Cartoon Corner- Daria (Season 2)

Originally posted at the DL May 2015

Mmm.  So the thrust of season 2 is setting the stage for the deconstruction of Daria's worldview.  The previous set was largely establishing who she and her family were, while her we're slowly fleshing out the closest supporting cast members (Brittany, Kevin, Jodie, the Fashion Club, the teachers).  Which in turn slowly puts to lie the cynicism that makes up Daria's headspace, because these disparate people are on the whole decent folk who consider he a friend, despite Daria's unwillingness to give them any credit.  Most of the focus episodes for her crush on Trent are in this season as well, showing the first major chink in her armor (along with The New Kid, which is basically that whole subplot condensed into an episode).  Add to that Gifted, where Daria sees the far extreme of herself and how it's no better than anything else, and a shocking number of pieces are in play for big shifts in the show.



I had an oddly hard time picking the highlight episodes this time around because honestly each episode in season 2 is good about bringing something new to the table.  Well, that and watching lots of Daria in a row has an odd way of bleeding together, where you remember the significant bits but I need an episode guide to properly sort out which ones happened in what episode.  Nothing else I've done so far has really had that effect, but hopefully it's just a product of Daria's quirks as a show.  I'd hate to think I'm getting worse at this as I go.

Best Episode: Ill.  Honestly mostly because Brittany cracked me up in this one.  It's functional as the peak of the Trent subplot, and as noted it's the moment you realize that yeah, Daria really isn't giving her classmates enough credit.  But mostly it's the episode that got some actual laughs out of me which stands out among the other "have a significant moment or two but nothing super huge" episodes in this season.

Weakest Episode: That was Then, This is Dumb.  It's meant to be a spotlight for Helen and Jake, but I don't think it quite hits the mark.  Not a bad episode, just the one that brings the least to the table.


Rating: 7/10.  Bit better than Season 1, but not a full point difference better.