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Episode 27: “Girl Meets Money”
Overview
The value of money, and what you can do with it, are one of the main themes of the episode. Alongside that the amount a person makes doesn’t mean they their role in society is always more important.
Characters & Story (with Commentary)
Topic 1: The Empty Wallet (Auggie, Topanga, and Cory)
While the older children talk about the value of money, and what can be done with it, for Auggie he learns that making more money than someone doesn’t mean they are more important. Case in point: Cory vs. Topanga. Now, while Topanga makes more money, and does a lot of good as a lawyer, she reminds Auggie that without the Corys of the world, the good teachers, people couldn’t learn to be a lawyer.
Which was a good lesson to me, but I must admit with the Matthews clan being solidly middle class, sometimes this conversation on money not mattering as much as what you do in life had me side eye the show. More so because I’m looking at it from an adult’s point of view than a child’s.
Topic 2: Bad Investments (Farkle)
Minkus is rich, we know this. Hence why his child is the smartest in the class and perhaps the weirdest at times. He comes from a man who made weird ideas and made them into mainstream success. Yet, now supposedly Minkus’ company is broke. I say supposedly for there aren’t any real signs that they are broke, but this is what Minkus tells us.
Now, as for how this affects Farkle? Well, it sort of doesn’t. He almost seems ok with the idea of being poorer because his wealth embarrasses him. For whether it is his dad’s helicopter, his room the size of some people’s studio apartments, or the fact he has the kind of gadgets many families can’t afford for his kids, it makes him insecure. Especially in comparison to his friends who are not rich and range from middle class Riley to working class Maya.
Topic 3: The Poor Lessons (Farkle & Maya)
But being that the money is gone, Farkle asks Maya for lessons in being poor. Something which, if this was any other show, would have been a joke of which some viewers may have found their lifestyle the butt of the joke. However, this is Girl Meets World. So outside of joking about how her pet ferret is actually a rat that crawled in, her lessons are about appreciating money while it is around and, with the help of Cory, teaching that it isn’t solely about how you use it for yourself. It also is about how you use it to help the majority of the world who don’t have the same privileges that you sometimes complain about. Such as a leaky roof when some don’t have a roof over their heads at all.
Highlights
Maya and Farkle’s Room Reveal: While it is stated that everyone has been to each other’s house, besides Farkle, as viewers this isn’t true. Almost always we are at Riley’s house and while we are aware Maya is poor, in comparison to everyone else, and Farkle is rich, it was nice to see how their rooms reflect their personality and who they are.
On The Fence
Your Usual Dose of Heavy Handed Lessons: When Girl Meets World has episodes with a lesson fused in, I don’t know if it is because I’m older, or just not much for Afterschool Special types of programming, but they aren’t as good as the ones which just deal with character development. For while there was a guest star, we got to see people’s rooms, and things of that nature, you can tell that a lot of what was said this episode isn’t going to probably matter.
Take for example Farkle wanting his dad to be around more, be more charitable, and the idea his family is broke. I bet you that Farkle’s financial status, which Minkus made seem like they were on the verge of bankruptcy at first, isn’t going to be noted again. Also, who knows if, or when, there may be a follow up to whether Minkus really did make this charitable arm of his company to fight world causes. Which isn’t to say I necessarily want a follow up, for hearing about privilege and charity from well off folks makes me queasy, but sometimes I just look at episodes like this and roll my eyes. For while they aren’t as bad as the Halloween specials, they still are asinine.
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