My So-Called Life "Dancing in the Dark" 1x2 Reaction

Angela's behaviour in Jordan's car makes complete sense to me. There's real Jordan and the one she constructed in her head. She isn't associating real Jordan's actions with the dreamed up one just yet, it hasn't set in. In fact, it's not really about Jordan at all. The situation itself is so real and surreal to her all at the same time, because it would have never happened just a short week ago. It's an indirect result of Angela waking up and taking a smidgen of control of her own life for the very first time instead of going through the motions, doing what's expected. It's all about a feeling, or more like an array of changing emotions. When I first watched this show, it was like diving into my own head. I realated instantly, despite me watching it 15 years after its original air date. From the music to the combination of real and inner worlds the characters live in, it's so, so authentic.

I like that you like Patty. For some reason I thought you were going to find her annoying, but you seem pretty protective of her. I think there's a 50/50 split between the parents / kids storylines because Claire Danes was only 15 at the time this was filmed, so she was still required to do school work. There were rules about how long she could be on set and work during a particular day. They had to fill the time, so the parents got their own storyline.

Christine

i would read that dissertation.

nj

I think you’re where you should be with this show at this point. You’re awed by the authenticity, you’re puzzling out the characters. What I (as an adult) find neat about this show is that the realism bleeds over into your relationship to the characters. They frustrate you. You’re trying to understand their motivations. And just like in real life, as you get to know and understand them more you start to develop compassion and at times affection towards them despite the things that you are put off by. You are also correct as to the people that liked this most. Critics liked it and, in my experience actual teenagers at the time loved it (particularly girls and lgbtq kids). As far as what you’re supposed to think about Jordan right now, just that he’s dreamy and (through Angela’s eyes) incredibly maddening and confusing and maybe a little intimidating. He, Rayanne and Ricky are different than the people she’s normally been close with, her family, Sharon, and Brian. She’s expanding her horizons by hanging out with them and finds it exciting. I could write a dissertation on this show. BTW, I think Sharon may just remind you of Neve Campbell a little.

Jojo77