As competition heats up for the BSC, Stacey attempts to hide a personal secret and revisits a painful event from her past.
In 2019, the television industry aired 532 scripted shows across numerous outlets. The way people consume content now is different than it used to be. It happens according to one's own schedule. As such, it's less necessary to provide ample coverage of each episode in any given season from a show. Moreover, it is simply impossible to watch everything. As such, this site provides shorter episodic reviews in order to cover as many shows as possible. With all of that being said, here are my thoughts on the next episode of Netflix's The Baby-Sitters Club.
"The Truth About Stacey" was written by Joanna Calo and directed by Andrew DeYoung
The earnest charm of this show is absolutely infectious. It makes the stories a complete joy to watch. They are told from a place of empathy knowing that these characters have struggles. And yet, it's all centered around the noble ideal of babysitting. It's an endeavor that sparks friendships and allows conversations to be more open than they could have been before. Stacey is terrified of letting the world know about her diabetes diagnosis. She was alienated and mocked by her classmates in New York because she had a seizure. Children can be so cruel especially when it comes to making someone else feel small and weird. Stacey is a bright young soul though. She should feel just as empowered and happy as anyone else. Yes, she does have to be aware of her blood sugar at all times. That presents an added challenge to her life. And yet, that shouldn't prevent her from living it. It shouldn't make anyone else see her any differently. It isn't the sole thing that defines her. She fears that it will be. She would rather keep this a secret. She is a bad liar. Her friends can tell that something is going on with her. They want her to let them in. It doesn't happen naturally though. She is forced to come clean because she is shamed with the worst day of her life. The Baby-Sitters Club has been a success in Stoneybrooke. It has inspired competition. Older kids can actually present the argument that they are better to care for children. They have more resources and abilities. They can drive to the houses. They can stay up late. They can expertly put together a video to highlight the marketing they want to embrace. These teenagers also feel entitled to this success. They approach the job through a place of financial security. It's an opportunity for them to make money without having to actually do anything. That is scary and dangerous though. When a parent leaves their child with someone else, they want to know that they are being well taken care of. They don't want to get the news that their toddler was out playing in the street because their babysitter was absent. That is truly the scary thought here. Nothing bad happens. It's just an example used to debunk the brilliance of the Baby-Sitters Agency. The Club feels defeated because their ideas don't seem to be gaining any traction. They started off as a success. That inspired copycats. And now, they may have to end the business because they simply can't compete. Kristy has an idea for how to make things special. That mostly just shows how much these preteens care. They may have their shortcomings. But they are being raised as caring young women who want to protect these children while also entertaining them. It's not solely a distraction or a burden for them. They have big ideas of how to have fun. They are responsible too. Sure, the debate swings back onto Stacey because she is forced to be honest about her insulin pump. That causes some parents to worry that their children could be exposed to something dangerous to them. And yet, Stacey has already proven herself in the field. She wasn't doing a good job hiding it. That was the mentality she thought her mom was asking her to embrace. When buying new clothes, it's all about covering up the pump. It's a secret to hide away. In the end, Stacey decides to embrace it. This is part of her identity. She can make it a standout piece on her. It can be something celebrated instead of something to fret over all the time. Her mom just wants to care for her. She doesn't want to risk losing her or having another scare like before. Stacey is resilient though. She is strong because she has the support of her friends who won't push her away. This isn't something she should feel ashamed about. Sure, it's used in a plot to convince the world that these kids are responsible to babysit. They are more trustworthy than people slightly older. But it also puts in the necessary work to ensure Stacey is loved and accepted. Everyone has that something that makes life harder for them. They may feel different than the rest of the world. It doesn't have to be an ongoing struggle of self-hatred. It's brave to stand out and know that love is there to greet you. Some people will be mean no matter what. That is a reflection on them though. It's more important to trust the love and kindness from those who remain a consistent part of life. Stacey has that and the audience has the compassion and kindness of the show.
