anyone. Alongside from that, you'll be fine as long as you have a plan.
Returning from a few months of inactivity, there's no need for me to take a stance on a topic or recount a particular event. I called up an old acquaintance and we had an extensive talk on scandals; thoughts on a class with a sole focus on sensational scandals of all sorts? Complain with the same-old "teach me how to file my taxes before I graduate," but there is a list of other practical matters that I'd add to that list.. I'll respect you considerably more with some distinct chatter. My laptop keyboard feels.. different than usual.
Daria S2
13x20 mins
Satire, Slice of Life
MTV 1998
Daria and her friend Jane continue to mock their peers and teachers at Lawndale High. Mr. O'Neill is a sucker for artsy finished products and Mr. and Mrs. Morgandorffer argue about their parenting.
Crass humor and moderate sarcasm are all wrapped up in a classic green parka. For any student out there with a looming sense of ennui, Daria doesn't ask to be relevant- she's frank with her remarks about her high school. Keen and reclusive, a prime example that academia doesn't have to be the hot topic. Even as her mother proposes that she chaperone a school trip because "[she] smells letters of recommendation," Daria scoffs at the uselessness of such papers if you didn't have a first-choice college in the first place. What does Daria think of life after Lawndale? It doesn't seem to be a quivering thought at all! On top of being a straight-A student who tunes in to Sad, Sick World, this season showed some moments of rare blushing and being in it for the ride. All the things that she spouts outsets her dorky appearance and internal snickers at the world.
Jane upholds similar impressions of Lawndale like Daria, but is a little bit outgoing. A punk girl suddenly rising in popularity as a (temporary) track star? Couldn't agree more about doing something stupid to impress somebody else. The artist type between the two, Jane strengthens Daria's TV presence as the two are inseparable. Of course, having friendship for less than a year will be deemed nothing! compared to many TV best friend duos/groups. Other characters present typical students that exist in high schools (don't forget the voice of reason, Mack Daddy!)
Daria's mannerisms and personality are the heart of the series, so dramatically vamping any aspect of her changes the enjoyability of the show. Loosely day-to-day, the events are quite ordinary: a school day, a fair, a class paintball field trip?! It is in the social exchanges that viewers process characters' wit, ad lib behavior, and judgment toward others.
| SWEATPANTS: Daria S2 | |
|---|---|
| Sequence | 8 |
| Well-Casted | 8 |
| Enjoyment | 7 |
| Ability to be Binged | 8 |
| Theme Song/ Animation is Present | 6 |
| Personalities Differ Among Characters | 7 |
| Alternating Viewpoints/ Camera Work | 8 |
| Nice! There's Character Development | 6 |
| Title | 7 |
| Suspense/ Surprise | 5 |
| Total | 7 |
No shenanigans here; if you want that, dig out a teen drama or something. Daria is not at all a school survival guide, but sheds light on biases and hypocrisies of American school systems, while portraying a typical high school experience. As far as I'm concerned, high school is four years of personalization: carve out your own path, take a class that you've piqued interest, socially experiment, learn how to beg... taking risks can wait and time will reveal what you really long for.
This year will be a thrilling one
Don't go past the midnight threshold unless you're reading for pleasure.. for yourself. Crime and Punishment never sounded so sweet on a pouring night.
