TGI – Episode 617 “Resurrection”

Summary

Pod Meets World – Episode 617: "Resurrection"

Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts
Release Date: July 17, 2025
Original Air Date of Episode Recapped: February 19, 1999
Synopsis: Corey struggles with his newborn brother Joshua's critical health condition, leading to tensions with Topanga. Meanwhile, Eric faces his own challenges as he moves out of his apartment. Directed by Jodi Binstock, "Resurrection" delves deep into the emotional dynamics of the Matthews family.

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Introduction to the Episode

At the outset of Episode 617, hosts Danielle Fishel, Will Friedle, and Ryder Strong set the stage by reminiscing about their own experiences revisiting "Boy Meets World" memorabilia. Will shares a heartfelt moment visiting his mother's house, uncovering cherished items like teen magazines and original calendars from the show.

Notable Quote:

Will Friedle [03:15]: "I have an original copy of my calendar that I did in 1996 and I have my posters... It's like bowling our own show."

Deep Dive into "Resurrection"

The trio dives into the core of "Resurrection," analyzing its departure from the show's typically lighter tone. The episode centers around Corey Matthews grappling with his newborn brother Joshua's tenuous health, creating a more somber narrative than usual.

Notable Quote:

Ryder Strong [33:43]: "Everybody kind of gets one. It's a lot. It's a lot. It's a lot."

Character Development and Tensions

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the strained relationship between Corey and Topanga. The hosts express mixed feelings about Topanga's character arc, noting a shift from her earlier, more optimistic self to a seemingly detached partner trying to cope with the stress of Joshua's condition.

Notable Quotes:

Will Friedle [39:04]: "It gives off real serial killer vibes. Like no joke."

Michael Jacobs [46:34]: "I didn't quite get this. I didn't understand."

The hosts critique how Topanga's attempts to support Corey come across as forced and emotionally distant, leading to a breakdown in their relationship. They highlight specific scenes where Corey's desperation contrasts sharply with Topanga's seemingly ineffective reassurances.

Guest Stars and Their Impact

"Resurrection" features guest appearances that add depth to the storyline. Notably, Michael Jacobs portrays a heartfelt character praying for his sick baby, drawing from personal experiences that resonate with the hosts.

Notable Quote:

Michael Jacobs [60:24]: "There is nothing that can prepare you for being on the NICU floor and seeing all the different families..."

Emotional Weight and Audience Reception

The hosts discuss the emotional gravity of the episode, acknowledging both its intent to tackle serious issues and the challenges in balancing drama with the show's comedic roots. They express concerns over the episode's pacing and the cumulative effect of multiple intense storylines in succession.

Notable Quotes:

Ryder Strong [35:40]: "The audience didn't know how to react. Should we cheer here? Do we not?"

Will Friedle [62:08]: "We are in Topanga and Angela's dorm. Angela is on her bed wearing a gore. She is so stunning."

Scene-by-Scene Analysis

Hospital NICU Scenes: The episode opens in the NICU with Corey and Topanga grappling with Joshua's critical condition. The hosts dissect the portrayal of parental anxiety and the introduction of Dr. Markman, a neonatal pulmonary specialist whose interactions add tension and hope.

Notable Quote:

Will Friedle [34:47]: "If you look at a life cycle, someone dies, and then new life gets born."

Corey and Topanga's Relationship: A pivotal moment occurs when Corey confronts Topanga about their strained relationship. The hosts critique the dialogue, feeling it lacked authenticity and failed to convey the intended emotional depth.

Notable Quote:

Michael Jacobs [39:37]: "It's so possessive and demanding. It's just awful."

Eric's Subplot: Eric's storyline involves him moving out, which the hosts find less impactful compared to the main plot. They discuss how his interactions with Tommy and the introduction of Sean aim to provide comic relief but feel out of place amid the heavy themes.

Notable Quote:

Will Friedle [40:27]: "It was a cute relationship. The Tommy Eric relationship is a very cute relationship."

Production Insights

The hosts delve into behind-the-scenes aspects, such as Jodi Binstock's directorial debut with this episode and Erica Montalfo's writing contributions. They discuss how personal experiences of the cast and crew influenced the episode's tone and content.

Notable Quote:

Will Friedle [20:07]: "She wrote the poetic license. Yeah. So I think she was part of the team from the beginning of season six."

Emotional Reactions and Critiques

Throughout the discussion, the hosts share their emotional responses to the episode. Michael Jacobs, in particular, speaks candidly about how the NICU scenes triggered personal memories, adding a layer of vulnerability to the conversation.

Notable Quote:

Michael Jacobs [60:24]: "Us too, but for a totally different reason."

They critique the episode's handling of sensitive topics, feeling that the dramatic elements overshadowed the show's inherent charm and humor.

Notable Quotes:

Ryder Strong [52:05]: "To now come back with like, why are you practical? Like, well, because that was my thing."

Michael Jacobs [75:00]: "I wanted to say something real. Like, I was on the road. I went to this place..."

Final Thoughts and Ratings

Concluding the episode recap, the hosts reflect on the overall effectiveness of "Resurrection." While acknowledging the importance of addressing serious issues, they express reservations about the execution and the episode's fit within the show's broader narrative arc.

Notable Quotes:

Michael Jacobs [86:08]: "Oh, sorry, buddy. This is."

Ryder Strong [86:54]: "Yeah, it just. It's."

They humorously rate the episode's comedic moments, balancing their critique with light-hearted banter about the challenges of discussing such a heavy episode.

Notable Quote:

Will Friedle [86:17]: "It was pretty clear to me that Sean was saying, everything you need in your life is here with these people."

Conclusion

Episode 617 of "Pod Meets World" offers an in-depth and candid exploration of "Boy Meets World’s" "Resurrection" episode. Through thoughtful analysis and personal reflections, Danielle, Will, and Ryder provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the episode’s strengths and shortcomings. Their discussion underscores the delicate balance between drama and humor, a hallmark of the beloved series.

Final Notable Quote:

Michael Jacobs [87:06]: "Our theme song is by Kyle Morton of Typhoon."

For fans and newcomers alike, this episode of "Pod Meets World" serves as both a nostalgic trip and a critical examination of one of "Boy Meets World’s" more dramatic installments.

Transcript

[Danielle Fishel]

This is an I Heart podcast.

[Will Friedle]

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[Ryder Strong]

Strong and Will Friedle.

[Will Friedle]

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[Ryder Strong]

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[Michael Jacobs]

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[Ryder Strong]

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[Danielle Fishel]

We all have that one piece, the one that's so you. You've basically become known for it.

[Will Friedle]

And if you don't yet fashionistas, you'll find it on ebay.

[Danielle Fishel]

That Miu Miu red leather bomber, that.

[Will Friedle]

Cousteau Barcelona cowboy top, or that Patagonia.

[Danielle Fishel]

Fleece in the 2017 colorway.

[Will Friedle]

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[Danielle Fishel]

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[Will Friedle]

Ebay things people love every day has.

[Unknown]

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[Will Friedle]

Out the rest of it.

[Unknown]

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[Will Friedle]

Convenient breakfast option when paired with low fat yogurt and fruit that provide steady.

[Unknown]

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[Will Friedle]

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[Unknown]

Best part?

[Will Friedle]

They both taste great, so make the.

[Unknown]

Most out of your morning with a bite of Belvita. Pick up a pack of Belvita at your local store today.

[Ryder Strong]

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[Will Friedle]

Ooh, that's a mouthful, but that's because it packs a lot in. Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases with it, big or small.

[Michael Jacobs]

So whether it's buying tickets to the game with your mom or grabbing a coffee with your dog. Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases made with it.

[Will Friedle]

Let's say it together. The active cash credit card from Wells Fargo.

[Ryder Strong]

Learn more@wells fargo.com Active cash terms apply.

[Will Friedle]

I recently went to my mom's house for a visit. And a few years ago, and by a few years ago, I mean probably a decade or more.

[Ryder Strong]

That's a few.

[Michael Jacobs]

That's a few. That's where we're at.

[Will Friedle]

It's a few times. A few. My mom gave me all of my Boy Meets World stuff that she still held onto. Like all the teen magazines, all of my photo albums with, you know, TGI Friday dates, and you and Andrew, you know, me and Andrew Tegan, me and every guest star, cute boy that came around who I went to islands with. Like I, she me, all of that stuff. And, and so a lot of it's very cool. Like I have an original copy of my calendar that I did in 1996 and I have my posters and like I mentioned all the teen magazines where my mom put little post it note tabs in them with all my friends that were in there. So, like Ryder, Will, Jonathan, Andrew, you know, really cute. And so I don't think often when I go to my mom's house that there's gonna be stuff from my childhood that she still wants to give me. But this time, oh, geez. I walk in, we're sitting there talking, she goes, oh, by the way, I found something I thought you might want to have. And I go, what is it? And she comes out with this.

[Ryder Strong]

Is that the hair you cut off?

[Michael Jacobs]

What?

[Will Friedle]

It's my hair from the initial chop I did on the hair cutting episode. It's the actual. It's the, the one from where I grabbed it and did that initial chop. It's that handful. And, and from this pile is what we then gave away to people in the audience.

[Ryder Strong]

Oh my God.

[Michael Jacobs]

So give it away to people in the audience. I remember that.

[Will Friedle]

Oh my God.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah. Oh, no, I remember you giving some out to the audience, but I thought you gave it all away.

[Michael Jacobs]

I can't believe you have a hunk of that.

[Will Friedle]

I have the chunk. I have the biggest chunk.

[Michael Jacobs]

Now what are you going to do with it?

[Will Friedle]

I have absolutely no idea. I'll tell you that. What I did was I put that baggie in this baggie that says hair from Boy Meets World haircut. Because otherwise, make a suggestion. Stumble around, Voodoo do.

[Ryder Strong]

Interesting take. I was going to say charity auction.

[Will Friedle]

Charity auction.

[Ryder Strong]

Auction it off for charity.

[Michael Jacobs]

You know, how many people do those?

[Will Friedle]

Whoever buys that, what do they do with it? Voodoo.

[Michael Jacobs]

What do you care?

[Ryder Strong]

As long as charity gets.

[Michael Jacobs]

Gets, you know, the money to really want hair?

[Ryder Strong]

If you think with. With the amount of fans we've seen, do you not think Topanga's first chop haircut, from arguably one of the most famous episodes we've ever had, would sell on the Internet? That would be one of the things where we would look at each other going, like, not because. Can't believe it's up 14. It's at $14,000. How is it at $14,000?

[Will Friedle]

Yeah. It wouldn't be because people want hair. It's because people would be, like, having the piece of history and would love to give the money to charity.

[Ryder Strong]

It's TV history. When. When Alan Aldous Boots and. And dog tags from MASH came up for charity, a. Like, maybe I'll have a shot. They went for $150,000.

[Will Friedle]

Why didn't you have a shot, Will? Why didn't you. Why didn't you bid? Why didn't you bid?

[Ryder Strong]

Because I love eating every day.

[Will Friedle]

You like having a roof over your head? Yes.

[Ryder Strong]

TV stuff. I mean, the nostalgia stuff, it's huge. Yeah.

[Will Friedle]

Yeah. No, I don't. I'm gonna keep it.

[Michael Jacobs]

It's gonna sit in a baggie in your garage.

[Will Friedle]

Sit in a baggie in my garage until my kids.

[Michael Jacobs]

Your kids are gonna open it and.

[Will Friedle]

Be like, until I die. And my kids are like, oh, why'd she leave us all this stuff to throw away?

[Ryder Strong]

And then they go make a voodoo garbage. Yeah, and then your kids would make a voodoo doll. Exactly.

[Will Friedle]

Listen, as long as they summons me after I'm gone with the hair, by.

[Ryder Strong]

The way, that's not the right way to make a voodoo doll. You're totally off.

[Will Friedle]

Oh, how do you make a voodoo doll?

[Ryder Strong]

I can't. I don't want to tell. I don't want to put it out there on the Internet. I don't want people to know.

[Will Friedle]

Dark Web. Dark Web.

[Ryder Strong]

I thought that was a real thing, by the way.

[Will Friedle]

What?

[Ryder Strong]

Like. Like the Dark Web? Like, you had to. Like, there was an address, like, www.darkweb.com. like, I don't know anything. Doesn't. Dark Web. Isn't that just kind of a catch?

[Will Friedle]

No.

[Ryder Strong]

Or is it an actual, real Dark Web?

[Will Friedle]

No, it's an actual place.

[Ryder Strong]

God, I don't even know the Light Web.

[Will Friedle]

Speaking of the Dark Web, a wrestler from the wwe, a guy named Shiloh Hill. I don't know why he was on the Dark Web. I. I don't. I truthfully do not know how one gets to the Dark Web, but it is another part of the web where it's harder or near impossible to trace things. So it's a place where nefarious sales and reading.

[Ryder Strong]

It's nocturnali on the web.

[Will Friedle]

Exactly.

[Ryder Strong]

Harry Potter.

[Will Friedle]

Okay. Yes. And so this guy found a website that was selling shoes. And the weird thing about the shoes is that they were all stained with like a very dark substance. And then the shoes were all named something like a person's name. And sometimes they had the name and an age. So like Matt 28. And then it would just be shoes covered in some disgusting substance. So this wrestler decided to purchase a pair of cowboy boots because they were the only pair of shoes that were in his size. He's a size 13. He bought a pair of cowboy boots from the Dark Web and was like, honestly, the odds that these are actually going to arrive are slim to none. I probably just got scammed out of. I just, you know, gave money to somebody. But the boots did arrive and then he got a black light and the spray you can use and it tested positive for blood. And so the boots were covered in blood and all it has is somebody's name attached to it. So he was doing like Instagram lives and stories kind of like following up and like. I don't know. I don't know. I. Yeah, I. Oh, oh. And it came. I forgot. Massive part of the story. It came with a tape. The boots arrived with a VHS tape.

[Michael Jacobs]

This sounds like some cool like escape room game or something. I like. I. I mean, it's just too good to actually be true.

[Ryder Strong]

Well, did he watch the tape? I mean, is it something crazy?

[Will Friedle]

The full Dark Web VHS is up and he said, if you are someone who gets creeped out, do not watch here.

[Ryder Strong]

Well, I get creeped out.

[Unknown]

If you are easily freaked out, don't watch it. There's a lot of weird stuff in there. Basically, it's just a bunch of messages and old movie clips pasted together. And then there are a bunch of slots called submissions where it just says like a name and submission. Some of those submission spots have videos inside of them where the boots are shown. And if those are real, they're pretty messed up. I now know why they asked for my name, because there is a slot with my name created in there, but there's no video in mine right here. Really bothered me. I'll show you why.

[Ryder Strong]

This is so cool.

[Unknown]

I posted that to my subs only and someone said to rewind it. So I did that. And it says this.

[Will Friedle]

The devil knows that. I heard her moving things all around that room all night. She wouldn't let me in her room.

[Ryder Strong]

She's a strange one.

[Unknown]

So, yeah, it's just weird. I need to figure out if the clips of the shoe stuff is, like, real or fake, because if it's real, it's bad. People have realized some creepy stuff. Like the names of the submissions that got rejected are also the names that are on the site. Once more, people watch it and kind of come up with more information. I'll post a full analysis. Until then, bro, I probably watch this whole thing like nine or ten times. It's getting to the point now where when I hear people not talking and rewind, it sounds weird. So I honestly need to take a break from for a little bit. Also, I think it's unrelated. I got a skin infection on my leg, which I honestly don't think is from the boots, but I'm now on antibiotics.

[Ryder Strong]

So.

[Will Friedle]

You don't think it's from the boots?

[Michael Jacobs]

You're actually wearing the boots. Like, why would you ever want to put those on?

[Will Friedle]

I don't know. But when he said. When he said there's then videos of the boots. Being that it's.

[Ryder Strong]

You guys just got ringed.

[Michael Jacobs]

You just got ringed. That's what just happened on the Dark Web. What, Amazon is not good enough for you?

[Ryder Strong]

Zappos.

[Will Friedle]

He. He.

[Michael Jacobs]

He can find size 13 in the world.

[Will Friedle]

Oh, sure, sure. But maybe they don't have this kind of storytelling, but geez.

[Michael Jacobs]

Yeah, the story's great. I love it.

[Will Friedle]

They did take crypto. I did see that. I don't want you to buy with. Buy with crypto.

[Ryder Strong]

Nope, nope. You just got ringed. The next video that comes out, you're each gonna have a slot. No, thank you.

[Will Friedle]

Anyway, if you guys want to follow along, his Instagram is Shiloh underscore wwe. So I have been deeply invested. So, anyway, welcome to not the Dark Web. This is Pod meets World. I'm Danielle Fishel.

[Michael Jacobs]

I'm Ryder Strong, and I'm still so creeped out.

[Ryder Strong]

Friedel. Ew.

[Michael Jacobs]

This show is sponsored by Liquid iv.

[Will Friedle]

Okay, summer highlights so far. Who's got one?

[Michael Jacobs]

I hit an amazing waterfall in Oregon. Hiked in like a mile, and it was probably the most beautiful waterfall I've ever seen. Watson Falls.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah.

[Will Friedle]

Wow.

[Ryder Strong]

Nice.

[Michael Jacobs]

Gorgeous.

[Ryder Strong]

My. One of my favorite highlights is being back on the road. Going back to Pod Meats World Live and meeting all the fans again has been amazing.

[Will Friedle]

Well, mine was a 37 person family reunion in San Luis Obispo. There were 10 kids running wild at the hotel pool, planning dinners together through chaos. But I wouldn't trade it for anything. But you know what saved the day? Liquid iv. No joke. I had an arctic raspberry packet always within reach. Just tore it open and poured it into some water. I quenched my thirst and was suddenly ready for another day.

[Ryder Strong]

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[Michael Jacobs]

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[Will Friedle]

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[Ryder Strong]

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[Michael Jacobs]

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[Will Friedle]

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[Ryder Strong]

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[Will Friedle]

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[Will Friedle]

You ever find a dusty old VHS tape labeled Spring Break 98 and think, wow, do I even own something that plays this anymore? Because last time I tried I put it in a toaster. Don't recommend it. Look, our family spent years recording everything. Birthdays, dance recitals, that one Thanksgiving where Uncle Jerry deep fried his eyebrows. But now it's all just sitting in boxes, forever sent to memory jail. That's why I use Legacy Box. I just ship them a bunch of my old tapes, film reels, and even photos. It is super easy. You get a box, you toss everything in it, and their team hand digitizes it right here in the us. It's like magic. Now I've got my family memories on a thumb drive and in the cloud so I can text my friends footage of their embarrassing 1994 bangs whenever I want. And don't forget about my interpretive dance to Mambo Number five. You're welcome. Group Chat Over a million families have used Legacy Box and honestly, it feels good to finally preserve your precious memories. Don't let your family's story fade away on outdated formats. Preserve it, share it. Pass it on. Go to legacybox.com meets world to get 50% off today, that's legacybox.com meatsworld Parents, let's talk snacks. If your mornings look anything like mine, you're reheating the same cup of coffee for the third time. One kid can't find his water cup and the other is crying because their socks feel too spicy. That's why Mott's no Sugar Added Applesauce pouches are perfect to have nearby. These things are clutch, made with real apples, no sugar added, and the Pouc couch? Genius. It's mess free and perfect for the car, the lunchbox, or after school activities. This is a snack you can feel good about and a good source of vitamin C too. Just tasty applesauce your kids will actually want to eat. The other day I handed one to my kid during rush hour traffic. Instant silence. He went from feral raccoon to calm librarian in two squeezes flat. Trust me, your future self will thank you. Mott's Real Apples make Real Good applesauce. Learn [e-mail] hey, it's Danielle Fishel Rider Strong and Will Friedle Remember Friday nights at the video store arguing over which.

[Ryder Strong]

VHS to rent for basement movie night, then rewinding it before drop off or risking the wrath of the late fees.

[Michael Jacobs]

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[Ryder Strong]

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[Michael Jacobs]

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[Will Friedle]

Even if the only trip you've taken lately is down memory lane.

[Ryder Strong]

So, yeah, if you remember that iconic sound of a dial up tone, if.

[Will Friedle]

You remember wearing butterfly clips and taking quizzes in every teen magazine, or if.

[Michael Jacobs]

There'S still a mixtape that lives rent free in your brain, maybe it's time.

[Ryder Strong]

For your skin to catch up to how young you still feel.

[Will Friedle]

So try Neutrogena retinol regenerating cream, available online or at Walmart. So welcome to today's episode recap. We are recapping Season 6, Episode 17, Resurrection. It originally aired February 19, 1999. The synopsis. Synopsis. Corey struggles with his newborn brother's critical health condition, leading to tensions with Topanga, who tries to support him as they await news of the baby's recovery. Also, Eric moves out of his apartment. It was directed by Jodi Binstock. Her first episode. Did she do more than one?

[Michael Jacobs]

I don't think so.

[Will Friedle]

Okay.

[Michael Jacobs]

But she was around for, like, since season five, I guess, because she was following Jeff McCracken around and learning. And then she shot our opening credits.

[Ryder Strong]

I was gonna say we talked about how she shot, like, all the cool, stylized opening credits part. Did she do the second version or just the first one?

[Michael Jacobs]

I don't remember. I know she was there for the first one and she had like an 8 millimeter or 16 millimeter camera. But yeah, I don't remember if she was there for the second one.

[Will Friedle]

It was written by Erica Montalfo. Burra. Her first episode as well.

[Michael Jacobs]

No.

[Will Friedle]

Yay. Yeah.

[Michael Jacobs]

She did the poetic license. Yeah. So I think she was part of the team from the beginning of season six.

[Will Friedle]

She has said that she was. That's something we have to ask her when we interview her. She said she did three seasons, which means that she was there from season five, but she didn't have any scripts in season five.

[Michael Jacobs]

Interesting.

[Will Friedle]

So, yeah, she wrote them.

[Ryder Strong]

She's right. She wrote the note to Holden Caulfield.

[Will Friedle]

Okay.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah.

[Will Friedle]

So, yeah, we want to ask her because maybe it's possible that her fellowship was season five.

[Michael Jacobs]

Right.

[Will Friedle]

And then season six and seven, she was an official writer on the payroll. Okay, so before I jump into our guest stars, do you guys want to share your overall thoughts?

[Michael Jacobs]

I mean, we are just. We are in soap opera land. It's really, really dramatic, really intense. I mean, lots of hospitals. Three monologues.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah, Everybody kind of gets one.

[Michael Jacobs]

Everyone gets a monologue. Yeah. It's a lot.

[Ryder Strong]

It's a lot.

[Michael Jacobs]

It's a lot.

[Ryder Strong]

It's a lot.

[Michael Jacobs]

It is.

[Will Friedle]

Yeah.

[Michael Jacobs]

I don't know. I feel like this is just one of those episodes of Boy Meets World that you either love because it adds such a level of seriousness and intensity to a show that otherwise is, you know, super fun. Like me at this point, you're kind of sick, and you're just like. Can we just get back to the. The fun stuff?

[Ryder Strong]

Well, wasn't this the episode where. Because we felt, if memory serves, that we felt the weight of this on the set too, where we had two or three in a row where we were like, dude, this is getting real. And we voiced that during a note session. And Michael got up and walked out.

[Michael Jacobs]

Yeah.

[Will Friedle]

Oh, really?

[Ryder Strong]

He wouldn't discuss. Because this was kind of based on his life. This is what happened to Joshua. And Michael is obviously, as we'll get into is the man praying over one of the Niku baskets. And so this was very near and dear to him. But we were, I think, and we didn't come at it in a disrespectful way, but we were kind of clapping back a little bit where it's like, this is very heavy for multiple episodes in a row. And he just got up and left. Just got up? He didn't say. He just got up and walked out.

[Michael Jacobs]

He also became that rabbi character because of the pushback.

[Ryder Strong]

Oh, really?

[Michael Jacobs]

Yeah, because it was in the script, and we did our first run through, and I remember Ben. I don't remember saying much myself, but I remember Ben being like, this is just too much. And he was, like, voicing it during notes. And Michael was like, this really happened to me. There really was a rabbi in the hospital, and I'm not gonna change it no matter what you say. So much so that I'm gonna get in the costume and I'm gonna play the part. It was like a big, like, one upmanship back to Ben. Like, no, no, no, we're not changing it. And so I'm gonna be the guy. And so we were like, oh, okay. And he was.

[Ryder Strong]

Man. Yeah, it was. That's what I remember most about this week. And also lobster.

[Will Friedle]

I know.

[Ryder Strong]

Did you see it?

[Will Friedle]

No, I did. You did? I saw it once. I saw it in the student union over Bill's shoulder. It's like, in the refrigerator.

[Ryder Strong]

In the bakery cabinet?

[Will Friedle]

Yeah, in the bakery cabinet, which I think is supposed to be, like, a refrigerated section. Okay. And it's, like, right here in Bill's.

[Ryder Strong]

In Bill's shoulder and then in the boy's apartment. It's always hanging on the fridge.

[Will Friedle]

Okay.

[Ryder Strong]

It's just. It's. I'm. I look back now, and I'm not gonna harp on it anymore. Go find it yourself. But it's distracting.

[Will Friedle]

Don'. Mind it being on the fridge at all. That feels like something that you could just. Yeah, there was a magnet. They had a lobster magnet in the. But when it was in the bakery case, I was like, why would there be a lobster in the bakery case?

[Ryder Strong]

It's just Dee throwing it in wherever she can.

[Will Friedle]

So funny.

[Ryder Strong]

By the way, I totally agree with Ryder. It's just. It's a. It's a very heavy episode. Corey isn't very likable. Again, I get why they're trying to not make him likable, but, you know, they want the turn. I thought the Sean entrance was great because that's what he's looking for. But the idea that Cory has been this unlikable for several episodes and Topanga's the one that needs to change, I found to be a little, like, really?

[Michael Jacobs]

I couldn't track the logic of any.

[Will Friedle]

Of that at that point.

[Michael Jacobs]

I was like, hold my hand back to. I like Topanga's. Like, the conversations about Topanga's character. And, like, I liked this idea that she's getting in touch with something, but I didn't. It didn't track for me. I wasn't like, what is the logic here? Like, she needs to care about them in order to. I. I really don't know.

[Will Friedle]

Like, he fell in love with me because I was a distraction. I was a funny, quirky distraction from real life. And so whenever anything tough is going on for him, he just needs me to be his safe space, which involves dancing and lipstick on my face, and anything other than that is not good enough. And then, like, yes, exactly what you said. The framing of it being like, well, I can't do that for you. And then Sean walking in and being, like, the one to do it for him. It's like, honestly, go marry Sean. Just do it.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah. No, it wasn't my favorite either. It's just. Yeah. And I didn't realize. This is. This is how Tommy starts. There's no kind of conversation. He's just there. And I was like, did I miss a scene?

[Will Friedle]

Did I miss the exact same thing? I was like, wait, is this the first time we're seeing Tommy since Christmas, which was seven episodes ago?

[Ryder Strong]

Something like that, yeah. And then all of a sudden, he's just now he's with Eric. There was no like I'm gonna go become a big brother or re meeting Tommy or something. They're just have apparently been in each other's lives and we just didn't know it.

[Will Friedle]

I know.

[Ryder Strong]

Was a weird episode for me. It was a weird episode for me.

[Will Friedle]

Agreed. So guest starring McNally Sagel as Dr. Taylor. And then we have Donna Pontarotto as nurse. She also appeared on shows like Third Rock from the sun and Judging Amy. We have Sue Cremin as Karen. Sue is a common TV guest star showing up on shows like Spin City, Homeland and most recently Alaska Daily. We have Clarence A. Barnes as Paul and Michael Fairman is Dr. Markman. Michael has had a prolific 40 year career in Hollywood with early stops on Charlie's Angels and 18 episodes of Cagney and Lacey. However, he is best known as Patrick Murphy on the Young and the Restless and from movies like Dead Silence, 13 Days and David Lynch's Mulholland Drive. JB Gaynor returns for his second appearance as Tommy. This is his second of three episodes. And Cameron and Corbin er are the infants who played baby Joshua Matthews in the Incubator. The twins would also play infants in the baseball movie 61. And Cameron is credited also as Moon Bounce kid in Eddie Murphy's Norbit. Neither have acted in decades, but boy, I sure would like to find them. They are almost 30 now.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah. Which is crazy.

[Michael Jacobs]

Crazy.

[Ryder Strong]

They were great in this. In 61. It was trite, right? Their. Their performance was trite in 61.

[Will Friedle]

You think so? Yeah, it just.

[Ryder Strong]

I thought they were pushing. It was like they knew who they.

[Michael Jacobs]

Were by that point. I'm a baby.

[Ryder Strong]

It was a little much.

[Will Friedle]

What kind of training do you even have? You know, like. Yeah, very obvious.

[Ryder Strong]

I didn't buy it. I didn't buy it totally.

[Will Friedle]

And then as we mentioned, there is one other cameo, Mr. Michael Jacobs. But we will get into that later.

[Michael Jacobs]

Is he actually credited?

[Will Friedle]

I didn't see it.

[Ryder Strong]

I don't think so.

[Will Friedle]

Not credited.

[Michael Jacobs]

But he has lines.

[Will Friedle]

So he has two lines.

[Ryder Strong]

Do you think he's sag?

[Michael Jacobs]

I mean he started as an actor.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah. I wonder if like. I wonder if he's a SAG actor.

[Michael Jacobs]

I mean you can't do a SAG role.

[Will Friedle]

Yeah, you'd have to, you know.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah. They might have Taft heart lead them that day. Just a week maybe. I wonder.

[Unknown]

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[Will Friedle]

Parents let's Talk Snacks if your mornings look anything like mine, you're reheating the same cup of coffee for the third time. One kid can't find his water cup and the other is crying because their socks feel too spicy. That's why Mott's no Sugar added Applesauce pouches are perfect to have nearby. These things are clutch made with real apples, no sugar added and the pouch? Genius. It's mess free and perfect for the car, the lunchbox or after school activities. This is a snack you can feel good about and a good source of vitamin C too. Just tasty applesauce your kids will actually want to eat. The other day I handed one to my kid during rush hour traffic. Instant silence. He went from feral raccoon to calm librarian in two squeezes flat. Trust me, your future self will thank you. Motts Real apples make real good applesauce. Learn [e-mail] hey, it's Danielle Fishel, Ryder.

[Ryder Strong]

Strong and Will Friedle.

[Will Friedle]

Remember Friday nights at the video store.

[Ryder Strong]

Arguing over which VHS to rent for basement movie night, then rewinding it before drop off or risking the wrath of the late fees.

[Michael Jacobs]

Neutrogena remembers. And if that unlocked a memory for you too, it may be time for Neutrogena Retinol Regenerating Cream.

[Will Friedle]

Designed to reverse seven years of visible skin aging in one jar and powered by an accelerated retinol complex.

[Ryder Strong]

Neutrogena Retinol Regenerating Cream is as impressive as it sounds.

[Michael Jacobs]

It smooths fine lines, evens tone and visibly renews skin texture, giving you that refreshed post vacation look even if the.

[Will Friedle]

Only trip you've taken lately is down memory lane.

[Ryder Strong]

So yeah, if you remember that iconic sound of a dial up tone.

[Will Friedle]

If you remember wearing butterfly clips and Taking quizzes in every teen magazine.

[Michael Jacobs]

Or if there's still a mixtape that lives rent free in your brain, maybe.

[Ryder Strong]

It'S time for your skin to catch up to how young you still feel.

[Will Friedle]

So try Neutrogena retinol regenerating cream, available online or at Walmart.

[Danielle Fishel]

We all have that piece. You know the one, the thing that's so you, You've basically become known for it.

[Will Friedle]

And if you don't have yours yet, you'll find it on ebay.

[Danielle Fishel]

Putting you on here, fashionistas. Ebay is where you'll find those. One of a kind. Can't stop researching. Stay up. Dreaming about pieces again and again.

[Will Friedle]

I'm talking that mew mew off the.

[Danielle Fishel]

Runway red leather bomber, that Cousto Barcelon top with the cowboy on it, or.

[Will Friedle]

That Patagonia fleece in the 2017 colorway.

[Danielle Fishel]

All these finds are on ebay.

[Will Friedle]

And they even offer millions of main character pieces backed by authenticity guarantee.

[Danielle Fishel]

Ebay is the place for pre loved and vintage fashion.

[Will Friedle]

EBay. Things people love. The name of this product is the Active Cash Credit card from Wells Fargo. That's a lot of name, but it's also a lot of card.

[Ryder Strong]

It earns unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, whether it's buying tickets to the game with your mom or grabbing a coffee with your dog. Purchases big and small earn unlimited 2% cash rewards.

[Michael Jacobs]

No limits, no categories to track, just straightforward rewards that keep adding up.

[Will Friedle]

So you might stumble a bit while saying it, but paying with it will make you stumble upon so much more. Shopping, dining, cooking, gardening. You get the idea.

[Ryder Strong]

Let's say it together.

[Will Friedle]

The Active Cash credit card from Wells.

[Michael Jacobs]

Fargo earns unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.

[Will Friedle]

Purchases. You know what? It does have a ring to it. No, seriously, try saying it out loud. The Active Cash credit card from Wells Fargo.

[Ryder Strong]

Ooh, that sounds nice.

[Michael Jacobs]

Learn more@wells fargo.com forward/activecash terms apply.

[Will Friedle]

So, jumping into our recap, we start in the hospital. NICU boy Matthews is in an incubator with a card attached, noting that he weighs only 5lbs 0oz. Sleep deprived, Amy and Alan are nervously waiting by the baby when Dr. Taylor walks in. She introduces the Matthews to Charlie Markman, a neonatal pulmonary specialist who will be taking over their case. Amy is concerned, but Dr. Taylor assures them that they are in good hands and she leaves. Allan asks the new doctor if their baby will die, and Amy emphatically states, no. But Dr. Markman admits, I don't know.

[Michael Jacobs]

He reveals it's a Romp.

[Will Friedle]

Wow.

[Michael Jacobs]

I mean, so intense, literally. Is the baby going to die in the first scene? Also, going back to the last episode, I found it interesting that throughout this episode, Amy is, like, in a robe and acting like she's tired or, like, frail, like she's recovering. Whereas in the last episode, immediately after a C section, she was, like, perky and reading and happy.

[Will Friedle]

Yeah.

[Michael Jacobs]

I'd like to keep in mind we're.

[Ryder Strong]

Getting into possible dead baby. Three episodes after Dead Chet.

[Will Friedle]

I know.

[Ryder Strong]

Two episodes after Dead Chat. I mean, it's like, what decided. Where in the arc of the season did they go? You know what? We need lots more death or possible death.

[Will Friedle]

Yeah.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah. There's a lot.

[Michael Jacobs]

Such a strange choice. Like, I just don't. Why. You know, I mean, why did Boy Meets World go this route?

[Ryder Strong]

I don't know. Well, because, I mean, I get. I get them doing it with the baby because Michael's writing what he knows. I. Okay, I get that. But coming right off the heels of Chat, it's just. It's so much right in a row.

[Will Friedle]

As we know the baby doesn't end up dying. And so really kind of. I. Surprise spoiler. It does kind of speak to, like, if. If you look at a life cycle, someone dies, and then new life gets born. And before that, new life is fine. It. It could go either way. And so there's heaviness along the road, but it's not. If the baby died, I'd be like, what were they thinking? Why would they kill a baby and Chet within three episodes of each other?

[Ryder Strong]

But.

[Michael Jacobs]

But we've also had Shawn and Angela break up. Like, I know this whole season is sort of driven by tragedy.

[Will Friedle]

Well, and it feels like very much like the last two episodes, with the amount of times Topanga has said, sometimes things change. It feels very much like a motto or a. Yeah.

[Michael Jacobs]

A theme for the whole season.

[Will Friedle]

A theme for the show being that that tragedy will eventually strike us all.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah. Dawson's Creek is really popular.

[Will Friedle]

One capacity.

[Michael Jacobs]

Dawson's Creek is really popping.

[Will Friedle]

Exactly.

[Ryder Strong]

Drama's big right now, so let's.

[Will Friedle]

Also. I don't want us to forget that there have been traumatic and tragic things that have happened in individual people's lives. So, you know, there's lots of reasons, but it does feel certainly like a change of show.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah. I mean, to the point where. And we'll get into this as we. We progress. The audience didn't know how to react. I know you heard them at times. Like, should we cheer here? Do we not. Sean's back do we yell like everything was. There'd be two or three very long beats before there was a reaction from the audience because they. They also didn't know what to do.

[Will Friedle]

Right. They were like, are we just supposed to sit here silently?

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah. What happens now? Do we laugh? Is it okay to laugh at jokes? Like, it was strange.

[Will Friedle]

Yeah. Well. He reveals that the baby has had a respiratory infection from an early loss of amniotic fluid. They're going to administer a course of antibiotics over the next 10 days. By the way, babies have lung issues and breathing. Breathing. Anytime they're born, like, your lungs develop last in the womb. So if you're anything more than, like, two weeks early, you are probably gonna have some sort of lung development development issue. As a matter of fact, the reason Adler, was when I. When my water broke and I went into the hospital, the first thing they did was stop my contractions. They put me on sodium magnesium to stop everything. And then they had to give me a series of steroid shots so that his. It would speed up his lung development so it doesn't just happen from the loss of amniotic fluid. It's also because the baby's seven weeks early. They're going to administer a course of antibiotics over the next 10 days. Amy assumes that then they'll be able to bring him home after that, but Dr. Taylor explains they will see where they are at that point. And then when this boy meets world. Boy meets world.

[Ryder Strong]

Yep. Little jarring.

[Will Friedle]

Not one laugh. Nope. Not a one.

[Ryder Strong]

Nope.

[Will Friedle]

Then we're in the hospital waiting room. Topanga sits next to Corey, cup of coffee in hand, and looks extremely worried. Corey thinks everything's going to be okay. And Topanga sighs, I hope so. Corey's confused. What do you mean, you hope so? You think something bad's gonna happen? Topanga reminds him that something bad has already happened. Corey admits, I know. I just want you to make everything better.

[Ryder Strong]

Okay, Dr. Lawrence?

[Will Friedle]

She wonders how she can do that, and he tells her to just be there with him. Topanga reminds him she's sitting right next to him, but Corey doesn't feel her like she is. I want us to be Cory and Topanga again, because then everything is okay. He holds out his hand, and she asks how holding his hand will make everything better. He explains, I just want us to be the way we used to be. Valentine's Day used to be such a big deal to you.

[Ryder Strong]

He's still talking about Valentine's Day, and I get what they're doing. I get he's supposed to be in denial of what's going on in the other room. Totally understand. But it doesn't come off well.

[Will Friedle]

Woof.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah.

[Will Friedle]

Topanga is even more confused now. What does Valentine's Day have to do with this? Corey continues on. And I was the one who didn't want to hold hands. But you were the one who said that holding hands is like touching souls.

[Michael Jacobs]

Where did this come from? This is. This was not the motivation. Last episode. It's about. I don't.

[Will Friedle]

Topanga is shocked. How do you remember that? I said that years ago when I was a child. Corey says he remembers everything she said because it was important to him. He asks, why don't you? Except he forgets everything about.

[Michael Jacobs]

He doesn't listen to anything.

[Will Friedle]

We've already doesn't know her at all.

[Michael Jacobs]

He doesn't know her at all.

[Ryder Strong]

He it this in this scene almost more than anything else. And I'm not exaggerating, he gives off real serial killer vibes. Like no joke. Go watch it again. Where he's like, I remember everything you say and take my hand. Exactly.

[Michael Jacobs]

Yes.

[Will Friedle]

I have your hair in a baggie.

[Ryder Strong]

Dark web boots and everyone else.

[Will Friedle]

Said Topanga, 15, telling you hair from.

[Michael Jacobs]

Every haircut she's ever had. But you saw it.

[Ryder Strong]

Topanga's face too.

[Michael Jacobs]

And I'm looking at him like he's a crazy person.

[Will Friedle]

I know.

[Michael Jacobs]

It's so possessive and demanding. It's just awful.

[Ryder Strong]

It's bad.

[Will Friedle]

Topanga urges him to look around. Does he know where he is? Cory ignores her questions and encourages her to take his hand. Topanga can't believe it. We're in the hospital. This is real. The reality is that your little brother is back there fighting for his life. Corey argues no reality is this hand.

[Ryder Strong]

What?

[Will Friedle]

Topanga takes his hand. I don't like it when you use us to hide from the rest of the world. Corey. He replies, I don't like it that you're not Topanga anymore. Slowly release.

[Michael Jacobs]

I get to define who you are and you've lost track of who you are because I'm the one who tells you me.

[Will Friedle]

And it's all about me.

[Ryder Strong]

You're not who you were when you were 12. What the hell?

[Michael Jacobs]

You've changed, Topanga.

[Will Friedle]

Still not one laugh. We are now.

[Ryder Strong]

Oh, I was laughing by this point. For the record.

[Will Friedle]

Well, congratulations to you. So then we're in the apartment. Eric is pretending to play basketball with his adopted little brother Tommy, demanding him to go left multiple times until the boy has to remind him that is his laugh.

[Ryder Strong]

That was fun.

[Will Friedle]

Eric, apologizes marking our father. First joke of the show.

[Ryder Strong]

Which again, you. You think it would land like an explosion because we've come off that scene. But it. The first scene, everyone's like, exactly. There's no. No one's ready to laugh.

[Michael Jacobs]

Don't hurt the kid.

[Ryder Strong]

I mean, my God. So, yeah, it's. It's. They. It was a tough laugh this week. Tough room.

[Will Friedle]

Tough room for sure.

[Michael Jacobs]

I mean, there's literally a tradition of dead baby jokes, which. The whole point of those jokes are that they're so inappropriate.

[Will Friedle]

Yeah.

[Michael Jacobs]

That they. Funny that you would even ever tell them.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah.

[Michael Jacobs]

And we are literally a dead baby episode.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah.

[Will Friedle]

Yeah. Whole dead baby episode. On a comedy. Tommy finally shoots a ball of laundry into an open suitcase and scores. Eric lifts him into the air and jumps up and down, the boy's body flailing in the air. They won the championship. They won the championship. And as a reward, Tommy gets to carry Eric's suitcase down to the car. Tommy is now unamused. Not gonna happen. But Tommy still walks over to the suitcase to finish packing Eric's clothes for the big move and asks, why don't you get the big girl to carry it? Eric explains, because big girl's with the big old rat. Tommy wonders if that's why he's so sad. And Eric sighs, no, I'm not sad. Actually, that's the farthest thing from my mind. Tommy scoots back over to Eric. Well, something's wrong. You're acting different. Eric asks, yeah, how do I normally act? And Tommy frantically shakes his head back and forth while flailing his arms, yelling. And then Jack and Rachel walk through the door. Tommy is quick to greet them. Hi, big girl. Hi, rat.

[Ryder Strong]

That was great.

[Will Friedle]

It was cute. Eric beelines to his suitcase, But Jack and Rachel beg him not to leave. Eric still thinks it's the best thing to do, but Jack disagrees. This is the last thing he should be thinking about right now. Rachel doesn't even think he should be in the apartment. Eric should be at the hosp. Eric. Eric cuts her off. Pancakes. Everyone is confused. He clarifies. The international of hospital pancakes. Isn't that what you were gonna say? Jack wonders what's wrong with him. So Eric walks over to Tommy and places his hand over the boy's eyes. I don't want Tommy to know about the hospital.

[Ryder Strong]

Good joke.

[Michael Jacobs]

Yeah, really good joke.

[Will Friedle]

Tommy loudly whispers, who's in the hospital? Eric sighs and blames it on Rachel and Jack. He explains, I don't want him to know about the baby. The kid's got no family. He comes over here once a week to hang out with his big brother, Eric. He doesn't need to know about this. Tommy hops off his stool. The kid wants to know who's in the hospital. Eric. Eric reluctantly gives in. I've got this new little brother, but don't worry, because you're still my little brother, too. But this new little guy, he's pretty sick. Tommy asks if they can go see him, and Eric is surprised to hear this. Tommy tells him, if he's your little brother, then isn't he my little brother, too? And the inmates. Oh, and Eric looks like he's about to burst into tears. And Will, your hair is so long.

[Ryder Strong]

It is. It's long and luxurious. And I don't know what the hell face I'm making at the end there.

[Will Friedle]

Oh, really?

[Ryder Strong]

It is the strangest.

[Will Friedle]

You're about to cry. It's.

[Michael Jacobs]

It's like, what is.

[Ryder Strong]

It was a weird take. It was. I was like, what the hell is that face?

[Michael Jacobs]

I think it was an attempt at, like, aw. Like, you were kind of calling him and then trying to share that with them. Like.

[Ryder Strong]

But I just looked constipated. It just looked. It was very strange choice. Yeah. Yeah.

[Michael Jacobs]

It honestly felt like you were maybe gonna make a joke, like, you know what I mean? Like, I thought maybe you were gonna, like, improv, like, a button to the scene of, like, I don't know, something that sort of, you know. And I wonder if you actually did and they just cut it.

[Will Friedle]

Cut it.

[Ryder Strong]

That's quite possible. But yeah, it was. It was strange. It was a weird. Just a weird look. Yeah.

[Will Friedle]

Yeah. I do think you're right. The writer. It was a combination of aw. At Tommy. But then also. Guys, isn't this so cute? It was like inviting them in on the R. Right?

[Ryder Strong]

It's weird.

[Will Friedle]

Well, we're in Topanga and Angela's dorm. Angela is on her bed wearing a gore. She is so stunning. This headband she's wearing. The colors. They've just. They've just nailed her look. Angela's on her, too, even. She's.

[Ryder Strong]

Every time she's on screen, she'll have. They're giving her four lines, and she's killing them.

[Will Friedle]

They're.

[Ryder Strong]

This is the most real scene of the entire show, to me. Was right here.

[Will Friedle]

Yep. Angela's on her bed studying when Topanga returns. Angela asks about the baby, and a worried Topanga tells her there's been no change. She's really scared. Angela feels so bad for everybody and wonders how Corey is handling it. TOPANGA groans. He's not. He's not even dealing with it. All he can talk about is holding hands and making everything go away. Like just because we're together automatically means we're protected from life. What is that? We're not kids anymore. Angela nods and agrees. No, we're not. And you're handling it very maturely. Topanga thanks her. But Angela clarifies that it wasn't a compliment. Everyone's mad at Topanga.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah. Topanga's.

[Michael Jacobs]

I didn't quite get this. I didn't understand.

[Will Friedle]

I didn't either. Except for the idea that. That in this storyline, the best way Topanga. The way Topanga is supposed to support Cory is by telling. Telling him everything's going to be okay. And, you know, being her hippie dippy. When we hold hands, our souls touch. Nothing in the world matters more than the love between two people.

[Ryder Strong]

But Angela didn't know that, Topanga.

[Will Friedle]

No, she. She did not. But apparently, you. If you are too mature about a situation, and it's not even your situation, you are not helping. That's literally what this is. That's it.

[Michael Jacobs]

Yeah. I just. When she. I was like, I. Did I miss something? I don't know. Why is Angela criticizing her for being mature and together?

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah.

[Will Friedle]

No. Doesn't make any sense. But in the storyline of the show, everyone can see that Topanga is not doing. Is not supporting Corey the right way.

[Michael Jacobs]

I mean, it'd be so easy to have Topanga, like, obsessing over a test she has to take, or, like, you know, like, literally avoiding this. Like, if. If Topanga doing what Corey's doing, basically, like, oh, I've got to go do this, or I'm. I'm, you know, like, taking all this emotion and avoiding. Then I could see it. Because then you'd be like, hey, maybe you should be there for Corey. Or, you know, but she is at the hospital. She's doing everything. She's taking care of everybody.

[Will Friedle]

Yes.

[Michael Jacobs]

There's.

[Will Friedle]

She's also willing to hold his hand. It's like she's not, like, not trying to be comforting at all. She's just really, like. She's being very realistic. I hope everything's gonna be okay. And.

[Ryder Strong]

And Cory doesn't like that. No. No realism.

[Will Friedle]

Cory wants. When our. When we hold hands, our souls are touching. And if our souls are touching, what could possibly go wrong?

[Ryder Strong]

Yep.

[Will Friedle]

And first, apparently, Angela agrees that the universe agrees, right? Yeah, the universe agrees. So Topanga defends herself. I'm not 12 anymore. And when I was. I was like the strangest kid in the universe. Angela laughs. You've still got some strange in you. Topanga remembers one time when she was trying to help Corey with the essence of this poem for school. She remembers going to his house and dancing all around his kitchen. Then putting lipstick all over her face. We see a glimmer of hippie Topanga. She raises her arms and mimics the donut in the sky movements from season one. Angela wonders why she remembers that story so well. Topanga admits, because I always thought that was the moment he fell in love with me. He always used to be the one to bring me back to reality. I don't know what happened to him. Angela explains, you did. You're the greatest influence in his life, Topanga. He needs you to take his hand, dance around him, help him through what's going on right now, baby. Without you, all he has is reality. So, again, like, the perspective of the show is that Topanga, as a partner, needs to be the distraction from reality, because what. What other distractions are there?

[Michael Jacobs]

Look pretty. Dance.

[Will Friedle]

Look pretty and dance.

[Michael Jacobs]

Yeah, I mean, God, man, I. I mean, I really. Especially now, hearing it back, I just feel like this is like a real jump the shark moment, this episode, because it's. It's not only this, like, drama, which we've done drama before, we've had death a lot, but it's also when we start referencing our old episodes and relying on these sort of, like, this is who you are, this is who you are, and we need to get back to that. It's like a weird way to sort of actually try to get back to the. The good episodes, like, when the show was good, or, like, it's like we're. We're kind of mining our own material, which is not great for a show. You know, it was a sixth season. Like, you can't come up with new stuff. Especially, like, the pregnancy was supposed to be about introducing a new character potentially, and a new avenue for Alan and Amy to have storylines. And instead it's becoming like, let's go back to what Topanga was Topanga. And like, yeah, it's. Yeah, it's. It's weird.

[Will Friedle]

I know. And, you know, it reminds me a little bit. It feels like maybe what they were trying to do was a little like, what we did in the haircutting episode where Sean says to Topanga, what's happened to you? This isn't the Topanga I knew. The Topanga I knew, you know, didn't paint her toenails and. And Always, you know, had all this confidence, and now you've changed. And it made Topanga look in the mirror and say, you're right, I don't like this version of me. And we praised that story. We loved that when that episode happened. This one feels different because it feels like a real. Like a strong judgment.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah.

[Will Friedle]

It's in check. And she's not. But she's not doing anything wrong at all. Had Topanga been the one to maybe. And for it to, you know, for her to come to the realization that maybe something she could do if she was feeling like, man, I just don't know what to do to be there for Corey. I'm really struggling. I don't know. I feel like I used to know how to comfort him and now I don't anymore. If it were an internal struggle for Topanga and for her to realize, you know, what I would have done back then, I would have had blind optimism that this was all gonna work out, and I would have drawn on my face and it would have made him. And. And she made the choice then to do that on her own. But like, instead, all these people are coming at her acting like, who the hell are you, lady? What are you even doing here? It feels very attacking for. For no reason. So, yeah, I. I don't know. I don't love it.

[Ryder Strong]

To now come back with like, why are you practical? Like, well, because that was my thing. I'm. Now that's what you made. The character is unpractical. Now you're attacking me for the character.

[Michael Jacobs]

You created to marry.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah.

[Will Friedle]

Who I've been for the last, by the way, five years.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah. And again, Topanga being a totally different character. We've talked about that. And doing an episode about that. Great idea. Don't wedge it into now. It's her fault that Corey. Very strange. Very strange.

[Unknown]

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[Will Friedle]

Parents let's Talk Snacks if your mornings look anything like mine, you're reheating the same cup of coffee for the third time. One kid can't find his water cup up and the other is crying because their socks feel too spicy. That's why Mott's no Sugar added Applesauce pouches are perfect to have nearby. These things are clutch made with real apples, no sugar added and the pouch? Genius. It's mess free and perfect for the car, the lunchbox or after school activities. This is a snack you can feel good about and a good source of vitamin C too. Just just tasty applesauce your kids will actually want to eat. The other day I handed one to my kid during rush hour traffic. Instant silence. He went from feral raccoon to calm librarian in two squeezes flat. Trust me, your future self will thank you. Motts Real apples make real good applesauce. Learn [e-mail] hey, it's Danielle Fishel, Ryder.

[Ryder Strong]

Strong and Will Friedle.

[Will Friedle]

Remember Friday nights at the video store.

[Ryder Strong]

Arguing over which VHS to rent for basement movie night, then rewinding it before drop off or risking the wrath of the late fees?

[Michael Jacobs]

Neutrogena remembers. And if that unlocked a memory for you too, it may be time for Neutrogena Retinol Regenerating Cream.

[Will Friedle]

Designed to reverse seven years of visible skin aging in one jar and powered by an accelerated retinol complex, Neutrogena Retinol.

[Ryder Strong]

Regenerating Cream is as impressive as it sounds.

[Michael Jacobs]

It smooths fine lines, evens tone, and visibly renews skin texture, giving you that refreshed post vacation look, even if the.

[Will Friedle]

Only trip you've taken lately is down memory lane.

[Ryder Strong]

So yeah, if you remember that iconic sound of a dial up tone.

[Will Friedle]

If you remember wearing butterfly clips and taking quizzes in every teen magazine, or.

[Michael Jacobs]

If there's still a mixtape that lives rent free in your brain, maybe it's.

[Ryder Strong]

Time for your skin to catch up to how young you still feel.

[Will Friedle]

So try Neutrogena Retinol Regenerating Cream, available online or at Walmart. We all have that piece. You know the one, the thing that's so you. You've basically become known for it.

[Ryder Strong]

And if you don't have yours yet. You'll find it on ebay.

[Will Friedle]

Putting you on here, fashionistas.

[Michael Jacobs]

Ebay is where you'll find those. One of a kind. Can't stop researching. Stay up dreaming about pieces again and again.

[Will Friedle]

I'm talking that mew mew off the Runway red leather bomber, the Cousteau Barcelona.

[Ryder Strong]

Top with the cowboy on it, or.

[Michael Jacobs]

That Patagonia fleece in the 2017 colorway.

[Ryder Strong]

All these finds are on ebay and.

[Will Friedle]

They even offer millions of main character pieces backed by authenticity guarantee.

[Michael Jacobs]

Ebay is the place for pre loved and vintage fashion.

[Ryder Strong]

Ebay things people love.

[Will Friedle]

The name of this product is the Active cash credit card from Wells Fargo. That's a lot of name, but it's also a lot of card.

[Ryder Strong]

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[Michael Jacobs]

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[Will Friedle]

So you might stumble a bit while saying it, but paying with it will make you stumble upon so much more. Shopping, dining, cooking, gardening. You get the idea.

[Ryder Strong]

Let's say it together.

[Will Friedle]

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[Ryder Strong]

Ooh, that sounds nice.

[Michael Jacobs]

Learn more@wells fargo.com forward/activecash terms apply.

[Will Friedle]

So Topanga takes this idea in. Oh, boy, Then we're in the student union. Corey approaches Feeny. Do I not cherish Topanga? Feeny sarcastically announces, oh, here we go into Corey land. The little lobsters. Right here, right, right there.

[Ryder Strong]

Right over her shoulder.

[Will Friedle]

Corey continues, did I not raise her and bring her into my home? Feeny sternly asks, who talks like you? Which I loved. Right. Because.

[Michael Jacobs]

Raise her.

[Ryder Strong]

What does that mean? Raised her? What is. I don't understand what that means. Is that a joke?

[Will Friedle]

It's literally Corey talking like an a father about a daughter. Did I not love her and raise her with respect and provide for her? That's literally what he's saying. And that's why Feeny says, thankfully, who talks like you? Yeah, because when he said it, I was like. Like what? Yeah, but I do think at least they tried to make it a joke that he. He doesn't really mean that. He raises me, but I raised me. But I think in. In the sense of like, have I not loved her her whole life? Have I not guarded Her. Have I not been there? Have I not? It's yeah, yeah. Corey rants on, I go to you and I know exactly what I'm getting. Hello, Mr. Matthews, here's your sensible advice. I'm on my way. You are my sensible go to guy. But he feels that Topanga is not what she used to be. Feeny wonders, what did she used to be? Corey answers, not sensible. She was Topanga. Now she's Phyllis Munson from Piscataway, New Jersey. Feeny tells him that Topanga Lawrence is one of the best people he knows. Corey agrees, but what's wrong with her? Feeny's adamant. She's growing up. So are you. Corey asks, why does she have to grow now at a time like this? Feeny gets serious. Do you want to go see how your little brother is doing? Corey says, yes, and Feeny offers to go with him. Corey accepts the offer and the two begin to leave. But Corey warns him, my homework is going to be unbelievably late this week. Feeny sighs, yeah, what else is new? And then we're in the hospital nicu. Allan opens the room and greets another couple, Karen and Paul, who are hovering over their baby. He asks how their daughter is doing today, and the mother says, she's doing a little better. She has a little more color now. Alan agrees, telling them she looks great. Alan makes his way to another father nearby, a Jewish man named Michael, praying for his baby, played by one Mr. Michael Jacobs. It is his only on screen Boy Meets World appearance ever. Allen asks how his son is doing, and Michael reveals, I think he smiled at me. Before Allen leaves, he asks for a prayer for his boy, too, and Michael responds, oh, these are for all of us. And just like last week where I was a little triggered, very triggered again by this whole scene, there is nothing that can prepare you for being on the NICU floor and seeing all the different families and seeing all the different parents who wander the halls in their robes at all times of the day or night because they refuse to leave and they refuse to go home. And you know you're there. You've. Sometimes you're a person who's already been there for a few days and somebody new comes in and they only have to be there for 24 hours or 48 hours and then they leave. And other times you've come in and there's someone who's been there for a long time before you arrived and you leave long before them, and you know there are kids who are in the NICU or then the pediatric intensive care unit for a year.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah.

[Will Friedle]

And their families have to come and go. And, you know, some. Depending on which hospital you go to, they offer gas cards. Sometimes families are driving hundreds of miles. They don't live close to the hospital, and it costs a fortune to be able to get there. And people still have to work, and so they're not even. It's just. It is truly a place where you feel a kinship with every other family there. And when you leave, you know, if you are any type of a person who prays or gives good vibes or thinks positive thoughts, from the moment you enter till the time you leave, you are doing that for every person there with you. So, yeah, this was actually. This was. This was hard for me to watch.

[Ryder Strong]

Us too, but for a totally different reason.

[Michael Jacobs]

Well, I mean, I think it's. That's a sign that it's effective. You know, I mean, that's. That's a counterpoint to everything that we've been saying, which is that here is a. You know, it is based on a personal experience. It's. Yeah, it's speaking to your personal experience. So for all of, you know, all of our eye rolling about the fact that Boy Meets World is leaning into such a dramatic episode, it. Maybe it's appropriate. You know, maybe if you're. If you're doing something like this would be more appropriate and it would.

[Ryder Strong]

It would land easier if it wasn't surrounded by other really intense episodes. That's the thing.

[Will Friedle]

Or other really intense scenes. Like even, like you said, then on the outside of the hospital room, Corey is mad at Topanga for something. And we're like, wait, why is everybody feel it? Why is it such a downer?

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah, it does. It just with the whole chat thing coming up, the chat thing, and Jack and Eric, you know, having problems and Rachel and all, it's. Everybody's having issues now. And so this. What should be something super important that was somebody's personal experience that does affect a lot of people that should have landed. Not to say, like a very special episode, but one that does stand alone as man. This is real life. We're gonna hit you with real life in the mouth right now. It starts to get a little beige because everything has been like that now for several episodes. So it doesn't land with the same impact because you're hearing the same note now for three or four episodes in a row. So it's just more sadness on top of more sadness. And. And because I think you're right, Ryder, and what Danielle's saying how much it's affecting her. We all know people that have had children in the nicu and. And it is. It's. That becomes your life. So that itself should have had a much more powerful impact than it did because it's just now kind of bland because it just keeps happening over and over now with these episodes.

[Will Friedle]

Yeah. Then he finds Amy sleeping in a chair near their baby. He whispers some words of encouragement to the baby. Just as Amy opens her eyes, Joshua Allen is startled. What does she mean? Amy explains, I decided on Joshua. Joshua Gabriel Matthews. Gabriel means he who God protects. Allen now wants to know how Joshua is doing today, and Amy says the doctor suggests they talk to him and tell them who they are. The couple stick their hands inside of the incubator as Allen introduces himself as dad. He tells his baby that he loves him and he wants him to get better. He repeats Joshua Gabriel's name and then desperately asks God for help. Outside, Eric and Tommy are looking in on their new baby brother. Eric proves to Tommy that the baby is still here, but it's time to go back home now. Tommy asks if Eric's coming back to the hospital after he drops him off, and Eric nods. Yeah, I'm going to come right back here and I'm going to tell him all about you. I'm going to tell him how you spent the whole day with him. Tommy assures him he knows I did. Eric smiles and kisses Tommy's head. But Tommy isn't having it. Hey. Eric submits. All right, come on. Saddle up. Up. He kneels down. And Toppy. Tommy hops onto his back. Giddy up, horsey.

[Ryder Strong]

It's a cute relationship. The Tommy Eric relationship is a very cute relationship. It really works. Eric with kids, because in some ways he's the adult and in some ways he's on their level.

[Michael Jacobs]

Yep.

[Ryder Strong]

It really.

[Will Friedle]

It's so cute.

[Ryder Strong]

Really works.

[Michael Jacobs]

Between anytime that Tommy is smarter than you, you know, it has, like, a comeback. It's just great.

[Ryder Strong]

It's. Yeah, it really works.

[Will Friedle]

The two walk through the hospital waiting room, which is filled with all the friends and Matthew's family. Tommy says goodbye to each and every one of them by name game, ending with Rachel and Jack, big girl and rat. Once again, Topanga loudly states, corey, I feel like we're really distant. Everyone looks up and we see that they are literally sitting across the room from each other. He loudly responds, why would you say that? Topanga admits, because for the first time in my life, I feel like I don't know how to give you what you need. Corey wonders why not, and Topanga says, because they can't go through life together if he expects her to change his reality. Corey whines, well, you used to be able to. Everyone is watching the conversation back and forth like a tennis match, which gets an oddly placed laugh. Topanga responds, we were kids. Nothing bad ever happened. The worst thing that happened was when your Pop Tart fell on the ground. Corey agrees, and you held it up to the sky and you said, God made dirt. Dirt won't hurt, right? Topanga says it was still dirty, but Cory points out that he ate it anyway. He didn't have to, but he did. Because she said to you. He finally walks over to her. I want you to make everything better, Topanga. She shakes her head. We can't have that relationship anymore. Corey keeps asking why? And she finally admits, I don't know how to be like that anymore. Corey, this is bad. There isn't anyone who can make it better. And on cue, the elevator doors open.

[Michael Jacobs]

Here's someone who's gonna make it better.

[Will Friedle]

Guess who's gonna make it better. It's Shanzi with a big smile and Corey's eyes light up and they give each other a big hug. Another inmate of Cory's life, correct?

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah.

[Michael Jacobs]

The love he actually respects.

[Will Friedle]

Individual the love he wants. The love who just knows how to give him what he needs. Someone being asked.

[Michael Jacobs]

Someone who owes him everything. Because Sean has nothing and has needed a family and needed all the yeah, okay.

[Will Friedle]

Sean grabs Corey's shoulders. Listen, everything's gonna be all right. Corey makes sure you think. And Sean nods. I know. The boys hug again as a concerned Topanga looks on. And then there's a commercial break. We're back in the hospital waiting room and Shawn says he tried calling them at the dorms and Angela told him what happened, so he drove back as fast as he could. He exchanges hellos with Mr. Feeny and asks how the baby's doing. Topanga tells him it's very serious, but Cory assures him that everything's going to be fine. So Topanga details. He's so small, he's having a hard time breathing and he can't fight the infection. Corey knowingly states, again, he's going to be fine. Topanga begs Shawn to talk to him. She can't get through to him. Him. He'll listen to his best friend. Shawn nods. He can handle it. He turns to Corey and grabs him by the shoulder. Man, are we gonna have so much fun with this kid. Corey happily agrees the kid is gonna be Our slave. Funny, funny slave jokes.

[Ryder Strong]

Well, dead baby slave.

[Michael Jacobs]

We're trying to hit it all. Has Sean ever really been the, like, cheer up guy. Sean's the downer. Sean's the moody.

[Will Friedle]

Sean's the one who's like, I prayed for my dad. He still died.

[Michael Jacobs]

Yeah. I don't. This is not Sean.

[Will Friedle]

No, don't.

[Michael Jacobs]

I don't know what's happened. It's. Yeah. Shoehorning characters into philosophy.

[Will Friedle]

Yes. Or real life experience. And then we're just like. We'll just have these characters do this thing.

[Ryder Strong]

Do either of you know, did Michael have a Sean? Did we meet like a best friend?

[Michael Jacobs]

That's been Michael McCracken.

[Ryder Strong]

Is it McCracken?

[Michael Jacobs]

I mean, Manell goes back to when they were eight.

[Will Friedle]

Yeah.

[Ryder Strong]

Because he didn't. And then McCracken until they were in. They were much later in life.

[Michael Jacobs]

No. But I do think that McCracken identified with Sean.

[Will Friedle]

Yeah.

[Michael Jacobs]

As this. I don't know that my. That's My assumption is that, you know, their 20 something friendship was a very.

[Ryder Strong]

Was the basis. Yeah.

[Michael Jacobs]

A Sean Corey dynamic.

[Will Friedle]

They go back and forth about what fun they're going to have teaching him everything they know and bailing him out of jail. Topanga sits next to Mr. Feeney and asks him to say something, but Corey cuts her off to jokingly tell Feeny, I think you're gonna have another Matthews to teach. Sean grins, and maybe he'll have a kid like me to sit next to. Corey punches back, well, he won't have to because you'll still be there. They let out over the top laughs at their comedy routine. Topanga asks Feeny again, isn't he gonna say anything to them? Feeny nods and gets the boys attention. Boys, I hope you're right. With all my heart, I hope you're right. Which is no different than what Topanga has said.

[Ryder Strong]

No, actually, it's way different.

[Michael Jacobs]

He's a.

[Ryder Strong]

He's a man, Danielle.

[Michael Jacobs]

He's an older.

[Will Friedle]

You can take what he says seriously.

[Ryder Strong]

He's a man.

[Will Friedle]

Yeah, that makes sense.

[Ryder Strong]

Whoa, whoa. Why are you being hysterical?

[Michael Jacobs]

Calm down. Just calm down.

[Will Friedle]

I'm sorry, I got. I'm a little emotional.

[Ryder Strong]

Wow.

[Michael Jacobs]

Yeah. Is it that time of the month?

[Will Friedle]

It is. It might be. It's any day now, so. Yeah. I apologize. You know, I.

[Michael Jacobs]

Okay.

[Will Friedle]

Yeah, I should probably not schedule these podcasts around that time. I just get irrational.

[Michael Jacobs]

You're doing great.

[Ryder Strong]

You're doing great.

[Will Friedle]

Thank you.

[Ryder Strong]

Ryder and I will talk about this later, but you're doing very well.

[Will Friedle]

Thank you.

[Michael Jacobs]

I Think.

[Will Friedle]

Thank you.

[Michael Jacobs]

I think we. We raised her pretty well, you guys. I think we do. If we. If we look back, we did good.

[Will Friedle]

Thank you.

[Michael Jacobs]

Just play to our delusion. So weird.

[Will Friedle]

Okay.

[Danielle Fishel]

Then.

[Will Friedle]

Amy and Allan walk into the room and are happy to see their son's best friend. Shawn asks if everything's okay, and Amy admits no. Joshua hasn't responded to the antibiotics yet. Why is Amy so different? Why can't she be making lunches and events and talking about how great high school's gonna be? Why is she such a. Why she's so different? Alan introduces everyone to Mr. Markman, who has been kind enough to sit with them for the past three hours.

[Ryder Strong]

Is this. So this is the. His only patient.

[Will Friedle]

The.

[Ryder Strong]

The guy who's the. The specialist can sit with them for three hours?

[Will Friedle]

Anybody who's ever been in a hospital knows that that's not true.

[Ryder Strong]

No.

[Will Friedle]

Just trying to get. Get 35 seconds in a hospital to ask a doctor what's going on. What's this test result mean? Is nearly impossible. You have to have a pager and two cell phones and 75 people on alert at three times hours.

[Ryder Strong]

He just hung out with them and just stayed there.

[Michael Jacobs]

It is interesting. I wonder if that's based on some. Someone personal like, you know, because why do they bring in this extra doctor, right? Like, yeah, we're not the woman who gave. Helped give birth to the bay or did the surgery last week. Passes the buck to a man.

[Ryder Strong]

I think it's become the gravitas. It's supposed to show the. The gravitas of the danger. Like we need to bring in.

[Will Friedle]

I mean, our OB was. While she checked in on me, was not my doctor anymore. Once Adler was in the nicu, then he had all kinds of, you know, lung specialists.

[Michael Jacobs]

It's just the reality of that, that.

[Will Friedle]

Yeah, that does happen. Your OB's like, I did my job so like.

[Michael Jacobs]

Like the perfect doctor, you know?

[Will Friedle]

I know.

[Michael Jacobs]

Like the dream.

[Will Friedle]

And then Corey is confused. The baby got more medication. I don't know how he got that from the doctor spending three hours with them, but. Okay. Dr. Markman explains we've given him all the medicine we can give him. We've been in there sitting with him and talking with him. What happens next is up to Josh. Amy reveals that the doctor thought it would be a good idea if Corey went in to say hello to his brother. Corey tells Sean and Topanga he'd like them to come too. On their way to the nicu, Sean is stopped by a nurse. She says it's Family only. Allen alerts her that he is family and she lets him through. And there's more. Aw.

[Michael Jacobs]

But Topanga doesn't get stopped.

[Ryder Strong]

Daniel, I asked Susan about this and she said that maybe because you're engaged, you're right. Considered family.

[Michael Jacobs]

So you've already had this moment. We've explained that to this nurse.

[Will Friedle]

The nurse knows the Matthews tree family dynamics.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah, well, the doctor's been sitting there for three hours. He had to learn something.

[Will Friedle]

He had to learn something. Yeah, yeah, it's a good point. And then in the nicu, Topanga, Cory and Sean, now in scrubs, are all gathered around the incubator. Corey introduces himself and a teary eyed Topanga to Joshua. He says he always wanted a little brother and now he has to get better. Topanga jumps in, telling the baby to let the medicine get him better because there are a lot of people who really love him. She begins to cry, realize realizing how helpless he is. Then Sean says hello. He tells Josh that this is the second time he's been in the hospital this year. And the first time didn't go so well. And don't even get him started on Mr. Turner. Oh, my God.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah, it does not do well there. I'm glad I never had a scene by the nicu. Yeah, it just.

[Will Friedle]

You just had to put your. You had to put your face to the glass.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah, but it's also just the wardrobe, because I don't want no scratch.

[Will Friedle]

No, I don't want those scrubs either. It's really gross. Yes.

[Michael Jacobs]

I. I hated this scene so much. I hated watching it and I could feel me hating doing it. I was just like, what? I'm just what your godalog? I'm just talking, talking.

[Will Friedle]

It was just. It was a Joshua.

[Michael Jacobs]

Joshua.

[Ryder Strong]

It was.

[Michael Jacobs]

I'm just so monotone. Like, you can tell. I'm just like, what is just exposition. It's just. Let me. I don't know.

[Ryder Strong]

But it's also like the third one. I mean, Rusty's had his one and I mean, it's. It's just everybody coming in and doing a monologue over this little baby, which apparently you're also not supposed to have. Teddy bear in the NICU thing. No, like, it's actually in the thing with him, like next to a taco box. Let's not maybe. Maybe keep a safe space.

[Will Friedle]

So, yeah, I'm trying to remember. Adler. We did have a couple. We did have little things. Like there he had a little fox rattle. And a friend of ours who had had a baby in the NICU had an owl that they put on top of his bedside thing that they said the owl watched over him 24 hours a day.

[Michael Jacobs]

And they kept it inside.

[Will Friedle]

No, not inside. And so then they gave it to us so that it could watch over our baby. And then we passed it on to the next person who had a baby in the nicu. So this owl's looked over many a baby. He tells Josh about his road trip, where he was looking to find himself after being in a real bad way. And now Josh is in a real bad way. But he came back because he wanted to tell him something. Don't go out of town. Don't go anywhere. Life is right here with these people, with your family and my family. We got the greatest family there is. Josh. We want you to be with us so we can watch you grow and see you change and make great memories together.

[Michael Jacobs]

I really like. To me, the point of this monologue is that Sean has made a realization on his road trip, right? Like, he was running away, but now he's decided to come back. Back. But just make that specific. Like, I wanted to say something real. Like, I was on the road. I went to this. You know, I made it to this place. I. You know, I don't know, like some story, some actual concrete thing. Because as it is, I'm just, like, speaking in abstract sort of language that just doesn't. It doesn't feel focused. It feels. I don't know, it's just frustrating at the beginning.

[Ryder Strong]

So Sean says, I called the dorm. I called Angela, and she told me what was going on. Right? That's how he found out. So he. He was just calling to check in, and he found out, and that's what turned him around. Correct. That's what they were getting at. Okay.

[Michael Jacobs]

But then I'm coming here and I'm saying, don't leave town. It seems like, you know, maybe the realization was, I got this phone call, like. And maybe that should be the monologue. Like, I got a phone call that I heard about you, and I knew I had to come back and that I, you know, was being selfish or, you know, being. I had my head up my ass running around like, I needed to be here for these people who love you and that I love, you know? But, like, it's never. It's just this whole monologue doesn't have teeth because it feels so. It's just all this, like, don't leave town, this and that and that. You know, it's all this abstract. I can't even remember, like, right Now, I cannot remember any of the words used in this thing. Like, it's just.

[Will Friedle]

I know I can't remember any of the words used either. But I will say it was pretty clear to me that Sean was saying, everything you need in your life is here with these people. And. And you're gonna feel many times in your life like you've gotta go off on a search to find out who you are. Right. And then that's tying into the quarry and Topanga situation. Who. Who are you? Everything you need to know about who you are can be told to you through these people and this family. And this is, you know, everything you need. It's pretty.

[Michael Jacobs]

It's.

[Will Friedle]

That part's all pretty clear.

[Michael Jacobs]

But it's all thematic language is what I'm saying. Like, it's not concrete. It's not character based. It's not. And that's why this was so hard for me to say and so hard for me to watch now is because I'm like, yeah, this is a. This is poorly written. Like, I needed, like, something concrete to get my head around or something immediate. Instead, I'm just. Here is the thematic language that explains the themes of my character and my thoughts. Thoughts and my. You know.

[Will Friedle]

Right. It would have been great if you just talked to the baby. Just about you. Just about. And, you know, I'll tell you, I.

[Michael Jacobs]

Was on the road and I found this payphone, and I was gonna call Angela to say this, but guess what I heard now. It's a real story now. It's like. And then I heard her say to me, there's this new baby. And I came running here because I wanted to see you, buddy. And, you know, like, if it was a very immediate, like, concrete, it just. Instead it's.

[Will Friedle]

Yes, yes. Topanga. Thanks, Corey for remembering who she was. He smiles. You're in my heart. She nods. You're in my heart, too. Sean points out the couple to Josh and them. Well, they'll grow on you. And then we're back at the apartment. Eric is wearing a blanket like a cape and speaking in.

[Ryder Strong]

I have no idea what it is. Is it Count Chocula? I don't even know what I'm doing.

[Will Friedle]

It's Count Chocula.

[Michael Jacobs]

It's more like Swedish. I don't. Russian. I have.

[Ryder Strong]

It's kind of Russian. It's like, I am doing made. But I was like, what the hell?

[Will Friedle]

Accent? The Chiron says it's an Italian accent, which it is not.

[Ryder Strong]

That is not Italian at all.

[Will Friedle]

It is not.

[Michael Jacobs]

I like this.

[Ryder Strong]

I don't even know what accent I'm doing. Definitely.

[Will Friedle]

Count Chocula. Ladies and gentlemen, presenting for your entertainment pleasure the amazing Flying Tommy will perform for you his world famous Close the suitcase with his tushy.

[Ryder Strong]

With his tushy.

[Will Friedle]

Eric asks Rachel and Jack, who are spectating from nearby, can I please have a drum roll from the cheating roommates? They reluctantly agree and Tommy hops off of the bar stool and jumps onto the suitcase with ease. Eric shouts, ta da. He picks up Tommy and bows with him. Thank you very much. Oh yes, thank you very much. He places Tommy on the ground and announces, for our next trick, we will disappear. Rachel can't believe he's actually leaving. Eric reminds her it's for the best. He says he hopes they're so happy. Then he buries his head into her chest for a very big and very long motorboat.

[Ryder Strong]

That's what it looked like. It looked like I was going. And then it was like, then you were gonna grab her butt and then go grab her ass. I mean, my God, inappropriate on top of inappropriate. Love it.

[Will Friedle]

Jack tells him multiple times, that's enough. But Eric doesn't move and his hand is about to grab her butt before Jack frantically stops him. And now Eric asks Jack, still best friends? Jack grins. Yeah, never changes, man. Eric goes in for a hug near his chest too, but Jack redirects him for more of a bro less gay, panicked embrace. Eventually, Eric tosses his keys to Tommy, telling him to bring the car around. Eric grabs his suitcase and follows his little brother out the door. But two seconds later, he reappears to retrieve a rubber ducky that was sitting on the chair. He squeaks him a few times, smiles, and then leaves for good. Now it's just Rachel and Jack in the quiet. Rachel asks, so what now? Back at the nicu, a sad piano plays as we see a hand remove the Joshua Matthews sign from his now second.

[Michael Jacobs]

I thought they were going to just start making out at the end of that scene.

[Will Friedle]

Oh, right. But no, instead it's just a sad.

[Michael Jacobs]

It's another sad, sad button of like, what now? Oh, yeah.

[Ryder Strong]

I mean, it should have been. They look at each other and go, all right, well, let's go bang on his back bed. Right like that. You know, that kind of thing. It's like, we got plenty of room. We haven't hit that room up yet. Let's go. But nope. And by the way, Danielle, it wouldn't have worked with happy piano music in the next.

[Will Friedle]

I know, like, if it comes in.

[Ryder Strong]

And it's like, yeah, it's like some kind of rag time or something like that. I don't think it would have the same effect.

[Will Friedle]

Sad piano plays as a hand removes the Joshua Matthew sign from his now empty incubator. Alan is standing outside of the room looking to shovel. Amy, who's off camera, asks what he's doing and he says he's praying for everybody who has to be in there. Then we hear a baby cry. Amy is holding little Joshua Gabriel. Allan gives his wife a kiss and says, let's go home. The audience applauds loudly as they make their way to the hospital waiting room. The cast joins in on the applause as Shawn smiles. What kind of place is this, huh? First I lose my dad here and then this little miracle. A new brother to watch grow up. I get my family back. Corey asks his nomad friend, so you tired of tumbling tumbleweed? Shawn nods. There's too much going on here to be someplace else.

[Ryder Strong]

Ryder's reaction was the best.

[Michael Jacobs]

It's just such weird dialogue. How about you tumble tumbling weed, traveling friend? I'm over my issues now.

[Will Friedle]

Oh my gosh. Then Topanga wants to ask Corey something. He responds in an almost vampire like accent, yes, darling? She wonders, do you still want to be my valentine? Oh, no. Could we not have just please not mentioned Valentine's Day?

[Michael Jacobs]

She's finally learned her lesson.

[Will Friedle]

Yes.

[Michael Jacobs]

Yeah.

[Ryder Strong]

Have you not watched the episode?

[Michael Jacobs]

Danielle? What is this is a. What is the darling thing has that's not been established at all? So it's just to try, Please?

[Will Friedle]

He grins. And again with the accent. Yes, darling? She wonders, would you rather I was like the old strange Topanga? Corey stutters, well, no, I mean, it's not like. And as he's trying to come up with the words, she takes a wide stance and slowly starts the donut in the sky routine again. He tells her it's important they grow, but he doesn't want to lose what's so special about her. She smiles and says he never will because she takes out her lipstick and paints a heart on her face.

[Michael Jacobs]

Yeah, I didn't remember that we did this.

[Ryder Strong]

I did.

[Will Friedle]

I did. I did. I have a Polaroid of it. I have a Polaroid of Ben and I with the hearts on our faces.

[Ryder Strong]

I thought for some reason though, I. I thought you did it back in the Matthews kitchen and you had the dress on again. I don't know why for sure.

[Will Friedle]

That's a Girl Meets World episode. Yeah, I don't know.

[Ryder Strong]

Which I've never seen in my life life. So it can't be that.

[Will Friedle]

Yeah, that's where I don't do the. I don't do the lipstick, but I do. I have the white lace dress on.

[Michael Jacobs]

I'm looking at myself already, like, cannibalizing our own show. It's just like. Just make new stuff. Make new. Make new choices. Make new good stuff.

[Will Friedle]

I just. It's bothering me that I said Ben and I and it's. It would have been Ben and me.

[Michael Jacobs]

Okay, okay.

[Will Friedle]

Okay.

[Ryder Strong]

All right. Well, never too late to change.

[Will Friedle]

She paints a heart on her face. I'm in your memories, and you will always be here to remind me. Shawn chimes in. Use a mirror, babe. She gives him a big smile. And we get a closeup of Topanga's lipstick face, now with a heart, not the butchered peace sign of yesteryear. Corey asks, remind me what now? She begins to draw hard on his face with the lipstick. No matter how difficult life gets, the important thing is to live it with hope. Corey, now also with a lipstick covered face, admits, now that sounds like you. She holds out her hand and I.

[Michael Jacobs]

Do like the idea of Hope being the thing that Topanga wasn't. And that actually could have been really simple. Like, that could have been clearer, you know, instead of. It's like, play into my delusion, hold my hand. Valentine's Day. But if it was just that, like. Like she's being kind of a downer because she thinks she's being realistic and cordycet.

[Will Friedle]

What if Topanga took it so far and she was like, I'm gonna make funeral arrangements just in case.

[Michael Jacobs]

Right?

[Will Friedle]

That would have been enough of an.

[Michael Jacobs]

Action for Corey to be like, I'm.

[Will Friedle]

Gonna get a little casket. Yeah, I'm gonna. I'm gonna buy the smallest casket. Because you know what?

[Michael Jacobs]

Right.

[Ryder Strong]

By the way, awful rap name. Lil casket.

[Michael Jacobs]

Little casket Awful or genius Awful or brilliant Tiny casket.

[Will Friedle]

I might take it. I might steal it. I love death. Little, little, little casket. They walk away hand in hand. And Sean watches them go. He looks into the air and sighs. Before following them out, we get one last shot of the NICU where the other families continue to stand by their baby sides. Michael still visibly praying. And that is our episode.

[Michael Jacobs]

And then I have like a look to God moment too, right before you walk out.

[Ryder Strong]

Before you walk out.

[Michael Jacobs]

Which was definitely a note that I was forced to take.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah.

[Will Friedle]

Ah, right.

[Michael Jacobs]

Look at, look up, look up.

[Ryder Strong]

Hopefully next episode, somebody throws a pie or something. Like, you know.

[Will Friedle]

The next episode is season six, episode 18. Can I help to cheer you? I don't know.

[Ryder Strong]

Oh, oh, no, that was season seven where we become cheerleaders. Matt and I.

[Will Friedle]

Total. How many laughs do you think were in this episode? Total?

[Michael Jacobs]

10.

[Ryder Strong]

You're gonna give it a 10? Really? I would have said closer to. I think it's single digits. I'm gonna say six or seven.

[Michael Jacobs]

I think each scene with Tommy gets at least three laughs.

[Will Friedle]

Yeah, you're right.

[Michael Jacobs]

So you add those up, I think it's about 10. 10 laughs.

[Will Friedle]

Okay.

[Michael Jacobs]

Actually, like me laughing. I mean, look, Indy watched this with me and he was just like, what is this? Yeah, so the show's just not funny at all anymore. Because I think the last time he tried to watch was Starry Night and he thought that was dramatic. He's like, all they're doing is just talking about their relationship. M. And then this one, I was like, oh, yeah, sorry, buddy. This is.

[Will Friedle]

Yeah, another heavy one.

[Michael Jacobs]

I was like, it's not always like this, you know, Other ones have been funny.

[Ryder Strong]

I promise we're going dramatic. It's Dawson. My dad died.

[Michael Jacobs]

Parallel laughs.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah.

[Will Friedle]

Well, thank you all for joining us for this episode of Pod Meets World. As always, you can follow us on Instagram Pod Meets World show. You can send us your emails. Pod meets worldshowmail.com and we have got Merch.

[Ryder Strong]

God, some of our shirts don't sell as good as the other ones. We've got sweatshirts now too. There's even a hat.

[Michael Jacobs]

So if you could maybe help us out, we'd appreciate it. Merch.

[Will Friedle]

Podmeetsworldshow.com we love you all. Pod dismissed. Pod Meets World is an iHeart podcast produced and hosted by Danielle Fischl, Wilfred L. And Ryder Strong, executive producers Jensen Karp and Amy Sugarman, executive in charge of production, Danielle Romo, producer and editor, Tara Sudbaksh, producer Matty Moore, engineer and Boy Meets World superfan, Easton Allen. Our theme song is by Kyle Morton of Typhoon. Follow us on Instagram odmeatsworldshow or email us at podmeatsworldshowmail.com look, if multitasking were an Olympic sport, I would have a gold medal. And then I probably misplace it while making lunch for my two hungry boys. But lucky for me, I have a Target Circle 360 membership and I can get same day delivery with no price markups at Target and lots of other local stores with Shipt, excluding select alcohol retailers and items. Terms apply.

[Ryder Strong]

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[Will Friedle]

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[Ryder Strong]

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[Michael Jacobs]

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[Will Friedle]

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[Will Friedle]

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[Michael Jacobs]

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[Will Friedle]

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[Michael Jacobs]

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[Ryder Strong]

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[Danielle Fishel]

This is an iHeart podcast.