The direction the show took after a while was wrong, like the network wanted this atypical teen drama to fit the mold. Ben and Felicity was the goal all along, only it actually wasn't. But writers were so fixated on that idea, they forced the issue ad nauseam, which made us regret the heroine followed her heart, when so many other opportunities were offered to her. It's the first time rewatching the series, that I was convinced she should've stayed single. For a while at least, which she apparently planned on doing, before that « fever dream ». And the confusing part before waking up. Personally, I think the cast had a lot to do with the appeal of that show, like a group of friends who've decided to write, star and direct their own first real television series. I loved the humor too. Season 1 is the show at its best, it's the most wholesome season of the whole series, with themes you're going to find throughout the run. And more believable storylines too. Season 2 had the best drama, if you like that depressing tone. As well as one of my favorite episodes and cast. Season 3 though, is the worst. They revamped the show and turned it into a soap opera, which didn't work, and had very irritating characters too. Old AND new. Turning Javier into a regular attending school as well, was a big mistake. The spark was completely gone once he became too involved in the hero's lives. Season 4 is weird, it's as if the show didn't know what it was about anymore, or where it's wants to go, with those last minute added episodes, in which Elena attends Noel's wedding, after dying before the « time travel ». It has some interesting episodes, like The declaration, Fire, Paper chase or The Graduate, but the tone was off and it got too preachy (Elena's « confession » felt forced and too at odds, and shocking even when we think of how easily she was included into the group). Even the additional part, creators had to write in a hurry, isn't so bad once you can overlook the inconsistencies... It's no surprise this show didn't last long, mainly because of poor writing and inability to go outside of its comfort zone, or not following orders?... But it still remains one of WB's classics of that time, alongside Dawson's Creek and Roswell.
P.s: I'm not ok with the way the soundtrack was handled. It's different everywhere! The broadcasted version, the DVD sets, and now the syndicated version. Couldn't they do a better job securing the music supervisor's work?
P.s: I'm not ok with the way the soundtrack was handled. It's different everywhere! The broadcasted version, the DVD sets, and now the syndicated version. Couldn't they do a better job securing the music supervisor's work?