Rewatched My So-Called Life with my 13 yo so you don’t have to.

Did a full rewatch of the series every 10 years or so and enjoyed it. Always thought Claire Danes *nailed* that role. Probably due again for a watch, but these remarks give me pause for concern I’ll feel old and sympathize with the parents. 🤣 Maybe I’ll just leave well enough alone… Separately, I’ve regaled my wife with imagined “Season 2” storylines and episode outlines on many a car ride. Usually when a song comes on and I invent an entire narrative around it. She’s a patient woman… Like: - “Angela and her family are on a long car ride on the way to their grandmother’s for Thanksgiving. The episode opens with Angela staring listlessly out the backseat window as rain falls. (Blind Melon - No Rain plays). Upon arrival, she is her typical aloof self around her parents, but at some point, her grandmother recognizes that her granddaughter is acting removed and corners her for some one-on-one time. Grandma nudges and eventually gets her to open up. There’s obviously something gnawing at her inside…a boy, her self esteem, her parents, pick one. Some tears are shed. Grandma embraces and comforts her. She then pops up and shuffles about the kitchen and prepares warm apple cider for the two of them to share. Grandma tells her stories about when she was her age, how she dealt with similar things, how she felt similar ways, how being a teenager is nothing new, and that it’s human to be emotional at that age, and so on. Angela is appreciative that someone is not only listening to her for once, but actually “hearing” her. Mom then interrupts to ask about the turkey, Angela wipes away some last tears, the women all get up and start buzzing around preparing the meal, getting the table set, etc. Queue montage of the family having a nice dinner, some smiles, Angela is even pleasant with her mom, some laughs are shared at old stories/memories about past holidays, their Late grandfather, their mother when she was young, etc. The next morning, they say their goodbyes. Angela and grandma exchange a tender, lasting hug as Angela expresses genuine gratitude for Grandma’s love and support. In the car again, No Rain plays once more, but today it’s all sunshine. Angela opens the window, closes her eyes, and smiles. Or! - (Dave Matthews Band - Ants Marching plays.) Montage of the high school exterior. Students sitting outside during lunch. Maybe some cars coming and going with upperclassmen. You see the different cliques sitting together. A group of guys in Abercrombie & Fitch getups are playing Frisbee or Hackey Sack. One of the guys trots over when the frisbee/hackey sack gets away from the group and lands near Angela. Maybe she’s with Ricky, some other friends, whatever. The guy is nice, well-adjusted, disarming. “Hey, can I get that Frisbee?” he asks Angela. Awkward exchange, maybe she stands and tosses it back, he says thanks and/or makes a remark about her skills. “Angela, right?” “Y-Yeah…” Maybe they’re in a class together? Some light flirting. Then, he jogs away again, but not before looking back over his shoulder, catching her gaze, and they both smiles. Nice guy pops up again later. Maybe more than once. He obviously likes her. She’s flattered by the attention. He’s sweet, well-liked, it seems, gets on with most of the other kids, comes from a stable family, has a car, maybe has a little money, but, overall is just a “good kid.” Doesn’t hurt that he’s good-looking… Angela is in that weird phase where she isn’t sure if she really believes this guy would be interested in her, but goes back and forth allowing herself to entertain the notion and swatting it away. Self-confidence and all… Maybe they’re later paired up as lab partners in Chemistry? Maybe she’s watching him warming up the team for soccer practice from the bleachers? There is continued banter and glances exchanged. Maybe they then end up at a party that weekend. Did he invite her to his friend’s party? Not like a date, but just a casual “Hey, if you’re around on Friday, Brad’s parents will be out of town, so everyone’s gonna head there for a party. You should come…” Angela tries to play it cool, “Thanks. I’ll have to see what’s going on…” Him: “Great. Maybe I’ll see you there…” Maybe there’s a scene with Ricky or Rayanne or someone where they’re talking about the boy. Ricky: “He’s cute.” Rayanne: “He’s such a preppie…isn’t he on the Debate Team/Student Council/Newspaper?” Typical defensive clique banter about those outside the clique. Friday night. They go to the party. Guy sees Angela come in and makes his way to her. He’s genuinely glad to see her. It’s real? Maybe he introduces her and her crew to some friends, guys and girls. They’re chill. Disarmed. Inviting. Points out where some beers are. Tells them to enjoy. Angela and guy talking outside in the backyard. Not alone out there, but talking one on one. A tender exchange. A pause as they smile and each sips from their Solo cups. Then: “Angela.” It’s Jordan. Big party. Everyone knew about it. Angela and Jordan have been in an on-again-off-again “thing” for a while, so she hadn’t talked to him about the party, nor he to her. But now he’s here and comes over to where she and new guy are. He puts his arm around her shoulders and gives her a kiss on the cheek. She sort of just stays still as new guy catches her eye, then she looks away. “Uhm, Jordan, this is [Matt/Jake/Aaron/something].” New guy says “Hey, man. What’s up?” Not defensively or posturing. A proper greeting. Jordan sort of just mumbles and cocks his chin in his direction. Jordan looks around and asks if Angela’s seen [someone] at the party. She says “I…I think so, yeah” and Jordan takes her by the hand and starts to pull her away like “Come on.” Angela turns back toward new guy as they walk away and says “Uhm, bye…” kind of apologetically. New guy says “Bye” as he stands there and watches her go. They continue to lock eyes for a bit until she and Jordan enter the house. He takes a sip of beer and goes to join his friends. Next week, back at school. Outside for lunch again. Ants Marching plays again. Frisbee/Hackey Sack lands by the Angela and the crew. Guy jogs over. Asks for it back. Angela and him share a brief moment. A bit of silence and darting eyes, and then he says “Well, I’ll see you around, Angela.” “Yeah,” she says back as he turns and jogs away. He doesn’t turn around this time. Angela rejoins her crew.