Girl Meets World Analysis: Girl Meets Triangle

First off this show is amazing! It is the best written show I have seen in a very long time.

Now, this television show started with a very specific story. 

Riley, daughter of Corey and Topanga, wants her independence, but she has not yet earned it. Her best friend Maya is her idol, and Riley is determined to be her, but Maya goes too far. We have two main characters whose identities depend on each other. 

We are also introduced to Lucas, a boy Maya sees on the subway, and Maya pushes Riley toward him, literally. 

After this scene, we see the classroom where Corey has become the teacher (taking Feeny's role in Boy Meets World). And we are introduced to Farkle (son of Stuart Minkus) who states that he has been in love with Riley since the first grade, but he is also equally in love with Maya. When Corey asks why FARKLE explains that Riley is day and Maya is night.  

Cory says some very specific things. His lesson is on the topic of the Civil War, but the real lesson, the life lesson is inner turmoil. 

Lucas walks in late after Corey says " bad things happen when you don't know who you are." 

This is no accident. It's key dialogue that sets up the conflict for the entire series. Who are these students?

He asks the students what they are willing to fight for. Maya goes overboard about no homework. Riley, determined to be Maya follows along. This entire dynamic sets up the actual conflict that Riley has for the series. She is depending on Maya to define her identity. She doesn't want to be herself. This situation is key during later episodes where Farkle tries to choose between Riley and Maya. But now, in the episode Girl Meets Triangle, we have Lucas trying to decide between them. 

Now the "plot" of this episode appears to be that Maya is going through an identity crisis, and that Lucas is trying to choose between Riley and Maya. But there is so much more going on underneath the surface. 

Riley is going through the same identity crisis. This is easily shown in the jelly bean scene: 

The jelly bean scene was pure gold: 

Here’s why. First off, jelly beans. They are using jelly beans to determine who Lucas likes more. Ridiculous right? Not so much. If you pay attention, you’ll notice the color scheme, which boy has each jelly bean and the way Lucas answers every question.
So, blue beans represent Riley, and yellow for Maya. If you remember, in the pilot Farkle said Riley was the sun, and Maya was the night. These colors have switched. Now Maya has become the sun, and Riley the night. (Remember what Farkle said about Jexica? She was mysterious- like what he said about Maya in the pilot.)
Maya and Riley have switched roles here.
Now, each boy is wearing the colors that represent Riley and Maya.
Lucas is all blue. Zay is both blue and yellow. Farkle is wearing a blue and yellow swirled pattern on a purple shirt.
If we go by the jelly beans, Lucas is blue for Riley. Zay is blue and yellow for both, and Farkle is wearing purple, blue and yellow.
If we go for the pilot, Lucas is blue for Maya. Zay is blue and yellow for both and Farkle is wearing both, but his color is also purple.
Just colors of a shirt for each guy right? This is far too detailed and overboard for an analysis right? Wrong.
It’s all on purpose, symbolic.
Before I explain why, let’s go over the dialogue.
The boys each ask Lucas a question. He starts with Riley, then mentions Maya. Why is this important? Farkle.
Watch his reactions. Not to mention who Farkle represents on the jelly bean scale- Maya. He reacts to Lucas’s mentions of Riley with a bit of a sharper tone, but when Lucas mentions Maya, he’s a lot happier. Then there's the obvious outburst after Lucas says it's always been Riley. Why? Look at the color he’s wearing. Purple. Who does purple represent? Riley.
Remember the Pilot. It was Farkle who couldn’t decide between them, but now it’s pretty obvious who he chose, even if he’s not aware of it, or in denial about it.
Whenever Farkle mentions the girls, he uses Riley’s name first. We also know he pays more attention to Riley because of episodes like yearbook, rileytown and Texas.
What about Lucas? Listen to the way he ends each of his answers with Maya. Not to mention he actually acknowledged the fact that Maya pushed Riley toward him. He’s basically chosen Maya - here’s why. He says that is who she is.
He never says this about Riley, but who has? Farkle.
Now, what about Zay? He represents Riley, wearing both colors, and he has flirted with both girls. Lately we’ve seen him flirt a little more with Maya. It’s possible that he likes Maya more than he lets on, but for the sake of the mise en scene, he appears neutral.
Why is this scene so important? Because it represents the way each one of them interprets the girls’ identities.
For Zay, he sees qualities of the dark and the light in both girls. Lucas likes the darker side. But Farkle? Well he was the original guy in the triangle. He has seen both qualities in the girls, and according to the color scheme, he sees qualities of both dark and light in them, but it is obvious that Riley is more important to him.
So why can’t Lucas choose? Why is he so indecisive? He doesn’t see both light and dark in either Riley or Maya. The same dilemma Farkle had in the pilot episode.
Lucas likes the dark side of Maya. We’ve seen this in episodes like squirrels, 1961, creativity, and of course, Texas.
The point?
Remember Farkle’s choice? Remember he promised to love both of them the same? He couldn’t, just as Lucas can’t. While Farkle pays more attention to Riley, Lucas pays more attention to Maya.
But why show this with blue and yellow? Why the purple?
The color scheme matters, because it reveals who the other character is thinking about.
Real quick, what color represents Farkle? Orange. Who’s been wearing orange lately? Riley.
Don’t forget that amazing bay window scene.
The writers have told you never assume. They mean it. If you look deeper, you can see the game they’ve set up for these characters. It’s quite brilliant.
Just like Riley, we have to pay attention. The answer to the triangle has been there all along, just in disguise.

Let’s go through the scenes of Triangle: 

We open up with Riley and Maya staring at a specific pattern of colors with shoes. Purple, brown and orange.
According to the connections in previous episodes:
Orange: Farkle
Purple: Riley
Brown: Maya
Now what does Riley say? For the orange pairs she says she likes them, then loves them. This is an obvious nod to Farkle. She likes who he is. She loves who he is.
Then there’s Naomi. What’s she wearing? Purple socks with brown sandals. (Riley+Maya)
Riley says that she’s better than that. This is no accident. It’s symbolism to show that neither girl is being true to who they are. Riley is trying to be Maya. We know that from the pilot. So what’s changed? Maya is now trying to be Riley. Why?
Because Lucas likes Riley.
The next scene we have is the bathroom. Orange, purple and red are everywhere! We know that red is a color for Lucas.
We also get an obvious representation of Riley and Maya fighting over the same guy.
First off what the representation of Maya says is not Maya. I don’t believe that Maya doesn’t like Lucas. It’s very clear she does, without the influence of Riley. 

There's also a key moment of dialogue in the next and only scene that the girls and guys are together. Lucas tells Riley and Maya that they need to decide, but he doesn't want anyone to get hurt. What Farkle says here is key: 

"Oh somebody's getting hurt. But I've been saying all along that if you can't be honest with each other then everyone gets hurt." 

This seems to be an obvious shout out that Farkle is hurt.
Now let’s talk about Riley and Maya’s outfits. Both are a mixture of day and night. Again no accident. Riley and Maya influence each other and now it’s showing.
Maya’s painting is proof. 

We know that purple cats are a connection to Riley, but I think it's a little deeper than that. Purple is Riley's color, but the cat itself represents what Riley believes to be Maya's identity. 

Here's Riley's painting: 

A simple and obvious purple cat. There is no complexity, and no other colors. It is simply what Riley believes it to be. 

Now let's look at Maya's painting: 

It's a complex purple cat. Colors swirling everywhere but the outline of the cat is there. 

So Wwhat does this mean? Maya is trying to get out of the lines that Riley has drawn for her. Riley defines Maya a certain way, rebellious, getting bad grades and never putting up with anything. But now Maya has grown. She has endured hardships and she has made decisions for herself. 

Riley hasn't accepted this change in Maya, because she believes that Maya is a certain way. But Maya has now been able to see the world in a new perspective. 

As the art teacher says, Maya is screaming. Maya is struggling because she cares for both Lucas and Riley, and she wants to break free of the outline that Riley has created for her.
The dialogue in this scene is key.
Teacher: "What are you trying to say?"
1961 Maya: "You have something to say."
1961 Lucas: "Well now, you only know that because I went ahead and said it."
Maya is going through an identity crisis, Riley too. Neither are being true to themselves.
I already discussed the jellybean scene.
This isn’t just about Lucas. This is about how the girls view who they are. But it’s not as simple as Maya being night or Riley being day. It’s more complicated than that.
Both Maya and Riley are denying who they are. Lucas is a big part of this. Remember what Corey said before Lucas walks in?
Corey: "History says that bad things happen when you don’t know who you are."
No accident.
Lucas doesn’t know who he is either.
Fun fact: the only character who has accepted who he is - Farkle.

Finding Dory: A Movie Review

Finding Nemo is one of my favorite Pixar films, so I was thrilled when the trailer to Finding Dory came out. Dory is such an interesting character, and it was really cool how they tied in the events of Finding Nemo with Finding Dory. 

This film is just as fun and heartfelt as the first movie, and it features new characters that are each unique in their own way.

The film starts where the first one ended, but Dory is starting to remember things she never remembered before. As she experiences flashbacks from her past, only one thought remains, she must find her parents. Those memories take her, Marlin and Nemo on a spontaneous journey where Dory relies on one thing, instinct. Because her memories are scattered, and she has short term memory loss, Dory can only go one step at a time. She can form a plan, but she doesn't remember it for very long. As Marlin and Nemo learn to go by this way of life, it becomes apparent that there is something more powerful than memory- destiny. 

Dory's journey to find her family, and to overcome her fears of being alone contains some great messages that I don't see in very many films. One particular message hit home in terms of how random and at times crazy life can be. But if you just keep swimming, who knows what can happen. :) 

I give this film five out of five purple seashells. It's right up there with Finding Nemo for one of my favorite Pixar storylines.   

Love and Friendship: A Movie Review

Jane Austen's wit and charm return to the big screen in the new feature Love and Friendship. This film was based on the novella Lady Susan by Jane Austen herself, and it it one of her later and not as well known projects. 

The title itself is decieving as you quickly discover when the story begins. Lady Susan is not what she appears to be. She has many faces and mannerisms that she believes are necessary to secure a comfortable and stable life. Despite her relations' opinions of her, Lady Susan continues to plot and she is quite determined to secure a husband for herself and her daughter Frederica. Her first focus is on the brother of her sister in law, Reginald DeCourcy. DeCourcy already knows of Lady Susan's reputation, but he falls despite himself. Meanwhile, Frederica, whom Lady Susan is determined to marry off to a lord she doesn't care for named Sir James Martin, begins to find a new sense of freedom among the company of Reginald DeCourcy and her aunt and uncle. While Lady Susan continues to pull the strings of the young men, Frederica begins to explore her talents as a singer, and her possibilities for the future. 

Will Frederica find what she is looking for, or will Lady Susan dominate the fortunes of all the cast in her wicked play? 

This film was a delight. It's only downfall was the introductions of the characters. They were extremely blunt, without dialogue scenes or audience perception. 

Here are some examples: 

Sir James Martin was the most comical character in the film. 

Reginald DeCourcy was the most intellectual and charming. 

Frederica was actually my favorite character, and the one I rooted for the entire film. 

All in all, I give the film four out of five cups of tea. 

The introductions were short, but a few were comical. The story itself was clever and the main characters were very interesting. 

Riarkle

Riarkle is my OTP!
Also this song inspired one of the new stories I'm working on ^_^

Fireflies

We each have a spark to offer the world. It's a moment where we shine. That spark doesn't always happen right away. If all of us shone at once, the world would be boring, and none of us would feel very special. That's why we all have such random and unpredictable successes in our lives.
These fireflies light up every night near my parent's house, and they create a magical atmosphere to the every day walk.
Fireflies don't all light up at once. Sometimes they light in patterns, and others light the same time they do, but other times they shine first, then the next one, and then the next one. Sometimes they are the last to shine, and in the darkness there is only their light.
Nature, life and moments are unpredictable. That's why they are so important.

For the Dreamer

You do wander

Through fairytale dreams.

You've gone through pain.

Your heart's ripped at the seams.

Like a river you travel

Through mud, trees and rock,

Constantly checking

The ever ticking clock.

The rushing.

The waiting.

There is no in between.   

Has life lost its wonder?

Its color?

Its sheen? 

It can't be

That bad.

Not after all

The effort and work.

The tumble and fall.

Where are you now?

Are you still there? 

Lost in the woods,

Without a care? 

Must you keep waiting

For life to begin? 

Must you keep fighting

Until you win?

Who are you really? 

A willow? 

A flower? 

Do you still have 

That special power?

To rise from the mud,

The dirt and the grime.

To find your true nature?

The reason?

The rhyme?

Are you too selfish? 

Or not selfish enough?

Will you continue forward

When the roads get too rough? 

Have I lost you? 

Or tossed you aside? 

Is there somewhere you've found?

A safe place to hide? 

Inspiration, it seems

Was your true goal.

It was part of your charm.

Your aura.

Your soul. 

Beautiful dreamer

Will you heed the call?

To find your true purpose

And tear down that wall? 

What do you see

From where you stand?

Am I the person

For whom you demand? 

Did I follow the steps

You scribbled on paper? 

In another time

Where life seemed much safer. 

Where choices were simple,

And happiness, easy.

No dream was silly,

Stupid or cheesy. 

If you can hear me

From the grey to the light,

In the starry sky

That shines so bright

I'm sorry I forgot you

And pushed you away.

I'm determined to find you

And ask you to stay.

Hand in hand we'll run

Through flowers and rain.

We'll laugh, cry

Let go of the pain. 

From there we'll talk

Through anger and guilt

And create a blueprint 

For the life we have built. 

Moana

I can't wait for this film. It looks gorgeous! I have been listening to Te Vaka for years, and I love how their sound has added an accent to the film.

Moana will be amazing! ^_^ 

Kung Fu Panda 3: A Movie Review (Spoilers)

I love the Kung Fu Panda movies because they combine life lessons with light hearted fun. The character of Po is easily relatable because he was the underdog who rose above his circumstances and conquered. In the first film, he learns that being unique is a good thing. In the second film, he learns to let go of the past. So where is he now on his personal journey? Now, Shifu believes that he has achieved the title of Master, and he has the ability to teach Kung Fu. 

But PO still remains out of balance, and unsure of why he would be chosen. He is in for a shock when his real father, a panda arrives and invites him to discover what it is to be a panda. But a new enemy arrives with him, Kai- a cruel Villian who takes the life force of Kung Fu masters for his own personal gain. Po faces a serious challenge when he discovers that the previous methods he used on his enemies do not work on Kai, and he may need more help. 

The story of the film was very interesting. Po begins to judge himself in a way he never has before, just because he is a panda. This judgement gets in the way of his teaching, as he tries to be just like Shifu. But one of the most important lessons that Po learns is that he is not Shifu, and only he can define who he is. In order to teach others, you must inspire them to be who they are. 

Po finally answers his question in an epic way, and he gains balance within himself. 

The overall lesson of this film is inspirational, and I think it is an important occurance in anyone's life at any age. We tend to define ourselves by the way people see us, or how we believe they see us, but the reality of who we are is more complex than just one definition. 

Spoiler Alert: When Kai asks Po who he is, this is his response: 

It's a very powerful statement that we can be more than one perception because who we are is bigger than a simple idea or a specific label. Change is a constant in life, and our way of adapting to change will effect the elements of ourselves. We are combinations of the past, present and who we wish to be in the future. 

I give Kung Fu Panda a solid five out five bowls of noodles. 

A great lesson, and an inspirational story. 

Alice Through the Looking Glass: A Movie Review

The last time we saw Alice, she declared her independence and turned down a very prestigious lord for marriage. When we return to her world, she is returning home from an adventurous voyage near China. Things have changed since she went away, and she is forced to choose a life of adventure or a life of stability. During all this, she runs into Absoleum who brings her back to Underland where the Hatter needs her help. 

Time itself is against her as she tries to make the Hatter better, but it is Time that she must confront in order to make him well again. 

Convinced that his family is alive, the Hatter is fading with the memory of his past woes and mistakes. He wishes to see his family again because of the way that he left them: with bitterness and anger. 

Alice is determined to help her friend, but she is also bitter about her own situation. She doesn't want to leave her ship and her father's memory behind. 

She visits the master of Time at his castle where he tells her that she can't change the past, but she can learn from it. Alice doesn't listen, and she becomes determined to set things the way she believes they are supposed to be. But it all continues to follow the same pattern that it has previously. Alice cannot change the moment the Red Queen decided to be the Red Queen, or the moment that the Hatter's family was attacked by the Red Queen. She also can't change the fact that Hamish is determined to have her sign over the deed to the ship that was her father's pride and joy. 

So what does Alice do? Well, that's the important element of the story. 

I enjoyed this film as much as I enjoyed the first Alice in Wonderland. It also has important messages that I needed to hear at this moment in my life. 

"You can't change the past, but you can learn from it." - Time

" Every day is a gift, every hour and every second." -Alice

Alice can control her reaction to her circumstances, and she can appreciate all the time she has spent with her friends, new and old. 

Her decision at the end of the movie is an important one, and a lesson that very few learn. The past is past, but what matters is what you are able to do now. 

I give this movie five out of five pocket watches.

The soundtrack is also wonderful, and Pink's song at the end wraps it up nicely.