Netflix has a new original series: The Baby-sitters Club! The first season covers the first eight books plus a sort of adaptation of of the second super special, Baby-sitters Summer Vacation. AND...it's set in the present day (2019/2020), updated accordingly, and much more diverse. The plots are broadly the same as the original books, although here the wedding isn't rushed and was always going to at the Brewer house, so there's no big day camp. The focus instead is on how the Brewers and Thomases will blend together as a new family. Here are some things that I noticed:
What stood out as surprisingly (not necessarily good or bad) different to me:
Rather than the Junk Bucket, Charlie has been saving up for a used car, but Watson supplements the money with enough to buy a BMW SUV (without first discussing it with Elizabeth...). Watson also buys Kristy a new bridesmaid dress, blue instead of yellow, when he sees that she's dissatisfied with the original choice. These spark some bad feelings between Kristy and her mom over money and the marriage in general, but they work things out.
Kristy gets her first period during the wedding reception. The other girls have already had their menarche and help her through it.
Andrew joins David Michael in being a ring bearer. And I just noticed that Karen doesn't wear glasses, but Andrew does.
Aunt Esme performs the ceremony. (Which begs the question...how did Karen not know "Morbidda Destiny" was going to be at the wedding? Was there no rehearsal, no meetings with the next-door neighbor, nothing?)
What I was happy stayed the same:
Kristy and Mary Anne have one last flashlight conversation through their facing windows before Kristy moves.
I like the subtle touch of Kristy and Karen having flower circlets for their hair.
Other interesting touches:
Karen's middle name is Amaryllis. She also comments on David Michael Thomas having three first names.
Claudia appears to be learning about Japanese culture. She knows about sushi customs and wears a kimono-inspired dress to the wedding.
Sharon mentions having gone to a quinceanera for one of Dawn's cousins.
Mary Anne's dad is so nervous that he tells Mary Anne, "I need a drink. Do you want one? ...of course not..."
Richard takes charge when Sharon eats something she's allergic to (I think Sharon is too scatter-brained here--being late to a wedding is one thing, but loudly announcing your arrival as the bride is about to walk down the aisle?). Dawn was about to rush Sharon to the car for her epi-pen, but Richard steps in and lets Dawn be a kid.
Mary Anne, ever responsible, has emergency period supplies with her.
3 comments:
Karen didn't get glasses until later in the books, I used to read the Little Sister books and there was a whole big deal about it as it was coming up to school picture day.
If you don't mind me stepping on your toes a bit, I started blog comparing graphix and netflix series to original series. https://bscbooksgraphixtv.blogspot.com/
I am excited for season 2 to come out even though no word of release date yet!
Ah right, I forgot how the timeline in the Little Sister books matched up to the BSC books. Did Andrew ever have glasses?
I don't think Andrew ever had glasses, so maybe just the actor that is playing him needs them.
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