Girl Meets a Christmas Maya (episode discussion) - Girl Meets World (2014) Discussion

Why does every episode have to have Maya as the main part of the story?

reply

I liked the episode.

reply

[–] soulsk8ter225 8 years ago

This is one of the first episodes in a long time (for GMW or BMW) that the main characters were highlighted in multiple plots.

That being said, you're right that Maya was once again a focus. The real downer was that Shawn wasn't in it.

** Rest in peace, Timothy Volkert (1988 - 2003) **

reply

[–] dandanger 8 years ago

Why does every episode have to have Maya as the main part of the story?

Why not ?

reply

[–] TheEleventhDoctorWho 8 years ago

Cause Disney's star is Sabrina that's why.

reply

[–] kiaranah 8 years ago

That was a nice episode. Some great acting from a lot of the teens.

I particularly enjoyed the emotional weight of the scene between Riley and Farkle re: his gift, they have a lot of chemistry and that scene felt like a big moment for them to me.

Also Zay's gift for Smackle was fantastic and I'm so glad we got that interaction between them! Such a sweet moment. As someone from a small friendship group the way they did Secret Santa in this ep was very sweet to me, it was nice to see characters who don't usually interact get to know each other better.

I also loved Riley's glitter-filled pockets lol. But the butterflies were too much.

Interesting that they not only wrote Lucas as having gone to Texas for Christmas, but also specifically had him not tell Riley he was going. That's a pretty dodgy move lol, they're not really trying to sell Riley and Lucas as a couple at all post-Ski Lodge.

Why does every episode have to have Maya as the main part of the story?

In part because she is the second main character, so Maya's always going to have slightly more storylines than Farkle, Lucas, Smackle and Zay. But I think it's also partly due to Sabrina's acting skills being the most developed from the start of the show, so audiences reacted a lot to her character and story so they continue to use it a lot.

It does bug me though that there's often more focus on her than Riley, who is the main character. And maybe a little too much focus on her which pulls away from the other teen characters. I'm glad Farkle has been getting some emotionally heavy stuff to do now though as Corey's acting is wonderful, he's been kicking goals this season.

We're drawing up a plan for world domination. The key element? Coffee makers that think.

reply

[–] charmwinda 8 years ago

It is a good episode.

reply

[–] rgazsy 8 years ago

I thought it was funny how Auggie portrayed Sean as Fonzie, including the thumbs up at the end. (did they not have Sean as a Fonzie type character in a dream sequence in BMW?) I do wonder what Maya got Lucas for his gift and by process of elimination Lucas must have gotten Riley so I am curious what he would get for her. Considering that they are dating he should know her well enough to get a good gift. (Also should have gotten her a gift regardless of "Secret Santa")

reply

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] decarus427 7 years ago

Me too. The last scene with them was probably the best scene of the episode.

reply

[–] loui_b452 8 years ago

I like the episode. But, all episodes about Shawn that don't feature him just rub me the wrong way. This dude is Maya's father, Corey's best friend, Riley's uncle. So, with two episodes in a row speaking of him but NOT seeing him feels odd...



reply

[–] radrobd 8 years ago

This dude is Maya's father, Corey's best friend, Riley's uncle.

Uh, no... He's Maya's step-father. The fact that she was avoiding him and Katy shows she's still doesn't know him and is figuring how he fits into their family.

He's not Riley's uncle, maybe her "play uncle."

reply

[–] loui_b452 8 years ago

I mean that in regards to how they portray the relationships. Yes, he's not Riley's biological uncle. But, he's been in her life for so long, he's practically family. Practically Corey's brother. There was even a BMW episode involving a garage sale where Eric felt Corey was closer to Shawn than his own blood brother.

And being Maya's step-father wasn't the issue. It was Maya fearing Shawn wouldn't be okay with she and her mom's weirdness. But either way, the point that he would be okay would have been more significant if Shawn himself was there to have a say so.

WHY do we keep getting Shawn episodes where Shawn's only mentioned. He's married to Katy!! He LIVING with Katy now. He should atleast make a small cameo whenever she's around. ESPECIALLY when the subject of her being in the episode IS Shawn himself!!



reply

[–] radrobd 8 years ago

Yes, he's not Riley's biological uncle. But, he's been in her life for so long, he's practically family.

Well, actually no, because in Shawn's first episode on GMW, it was stated he practically avoided Riley all her life.

WHY do we keep getting Shawn episodes where Shawn's only mentioned. He's married to Katy!! He LIVING with Katy now. He should atleast make a small cameo whenever is she's around. ESPECIALLY when the subject of her being in the episode is Shawn himself!!

Yeah, what was the point of marrying Shawn and Katy if there's not going to be a Shawn. Perhaps they should have developed the relationship and then married them in the series finale.

reply

[–] dandanger 8 years ago

The explanation is simple - the cost of having a "Shawn" in the episode is the reason he's not there (and it's been reported that Rider wasn't interested in appearing)..

reply

[–] loui_b452 8 years ago

Well, certainly from a production standpoint. I mean, its also the reason we don't have Zay or Smackle in every episode.

But, how often do we get episodes ABOUT Zay and/or Smackle where they aren't there??....never...Because it wouldn't make sense. Imagine an episode where Lucas wants to explore his friendship with Zay on a deeper level but Zay is only mentioned. And the conflict is resolved without Zay ever appearing...

This is how the character of Shawn is treated. I get it's too expensive having him there. But, if this is the case, DON'T HAVE HIM BE THE FOCUS OF AN EPISODE!! I'd rather GMW just gloss over the fact that Katy and Shawn are married rather than speak about Shawn AND have characters impersonate Shawn but neeeeever show Shawn. It's very, very noticeable.

Could you imagine if Eric got the same treatment?

Corey: Haven't things been weird since Eric moved in?
Topanga: Yeah. Reeeaaally weird.
Riley: It makes me uncomfortable that he's here.
Corey: Then we're off to the classroom setting to address the problem!!!
Auggie: Also, I'm here!!

*the episode continues with Eric never being seen. Maya and the other kids fix Riley's problem through telling her how to feel. There are many heavy-handed speeches. Also, a hug or something*

Riley: I'm so glad Maya helped me get over Eric moving in!!
Corey: Yes. And he's okay with the whole thing too. He told me so!! Off-screen!! And we'll neeeeever see him so we can just assume that's how it happened!!
Auggie: Also, I'm here!!

*episode ends*



reply

[–] decarus427 7 years ago

The episode was not about Shawn. The episode was about Riley making sure that Maya was with her family for Christmas even though she wanted Maya to be with her. That was the point. They should very rarely show the parents because they are not the focus.

reply

[–] loui_b452 7 years ago

The episode was not about Shawn. The episode was about Riley making sure that Maya was with her family for Christmas even though she wanted Maya to be with her. That was the point. They should very rarely show the parents because they are not the focus.

Translation: The Episode was NOT about Shawn!! The episode was about Maya spending time with her mom and....um....and that dude she married who's name rhymes with "Ron." But, NOT Shawn!! He's got nooooothing to do with Maya's internal conflict in the episode. Nope. Noooooot about...*sigh* the man she was afraid of scaring off with she and her mom's holiday weirdness. He was never even....a factor....

There's a difference between the moral of a story and the plot of a story. Shawn is what one might call a "plot device." You know, because the plot happened because of him. But, that plot device was only mentioned and not shown. I.e. the issue we're discussing here.



reply

[–] decarus427 7 years ago

The episode was about Maya being scared to spend time with Shawn and Riley making sure that she did anyway. That is the point. Shawn is a plot device. He is irrelevant. If Maya's mom had married some other guy that was not Shawn from Boy Meets World, we would not be having this discussion. The plot is Maya and Riley reacting to the situation, not seeing Maya have a happy moment with her step father. This is always the problem, people want the show to look at the Boy Meets World characters when this is Girl Meets World and those characters are extras.

reply

[–] loui_b452 7 years ago

Shawn is a plot device. He is irrelevant.

Well, that pretty much solves that. Let's throw out the PLOT. Y'know, so we can have...the plot. LoL.



reply

[–] decarus427 7 years ago

A plot device is the thing that is used in the service of the plot. The actual plot is the character development. I am not sure what you are not understanding. I think i am done with this conversation though.

reply

[–] cTitus924 7 years ago

they mentioned him in the entire episode they could've done a Skype Session or put the phone one speaker and have him give Maya a pep talk
 Women, can't live with em; So stuff your mother and live with that.(Bullet Tooth 504)

reply

[–] loui_b452 7 years ago

they mentioned him in the entire episode they could've done a Skype Session or put the phone one speaker and have him give Maya a pep talk

Agreed. It could have easily have been done. Just say Shawn's currently out of town during the episode's running time. Then, when it's time for Maya to tell Shawn how she feels, show him on a computer screen. This could have easily been done with a prerecording.



reply

[–] xbrkensmil3 8 years ago

Just saw the episode and wasn't sure if Maya got anyone a present? Did she pick Riley ? I don't think Riley received a gift out of the secret santa.

reply

[–] tonymanno 8 years ago

Maya picked Lucas...as revealed by her saying: "I won't even say if it is a him 'hur' her." We then see Zay smiling because he caught the joke. Therefore, by default, Lucas gets Riley.

It would be cool to see a follow-up episode in which we see Maya explain her gift for Lucas, and to see Lucas explain his gift for his girlfriend.

reply

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] dandanger 8 years ago

It Josh.

Maya gave Lucas Josh? To help him choose Riley ? She does appear to have given Josh up (based on how quickly she dropped Josh's hand the next time he appeared in the next episode in which he appeared ("...meets Bear")- and the fact that she barely looked at him - even when they briefly held hands..

reply

[–] charmwinda 8 years ago

Think Maya into Josh, not Lucas anymore.

reply

[–] dandanger 8 years ago

Maya not even into Josh that much anymore -

reply

[–] charmwinda 7 years ago

People change. And young Maya look just like both of them.

reply

[–] jcgilbert2000 7 years ago

I would swear you watch a completely different show than everyone else.

reply

[–] crotchrocket 8 years ago

Too bad Riley is borderline retarded.

👍👍👍👏👏👏

reply

[–] SaidNDone 8 years ago

i had to skip through the entire maya's parent's christmas plot they've done it a dozen times before with her character and need to move on, it was unwatchable. The gift exchange was nice but still fell flat because it just felt like another continuation of their drama

reply