Boy Meets World
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Boy Meets World is an American coming-of-age sitcom created by Michael Jacobs and April Kelly that aired on ABC for seven seasons between September 24, 1993 to May 5, 2000.
Plot
(Seasons 1-2)
The show begins with Cory as a middle school student dealing with everyday issues like family life, school, friendships, and first crushes. He lives next door to his teacher, Mr. Feeny, who provides him with valuable life lessons. Cory's best friend, Shawn, is a key part of his life, and he begins to develop a crush on Topanga, his quirky classmate.
(Seasons 3-5)
As Cory and his friends enter high school, the series explores more complex issues such as identity, relationships, and personal struggles. Cory and Topanga's relationship deepens, and they start dating. Shawn deals with family problems, including his absentee father and a troubled upbringing. Mr. Feeny continues to guide them through high school, and Cory’s older brother, Eric, provides comic relief as he tries to find his own path.
(Seasons 6-7)
The final seasons focus on Cory, Topanga, Shawn, and Eric as they transition to college. Cory and Topanga get married and face the challenges of young adulthood and maintaining their relationship. Shawn struggles with finding his identity and reconciling with his past, while Eric matures, albeit still humorously. Mr. Feeny remains a constant mentor, even into their college years, continuing to offer wisdom as the group enters adulthood.
Why It Meets The World
- Memorable and relatable characters like Cory, Shawn, Topanga, Eric, and Mr. Feeny, who grew with the audience throughout the series.
- Great character development, especially with Cory and Shawn, who evolve from mischievous boys to responsible adults by the series end.
- Catchy and iconic theme song that changed throughout the seasons.
- Decent acting especially from Ben Savage and Will Friedle.
- Good sets design.
- Timeless life lessons delivered through Mr. Feeny’s wise teachings, covering everything from friendship and love to integrity and responsibility.
- Realistic and relatable storylines that tackle both everyday teenage experiences and more serious issues like family dynamics, loss, and self-identity.
- Endearing friendships and relationships, such as the deep bond between Cory and Shawn, and the evolving love story of Cory and Topanga.
- Humor that appeals to all ages, with witty dialogue, situational comedy, and running gags involving characters like Eric, who brings constant laughter with his quirky personality.
- Episodes that deal with serious, mature topics like death, abuse, alcohol, bullying, and societal pressures, helping viewers navigate difficult conversations.
- Fantastic guest stars and cameos over the years, including celebrities like Jennifer Love Hewitt and Brittany Murphy, as well as memorable recurring characters.
- Classic and heartfelt episodes, such as:
- "Pilot" (introduces the characters and sets the tone for the series)
- "The Happiest Show on Earth" (Cory and Topanga’s big moment)
- "And Then There Was Shawn" (a fan-favorite horror-themed episode)
- "Graduation" (marking the end of an era for the characters)
- "Brave New World" (the emotional series finale)
- A well-balanced blend of humor and heart, providing both comedic moments and touching, meaningful lessons that resonate with viewers of all ages.
- Important messages about friendship, family, and growing up, with a particular focus on loyalty, honesty, and understanding.
- Powerful social commentary, addressing race, class, and the challenges of transitioning from childhood to adulthood.
- A lasting legacy, with the show spawning a successful sequel series, Girl Meets World, bringing the original characters and their lessons to a new generation.
- Emotional sendoffs, especially in the series finale, where the characters and the audience say goodbye to Mr. Feeny and reflect on the impact of the journey.
Bad Qualities
- The spin-off isn't as good as this series.
- Inconsistent tone, especially in later seasons, where the show sometimes struggles to balance serious moments with over-the-top humor, particularly with Eric's increasingly exaggerated personality.
- Underdeveloped supporting characters, like Angela and Rachel, who don’t receive as much depth or backstory as the main cast, leaving some of their story arcs feeling incomplete. Lack of closure for some characters, like Morgan, who disappears for large parts of the series and then reappears without much explanation or significant contribution to the storyline.
- Some episodes feel dated, with humor and references that don’t hold up well in modern times, making certain jokes feel out of place for today's audience.
- Repetitive storylines, especially when it comes to Cory and Topanga’s relationship, which goes through multiple unnecessary breakups and reconciliations that some viewers found tiresome.
- Shawn’s dramatic storylines sometimes feel overdone, with repeated focus on his troubled family life, creating a sense of over-reliance on the same plot points for character development.
- Inconsistent continuity, where certain events or character traits from earlier seasons are ignored or altered in later episodes, leading to confusion about some character arcs.
- Rushed and underwhelming final season, where the show introduces new characters and plotlines that don’t get fully fleshed out, making the ending feel somewhat disjointed.
- Limited exploration of important topics, like race and gender, which are touched upon briefly but never fully explored, leaving some important social issues underdeveloped.
- Some fan-favorite characters are sidelined toward the end, such as Minkus, who disappears after the first season only to return briefly in later episodes.
- The sudden shift to college life in later seasons feels jarring for some viewers, with the show losing some of its original charm and focus on high school experiences.