What a wonderful episode. So much BMW feel. I'll admit, I was concerned when I read the synopsis and saw the previews. Disney tends to make their sneak peeks really dramatic and then once the show or movie or whatever you're watching comes on you're disappointed because there's no juice and you feel very underwhelmed. GMW has a tendency to create sillyness too, which can be great, but for this episode I wanted the argument between Topanga and Riley to be legitimate and serious. This episode delivered.
Riley and Maya binge watch their favorite television show all weekend so that they are caught up for the upcoming finale. Topanga has to force them from the bay window on Monday morning so they do not miss class. On their way out, Topanga informs Riley that she is needed at the bakery that afternoon after school to help out. Riley, for the first time in her life, rebels. She says no.
I love the expressions here. Everyone is shocked, even Riley herself is surprised at her response. Although, she does go with it (it = rebellious attitude) and tries to convince the world around her that her mother is a monster that doesn't appreciate or respect the things that are important to Riley. Riley thinks she is entitled to this rebellion since she has been such a good up until this point, so she attempts to stand her ground; she does not go to the bakery to help out after school.
Uh oh, Riley. Topanga a.k.a. Godzilla grounds Riley for three weeks. I love this because I'm pretty sure up until this point Corey hasn't been taking the situation that seriously. I don't think he has put a lot of stock in Riley's rebellion since it's her first time and he's kind of joked the situation away.
It's not until Riley threatens to move out that he realizes the extreme side that his daughter has taken. Then we get to see Topanga and Corey side by side trying to rationalize with their teen daughter. Yes please!
It's fun, isn't it? Don't we all want to see our beloved Corey and Topanga team up to teach their daughter an actual lesson that's not too drenched in disney? One that includes fussing and arguing? I wanted this and needed it, even if it didn't last that long. Obviously Riley was going to come around eventually, and with the help of Maya she did.
After running away to her besties house, Riley realized that she needed her parents and wanted their approval and love. A little sappy but I don't even care because this was such an amazing episode.
And then there was Auggie. He was so appropriately used. There was no forced story that included Ava and/or Dewey that took up half of the already short episode and it was awesome!
You know what else was awesome? Zay, Farkle, and Lucas hang out to watch that teeny bopper television show that they all like. I don't even care that we didn't get a scene watching them hangout, the trio talking about with the class the next morning and doing synchronized hand gestures was enough for me.
I really only have good things to say about this episode. I'm not saying this was a completely perfect episode, but there were so many things I've been wanting to see and I was given those things in this episode so for me this was more than enough. I laughed again, there wasn't an overwhelming amount of cheese to cringe at, and the characters were charming throughout. Thank you, Danielle Fischel for writing and directing this episode. You have no idea how much I appreciate it.
- How bad is it that I am looking forward to Topanga and Riley fighting, even if it is over something ridiculous? Then, I watched this episode and I am blown away by how real and great it was! Let’s dive in!
Teenagers . . . - So we begin the bay window, where Maya and Riley have been binge-watching their favorite show Red Planet Diaries all weekend long. The song reminds me of 90’s TV dramas like Dawson’s Creek. Topanga bursts in and must literally make the girls go to school. Topanga then reminds Riley she must help her out in the bakery after school, but Riley says No!
Everyone's face when Riley goes bad . . .
This is worse than the Cookie incident! - At school, Maya advises Riley to do what Topanga wants her to, but Riley is stubborn.
Then we have classroom shenanigans with Cory playing as if the world is going to end, Sarah becoming the new Maya, and history lesson about Godzilla- yes because you know that happened. Riley is antiquated as Japan and Topanga as Godzilla, a reference that bothered me and they refer to her as Godzilla throughout the rest of the episode.
Cory can't believe his perfect wife and daughter are fighting! 
Maya's real-life sister, Sarah becomes NuMaya! - After school, at the bakery, where Katy is nowhere to be seen (I guess she and sun are still honeymooning), Topanga is struggling because Riley never showed up.
Later, when Topanga confronts her, Riley states she believes she is entitled to do whatever she wants. I love this scene because Topanga makes her repeat the phrase, a lesson Riley does not get before grounding her and taking away all of her electronics.
"Who's blonde and hasn't been seen since August?" Auggie referring to Katy 
The is called Girl Meets World, I'm the girl!" - Riley - The next day, after more shenanigans at school that some how resulted in a lesson about peace talks, so Riley wants to have “peace talks” with Topanga but not apologize.
Riley continues to act entitled and self centered believing she should do whatever she wants because she has been a good kid. She then proceeds to Cory that Topanga knows she’s being unreasonable. Topanga finally puts Riley in her place by explaining how disrespectful she is. This results in Riley suggesting she should live under their roof anymore and a confident Topanga let’s her go. To no one’s surprise, Riley runs to Maya’s.
The I'm not focused on in the episode club! Missing: Smackle. 
"The show used to be called Boy Meets World and I was the boy!
I never acted like this!" - Cory - In the last five minutes, Riley realizes how she hurt her mother, and rushes back home delivering the most honest thing Riley has said in a long time: “I surrender, I apologize. I’m sorry. I was wrong. I love you. I’m idiot.” Okay she is no idiot but this was needed in this episode. Too bad Topanga didn’t get to hear it, for she had went after Riley. When Topanga returns, they have an honest conversation about what happened and how it got that far, making up.
Riley is still grounded and serves her sentence, realizing how much Topanga truly cares for her.
Your face when you realize Cory barely dealt with Riley. 
Feeny taught them well!
*****Extra Tidbits*****
- Auggie had a bit, not a B story, but a bit about how he wasn’t enough for his mother. It was funny and so true, he isn’t enough for us either.
- When Topanga took Riley’s cell phone, she also took Maya’s. While I remember the Matthews buying it for her, I would think as someone who is as young as she is should have a cell phone on her while she is walking home . . . on the streets of NY.
Maya was grounded to, just because! - I liked that Riley was grounded to the bay window because that’s literally she does, and now she take her punishment there too.
- This was a great Topanga episode and I wish we’d get to see more of her relationship with Riley.
IF I WROTE THE EPISODE MY THOUGHTS
I honestly think this is one of the series strongest and best episodes. Sure, what they were arguing about was trivial (though Topanga should know better than depend on her 13-15 year old daughter to run the bakery while Riley should be an entitled brat), arguments between parents and teenages are usually over trivial things. While the parents can unintentionally disregard their child’s feelings, I was with Topanga all the way. I also wondered how late Riley would have had to help. This show seemed like it was a primetime call and on a school night I can’t see her Topanga keeping Riley there too late. This had sucha BMW vibe, especially end. I would love to see more episodes like this and it’s okay if all is not resolved in the ending. 
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