In 1998 I started my senior year of high school. It also happened that a new show about a girl named Felicity Porter came out. Maybe it was the timing or my own personal angst, but the show soon became my favorite. I also already had an affection for Keri Russell (yep, I watched her in Malibu Shores–her hair was longer then.)
Last weekend I watched the entire first season of Felicity on DVD. Six disks.
Amazing the things that you notice 10 years later and 10 years older. I’ve now graduated college and worked for several years. The issues that are addressed in the show are things that I experienced too. From debating your major, to financial aid, to navigating dorms and university bureaucracy, to friendships, to simple right vs wrong. I’ve lived it. When the show came out I was awaiting the journey. I lived some of the issues parallel to the show- only I didn’t get to watch the show when I moved to college because the station that carried it disappeared so I didn’t see the episodes until a bit later.
Why did Felicity have so many heavy sweaters if she was from Palo Alto, CA? Why is she seen in the first episode wearing one such sweater? Even if the semester began in September, it wouldn’t be cold enough to merit a sweater.
I pay more attention to the characters- which one would I be? Which of the men in the show would I go for? In high school, I was all about Noel. But now? I don’t know. I’ve also always had a thing for Sean. He was so under-appreciated. I want to be a Ben/Felicity fan, but I’m just not. At least not in Season One. Eventually, I come around and like it better, but I just love Noel, but he was in a sort of helpless position. I mean, Felicity followed Ben to New York. You don’t just do that. You don’t just forget that.
And Julie? Well, frankly, I was never her biggest fan. I like her okay, but she seems to end up being the victim. A LOT.
From the First Season
The Leading Ladies:
Felicity, Julie, Elana, Megan, Hannah.
The Leading Men:
Noel, Ben, Sean, Richard, Lyn
I care about people, I battle my path, I hold on to dreams (woo being a romantic idealist!), I’m likable, and I’m a little geeky. It’s funny I always thought I was a Felicity, but when I sat and thought about it, I realized I’m not just her, but Sean.
Never seen it. No desire to.