Will Friedle (1:51)

Summertime is here and you know what that means.

Danielle Fishel (1:54)

Beach trips?

Rider Strong (1:55)

Family vacations?

Will Friedle (1:56)

Nope. It means it's time to find your next obsession on Prime Video.

Danielle Fishel (2:00)

Oh yes, we do love a good obsession here. Especially when you could talk about for years and suggest to everyone you know.

Rider Strong (2:06)

Steamy romance, addictive love stories and the book to screen favorites you've already read twice.

Danielle Fishel (2:11)

Because when a story hits, it really hits off campus.

Will Friedle (2:15)

L the Love hypothesis and much, much more.

Rider Strong (2:18)

Slow burns, second chances chemistry. You can feel through the screen the

Danielle Fishel (2:23)

type of binge worthy shows and can't miss movies where you're fully invested, staying up all night just to finish it. Just one more Ooh, all Right. One more. You know the feeling.

Will Friedle (2:32)

The kind of stories that pull you in and don't let go in the best way.

Rider Strong (2:36)

Your next obsession is waiting.

Danielle Fishel (2:38)

Watch only on prime. Announcement time.

Rider Strong (3:04)

That's your horn sound.

Will Friedle (3:07)

I don't miss either of you, for the record.

Danielle Fishel (3:13)

Okay.

Rider Strong (3:14)

What was that? It's an announcement. It's an announcement.

Danielle Fishel (3:17)

We've got an announcement.

Rider Strong (3:18)

We have yet another announcement. Gosh, it's been two years in the making. A year and a half ago, two years ago, we were on tour and a documentary crew started following us and filming us.

Danielle Fishel (3:35)

We tried to shake them, but we

Rider Strong (3:36)

couldn't get rid of them. They were in the car with us on tour, back backstage on stage, went to our houses, which was crazy. Interviewed people in our lives. We have a documentary about our tour and about the podcast. It's called Doc Meets World. And we can announce here for the first time, it will be premiering at the Tribeca film festival on June 6th in New York City. Yes.

Will Friedle (4:03)

Still with the horns.

Danielle Fishel (4:04)

Yeah.

Rider Strong (4:05)

So June 6th at 1:30pm it will premiere as part of the Tribeca Film Festival. And then we're going to do a final, final live show. After the movie.

Danielle Fishel (4:15)

After the show. Yeah.

Rider Strong (4:17)

A revised version of our Pod Meets World tour.

Will Friedle (4:19)

Our kids question, if right now, with no rehearsal whatsoever, we were just magically popped on stage, could you do the show, the live show, without even going through it again, could you just do it again?

Rider Strong (4:32)

I think so.

Will Friedle (4:33)

I think I could, too. We're only playing.

Rider Strong (4:35)

About 60% of it, anyway, is just audience interaction and us talking.

Danielle Fishel (4:41)

So it's also just knowing the order of things.

Will Friedle (4:44)

Yep. Yes. And somebody pressing the right button on the key. Exactly. Yep.

Rider Strong (4:49)

Yeah.

Will Friedle (4:49)

I think I could do it, too.

Danielle Fishel (4:50)

Oh, man, I am so excited for this. I've never been to Tribeca.

Will Friedle (4:54)

I don't think I have either. I must have.

Rider Strong (4:56)

Back in the day, my first short film premiered there. I've had multiple short films play there. It's the best. I was going to say this is

Will Friedle (5:02)

like a really good film festival.

Rider Strong (5:04)

It's an incredible film festival. It's so much fun. It's. You just take over the whole city for a week and you run around. It's. It's always been the best. And I love everybody that works there, and I'm so honored and excited that they're premiering our doc. I know.

Danielle Fishel (5:18)

I.

Will Friedle (5:18)

It's going to be cool.

Rider Strong (5:19)

It's going to be really exciting.

Will Friedle (5:20)

It's going to be cool.

Rider Strong (5:20)

Yeah, it's good, too.

Will Friedle (5:22)

I'm sorry.

Rider Strong (5:22)

I just watched It. It's really good. It's. It's also like. It really. You know, I think for people who listen to this podcast, it's sort of like a lot of them, you know, what we cover will have been covered over the course of the podcast, but over the course of three years of the podcast. And it condenses a lot of the, like, the most important sort of milestones and realizations and experiences of our journey throughout this podcast into, you know, an hour and a half, an hour and 20 minutes. And it's very emotional. It's also very personal. It's also visual, obviously. So if you. You've. You've been listening to our voices, being able to see us, you know, actually in our elements and together. Yeah. I mean, it makes me laugh. It makes me cry every time I've. I've seen a couple different cuts, and, man, it's super fun. It was directed by Chris Levitas and Zane Rubin, and I've known both of them for years. They're good friends. So the level of. The level of access was, you know, probably much, much closer than it would have been with any, like, stranger or, you know, they were. They were, like, literally on the road with us and backstage and in our faces constantly.

Danielle Fishel (6:28)

Even for Will and me, it was like the fact that he's someone that Chris especially, and of course Zane, too, but that Chris especially is so close to you and has been for so many years, made gave us a sense of comfort where we were just able to let our guards down and. Yeah, it's so good. I don't know what I was expecting, you know, like, me either. I don't know what I was expecting, but I'll tell you what, I. What I saw blew me away, and I was like, wow, this is so. I'm so glad we did this.

Will Friedle (6:59)

I was worried because I was like, what? Who's gonna care? Who's gonna watch this? Who wants.

Rider Strong (7:03)

About everything? I do. I know.

Danielle Fishel (7:06)

I do remember thinking, do they need another shot of us eating? And then I watched the documentary, and I was like, I'm so glad all those eating moments are in it.

Rider Strong (7:16)

There's a lot of good lunch. You know, that's when we have our most important conversations are, like, while we're on the road. So there's a lot of food conversations.

Will Friedle (7:25)

Yeah.

Rider Strong (7:25)

But that's when we have some of the best conversations and when we let our guard down. Because you're focused on that.

Danielle Fishel (7:29)

Yeah.

Will Friedle (7:30)

I would kill to go back and do my talking heads again just because I was sick as A dog when we did them. And, like, I just wish that I could go back and do them again. I really.

Danielle Fishel (7:38)

Are you talking about the ones from you in your booth?

Will Friedle (7:40)

In my booth. Job of the booth. And just. I'm. I've been on. I've been on steroids for, like, six months at this point. And I was like, let's talk about podmates world.

Rider Strong (7:51)

I had to get over. I had to get over.

Will Friedle (7:52)

I know. I'm just not gonna watch it again. I'm not gonna watch it again. But it was.

Rider Strong (7:56)

There's a reason I really like an audio format.

Will Friedle (7:59)

Yes. I have a face for radio. I definitely have a face for radio.

Danielle Fishel (8:03)

And I was like, was I on a Botox strike or what was happening? Like, why do I have so much forehead movement? It's wild. I haven't been able to move my forehead in more than a decade.

Rider Strong (8:13)

I know.

Will Friedle (8:14)

I can't even tell when you're shocked. It's amazing.

Danielle Fishel (8:16)

And for. Yeah, this is. That's as shocked as I get. And in the movie, I am so wrinkly. I'm a little Shar Pei forehead. And so, I don't know. I'm very au natural in the movie, which is.

Will Friedle (8:26)

You don't have a big forehead, though.

Danielle Fishel (8:28)

No.

Will Friedle (8:28)

You have, like a three head.

Danielle Fishel (8:29)

I have a three head. That is true.

Will Friedle (8:31)

Yeah.

Danielle Fishel (8:31)

But it's very. It's very wrinkly in the movie. So anyway, if you want to see me without Botox, see that.

Will Friedle (8:38)

At least I could see how shocked you were at how bad I looked in the booth. So that worked perfectly. It was the way it was.

Danielle Fishel (8:43)

Stop it. I was.

Rider Strong (8:44)

I was excited.

Danielle Fishel (8:45)

It was actually good.

Rider Strong (8:46)

It was really good.

Danielle Fishel (8:47)

If you guys can get past how hideous we all are, it's a wonderful documentary.

Rider Strong (8:55)

June 6, 1:30pm Come see the ugly people.

Will Friedle (8:59)

Yay.

Rider Strong (8:59)

Ugly old us.

Will Friedle (9:01)

Try people.

Danielle Fishel (9:01)

Ugly old us who've realized our voices are enough to make a living. We do not need to be forward facing.

Will Friedle (9:09)

Exactly.

Danielle Fishel (9:11)

I'm really, really, really very excited about it.

Rider Strong (9:13)

There are going to be some other screenings. I think I seventh. There's another one. And they'll probably another. Because it's. The Tribeca Film Festival. Goes for over a week. I think it's like 10 days, so.

Will Friedle (9:22)

Wow.

Rider Strong (9:23)

Can I already check Tribeca's website?

Will Friedle (9:25)

And are we gonna meet, like. It's a Tribeca film. Are we gonna get to meet, like, cool celebrities and there's gonna be, like, people there?

Rider Strong (9:31)

Yeah, we get to go see movies.

Danielle Fishel (9:33)

All right.

Rider Strong (9:33)

Danielle doesn't care.

Danielle Fishel (9:34)

At 1:30 on Saturday for our movie. And then.

Rider Strong (9:37)

I don't like movies. I don't like famous lines from the documentary. You'll get to hear her in a fake movie star accent say, I don't like movies. In her movie she says, I don't like movies. I do.

Danielle Fishel (9:52)

Welcome to Pod Meets World. I'm Danielle Fishel.

Rider Strong (9:54)

I'm Rider Strong.

Will Friedle (9:55)

And I'm Will Friedle. Summertime is here. And you know what that means.

Rider Strong (10:04)

Beach trips, Family vacations?

Will Friedle (10:07)

Nope. It means it's time to find your next obsession on Prime Video.

Danielle Fishel (10:10)

Oh, yes, we do love a good obsession here. Especially when you could talk about for years and suggest to everyone you know,

Rider Strong (10:16)

steamy romance, addictive love stories, and the book to screen favorites you've already read twice.

Danielle Fishel (10:22)

Because when a story hits, it really hits off campus.

Will Friedle (10:26)

L the Love Hypothesis and much, much more.

Rider Strong (10:29)

Slow burns, second chances chemistry. You can feel through the screen the

Danielle Fishel (10:33)

type of binge worthy shows and can't miss movies where you're fully invested, staying up all night just to finish it. Just one more. Oh, all right. One more. You know the feeling, the kind of

Will Friedle (10:43)

stories that pull you in and don't let go in the best way.

Rider Strong (10:47)

Your next obsession is waiting.

Danielle Fishel (10:49)

Watch only on Prime.

Will Friedle (10:51)

Hey, it's Will Friedle from Pod Meets World. It's hard to believe that the first phone call ever happened over 150 years ago. Just think about that. Over the last hundred and fifty years, so many special moments have happened with a phone call. I think back to the phone call I had to make on Hollywood Boulevard, back to my agents in New York who told me that I booked the role of Eric Matthews on Boy Meets World. And it's one of the greatest phone calls I ever had in my life. I. I mean, hey, I even remember the phone call with Danielle and Ryder when we decided to start a podcast. That one wasn't as good. Almost four years later, here we are. And you know, over all these years and phone calls, AT&T has been there connecting people in meaningful ways. This is more than a story of technological innovation. It's a story of human connection.

Commercial Announcer (11:33)

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Danielle Fishel (11:37)

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Rider Strong (12:28)

Oh, yeah.

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Will Friedle (13:04)

yeah.

Danielle Fishel (13:13)

Welcome to today's episode recap. We are recapping season seven, episode 16, the piece, aka seven the hard way, part two. And this does seem to have two available titles online.

Rider Strong (13:28)

You can look up the Show War, Part 2. I had no idea that we had.

Will Friedle (13:32)

I knew it was seven the hard way, but what's the piece?

Danielle Fishel (13:34)

War, because the first one was called the war. This one is called the peace.

Rider Strong (13:39)

Gives away the ending.

Will Friedle (13:39)

Really?

Danielle Fishel (13:40)

Oh, tattoos.

Will Friedle (13:42)

Oh, yeah, exactly. It's just even lamer. Yeah, exactly.

Rider Strong (13:46)

In Chinese. And then it should have.

Will Friedle (13:48)

By the way, are we getting our tattoos? Can we get them, please?

Rider Strong (13:51)

Oh, yes.

Will Friedle (13:52)

All right. Good. All right, good.

Rider Strong (13:53)

All right.

Will Friedle (13:53)

I want. I want to get mine. All right. We'll figure it out.

Danielle Fishel (13:56)

We'll figure that out. So this originally aired February 11, 2000. The synopsis. The gang is still reeling from the battle that began with a petty argument and now find out what the future may hold if they don't work it out. It was directed by William Russ, our very own Rusty Russ, written by David Brownfield. And once again, there are no guest stars. I think this is the first time we've ever had two episodes in a row with no guest stars.

Rider Strong (14:24)

Right?

Danielle Fishel (14:25)

Yeah.

Rider Strong (14:25)

And no Rusty and Betsy on screen at least.

Will Friedle (14:28)

Yeah. Yeah. No, no. Who's the third little sister? Trina. What was it? Genie? What's her name?

Danielle Fishel (14:36)

No.

Will Friedle (14:38)

Lindsay. Lindsay.

Danielle Fishel (14:39)

Thank you.

Will Friedle (14:40)

It's been a lot. I didn't sleep. It's been a lot. It's been a long night, so. Okay. Yeah. She wasn't there.

Danielle Fishel (14:45)

She's not there either. Yeah. Okay, so before I jump, we do get a Previously on Boy Meets World. It's a recap of how the prank war was born and then divided the friends, leading to a bear revenge porn. Rachel crying, Topanga and Angela no longer speaking. Topanga and Angela no longer speaking to Corey or Sean, and basically totally and utter chaos.

Will Friedle (15:05)

Which is strange considering the fact that these aired back to back. That they did a Previously on when it's like you just watched it.

Danielle Fishel (15:11)

Just watched it. Originally aired right after each other on February 11th. So, yeah, I guess there are people who could have tuned in just at the 9pm slot and then.

Will Friedle (15:23)

Well, yeah, they thought they were watching Sabrina and I was like, damn it.

Danielle Fishel (15:26)

Yeah.

Rider Strong (15:26)

I wonder if they just planned on, you know, they were originally going to separate it and then for whatever reason, said, no, let's just pair them together.

Will Friedle (15:32)

Yeah, maybe.

Rider Strong (15:33)

Probably not exciting enough to stretch out over a week.

Danielle Fishel (15:35)

No. Does anyone want to talk about their overall thoughts?

Will Friedle (15:39)

I did something I very, very rarely do if ever in this podcast. I watched it twice.

Rider Strong (15:44)

Okay.

Will Friedle (15:45)

And I watched it twice because I wanted it to be good.

Danielle Fishel (15:50)

Yeah. It's not.

Will Friedle (15:50)

I wanted it to be good because Plays With Squirrels is so important in the show. Plays with Squirrels has become important in my life.

Rider Strong (15:58)

And that part is great.

Will Friedle (15:59)

But it was so necessary because of the melodrama going on. Not only. Nor the laughs you turn into. Sean is Ricky Faris.

Rider Strong (16:11)

Oh, totally.

Will Friedle (16:12)

There's some lines that I still now say to sue that. Are we piss ourselves laughing every time we go? She wrote a beautiful piece about the Costa Rican rainforest.

Rider Strong (16:21)

Yes.

Will Friedle (16:22)

I mean, we just.

Rider Strong (16:22)

It's so. I turned. I'm tearing up watching her.

Will Friedle (16:26)

Like, we try and we're making each other laugh. You can see that. Like, Danielle and Ben have a moment where you can see them clearly breaking. And Matt's break. So we're having fun. But the episode itself, I don't. I just kind of don't get it, you know, I don't get it. That's what it is.

Danielle Fishel (16:42)

You know, what makes me sad about it is the episode proves its own point in the sense that I'm watching it going, okay, who cares? Like. And then the moments where it's like, wait, Corey and Sean haven't spoken for seven years. I'm like, what? That. That would never happen over these fights. And so even in the. In the modern time, not the future, the fact that any of the quote unquote core friends are actually serious about it is so we've just spent seven years with these people. Yeah, they Would never not be speaking or in a big fight over the stuff that's happened. But Rachel being pissed that she doesn't fit in with them. You're right. Yeah.

Will Friedle (17:33)

You're a new friend.

Danielle Fishel (17:34)

Yeah. So. So either don't be friends with us anymore, in which case. Okay, I don't feel a big sense of. But no, but they bonded so clearly with Rachel. No, she's right. What do you mean to our friend? What? We. We have not spent any time other than Jack, who says he used to be. Just because we're not in love anymore. And we got. We liked that when that was something we were seeing on screen, but we didn't spend enough time on it. And then most of their relationship happened off camera and then their breakup happened off camera. So I don't really care about.

Rider Strong (18:09)

Why would Jack and Eric not talk? Correct. Because actually Eric wants everybody to stay friends. And Jack would have no problem with Eric because Eric's done nothing. Yes. So like their friendship has.

Will Friedle (18:18)

I mean, to the point where Sean says to Mr. Feeney, have you heard from Corey Matthews?

Danielle Fishel (18:24)

Uh huh.

Will Friedle (18:24)

Like you need his last name because just saying Corey wouldn't have. It's like, it's just weird writing. It's like, why have you heard. Have you heard from Corey? Math.

Rider Strong (18:32)

Also.

Will Friedle (18:32)

And this is just a totally random thing. Why seven years later? I think who decided that it was 202006 as far as you could go

Rider Strong (18:42)

without having to make us look so much older that it would be.

Will Friedle (18:45)

But is that what it is that the only reason that it is where it's like they decided to.

Danielle Fishel (18:49)

Are there seven of us?

Will Friedle (18:51)

Yes, because it's called seven the hard

Rider Strong (18:52)

way doubles our seasons.

Will Friedle (18:56)

I mean, is that what it's supposed to be? That it's supposed to just another seven years later?

Rider Strong (19:00)

Because it was.

Will Friedle (19:00)

I was like, why just pick 7? Make it 10 years in the future. Why make it 7 years later?

Danielle Fishel (19:05)

Also there's a lot of weirdness. Why do Sean and Angela. Why are they not. What. What's going on in the modern time, in the current time? Why are they. Why are they. Why has this affected their relationship?

Will Friedle (19:16)

I don't know. I also, I'll be honest, watching this. Trina's voice was in my head going, somebody didn't want me in like the important stuff. And so when the whole cast is together but she leaves and her character's gone, I was like, huh. I wonder if there's something to what she was saying where it's like, why not have her there? It made no sense. You Got rid of whatever you want to say. Angela was more important to Boy Meets World than Rachel was important to Boy Meets World.

Danielle Fishel (19:48)

Yes.

Will Friedle (19:49)

And yet it ends with all of us together with Rachel having a big thing. And I know she was the. She's the protagonist for why this happened. I get that. But the Shawn Angela thing is way more important than the Jack Rachel thing. And they're like, get her out so we can all have a scene. It felt very weird to me, and I was just hearing Trina in my head, like, somebody told me they didn't want me in big scenes, and I was like, oh, my God, that's happening. That's happening right here. It was really weird.

Rider Strong (20:19)

I don't know.

Danielle Fishel (20:20)

But also, I did think crazy that they wrote episodes about this when they were also doing that. They, like, they spelled it right out on the page. These friends mean something to each other. These friends.

Rider Strong (20:37)

We haven't developed these other characters, so now we're going to have those characters talk about not having been developed enough to be integrated into the show, and we'll make a big joke out of it and sort of hang a lantern on it, therefore make it okay. And it's like, no, it's still. You're just hanging a lantern on your own. Bad character development.

Will Friedle (20:53)

Somehow they. The main character's faults that the other characters haven't been developed.

Rider Strong (20:59)

Consciousness thing.

Will Friedle (21:00)

This is what.

Rider Strong (21:01)

This is what Girl Meets World just became. It's just this, oh, ad nauseam. It's so weird to me. Okay, but here's my big question. Let's see if we can answer this, because I think this is the question of the episode. What is happening? Are we in a fantasy? And if so, whose fantasy is it? Are we time traveling? At what point does the time travel happen?

Danielle Fishel (21:20)

When does it end?

Rider Strong (21:21)

We go into the hallway for a scene where Shawn and Corey break up, and he chooses Topanga. Then when we flash back, we flash back into the classroom.

Danielle Fishel (21:34)

Yeah.

Rider Strong (21:34)

Before has never happened. So what has happened and when we flash forward? I don't think there's any ripple effect on the screen, but there's a ripple effect on the screen when we go back. So whose fantasy is it, right? Or is it actual time travel and how is it instigated and who's doing it?

Will Friedle (21:52)

I. I have a lollipop in my beard.

Rider Strong (21:54)

Yeah, that's fine.

Danielle Fishel (21:55)

It doesn't make any sense.

Will Friedle (21:57)

It does. No.

Danielle Fishel (21:57)

Even just the. The. The first time when there is no ripple effect, when we leave the classroom to go into the fantasy or the time travel. Eric Says no one's going to go after her. And then nobody does. Then when we come back from it, he repeats it again, but this time when he goes after her, he goes after her, but she's still right outside as if no time has passed.

Rider Strong (22:21)

Right. And also, like, why didn't he do that in the.

Danielle Fishel (22:24)

That's what I'm saying.

Rider Strong (22:25)

So we're seeing an alternative reality where Eric chose not to. So it's really. It's Eric. Eric is the time travel mechanism, I guess. Whether he goes out and grabs her and then mounts her on the floor in front of everybody, which is super awkward looking.

Will Friedle (22:38)

And that's awesome. That's totally normal and natural. Yeah.

Rider Strong (22:42)

So if he. That's the saving grace of the future of this group of friendship. That's what the show is saying.

Will Friedle (22:49)

But he's not in his own flash forward until three quarters of the way through.

Rider Strong (22:53)

I just wish they had come up with a mechanism where, like when you say that line, is nobody going to go after her? Something happened, you know, lightning strikes, the power goes out and we establish like a reason that, you know, a sliding doors moment where it's like, oh, we have the choice now and we're either going to. Eric is going to make the choice to either go after her or do something else. And then that explains this sort of time travel moment. Otherwise, it's just writing for its right. For writing's sake. It's just riffing on characters to say, look, we can riff on the characters that you know and love and sort of mess with your emotions and manipulate you. And that's a TV show. And I'm like, that's not a TV show.

Will Friedle (23:31)

You can see what's happening, though, with one line in this entire show. It's Matt Lawrence at the end walking and going, I love all you guys. And he's like phoning in that line so much and kind of making a joke of even saying that line. And that's where we are in the show right now. Everybody's phoning it in.

Rider Strong (23:47)

Also, I would say Maitland gives her best performance of the entire series. Yeah, she's good when she's angry and she's.

Will Friedle (23:53)

No.

Rider Strong (23:53)

When she stands up in the classroom and is like, I don't even know what I'm doing here, it feels totally motivated. She's like, I'm out of here. And it feels, it feels. I mean, it is somewhat melodramatic. She comes from soap opera. It feels like a soap opera moment. But it's actually good acting because it feels like she's motivated. Not in a sexual way, not in a flirty way. She's actually motivated. She's like, screw this, you guys suck. I'm out of here. And I was like, there's energy there. I feel like I'm watching an actor with a clear goal. That makes sense to me. And other than that, like, I didn't get it.

Will Friedle (24:23)

Phoning it in. Yep.

Rider Strong (24:24)

Yeah.

Danielle Fishel (24:25)

The fact that our. Our repair of all of this fight includes things like Angela saying to Rachel and Rachel, you are my roommate. I care about you. Aw, that's it.

Rider Strong (24:42)

You also are tall, Rach.

Danielle Fishel (24:45)

You have red hair. You're a redhead, and I am your friend.

Rider Strong (24:51)

Yeah, it is. But you know what it says? I mean, the plays with squirrels is so freaking.

Will Friedle (24:58)

I know, it's great. It is.

Rider Strong (24:59)

It's phenomenal that, you know the second you walk in the door.

Will Friedle (25:03)

Yep.

Rider Strong (25:04)

Matt's reaction, his series of walkouts coming back. I was like, well, this is fantastic. This is why this episode exists. It's like seven minutes of just greatness. And it's like, great. Okay, cool.

Will Friedle (25:14)

Yeah.

Danielle Fishel (25:16)

I would love if this entire episode had been Eric. Just saying. I'm going to show you there are, There are two ways this can work out. If it had been another Eric, one man show.

Rider Strong (25:27)

Yes.

Danielle Fishel (25:28)

Of. Of the future of like, guys.

Will Friedle (25:30)

Yeah.

Danielle Fishel (25:30)

This is what our future looks like.

Rider Strong (25:32)

Yes.

Danielle Fishel (25:32)

If we are. If, if, if we don't repair this and then. And this is what our future could look like. You know, it's like, yeah, I love.

Will Friedle (25:41)

I missed a tag. I miss not having a tag. I wanted a play asquirrels tag.

Danielle Fishel (25:44)

I wanted it to like, how do

Will Friedle (25:45)

we not cut back to plays of squirrels for the tag doing whatever.

Rider Strong (25:48)

Just Cannon's hoops.

Will Friedle (25:50)

Exactly. With a moose. Just with a moose would be great.

Danielle Fishel (25:53)

We could eliminate the bear from the previous episode and add a moose.

Rider Strong (25:56)

It's him in therapy with his moose.

Danielle Fishel (25:58)

Yes.

Rider Strong (25:58)

It's just him and his moose in a cowboy.

Danielle Fishel (26:01)

They need therapy. That again, need counseling.

Will Friedle (26:04)

He did. Thank God for plays with squirrels in this episode.

Danielle Fishel (26:06)

I will say, yes, you're right.

Rider Strong (26:07)

Oh, it's. Well, thank God. But it's also, I think, the reason why the rest of the episode is underwritten because it worked so well. Everyone was just like, you know what? Who cares? This is fun.

Danielle Fishel (26:17)

They're like, okay, so we've got that two parter. The first one has a bear. Okay, that's good. And then the second one plays with squirrels. Great. We're done.

Rider Strong (26:24)

We're done.

Danielle Fishel (26:25)

We don't need to work on this anymore. So after we're caught up from the previously on Boy Meets World. We are in Feeny's classroom. Mr. Feeny has remembered his character and is finally intervening. He tells his little jackals that no one is leaving the room until they've healed every release relationship in the group, no matter how long it takes. Eric stands at attention behind him, no matter how long. Feeny tells him to shut up. And Eric parrots him again. Shut up, jackals. Topanga doesn't get it. How could you possibly keep us here against our will? Feeny retorts, a minus. And she quickly sits back down. Well played, old man.

Will Friedle (27:00)

I'd like to introduce a new word to the glossary if I could.

Danielle Fishel (27:02)

Huh?

Will Friedle (27:02)

From now on, I think it should be called intervening.

Danielle Fishel (27:05)

Oh.

Rider Strong (27:06)

Oh, my God.

Danielle Fishel (27:09)

He intervenes.

Will Friedle (27:10)

He intervenes. That's what I would say.

Rider Strong (27:13)

So good.

Danielle Fishel (27:14)

So good, Will.

Rider Strong (27:15)

So, yeah, we gotta remember. Yeah. Okay. Because. So, yeah, when we go back to other episodes, we can say, this is where he intervenes.

Will Friedle (27:23)

And then he intervenes. He intervenes. Thank you.

Danielle Fishel (27:26)

So good. Okay. Feeny reminds him he knows this group as well as anyone living, and he will not have it fall apart. Corey wonders, what if we can't fix things? And Feeny breaks it to him? Then you will go through life without each other. Eric gasps no. And everyone seems depressed by the thought. Eric tries to talk some sense into them, but Corey cuts him off. Rachel started it. Rachel shouts back, sean parked in my spot. How do they not hear themselves saying these things and then go, this is dumb.

Will Friedle (27:57)

This is stupid. Well, that's what I like. I actually liked Corey at the beginning. He's like, great, I'll see you if we're not friends today. Great. I'll see you tomorrow. Where it was like. Like, it's so stupid that we're going to be friends. I'll see you later.

Rider Strong (28:08)

So really, the only lingering problem is that Corey and Sean can't apologize. Or they didn't. They apologize. They said that we took it too far.

Will Friedle (28:17)

Yeah.

Danielle Fishel (28:18)

Yes. Yes. You apologize to Rachel. And then I guess it's not even about the porn.

Will Friedle (28:22)

She doesn't say, they put a porn. They parked in my spot is still the problem. They put me up naked everywhere. It should be like the thing, but it's not. It's. It's my parking spot.

Rider Strong (28:31)

It wasn't the end of the last episode that. But we apologize to Rachel. It didn't matter, though, because Topanga was so disgusting.

Danielle Fishel (28:37)

Right? Topanga was hurt. Yeah.

Rider Strong (28:41)

Okay.

Will Friedle (28:41)

And after Sean gave the whole it's you and Topanga now speech. He's regressed back to. It's actually you and me and Topanga's in the way.

Danielle Fishel (28:50)

Yes.

Will Friedle (28:51)

Which we haven't seen in a while. So that was.

Rider Strong (28:53)

And that's just to rationalize that Cory and Topanga stay together.

Danielle Fishel (28:56)

And then, even though we got a recap at the beginning of the episode, we're basically going to do it with our words. Sean jumps in. Well, Rachel overreacted. She fights back. Took apart my car. Corey chimes back in. She glued my pants. So we're just going in chronological order of. By the way, the things that he. That you guys said when the glued the pants.

Rider Strong (29:16)

We were like, bravo.

Danielle Fishel (29:17)

Yeah, well, we thought, this is nothing. This is dumb. It wasn't good. It wasn't good until the bear.

Will Friedle (29:22)

Right, right. It was the porn that, revenge porn that took it over the line that was mentioned a single time.

Danielle Fishel (29:28)

Jack reminds them, this isn't about any of that. Feeny wants to know what it's really about. Then Angela blames Corey and Sean, but Jack gives them the real answer. It's about that these friendships aren't what we thought they were. Corey has zero sympathy for Jack or Rachel. Well, boo hoo to the both of you. Topanga can't believe him. But Corey doubles down. This is crazy. We pull a couple of pranks and suddenly we're not friends anymore. Shawn asks, then what kind of friends were we? Rachel answers, not. Not friends. Corey's had enough. Fine. We're not friends today. I'll see you tomorrow. I mean, Mr. Feeny, why are you keeping us locked up here?

Rider Strong (30:03)

So is this our writing staff defending themselves against criticism that they hadn't integrated these characters? Well, because, I mean, I feel like that's what this is. It's like somebody being like. But I don't care about any of these characters, whether that's the audience saying this or what. And so they're responding with like, I don't know. It's so weird.

Danielle Fishel (30:23)

I really think, going back to some of the things we've talked about, like, what was the plan for the end of the show, how invested everyone was or was not. I wonder how much of this is setting up that for the season finale, we're going to separate these people. But don't worry, there's. They're still. They're still going to be friends. Or how much of it is these. These seven people we know, some of them haven't been integrated very well. The core four, that they're going to have a Spin off.

Will Friedle (30:59)

Right.

Danielle Fishel (30:59)

That's. That we're. We're heading toward that way because that was Michael's dream.

Will Friedle (31:03)

Right.

Danielle Fishel (31:04)

So how do we acknowledge that some of these friendships are more important than other friendships? And then when we reveal in a couple of episodes that some of them are branching off and going other places.

Rider Strong (31:19)

It's okay.

Danielle Fishel (31:20)

It's okay.

Will Friedle (31:21)

Right.

Rider Strong (31:21)

So exactly what we were saying. They're setting up that Trina's not gonna be in the finale and that what happens to Jack and Rachel doesn't matter because they just go to the Peace Corps. So it's just. Just getting rid of these characters but trying to give them a noble send off with this whole thing.

Will Friedle (31:35)

Wow. Wow. I wonder if that's what it is. I mean that. That's totally what it is.

Danielle Fishel (31:39)

Yeah.

Rider Strong (31:39)

I mean because I think at this point they were staring, they were like, boy Meets World is ending. There's no way around that.

Danielle Fishel (31:44)

Yep.

Rider Strong (31:45)

How do we potentially make a play to continue the show on this network? And what do we really. Who do we really want to keep and care about? And they're like, well, we can jettison these three characters and we can probably do it without Mr. Feeny and the parents.

Danielle Fishel (31:58)

Exactly. They're thinking about it from a budget standpoint. Look, just. It's going to be the. These four and.

Will Friedle (32:04)

In New York.

Danielle Fishel (32:04)

Yeah.

Will Friedle (32:05)

In New York. Yep. That's what it was. I think that you. You're. I think you're 100. Right. Because again, keep in mind we're in bonus time right now. We weren't even supposed to be doing these episodes.

Danielle Fishel (32:13)

Exactly.

Rider Strong (32:14)

So this whole second half is to just make that play and to set

Danielle Fishel (32:17)

to just basically for that. That's got fingers crossed. ABC will want to.

Rider Strong (32:21)

Because we have another two parter as the end. Right. It's Brave New World. So.

Will Friedle (32:24)

Yeah. That's got. That's got to be. That has to be.

Danielle Fishel (32:26)

Wow.

Will Friedle (32:27)

Is. They're just trying to justify getting rid of the characters they brought on the show. Never developed. And they're like, here's why we can get rid of the characters we didn't develop at all.

Danielle Fishel (32:38)

Yeah.

Will Friedle (32:38)

And that's that. You're right.

Danielle Fishel (32:39)

Watch how easy it is.

Will Friedle (32:40)

Yeah. You're 100% right. Because they did this. They did a sort of a storyline like this on Friends where it was. It's also Rachel on Friends who's going. You're brother and sister. You were best friends in college. Where do I fit in? I'm not with Ross anymore. So where do I fit into this group? Group and it's ironic that it's Rachel and Rachel.

Danielle Fishel (32:58)

Rachel and Rachel.

Will Friedle (32:58)

Same thing. Yeah.

Danielle Fishel (33:00)

Sophini is at his wits end. Because I care about you. Eric again echoes him. He cares about us. And I care about us too. We've been friends all our lives. Jack shakes his head. No, we haven't. That's the point, Angela clarifies. Some of us have been friends all their lives. Rachel smiles. And some of us haven't. It's an exclusive club and we're not not in it. Again, I How is that our fault?

Will Friedle (33:26)

Ma', am, we're not writing your characters.

Danielle Fishel (33:29)

We have no control over. When you decided to break up with your boyfriend and move into the apartment. That was not my choice.

Will Friedle (33:37)

We didn't find out about you until the first table read.

Rider Strong (33:39)

Yes.

Will Friedle (33:40)

I mean, my God.

Danielle Fishel (33:42)

Corey asks Rachel why she's making such a big deal, and Angela responds, because it is a big deal. Sean begs her not to blow this up, but she thinks it's too late for that. Jack jumps in again. We feel like we're outsiders here. That's a different conversation. You make us feel less valued. Yeah. You make us feel like we're unimportant. You guys make plans without us. You. You know, there's. That's a totally fine conversation to have with a group of friends. Like, do you. Do you care about me? I know you guys have known each other longer, but it feels like when you have get togethers, you know, I'm not.

Rider Strong (34:17)

This is a meta conversation, not a real conversation.

Danielle Fishel (34:21)

Yeah, okay. Shawn is offended. First of all, Angela's my girlfriend, okay? And I love her. Second of all, you're my brother, so I'm forced to like you. Rachel wonders, so what am I? You've made it really clear who everybody else is. Brothers. Brothers. Boyfriend and girlfriend, husband and wife. You all have this really strong bond between you. What's the strong bond between us? Topanga asks. You think husband and wife is a strong bond? I wasn't even part of their stupid team. Corey rolls his eyes. Will you pipe down with that, please? She snaps back, Tell it to your boyfriend. Sean places a hand on Corey's shoulder and whispers, remember what I told you. Stand up to her. Topanga is stumped. Unbelievable. Everybody is coming apart and they get closer, but do they?

Rider Strong (35:10)

No. Because in a second, we're about to break up.

Danielle Fishel (35:12)

You're about to break up? She yells at Corey. I am your wife, Nimrod. Then Rachel shouts, I wasn't talking about them, Topanga. I wasn't talking about you either. For once. And all the time that we've known each other, I was talking about me. I was talking about how I feel. Feeny asks, how do you feel, Rachel? She admits, I feel like I don't fit in with these people, and I don't think I ever have. She rushes toward the door, but Eric intercepts her. There are some bad feelings here, but we're gonna work them out right now. Feeny agrees they're gonna do what they do in Ms. Templeton's kindergarten class.

Rider Strong (35:48)

Is that part of the university? Who is Ms. Templeton?

Will Friedle (35:54)

At least he didn't say when I taught you in kindergarten. Feeny hasn't been there the whole time.

Rider Strong (35:59)

Ms. Templeton's.

Danielle Fishel (36:01)

Ms. Templeton's kindergarten class. I wonder which of our writers.

Will Friedle (36:04)

I was gonna say somebody's kindergarten teacher was Ms.

Danielle Fishel (36:08)

They're going to get a piece of ruled paper and write down what they like about each other. Children. Corey is still hung up on Topanga and rudely imitates her. I'm your wife, nimrod. Do you know what it's like to have that voice inside your head all day? It's no wonder I turn to him. He and Sean share a loving glance. Eric reminds them that Rachel's about to leave, so they need to write these feelings down asap. Topanga doesn't flinch, turning to Corey to taunt him. Oh, fine. Look at him side with Sean, his lover. Corey isn't impressed. Very tasteful, honey. He turns to Sean. Did you hear what she said? Topanga isn't done. Sean, his lover. Sean pipes up. Shut up, Yoko.

Will Friedle (36:47)

That's a good line.

Danielle Fishel (36:48)

So funny. And with that, Rachel leaves. Jack notices the obvious, telling Angela, this is perfect. Even when it's supposed to be about all of us, it always comes back to them. Angela nods. It's never gonna change. Eric isn't giving up.

Rider Strong (37:02)

Up.

Danielle Fishel (37:02)

Why didn't you write anything down? Huh? As everyone sits in silence, Eric points to the door. Shouldn't somebody go after her? But no one does. They all stay seated as a sad acoustic guitar plays in the background.

Rider Strong (37:13)

Now, wait. When we come back, who did write something down? Did you write it down or did she? I thought she.

Danielle Fishel (37:18)

No one. When we come back after the fantasy.

Rider Strong (37:21)

Yeah, Eric.

Will Friedle (37:21)

Eric's the only one.

Danielle Fishel (37:22)

Sit down.

Will Friedle (37:22)

Eric's the only one.

Rider Strong (37:23)

He's written down the manifesto.

Will Friedle (37:25)

Okay?

Danielle Fishel (37:25)

No. Yeah, yeah, the manifesto, Loser.

Rider Strong (37:26)

But in this. Did you write something down? You did start writing something down in this timeline, Eric.

Danielle Fishel (37:33)

I don't think he did, no.

Will Friedle (37:34)

I think Eric starts to when you

Rider Strong (37:36)

Go to the podium.

Will Friedle (37:37)

I think you start sitting there writing something. But then it's not until we go to the future magically that Eric realizes what he's supposed to write. Cause of the future.

Rider Strong (37:47)

Yeah. This really should be you saying hold or whatever. Like, the moment of, like, lightning strike and being like, no one's gonna go after her. And then, like, you.

Will Friedle (37:57)

Seriously, you could change this entire episode by just doing one more cut to Sabrina's cat, and that would be it. Just cut to the cat and then near. You're in the future.

Danielle Fishel (38:06)

But, you know, seriously, the idea of Eric getting struck by lightning and he has a vision.

Rider Strong (38:13)

Yes, sure.

Danielle Fishel (38:13)

Of the future if we don't work this out.

Rider Strong (38:18)

Yes.

Danielle Fishel (38:18)

And then he pops out of the vision and explains to all of us, yes. Sean doesn't know his, you know, his niece. He. There's a baby that you're not even a part of. You two don't ever get married like that.

Will Friedle (38:31)

You know what you could have done? Which would have been the easiest thing in the world. As Eric says, why is nobody going after her? He turns, opens the door, hits himself in the head with the door. We cut to the future, and then it's Eric on the ground, and everyone's standing over him. And that's how they become friends again because of Eric. And it would be the easiest thing to do where this was Eric's vision. It would have been so simple. Eric is the catalyst.

Danielle Fishel (38:54)

Eric, we all work together so well, help each other, encourage each other, support each other.

Will Friedle (38:59)

It takes all six of you to carry me because of how big I am in season seven. And then you put me on the desk, which is reinforced steel, and then from there. But no, it would have been so easy. Just Eric then blinking up at everyone around him, and then them talking about,

Rider Strong (39:16)

the problem is that they want to have the scene in the hallway. So it's like we don't actually go to the future for another two or three minutes right now. And that's because they have to establish why Corey and Sean make the choices. They do. I don't. And Angela. Yeah, it's too bad, because that would have been perfect.

Will Friedle (39:35)

Yeah.

Rider Strong (39:36)

Well.

Danielle Fishel (39:36)

Later, in Feeny's classroom, as our little 12 angry men episode continues. Eric paces the room head in hand. Everyone besides Rachel is still in the room, and even Feeny has had enough. Can we please leave? Eric shocked.

Rider Strong (39:48)

No.

Danielle Fishel (39:49)

I brought you here to help us. Feeny admits, I'd be happy to assist you in any project regarding these people if it stood a chance of succeeding. This one Don't. Eric can't believe it. You're giving up on us? Feeny gives him a curt nod. Yep. Eric looks at his friends. You hear that? Mr. Feeny's giving up on us. He's never done that before. Sean and Steve insists, you are making too much of this. Corey thinks it's just a stupid little fight that no one's gonna remember after next week. Feeny admits, that may be, but it's been my experience that stupid little fights have a way of escalating into stupid big fights which can change the course of your future. Corey says, we just want to get out of here now. The future will take care of itself. And Feeny nods. All right, if that's the way you feel about it, you're all dismissed.

Will Friedle (40:33)

That's what. Literally what they thought that was their writing fix. If you just say the word future three or four times, that's all you need. That's what they thought.

Danielle Fishel (40:41)

Everyone is quick to leave except Eric. No, you're not. Stay there. Come on, guys. We gotta work this out. But they all walk out into the hallway anyway, and Shawn catches up to Angela for a walk. But she just wants to be by herself right now. Corey insists that Sean can talk to us if he wants, gesturing to himself and Topanga. But she's quick to wonder. Don't you think it's important that you and I talk right now? Cory insists that Shawn can talk with them too, and Topanga nods. Fine. You want to talk to Sean? Why don't I just go find something else to do? She turns to. She turns to leave, but Corey stops her. Come on. Is it going to be you versus Sean for the rest of our lives? She asks him, arms folded. Why don't you tell me? Corey turns to Sean. She's my wife, okay? And there's a lot of good that comes with that. I'm hoping. So just give me a few days to find it and I'll get back to you. Shawn is shocked. You're really gonna listen to her? Corey admits, I just want peace for one freaking second. Shawn can't believe it. You're gonna let her come between the greatest friendship of all time?

Rider Strong (41:45)

And we've spent this entire season establishing that Sean is finally okay with this

Danielle Fishel (41:51)

and cruel and grown up looting the speech he gave at the wedding that then Topanga threw in his face last week?

Will Friedle (41:59)

Yeah, y.

Danielle Fishel (42:00)

Which he didn't then say, yeah, that was fake. You're not included. If anything, he had the realization of

Rider Strong (42:07)

like, I've done something wrong.

Danielle Fishel (42:09)

Yeah, you're right. I. I really overstepped my bounds here. So Corey just needs some time. But Shawn is clearly disappointed. Okay, you take all the time you want and then he walks.

Will Friedle (42:28)

Summertime is here. And you know what that means.

Danielle Fishel (42:31)

Beach trips?

Rider Strong (42:32)

Family vacations?

Will Friedle (42:33)

Nope. It means it's time to find your next obsession on Prime Video.

Danielle Fishel (42:37)

Oh yes, we do love a good obsession here. Especially when you could talk about for years and suggest to everyone you know

Rider Strong (42:43)

steamy romance, addictive love stories and the book to screen favorites you've already read twice.

Danielle Fishel (42:48)

Because when a story hits, it really hits off campus.

Will Friedle (42:52)

L the love hypothesis and much, much more.

Rider Strong (42:55)

More slow burns, second chances chemistry. You can feel through the screen the

Danielle Fishel (42:59)

type of binge worthy shows and can't miss movies where you're fully invested staying up all night just to finish it. Just one more. Oh, all right, one more. You know the feeling.

Will Friedle (43:09)

The kind of stories that pull you in and don't let go in the best way.

Rider Strong (43:13)

Your next obsession is waiting.

Danielle Fishel (43:15)

Watch only on Prime. You know that moment when your kid asks for your phone and you're already bracing yourself for whatever random video they'll disappear into. That's why I started handing them Lingokids instead. It's still screen time, but not that kind of screen time. With Lingokids, they're actually playing, singing, tapping, exploring stories they're learning without the need to complain about it. And I love that it's colorful, high energy and designed so kids stay curious instead of just turning into media zombies. They think they're getting a treat, but I know I'm giving them something special built just for them. Lingokids. Everything kids love. Download the Lingokids app now on your phone or tablet. It's free.

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Rider Strong (44:46)

All right, important question. If you saw sandwich on a deli menu called the Feeney, what's on it?

Danielle Fishel (44:54)

Obviously something wise. I'm thinking Dietz And Watson Oven Classic turkey because it's classic, dependable, and it makes you feel like you should have studied harder before lunch.

Will Friedle (45:04)

I'm adding the Black Forest uncured ham, smoked the old World way with cracked pepper and sea salt. And when the sandwich arrives, it has to yell Mr. Matthews at the table.

Danielle Fishel (45:13)

And Dietz and Watson does not cut corners. They've been handcrafting premium deli meats and artisan cheeses for over 85 years, just like Feeny had been with us since sixth grade.

Will Friedle (45:23)

They're family owned, always doing things the right way, even when it's the hard way.

Rider Strong (45:27)

They actually sent us some of their stuff. And I've been loving the flavored cheddar cheeses. Real New York State cheddar, small batch, super creamy. It's dangerous how fast it disappears.

Will Friedle (45:36)

In my house, I've been making breakfast with their chicken sausage. No antibiotics ever. No nitrates or nitrites added. It is so good. I'm thinking of opening a diner or something to just eat them there.

Danielle Fishel (45:47)

That's the whole point. They know good taste doesn't need a long list of ingredients.

Rider Strong (45:51)

Simply made.

Danielle Fishel (45:52)

Simple as that.

Will Friedle (45:53)

Visit dietzandwatson.com the right way to learn more about the deets difference.

Danielle Fishel (46:06)

And then we're in the student union, filled with people and balloons. Corey and Topanga show up in outfits that are somewhere between Easter and a funeral. And Corey is wearing eyeglasses because.

Will Friedle (46:17)

And the extras. The background is the best because it is obviously our regular background who are still our age, but dressed a little differently. And then 50 and 60 year old people. Yeah, it's like we're going to pepper in some old people to make you. You think the young people are also old, too.

Danielle Fishel (46:35)

Wait, I just realized this says it's 2006, right?

Will Friedle (46:38)

Yeah.

Danielle Fishel (46:38)

So it's only six years because this aired February 11th, 2000. So even though we were shooting it in 99.

Rider Strong (46:43)

No, I think it says 2007.

Danielle Fishel (46:44)

Oh, I think 2006.

Will Friedle (46:46)

Yeah, it says six.

Danielle Fishel (46:47)

So it's six years later.

Will Friedle (46:48)

Well, that's right. I mean, most future time lapse reunions are six years in the future.

Danielle Fishel (46:54)

Yeah, it's 2007.

Will Friedle (46:55)

Everyone knows that.

Danielle Fishel (46:56)

So weird.

Will Friedle (46:57)

That is weird.

Danielle Fishel (46:58)

Well, he complains. I don't know what we're doing here. We clearly have nothing to say to these people. She reminds him, we're not here for them. We're here out of respect. Oh, it's not a reunion. It's his retirement.

Will Friedle (47:08)

It's his retirement. Yeah, yeah. No, it's his retirement.

Danielle Fishel (47:10)

Okay. So, okay.

Will Friedle (47:11)

But still, it's weird.

Danielle Fishel (47:12)

I don't know why I was thinking it was a reunion later.

Rider Strong (47:15)

It's just strange.

Danielle Fishel (47:16)

Sure. How long do you want the man to work?

Will Friedle (47:18)

He's still working.

Rider Strong (47:19)

And where's his wife?

Danielle Fishel (47:20)

She's 99, which I know why. They couldn't afford her, apparently. No guest stars.

Will Friedle (47:25)

Well, they're polyamorous. He has several wives.

Danielle Fishel (47:29)

Corey just doesn't know what he's going to say to anybody. Topanga puts on a big smile and takes the lead. You're going to say, hi. How are you doing? It's so good to see you. Then they're going to smile superficially and say the same thing back to you. Corey asks. And then we can go home to the baby. She reassures him. Yes. They walk into the crowded room and the camera zooms out to show a banner hanging above the door. It reads, happy retirement, George Feeney, beloved teacher, 1964-2006. 6. It's the future. We fade out for a commercial because. Whoa, it's the future. We return, and we are still at the retirement party. Corey and Topanga make their way around the room and first run into Angela. She's dressed in leather pants and a cute red turtleneck tank top. She looks incredible. There's an awkward pause before they both let out a small laugh and genuinely say hi to each other. Topanga tells Angela that she looks great, and Angela returns the compliment. Corey chimes in. So do I.

Will Friedle (48:28)

There's a. I just kind of realized, other than the hat, you're dressed like Jackie O. Yeah, okay.

Danielle Fishel (48:33)

Exactly. I'm dressed and I have a low pony. My hair's never been worse than in this seventh season. Laurie, I don't know what you were

Will Friedle (48:41)

doing, but we love you.

Danielle Fishel (48:43)

We love you.

Rider Strong (48:44)

We're still doing our hair.

Danielle Fishel (48:45)

You are an incredible hairdresser. We hit a snafu this season. Just a little hit a little snafu.

Will Friedle (48:52)

I love it. I've never heard low pony.

Rider Strong (48:54)

It sounds like a sex thing.

Will Friedle (48:55)

Okay, I gave her a low pony.

Danielle Fishel (48:57)

Oh, my God. The amount of things that sound like that to you. There's an awkward silence before he admits it was a joke. I was just making a small joke. Angela tells him it was funny and he keeps the weirdness going. I'm glad you enjoyed it. The tension is so high. So Corey excuses himself. I miss incredibly thirsty. I'm gonna get a glass of liquor. Topanga tells him. Large. I'll take a large. Then at the bar, Cory and Jack bump into each other. They Greet each other in perfect unison. Oh, hi, how you doing? Good to see you. What you up to now? Individually, Corey admits, we've been reading about you in the newspapers. We're very proud of you. Jack simply says, yeah. And we get more uncomfortable silence. Corey finally speaks back up. What's it like to have that kind of money? Jack ponders this for a moment before confidently responding, Good. Corey looks around helplessly and finally Jack contributes to the conversation. How's your. Corey excitedly cuts him off. Oh, it's great. It's going great. You know, always a little busy around tax season. Jack turns around and gives a pained look before chugging more of his drinks.

Rider Strong (50:08)

Think.

Danielle Fishel (50:08)

Corey decides to tell a joke. Did you hear the one about the CPA and the penguin? Jack excuses himself and walks away without another word. We cut back to Topanga and Angela, who are catching up. Angela says, let me guess. In less than a year you were made partner in the most prestigious law firm in Connecticut. Topanga laughs, no, it was heading that way. But then we had little Beverly Glenn and I took some time off for her.

Rider Strong (50:31)

Low key. The best joke of the episode and nobody got it.

Will Friedle (50:35)

Nobody got it. There was an LA local, but they were weird. So this was weird with the audience. There was like laughs where there shouldn't have been.

Danielle Fishel (50:44)

I think there was no laughs or

Will Friedle (50:46)

there was supposed to be.

Danielle Fishel (50:47)

I think this was pre taped out. I do.

Rider Strong (50:49)

I think Squirrels must have.

Will Friedle (50:50)

Well, no, Place With Squirrels is definitely in front of the audience. I remember Place with Squirrels in front of the audience 100%. But like there were certain jokes in the hallway too and things like that.

Danielle Fishel (50:58)

This is a really long scene and I feel like we could have broken it up into. I mean, when Plays With Squirrels enters, it's just Jack exiting and him standing there. Like we could have shot all of this beginning part as a pre tape and then just done this last part of the scene with Plays With Squirrels live. Because there's no way we did this massive scene.

Rider Strong (51:21)

Are you sure? I mean, I have. I have footage of the dance from this night. We're doing the dance in place of Squirrels.

Will Friedle (51:28)

You have footage of me dancing as

Rider Strong (51:30)

plays with you this three times and I've sent it to you.

Will Friedle (51:33)

What?

Rider Strong (51:33)

You always act surprised. I have sent it to you.

Will Friedle (51:36)

When did you send me? Send it again.

Rider Strong (51:38)

Send it again. I have this footage of us doing the Backstreet Boys dance while you're in the Plays With Squirrels outfit.

Danielle Fishel (51:44)

It's so.

Rider Strong (51:45)

How do I not remember you telling

Will Friedle (51:47)

me this three times?

Danielle Fishel (51:49)

Well, I will say I Think maybe there's a memory, a memory issue. Maybe it's related.

Will Friedle (51:54)

When did you get here?

Rider Strong (51:55)

August 4, 2024. Holy. You'll never guess what I found. Danielle, Official. What? Will, did you know you did the Backstreet Dance as plays with squirrels? And then I sent the video. And then you said, wait, what? I did? And I said, from that night, whole thing. I haven't watched it yet. It's not letting me sing here. Hold on. And then you said, holy, that's awesome. How do you know what it is? And then I sent it. Then you said, oh, my God. Danielle says, that is so fun. You said, who filmed that? I said, my dad.

Will Friedle (52:24)

I still don't believe it.

Rider Strong (52:25)

Brings back so many memories. Obviously those memories didn't stick around

Will Friedle (52:31)

Danielle.

Rider Strong (52:32)

When did you get here?

Will Friedle (52:34)

Yeah, no, don't remember any of that. Okay.

Danielle Fishel (52:36)

That's so funny.

Will Friedle (52:37)

Nice.

Danielle Fishel (52:38)

Okay, well, I do remember that conversation now.

Rider Strong (52:40)

I don't at all.

Will Friedle (52:42)

I have the best memory with some things.

Danielle Fishel (52:44)

I know you do. Some stuff I have stuff really sticks. So Beverly Glen, for those people who aren't LA locals, is another street, another canyon, another street name that's very popular. And so of course course Topanga, named after Topanga Canyon.

Rider Strong (53:03)

The next canyon over that you can go from the valley side, right? Is it Beverly Cold Water. Cold Water that turns into Beverly Glenn.

Danielle Fishel (53:11)

Oh, yeah, I think that's where you.

Rider Strong (53:13)

You end up. Beverly Glenn is the name of the canyon once you turn on Cold Water and then.

Will Friedle (53:16)

And then Laurel.

Danielle Fishel (53:17)

And then Laurel.

Rider Strong (53:18)

Right, so those are the three major canyons that cut through the mountain range.

Will Friedle (53:23)

Very clever joke. It is a very clever joke.

Rider Strong (53:25)

Yeah, it's a very clever Beverly Glenn.

Danielle Fishel (53:27)

Little Beverly Glenn, which is actually, actually

Will Friedle (53:29)

a pretty great name actually for a little girl. Beverly Glenn. It's a great name.

Danielle Fishel (53:33)

She brandishes a baby picture from her purse to show off. And Angela gushes. She's beautiful. Smiles. I know. Carrying around my. I used to have a bunch of wallet pictures in my wallet in the 90s.

Will Friedle (53:44)

Do you carry any pictures with you now in your wallet?

Danielle Fishel (53:47)

I have my kids passport photos, you know, because they give you two copies of it. They give like when you leave. And I was like, look at these new fridges. So I have those in my, like, bigger wallet. But now I don't even carry my bigger wallet around. I just carry a card case. So no. Do you have pictures, pictures in your wallet?

Will Friedle (54:02)

I do. I think I have my nephew's like second grade pictures. The two of them are in my wallet and have been for Years. So. Yeah.

Danielle Fishel (54:08)

So cute.

Will Friedle (54:09)

Great.

Danielle Fishel (54:09)

And writer. Only carries his.

Rider Strong (54:11)

Don't carry a wallet.

Will Friedle (54:12)

Don't care wallet ever.

Rider Strong (54:13)

No.

Danielle Fishel (54:14)

Topanga smiles. Thanks. I may never go back to work again. On cue, Corey returns with the drink, chuckling. Oh, she's going back. Why does he want me to go back? Is it a money thing? We don't. There's not really. I don't really quite understand what the joke is. Is.

Will Friedle (54:31)

I think it's probably a money thing. Like, you need the.

Rider Strong (54:34)

I think he just wants to get away from you.

Will Friedle (54:36)

It's also the possibility.

Danielle Fishel (54:37)

I think it's just, like, he works from home.

Rider Strong (54:40)

I don't. Yeah, good question.

Danielle Fishel (54:41)

Like, why does he. I don't.

Rider Strong (54:42)

It's got to be a money thing then, right?

Danielle Fishel (54:44)

That's the only money because I'm a successful lawyer and he's an accountant.

Will Friedle (54:47)

Right, Right.

Rider Strong (54:48)

She was on her way to being a partner, so.

Danielle Fishel (54:51)

Okay. So it's got to be a money thing. Okay. He walks off, and Angela admits, I thought about you so many times. Topanga asks, why didn't you call? And Angela asks the same why didn't you? Topanga confesses, I thought about it. You know, life goes by. Angela nods. Yeah, it does. The camera pans over to Sean, who's sporting a beard, a backwards paperboy hat and long leather jacket.

Rider Strong (55:12)

I've upgraded my leather jacket to, like, more sports coat style.

Will Friedle (55:16)

You have turned into Ricky Fan.

Rider Strong (55:18)

You're so right. And what is going on with my fake facial hair?

Will Friedle (55:22)

Oh, it's the best. Yes, because it's so bad. Oh, it's terrible.

Rider Strong (55:27)

I kept being like, is it actually bad? Or is it just that I know what my real facial hair looks like? So this looks weird.

Danielle Fishel (55:33)

No, it didn't look.

Will Friedle (55:34)

It's bad. It's bad.

Danielle Fishel (55:35)

I didn't love it.

Will Friedle (55:36)

No, it's. It looks like you're wearing a fake bearded mustache. Yeah, it really does.

Danielle Fishel (55:40)

Okay.

Will Friedle (55:41)

Yeah.

Danielle Fishel (55:41)

He's talking with Feeny, who reveals, I collected all of your articles from Rolling Stone. Quite the world traveler, huh? Sean nods. Yeah, I get around. Feeny asks, is there anybody special in your life? And Sean responds, no, not yet. Feeny continues to pry. Any prospects.

Rider Strong (56:00)

This is classic Feeny dialogue.

Danielle Fishel (56:01)

Classic Feeny.

Rider Strong (56:02)

Let me get into your love life

Danielle Fishel (56:03)

and find the guy who was shingle for since Lillian died all those years. Really wants to make sure everyone gets married off.

Will Friedle (56:14)

I just love how Sean's now trapped, traveling for Rolling Stones. Course I am.

Danielle Fishel (56:20)

Sean says, not yet again. And this episode has so much repeating in it, Feeny wonders, are you happy? To which Sean lets out a small laugh, and again, not yet.

Rider Strong (56:31)

Not yet.

Danielle Fishel (56:32)

Feeny ends their conversation on a light note. I really look forward to your correspondence, Shawn. Please don't stop writing me. Shawn promises I won't.

Rider Strong (56:41)

I did like having a scene between Feeny and Sean, which doesn't happen enough.

Danielle Fishel (56:47)

And I do love that, no matter what, to keep us all from not being hateable people, we do keep in touch with Feeny. So it's not like we just are so ungrateful for the life we built here and have just all moved on. Like, we do keep in touch with him, even though our friendship is fractured.

Will Friedle (57:04)

We all knew when his retirement was, which shows that he is in touch with all of us.

Danielle Fishel (57:08)

Exactly.

Will Friedle (57:09)

Which is nice.

Danielle Fishel (57:10)

Then Sean shifts the conversation. Do you ever hear from Cory Matthews? Are he in? Topanga doing all right.

Will Friedle (57:18)

Matthews, the guy you've been friends with your whole life, who now you haven't seen in six years. You still talk to Cornelius Matthews, I think his name was, if memory serves.

Danielle Fishel (57:27)

I can't remember. The celery man.

Will Friedle (57:30)

Celery guy. Cornelius, I think his name was.

Danielle Fishel (57:32)

Feeny says, why don't you ask him? He's right behind you. And there, Corey speaks first. Hey, Sean. Sean slowly turns around. Corey. Corey asks how he's doing, and they shake hands. What. What happened? What happened between them?

Rider Strong (57:49)

They fought in the hallway.

Danielle Fishel (57:50)

The last time we saw them, that was it.

Will Friedle (57:52)

That's the last time you were gonna

Danielle Fishel (57:54)

listen to Topanga, right?

Will Friedle (57:55)

Yeah.

Danielle Fishel (57:55)

Okay. Just. Just clarifying that. That was the thing. Okay.

Will Friedle (57:59)

Never spoke to Cory Matthews again.

Rider Strong (58:02)

It could have so easily been, like, some disagreement in that classroom scene between me. Like, something like. Like, basically, if he had just been like. It was all Sean's idea to do the revenge porn. I was like, that's not true. And then he was like, just take this one for me. And, you know, like, let me. And then I was like, that's unfair. That's overstepping about, you know, like, anything real. Like, anything real. Instead of.

Danielle Fishel (58:23)

What if Corey called you trailer trash again? And you said, you've. It's our differences have. Even if we try to ignore them, they've always been there.

Rider Strong (58:34)

Yes.

Danielle Fishel (58:34)

And. And that, you know, now you have the same thing to say. Like a Rachel. Which is, do we even have a friendship? Like, there would have been something. Yeah, there was. But instead, I. The whole time was like, Corey and Sean would have been talking within 35 seconds.

Will Friedle (58:48)

Yep.

Danielle Fishel (58:49)

Of that little hallway snafu. I've said snafu Quite a Few times in the sense your favorite word. Just today. Just for today.

Will Friedle (59:01)

Do you know what SNAFU stands for?

Danielle Fishel (59:03)

No.

Rider Strong (59:04)

It's an acronym. Oh.

Will Friedle (59:05)

It's a military acronym for Situation Normal All Up. That's what. That's what SNAFU stands for.

Rider Strong (59:12)

Wait, why is the Situation Normal?

Will Friedle (59:14)

Because that's what they say. Because that's what they say in the military. It's like, hey, what's. You know, if you're. If you're in battle, everything's normal. Everything's all up. Situation's normal. It's all up. That's what a snafu.

Rider Strong (59:26)

Huh. So it's very similar to fubar.

Will Friedle (59:28)

Correct. Duck beyond all recognition. Correct. There you go. Little, little, Little tidbit for you.

Danielle Fishel (59:34)

A little history lesson for now.

Will Friedle (59:36)

There you go.

Danielle Fishel (59:37)

Corey asks how he's doing, and they shake hands. Sean responds, I'm okay. How are you? Corey tells him he's good. And Sean says, good. Adding to the small talk, Feeny adds from behind, good. Corey turns his attention to the man of the hour. How are you doing, Mr. Feeny? Feeny says, I'm fine, Mr. Matthews. How's the baby? Sean's surprised. You had a baby? Corey nods. Yeah, a couple months ago. A little girl. Shawn earnestly asks, you're the father? Corey's confused. I am. We're. We're very happy. Shawn asks, do you have any pictures? And Topanga pops up. I brought the pictures. She and Angela walk up, with Sean happily greeting Topanga. He stares at Angela and pauses for a moment before finally saying, angela. She smiles. Hi, Shawn. Long time. Shawn nods. Yeah. So how are you? What are you doing? Angela reveals, she's a writer. And he grins. You're kidding. She goes on, I do freelance pieces for a bunch of magazines. Feeny adds, she sends them to me. Sean continues to stare at her. I bet they're great. Then he wonders, did you ever get married?

Will Friedle (60:42)

Did anybody find this? That find his exit really weird. Like, they just wanted Bill out. So he, like, pops into their conversation. She sends them to me.

Danielle Fishel (60:49)

Yeah.

Will Friedle (60:49)

And then just turns and walks out. It's so odd.

Danielle Fishel (60:52)

Yeah. He's like, please don't make me stay here for the rest of the scene.

Will Friedle (60:55)

Exactly. It was just weird.

Danielle Fishel (60:57)

No, I never got married, you know, with all the traveling I do. And Sean nods. Yeah, no, I understand. Angela looks to the group. It's so good to see you guys. I gotta go, though. I gotta catch a plane or something.

Will Friedle (61:11)

And then she's.

Danielle Fishel (61:12)

Yep.

Will Friedle (61:13)

And it's just like, let's get rid Of a way more important character.

Danielle Fishel (61:17)

Yeah.

Will Friedle (61:18)

To keep the other. It made. It made no sense. I mean, I was sitting there watching. I was like, wow, maybe there is something to what she said, what Trina said, where she's like, I got the feeling that they didn't want me in big stuff. And it's like, it ends with all of us together, but they just got her out. Like, let's just get rid of Angela. It was really strange to me.

Danielle Fishel (61:38)

It is weird because why doesn't she just excuse herself from the group so that she could be there later? Like, yeah, oh, you know what? My. My drink is empty. I. I'll be back. Like, yeah. Because I understand wanting to show that this is also very difficult for her.

Will Friedle (61:53)

Of course.

Danielle Fishel (61:54)

Also understand showing that, like, avoidance is something both Shawn and Angela have done multiple times in their relationship. When conversations get tricky, instead of being honest about how they're feeling, they run away. They run away. And so. So wanting her to run away when she is having feelings, I get. But you're right that, like, having her exit the scene is pretty extreme.

Will Friedle (62:20)

Has no conversation whatsoever with Rachel. She has no conversation whatsoever with Eric.

Danielle Fishel (62:25)

Yeah.

Will Friedle (62:26)

She's the only character who they're like, just get. Get her out. Get her out and we'll have everybody else have a scene. It was just very odd. Nothing with Jack. I mean, it was supposed to be the three of them, right. Against the four of us. And they don't have them interact at all. They don't have Jack and Rachel interact at all. It's just. Yeah, it's very odd. It's like they literally wrote an episode about how there's four core characters and then three characters that didn't develop. And to show how they didn't develop them, they also didn't have them do anything really, in this. And I was like, what? Yeah, it was really strange. Strange.

Danielle Fishel (63:03)

I wonder if it's because, you know, they know they're gonna write a breakup episode coming up. They're gonna write the episode where they officially end things. And if she stuck around. And the whole point is, you know, guys, look, you're both journal. You both write for magazines. You were supposed to end up together. That then how does that not change and alter?

Will Friedle (63:26)

Right.

Danielle Fishel (63:27)

What's about to happen? And so they actually have to remove her from this part of the. This modern day realization fantasy. I know. Fantasy. This for future fantasy. It's like, it doesn't impacts the. I don't know. It's so.

Rider Strong (63:43)

Because I.

Will Friedle (63:44)

We haven't seen the last episodes Yet. And. And I know what Trina told us about not being in the last episode. But again, Sean and Angela, way more important than Rachel and even Jack.

Danielle Fishel (63:54)

But let's say using. Using that point. Isn't that. Why isn't that what we think Michael would argue was the point of the very special episode where they have a proper end to their relationship.

Will Friedle (64:07)

Right.

Danielle Fishel (64:08)

That he was going. That he. He's going. He makes such a two parter about the dissolution of their relationship that he didn't want lumped into this conversation about the seven of us being friends.

Will Friedle (64:23)

That makes sense. More than this does. Does more than just having her exit the scene.

Danielle Fishel (64:28)

Yeah, I mean, it does feel weird,

Will Friedle (64:29)

but I'm trying because we're all standing there in a line at the end. I mean, it's literally like the blocking's not the best. We're all just in a big line.

Rider Strong (64:35)

The whole point is to just like, it's not show, you know, regret. Show that it's not real. Like. And so you could just keep that tension going. Like the tension should be there.

Danielle Fishel (64:44)

Yeah, yeah.

Rider Strong (64:44)

But you're right. Like they actually remove her from it.

Will Friedle (64:47)

Right?

Rider Strong (64:47)

Yeah.

Will Friedle (64:48)

And she's the only one removed from it, which is we.

Danielle Fishel (64:52)

The two former partners share a longing look and he watches her leave.

Rider Strong (64:55)

Corey points out, so now I gotta go say puppies. Gotta go.

Danielle Fishel (65:00)

So you both write for magazines.

Will Friedle (65:03)

She wrote the beautiful Piss on Costa Rican Ravenfires.

Danielle Fishel (65:09)

You always had so much in common. Corey didn't even know they were in the same profession. Sean finally speaks up. She wrote a beautiful piece about Costa Rican rainforest.

Rider Strong (65:19)

It's the funniest joke joke in the

Will Friedle (65:21)

history of boy meets world. I'm sorry.

Danielle Fishel (65:22)

Corey wonders why he didn't tell her that and Sean doesn't know. He turns in.

Rider Strong (65:28)

Stroke my fake goatee and think.

Will Friedle (65:31)

Think about if goes drinking red.

Rider Strong (65:33)

It might come up.

Danielle Fishel (65:34)

But don't touch. It's very delicate. He turns and asks Corey, why haven't you and I spoken in 7 years? Corey lets out an awkward chuckle.

Will Friedle (65:45)

Corey Matthews, right? Corey Matthew Matthews.

Rider Strong (65:47)

Cornelius Matthews.

Danielle Fishel (65:48)

It says seven years. Yeah, he does the year 2000.

Rider Strong (65:52)

We were probably filming it in 99.

Will Friedle (65:54)

Yeah, it's supposed to be 99. Yeah, it was supposed to be 99.

Danielle Fishel (65:58)

Okay. Sean asks if they're happy and Topanga answers, yeah, we are. We have a very nice life. Shawn wonders with good friends. Cory and Topanga both shrug. Corey answers, they're okay. You. Sean responds, it's tough with all the traveling I do. There's a long pause between the three Until Corey pipes up yet again. Have you heard the one about the accountant and the penguin?

Will Friedle (66:21)

Can't wait to hear this joke, by the way. I want to hear this joke. What is it?

Danielle Fishel (66:24)

Why isn't that the tag?

Will Friedle (66:25)

I know.

Danielle Fishel (66:26)

Cory and Topanga watch Sean walk off just as Jack did, and they both seem pretty disappointed by it. Sean then walks right by Jack and they pause to look at each other. Sean admits it's been a long time. Jack emotionally responds, yeah, maybe we should keep it that way. Way. Sean nods. Yeah. Yeah, why don't we? Before they do walk away from each other.

Rider Strong (66:47)

Yeah.

Danielle Fishel (66:48)

What? What's their beef? You guys talked about the fact that you. As brothers.

Rider Strong (66:52)

Brothers. We can't.

Danielle Fishel (66:53)

You were forced to like him and he. There was. There was.

Will Friedle (66:58)

Not anymore, though. We're supposed to believe all of this stems from the fight we saw on camera. Camera, right.

Danielle Fishel (67:08)

Yeah. I guess if we go back to the manifesto, Lose one friend.

Rider Strong (67:14)

So we let Rachel.

Danielle Fishel (67:15)

Let Rachel go and we.

Will Friedle (67:17)

Everything breaks apart.

Danielle Fishel (67:18)

Then everything else slowly unravels.

Will Friedle (67:20)

Gotcha.

Danielle Fishel (67:21)

Maybe not even slowly. Just quickly unravels.

Will Friedle (67:24)

Yeah.

Rider Strong (67:24)

Okay.

Danielle Fishel (67:25)

Now, alone, Jack decides he's seen enough. So he sets down his drink and makes his way toward the door. As he walks out, he casually says hi to a. A Jesus of sorts, holding a walking stick. And ladies and gentlemen, we have Plays with Squirrels.

Will Friedle (67:43)

No idea what this character was going to become, how well turned into what it was.

Danielle Fishel (67:47)

Do you remember hearing the idea of Plays with Squirrels? No. What did you. Do you remember anything you contributed? Do you remember the lollipop? You did the law.

Will Friedle (67:56)

Okay, so I remember specifically the LOTSO2. Me and I've talked about this. There's a scene in Trading Places where Dan Aykroyd is dressed like Santa and at this point his life has fallen apart and he is on the bus and he's stolen a full salmon from a buffet. And he pulls it out of his jacket and he's eating it through his beard and like grabbing the hair and pulling it out as he's eating the salmon on the bus and everyone's staring at. And so this to me was. Pulling the lollipop out of the beard was my nod to Dan Aykroyd in Trading Places. So I remember doing it during run through. Like I had my regular street clothes on, but they gave me the beard and the hair for the run through. And I put the lollipop in and it got a big laugh. So the lollipop stayed in. That was the only thing I remember about this entire episode. We also plays with Squirrels is on screen for, like, six minutes, seven minutes. We had no idea what this was going to become. I mean, I've met so many people that have plays with squirrels tattoos. Lose one friend, lose all friends, lose yourself. I mean, this became iconic, for lack of a better word. And we just. We had no idea. We thought it was funny.

Danielle Fishel (69:03)

Absolutely.

Will Friedle (69:04)

I remember on the set, we were laughing hysterically, like, oh, my God, this is great. And all this, trying to hold it together with the lines. And it was. But I don't think any of us had any idea that it was gonna be.

Rider Strong (69:13)

It's the perfect Eric cartoon, if you think about it, because it's not smart, extreme, ridiculous, and yet full of heart.

Will Friedle (69:24)

Right?

Rider Strong (69:25)

It's like. It's all of the things and wisdom, surprising wisdom. It's like. It's like Eric encapsulated and made extreme. And the fact that it's a fantasy projection, you know, where he's married. It's just so perfect.

Danielle Fishel (69:37)

It's so well done.

Rider Strong (69:38)

Yes, it's well performed, but it's just such a great.

Danielle Fishel (69:42)

Yeah, it's to the performance element. For all of the wackiness they've had Eric do this season, in particular, the fact that you allow the costume to do the heavy lifting.

Will Friedle (69:56)

Yep, it did the work.

Danielle Fishel (69:58)

You are so grounded, and it just makes it so wonderful.

Will Friedle (70:04)

Yeah, it works.

Danielle Fishel (70:05)

It really does work.

Will Friedle (70:06)

Yeah, it definitely works. It was a ton of fun to do. The thing I always forget is the eyebrows. I forgot that Lori did my eyebrows, too. And there's just stuff sticking out, which. It's the tiny little details that make all the difference.

Danielle Fishel (70:19)

Wild eyebrows, House.

Will Friedle (70:20)

It actually works.

Danielle Fishel (70:22)

As Jack skirts by, Eric declares, fine, my son. The audience realizes what they're looking at and explodes for the new look. Eventually, Jack runs back into the building in disbelief. He stares at the bearded man. Eric. The prophet responds, no, not Eric. Not anymore. Jack nods. Huh? That's fine. Just fine. And he walks back out. But then. Then he walks right back in. Well, what is your name now? Eric announces, My name is Plays with Squirrels. The audience, again, loves it. Jack just shakes his head in expected shock. Perfect. You're even more insane. Plays With Squirrels wonders. Insane? If giving away all your worldly possessions, renouncing society, and learning how to purify and drink your own urine is insane. Well, yes. Color me insane.

Will Friedle (71:12)

Color me insane. Insane.

Danielle Fishel (71:13)

So funny. Jack only replies with, see you later, buddy. And then walks out the door. As he leaves, Eric stares into the distance and calmly declares, I have something for you.

Will Friedle (71:24)

And I remember Matt I remember Michael coming in to Matt and saying, put smush your face up against the glass like he was just standing there before. And he's like, just smush your face up against the glass for one take. Matt's like, all right. And then it got a howl. People loved it. Yeah.

Danielle Fishel (71:35)

So funny. And it's not a thing that Matt would have done on his own. You know what I mean? Like that is.

Rider Strong (71:41)

Is.

Danielle Fishel (71:41)

That is such a. Like someone has to give you that. If you're. Unless you're Will Fredell.

Will Friedle (71:53)

Summertime is here. And you know what that means.

Rider Strong (71:55)

Beach trips, Family vacations?

Will Friedle (71:58)

Nope. It means it's time to find your next obsession on prime video.

Danielle Fishel (72:01)

Oh yes, we do love a good obsession here. Especially when you could talk about for years and suggest to everyone you know,

Rider Strong (72:07)

steamy romance, addictive love stories and the book to screen favorites you've already read twice.

Danielle Fishel (72:13)

Because when a story hits, it really hits off campus.

Will Friedle (72:17)

L the love hypothesis and much, much more.

Rider Strong (72:20)

Slow burns, second chances chemistry. You can feel through the screen the

Danielle Fishel (72:24)

type of binge worthy shows and can't miss movies where you're fully invested, staying up all night just to finish it. Just one more. Oh, all right. One more. You know the feeling, the kind of

Will Friedle (72:34)

stories that pull you in and don't let go in the best way.

Rider Strong (72:38)

Your next obsession is waiting.

Danielle Fishel (72:40)

Watch only on Prime. You know that moment when your kid asks for your phone and you're already bracing yourself for whatever random video they'll disappear into? That's why I started handing them lingokids instead. It's still screen time, but not that kind of screen time. With lingokids, they're actually playing, singing, tapping, exploring stories they're learning without the need to complain about it. And I love that, that it's colorful, high energy and designed so kids stay curious instead of just turning into media zombies. They think they're getting a treat, but I know I'm giving them something special built just for them. Lingokids. Everything kids love. Download the Lingokids app now on your phone or tablet. It's free.

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Will Friedle (73:32)

my boy oh yeah.

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Rider Strong (74:11)

All right, important question. If you saw a sandwich on a deli menu called the Feeney what's on it?

Danielle Fishel (74:18)

Obviously something wise. I'm thinking Dietz and Watson Oven Classic turkey because it's classic, dependable, and it makes you feel like you should have studied harder before lunch.

Will Friedle (74:29)

I'm adding the Black Forest uncured ham smoked the old world way with cracked pepper and sea salt. And when the sandwich arrives, it has to yell Mr. Matthews at the table.

Danielle Fishel (74:38)

And Dietz and Watson does not cut corners. They've been handcrafting premium deli meats and artisan cheeses for over 85 years, just like Feeney had been with us since sixth grade.

Will Friedle (74:48)

They're family owned, always doing things the right way, even when it's the hard way.

Rider Strong (74:51)

They actually sent us some of their stuff. And I've been loving the flavored cheddar cheeses. Real New York state cheddar, small batch, super creamy. It's dangerous how fast it disappears.

Will Friedle (75:01)

In my house, I've been making breakfast with their chicken sausage. No antibiotics ever. No nitrates or nitrites added. It is so good, I'm thinking of opening a diner or something to just eat them there.

Danielle Fishel (75:11)

That's the whole point. They know good taste, doesn't need a long list of ingredients.

Rider Strong (75:16)

Simply made.

Danielle Fishel (75:17)

Simple as that.

Will Friedle (75:18)

Visit dietzandwatson.com the right way to learn more about the Dietz difference.

Danielle Fishel (75:30)

Not yet gone, Jack now presses his face up against the glass door in agony. He gives in and returns whining, I'm a wealthy man. I am a captain of industry.

Will Friedle (75:39)

Do you remember this? So all during the run throughs, for the first run through, he kept saying, I'm captain of an industry. I'm a wealthy man. I am captain of an industry. And we kept going, no, Matt, it's captain of industry. He's like, wait, what am I saying? He just that's captain of an industry. I am captain of an industry.

Danielle Fishel (76:01)

That's funny. What is this power you have over me? Plays with squirrel shrugs. I don't know. He hands Jack a gigantic book and tells him to read it. Jack asks what it is and he explains, it's me manifesto. I want to hear you say it. Will.

Will Friedle (76:14)

It's me manifesto. All of us hermits have one.

Danielle Fishel (76:17)

Oh, it's so good. Plays with squirrels, parts his beard and reveals A lollipop underneath. He licks it a few times before stuffing it back behind the beard hair. Jack tries to ignore what he just witnessed, turning his attention to the huge book. He reads the title, the Secret of Life by Plays with Squirrels. Jack announces to the entire party, okay, everybody, I've got the secret of life here, if you want to know. Everyone looks at him very confused, especially Corey, Topanga and Feeny. Then, in classic Eric fashion, even Blaze with Squirrels can't hold it in. And then he does the Feeny call.

Will Friedle (76:52)

Feeny, I just did.

Rider Strong (76:55)

Oh my God.

Will Friedle (76:59)

I just did it. That might be my favorite one, by the way.

Danielle Fishel (77:02)

It's so good when you evolve into coffee.

Will Friedle (77:04)

Yeah. And it's just. And it's just that first, like, you could tell his eyes have gone a little bit. Like he's squinting to see if it's actually him.

Danielle Fishel (77:11)

Yeah.

Will Friedle (77:12)

And then what it is. He reverts right back to Eric, which is one of my favorite things in the world. And it's like, oh, I can't do it anymore.

Danielle Fishel (77:18)

So cute. And then mid Feeny call, he starts to cough uncontrollably and admits, I can't do it anymore. Feeny approaches in horror. Mr. Matthews. He corrects him. Mr. Squirrels? Corey asks Eric. And he corrects him. Plays with. With that. Feeny half heartedly announces that the party is over and he'll see all of them at his funeral.

Will Friedle (77:38)

Now, why haven't Corey and Eric seen each other exactly?

Danielle Fishel (77:41)

What?

Will Friedle (77:41)

Like, none of it makes any. It just does. It's. It's a funny bit.

Rider Strong (77:45)

Eric's been a hurt it for.

Danielle Fishel (77:46)

Yeah, right. But why? He's not seeing his brother.

Will Friedle (77:49)

And it's like. Yeah, it's. It's very strange. It's just. It's funny as hell and I'm so glad it happened, but it. It's not motivated by anything.

Danielle Fishel (77:58)

Yeah. Eric responds. No, no, no, no, no, no, no. Where's Angela? Sean explains. She was here. She left.

Will Friedle (78:05)

Eric, get her out of the scene.

Danielle Fishel (78:06)

Too painful to be in the same room with the man she should have married. Oh, Shawn's taken A.B.

Rider Strong (78:11)

back.

Danielle Fishel (78:12)

What? Corey whispers to Topanga. Don't tell him that we have a daughter. Immediately, Eric's eyebrows raise. I have a niche. Feeny corrects him. Niece. Eric repeats niece. Then he glances at Cory and Topanga, gesturing that Feeny's on the sauce. Then Eric asks about Rachel. Corey doesn't know. Shawn asks if anyone knows what happened to her. And on cue, a woman responds with a Texas accent and arrives. I heard she Moved to Texas. Texas? She has an accent.

Rider Strong (78:44)

For some reason, she has an accent for at least this one line, right?

Will Friedle (78:48)

What are y' all doing? Like, wait, what?

Rider Strong (78:51)

Someone say Texas?

Will Friedle (78:53)

You've been there for six years. You live in Philly. Like, what the hell happened?

Danielle Fishel (78:57)

It's Rachel dressed as a cowgirl with extra teased hair. They are all shocked at her transformation, and she tells them, I wanted to see if there's anything between me and my old boyfriend. Jack's shocked. You mean the one you broke up with when you moved here? Rachel sneers, yep, that's the one. Jack asks if there was anything left, and she unenthusiastically responds, a little, I married him. Cory and Topanga are impressed. Topanga asks if they have any kids, and Rachel responds, yeah, two little ones. Little Corey and little Topanga. They both take it as a compliment. Really? Rachel rolls her eyes, no. Are you joking? Corey laughs it off. Well, married life is great, isn't it? Suddenly, Rachel drops the country accent. We're divorced. Sean asks what happened and she scowls. He parked in my spot. That's what she said.

Will Friedle (79:49)

And do you see that you and Ben are basically. Every time you're looking at each other, you're just laughing.

Danielle Fishel (79:53)

Really? I didn't.

Will Friedle (79:54)

Oh, God. Yeah, you go. Go back and watch, you guys. And then Ryder's trying not to laugh, and we're all just trying to hold it together.

Rider Strong (80:00)

Oh, God.

Danielle Fishel (80:02)

Everyone is silent before she starts laughing. It was a joke. And they all join in with forced laughter of their own.

Will Friedle (80:08)

And did you hear Ben? He's off camera.

Rider Strong (80:10)

He goes that.

Will Friedle (80:12)

It's the great. Go back and listen.

Rider Strong (80:14)

He just.

Will Friedle (80:15)

You just hear him go.

Rider Strong (80:16)

That's his laugh. It's the best.

Will Friedle (80:19)

It is such a fake, forced. I have to laugh. It is the best moment of the show. It's just hearing him do that.

Danielle Fishel (80:27)

Rachel admits, yeah, well, I've been watching y', all, and I just can't believe that none of you are friends anymore. I thought you guys would be together forever. Jack admits, yeah, but since that argument we had in the classroom, Rachel is shocked. Wait a minute. Over me? Did we have a fight over her?

Rider Strong (80:46)

We let her go.

Will Friedle (80:47)

She started it. I guess, technically. But again, the revenge porn doesn't come into play at all.

Danielle Fishel (80:53)

Jack guesses, I guess it had something to do with that. Rachel can't believe it. Wait a second. You didn't all make up after I left and live happily ever after after? Corey shrugs. Well, our marriage counselor says, we're doing fine. Topanga yells at him through Gritted teeth.

Will Friedle (81:07)

Quiet.

Danielle Fishel (81:08)

Rachel sighs.

Will Friedle (81:09)

Wow.

Danielle Fishel (81:09)

I thought nothing could keep you guys apart. Sean agrees, neither did I. But I guess something did. Corey nods. I guess we just weren't as strong as we thought we were. Topanga adds, or as smart as we thought. Unprompted plays with Squirrels announces, I married a moose. Just so funny.

Will Friedle (81:27)

Great moment.

Danielle Fishel (81:27)

He shows off a picture of his apparent wife slash livestock. They all stare at the picture.

Will Friedle (81:33)

Everyone's leaning in. Like Ryder, like you leaning in. And Matt leaning in. It's just like, I have to see. This was just great.

Danielle Fishel (81:39)

Eric proudly adds, we don't need counseling. Feeny Prize. So, Mr. Squirrels, you've written something there, have you? He excitedly responds, oh, yes. I've been by myself for the past seven years. I've put together a compendium of all my knowledge. Everything I know is in me manifesto. He tells Jack to read it, and Corey points out that it's like 3,000 pages long. Long, Jack confirms. 3,000 blank pages. Only the first one has writing on it. Topanga asks what it says, and Jack reads it. Lose one friend, lose all friends, Lose yourself. They're all silent as the world. Words sink in. Shawn wonders, why are all the other pages blank? The philosopher admits nothing else seemed important. They all sadly glance at one another and Feeny tells Eric, you were always my most interesting student, Mr. Squirrel. Corey admits, I wish we had known those words of wisdom. Then Topanga asks, do you think we would have listened? Sean is now staring outside. He whispers to himself, I blew it.

Will Friedle (82:40)

I let it go.

Danielle Fishel (82:42)

Corey is focused on Topanga's question. Well, I don't know. But I guess we'll never know now, huh? Then rippling water appears across the screen to signal we're coming out of a dream sequence of sorts of we didn't

Will Friedle (82:56)

have it going in.

Danielle Fishel (82:58)

And we're back in Feeny's classroom, present day. Eric has just pointed out that Rachel left and wonders why nobody wrote anything down. Now he quickly runs out of the room and grabs Rachel. He lifts her up over his shoulder and drags her back into the room. Despite her protests, he slams her onto the floor and straddles her. Look, if there's bad feelings here, then we need to work them out, because that's what friends should do. Eric tells Rachel that he wrote something down. He grabs the piece of paper and begs her to read it. Before going anywhere, she reads it aloud. Lose one friend, lose all friends, lose yourself. Corey insists, we're not going to lose our friends. He glances around the room and nervously asks, are we Eric insists we might. What if Mr. Feeny's right? What if we don't fix this? What if this is the last time that we're all together? Is that a chance you're all willing to take? They sit in silence again, now processing Eric's words. Finally, Angela stands up. Rachel, you're my roommate and I care about you. Rachel asks, you do. And then they hug it out. Eric joins in on the hug, since he's still straddling Rachel. Jack jumps up next. Rachel, just because we're not in love anymore doesn't mean I want to lose you as a friend. I don't want to lose any of you guys. He is now atop the straddling mountain of making up Topanga. Now she admits, I just wanted so badly to be a part of that team, but I guess I never will be. I give up. She lays on the floor next to Rachel, joining in on the growing pyramid.

Rider Strong (84:25)

None of these make any sense. It's like a.

Will Friedle (84:27)

Make perfect sense, Ryder.

Rider Strong (84:29)

It's just like, random line to get me on the floor.

Danielle Fishel (84:33)

Yep.

Rider Strong (84:33)

Random other line that makes sense of

Will Friedle (84:36)

why I walk in. We both like ice cream.

Rider Strong (84:39)

You're my friend, stupid.

Will Friedle (84:40)

It is. It is. Yep, it is.

Danielle Fishel (84:42)

It's Sean's turn. Topanga, don't give up. Come on, you're his wife. I'm just his best friend. You should be with him all the time. Topanga repeats all the time, like, so if you weren't around, I would be with Corey all the time. Sean admits, yeah, till death do you part, right? That's what you wanted, isn't it? Topanga grabs his legs and forces him into the hug. You are very important in my life, Sean. Corey asks. So you guys got room for me? Topanga tells him. They've got the perfect spot. Sean points out, right between me and the wife. And then he joins in on the dog pile. Corey looks up at Feeny. You're up. They all start to chant, feeny, Feeny, Feeny. But he just shouts back, class dismissed. He's not joining in this madness. But now, determined, the group yells, get him. They rush him, and he tries to escape by jumping onto his desk, but they manage to still give him a bear hug regardless. And shall we share the blooper moment?

Will Friedle (85:44)

Oh, yeah.

Danielle Fishel (85:45)

We have season seven. That happened right after this. They just cut it short.

Will Friedle (85:49)

Well, no, I think it was a different take. Yeah.

Danielle Fishel (85:52)

Really?

Will Friedle (85:52)

Yeah, because I don't even come over this time. And we're all there when it happens. Yeah. So, yeah.

Rider Strong (85:59)

So we have an outtake. Where we all jumped on the desk to hug Feeny and the desk just broke.

Danielle Fishel (86:06)

Broke, collapses with Bill on it.

Will Friedle (86:10)

On the desk. Yep.

Rider Strong (86:12)

And we're all shocked and like.

Danielle Fishel (86:14)

And Bill starts laughing. He's like.

Rider Strong (86:16)

He's just like, can't believe it happened. Oh, yeah. So fun.

Danielle Fishel (86:20)

Very funny. And then there's no tag, which, you know, they could have played the blooper.

Will Friedle (86:25)

Yeah. Or plays with squirrels. How do you not have a plays with squirrels tag?

Danielle Fishel (86:28)

Plays with squirrels tag.

Will Friedle (86:29)

Yeah.

Danielle Fishel (86:30)

Crazy.

Will Friedle (86:31)

Yeah.

Danielle Fishel (86:31)

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 podmeetsworldshowmail.com and we've got merch.

Will Friedle (86:43)

Lose one merch, lose all merch, lose yourself merch.

Danielle Fishel (86:48)

Pod meets worldshow.com Please join us for our next episode recap which will be season seven, episode 17. She's having giving my baby back ribs.

Will Friedle (86:59)

Well, we've, we've arrived for the love of God.

Danielle Fishel (87:02)

And it originally aired March 3, 2000. So we took a couple of weeks off. We did a back to back week on February 11th and then we had a couple of weeks off. So yeah, can't wait.

Will Friedle (87:15)

That'll be fun to recap into that one.

Danielle Fishel (87:19)

Will send us out.

Will Friedle (87:21)

We love you all. Podcast dismissed. Pod Meets World is an iHeart podcast produced and hosted by Danielle Fishel, Will Friedle 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 and you can follow us on Instagram @podmeatsworldshow or email us at Podmeats Worldshow.

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Danielle Fishel (88:16)

That's

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Rider Strong (88:36)

Alright, important question. If you saw a sandwich on a deli menu called called the Feeney, what's on it.

Danielle Fishel (88:43)

Well, obviously something wise. Maybe Dietz and Watson Oven Classic turkey because it's classic, dependable and somehow still teaching you lessons.

Will Friedle (88:53)

Oh, I'm adding the Black Forest uncured ham smoked the old World way with cracked pepper and sea salt because Feeney would never cut corners.

Danielle Fishel (89:00)

Neither does Dietz and Watson. They've been handcrafting premium deli meats and artisan cheeses for over 85 years. Family owned, doing things the right way even when it's the hard way.

Rider Strong (89:11)

They sent us some of their stuff and I have been crushing the flavored cheddar cheeses. Real New York State Cheddar small batch, super creamy.

Will Friedle (89:19)

And I've been making breakfast with their chicken sausage. No antibiotics ever, no nitrates or nitrites added. It's just really good.

Danielle Fishel (89:27)

Simply made. Simple as that.

Rider Strong (89:29)

Visit dietzandwatson.com the right way to learn more about the Dietzsche Difference if you're

Danielle Fishel (89:35)

like me and have kids between the ages of 2 and 8, you know that not all apps are Created equal. My 4 and 6 year old will just explore like little screen time Magellans clicking any and every button until I've received 10 notices of apps and in game coins they're trying to buy. In reality. I just want something that still gets them excited but also has them using their brains. And that is why I love Lingok kids. It's an absolute blast and perfect to keep them engaged and thinking. It's a world of interactive games, music they'll want to sing along to, and stories that spark their imagination. It's high energy, vibrant and it keeps them actively playing rather than just zoning out and ignoring my pleas to come to dinner. Whether it's a rainy afternoon or a weekend morning, it's the fun they're looking for and the quality you want. Lingokids Everything kids love. See why millions of families love it. Download the Lingokids app on your phone or tablet now for free.

Will Friedle (90:36)

Okay, quick question. How long is too long to leave laundry in the washer?

Danielle Fishel (90:40)

If it smells like a haunted swamp, you've crossed the line.

Rider Strong (90:44)

Relax. That's what Arm and Hammer Deep Clean is for.

Danielle Fishel (90:47)

It's the powerful shortcut that forgives your laundry shortcuts.

Will Friedle (90:50)

Forgot a load? Mixed your sweaty gym clothes with everything you own.

Rider Strong (90:53)

No judgment. Deep Clean is strong enough to handle real life stinks and stains.

Will Friedle (90:58)

Because it's just laundry, you shouldn't stress over it.

Danielle Fishel (91:01)

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This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.