Lately, I have been rejoicing that my very favorite TV show as a youth has finally come out on DVD.
After years and years of waiting, Daria: The Complete Series
At first, I was weirdly reluctant to watch it, because I was worried it couldn't possibly hold up to my glowing, fond memories. But it does. It's actually better than I remember (or could appreciate the first time), especially as far as the outstanding writing goes. For a show that makes use of all the usual archetypal high-school-show characters (the cheerleader, the clueless parents, the cool best friend) there is so much thoughtful, clever dialogue, especially a little further into the series.
Until this show came along, I had never related to a character on television, well...ever. Until Daria, television, like Seventeen magazine, just made me feel defective. Watching it now reminds me of watching it when I was 16 with my best friend (who was not unlike Jane, Daria's slightly cooler and better-adjusted best friend). I remember feeling so much comfort in their misanthropic hijinks and whip-smart observations.
And it's still comforting to me. And still really funny.
It's so great to watch it again, and not just for the nostalgia factor. Happily, Daria's wise-ass brilliance and relevance isn't confined to the context of the 90's -- which makes me even more happy that a new generation of misfit girls get to know her now.
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(Exchanged at a party in the episode: "The Invitation")
Jane: "Are you ready to go?"
Daria: "I was ready to go before we got here."
