After moving in with Watson, Kristy navigates a not-so-warm neighborly welcome. The BSC helps Mary Anne define her post-camp relationship status.
In 2020, the television industry aired 493 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 season premiere of Netflix's The Baby-Sitters Club.
"Kristy and the Snobs" was written by Rachel Shukert and directed by Robert Luketic
The Baby-Sitters Club is a well-oiled machine at this point. The friends could take the summer off for camp and return to this business without missing a beat. Their uncertainties and insecurities don't come from this job. It provides them with the resources to remain friends engaged in each other's lives. That's important to Kristy as she has moved into a new house. Her family has expanded. Elizabeth and Watson are trying their best to make it all seem perfect. They absolutely are trying too hard and aren't noticing the individual needs of each child. However, the kids still appreciate the efforts. They don't always want to confide in the adults in their lives. They are trusted to have some independence. Parents may continually worry. However, nothing has gotten too extreme to cause any true concern in this world. Instead, the story finds grounded drama as the most engaging source of its narrative. Here, it's all about Kristy not feeling welcomed in her new neighborhood. Her mother has the same reaction. They vent to each other as well as to their friends and family. In relaying their feelings, they are told that they may be overreacting. They absolutely have the right to be irrational if they want. They don't have to deal with snobby people in their neighborhood. They don't have to be friends with people they don't like. That can't entirely be dependent on one interaction though. It's awkward when Kristy and Elizabeth have tea with Amanda and her mother, Shannon. They are made to feel as if they don't belong here. It's lucky that they are. And yes, it is wonderful that Elizabeth and Watson found each other. They have brought their families together in a way that hopefully creates a more rewarding and enriching life. That's what they want to offer to everyone. They are considerate of each other's feelings. They also push each other to go out of their comfort zones. Of course, that's a more nuanced story as it pertains to Kristy than it is with Elizabeth. Kristy has no choice but to agree to babysit Amanda. She doesn't really need much attention. She is old enough to be trusted alone. This is just seen as a punishment for her. It's also an opportunity to expand her social circle. She doesn't hang out with anyone in the neighborhood. She is isolated. Kristy notices that. Sure, it's easy to pick up on those clues through eavesdropping. It's incredibly blatant when Kristy does that. But that also showcases the power of listening. Amanda provides sympathy to David Michael as he mourns the recent passing of the family dog. That's the biggest change in moving to this new home. The family has already gotten to know each other. They are aware of how these interactions work. It's different because they are all in the same environment all the time. But the loss of a dog is much more significant. Kristy feels that as well. She doesn't want to let go or move on by simply adopting a new pet. That's the sadness that can consume a child's worldview though. A pet has provided so much comfort and support. Kristy can make friends wherever she goes. She frequently feels the urge for others to respect her leadership and recognize what she brings to every situation. She is still a child learning self-acceptance in this world. Here, she judged her neighbors severely. She learns that it was wrong to do so. Elizabeth has the same lesson. Of course, that is mostly just inferred at the end. Meanwhile, Kristy is actually proven right when it comes to helping Mary Anne navigate her new relationship with Logan. Claudia and Stacey want to embark on an elaborate ruse to get his attention. Kristy just wants Mary Anne to be open and honest through direct conversation. That comes across as a retro idea. One that alienates how this generation has learned to communicate. But it's also the simple ambition of this show. It's all about learning the value of human interaction and connection. That's a lesson so many need to learn over and over again. This show champions that spirit while highlighting the wondrous friendships on display through the Baby-Sitters Club. Yes, it's a play for nostalgia. It also recognizes patterns of modern life in a way that could harm developing minds by showcasing the behavior necessary to champion everyone in their community at the end of the day. Those lessons remain powerful at the start of a new season.
The Baby-Sitters Club is a well-oiled machine at this point. The friends could take the summer off for camp and return to this business without missing a beat. Their uncertainties and insecurities don't come from this job. It provides them with the resources to remain friends engaged in each other's lives. That's important to Kristy as she has moved into a new house. Her family has expanded. Elizabeth and Watson are trying their best to make it all seem perfect. They absolutely are trying too hard and aren't noticing the individual needs of each child. However, the kids still appreciate the efforts. They don't always want to confide in the adults in their lives. They are trusted to have some independence. Parents may continually worry. However, nothing has gotten too extreme to cause any true concern in this world. Instead, the story finds grounded drama as the most engaging source of its narrative. Here, it's all about Kristy not feeling welcomed in her new neighborhood. Her mother has the same reaction. They vent to each other as well as to their friends and family. In relaying their feelings, they are told that they may be overreacting. They absolutely have the right to be irrational if they want. They don't have to deal with snobby people in their neighborhood. They don't have to be friends with people they don't like. That can't entirely be dependent on one interaction though. It's awkward when Kristy and Elizabeth have tea with Amanda and her mother, Shannon. They are made to feel as if they don't belong here. It's lucky that they are. And yes, it is wonderful that Elizabeth and Watson found each other. They have brought their families together in a way that hopefully creates a more rewarding and enriching life. That's what they want to offer to everyone. They are considerate of each other's feelings. They also push each other to go out of their comfort zones. Of course, that's a more nuanced story as it pertains to Kristy than it is with Elizabeth. Kristy has no choice but to agree to babysit Amanda. She doesn't really need much attention. She is old enough to be trusted alone. This is just seen as a punishment for her. It's also an opportunity to expand her social circle. She doesn't hang out with anyone in the neighborhood. She is isolated. Kristy notices that. Sure, it's easy to pick up on those clues through eavesdropping. It's incredibly blatant when Kristy does that. But that also showcases the power of listening. Amanda provides sympathy to David Michael as he mourns the recent passing of the family dog. That's the biggest change in moving to this new home. The family has already gotten to know each other. They are aware of how these interactions work. It's different because they are all in the same environment all the time. But the loss of a dog is much more significant. Kristy feels that as well. She doesn't want to let go or move on by simply adopting a new pet. That's the sadness that can consume a child's worldview though. A pet has provided so much comfort and support. Kristy can make friends wherever she goes. She frequently feels the urge for others to respect her leadership and recognize what she brings to every situation. She is still a child learning self-acceptance in this world. Here, she judged her neighbors severely. She learns that it was wrong to do so. Elizabeth has the same lesson. Of course, that is mostly just inferred at the end. Meanwhile, Kristy is actually proven right when it comes to helping Mary Anne navigate her new relationship with Logan. Claudia and Stacey want to embark on an elaborate ruse to get his attention. Kristy just wants Mary Anne to be open and honest through direct conversation. That comes across as a retro idea. One that alienates how this generation has learned to communicate. But it's also the simple ambition of this show. It's all about learning the value of human interaction and connection. That's a lesson so many need to learn over and over again. This show champions that spirit while highlighting the wondrous friendships on display through the Baby-Sitters Club. Yes, it's a play for nostalgia. It also recognizes patterns of modern life in a way that could harm developing minds by showcasing the behavior necessary to champion everyone in their community at the end of the day. Those lessons remain powerful at the start of a new season.
