Movie Info:
Writer: Various
Director: Various
Cast: Tracy Grandstaff, Wendy Hoopes, Julián Rebolledo, John Lynn, Janie Mertz, Marc Thompson, Ashley Albert, Jessica Cydnee Jackson, Sarah Drew, Alvaro J. Gonzalez, Nora Laudani, Geoffrey Arend, Paul Williams, Amir Williams
Rating: N/A
Studio: MTV/Paramount
Release Info:
Episodes Original Air Date: March 3, 1997-
DVD Release Date: May 11, 2010
Online Availability: Amazon for $44.99
We love Daria. No, scratch that. we worship her. That sounds so odd, considering she is a cartoon character, but in a way it’s true. It’s not that we worship her in a weird way or anything. We think it’s more that we relate to her. Ash is the sarcastic one in the group. She stands out in the crowd because she always has a comment and while we know plenty of Quinn’s, we don’t think either of us will ever relate to one of them. Furthermore, on many days we think the world would be a better place without them.
Daria is fun because she captures teenage angst so well. All of the teenage characters are representative of one of the cliques or groups that went to any normal school. There is the “mean girl” fashion club, the dense cheerleaders, the idiotic football players, the artsy kids, the geeks, and the list goes on. The parents and teachers are all dysfunctional and easy to laugh at, especially if you’re looking at them through the eyes of an oppressed teenager.
Like most diehard Daria fans, we have been waiting for a set like this for a long time. We are pretty sure that we have seen nearly every episode in the lineup, but since it is one of our most missed shows we needed to have these on DVD. The fact that this review set actually showed up on Ash’s birthday was just icing on the cake! This is all of Daria that was ever made. We’re talking the pilot, all seasons, two movies, and quite a few special features. You even get the spinoff script for Mystik Spiral.
Fans will need to realize that the set is nearly complete in the fact that everything is exactly the same as when it aired on television. The only difference we noticed is that all of the big name music is gone from the episodes. The facts are that if they had tried to license all of the music that was used, these DVDs would not be here. Sure, we would love to have the complete episodes as they once aired on television, but we’re more than understanding about changing the music if it means we finally get Daria whenever we want her.
The important thing is that this is Daria in all the series’ glory. Fans will be able to enjoy all the episodes and the special features in a quality that is more than watchable and that sounds good. Any worries we had about this series quickly melted away when we heard the comforting “La La La La La” of the opening theme song. Fans NEED this set. If you’re not a fan you need to check this out. It won’t take long for you to become one.
Episode Synopsis’
There are five seasons worth of episodes split up in this 8-Disc set. Here is a list of the episodes included, by season.
SEASON ONE
“Esteemsters”
Original Air Date: March 3, 1997
The Morgendorffer family moves away from Highland (and leave behind Highland High – the school of Beavis and Butthead) to the city of Lawndale. Daria and her younger sister, Quinn, are enrolled at Lawndale High. While Quinn quickly becomes popular, and a member of a clique known as the Fashion Club, Daria remains an outcast, finding solace only in the knowledge that there is another, cynical teen like her in Lawndale. Daria meets Jane Lane, a sarcastic artist when she’s forced to go to Mr. O’Neill’s self-esteem class, and thus begins a beautiful friendship.
“The Invitation”
Original Air Date: March 10, 1997
Brainless cheerleader, Brittany, invites Daria to her party after Daria helps her out in Art class, much to Quinn’s chagrin. Jane decides to go with her, and the two are followed around by Upchuck.
“College Bored”
Original Air Date: March 17, 1997
The students of Lawndale High are expected to visit a college they want to attend. Jake and Helen convince Daria and Quinn to visit their alma mater, Middleton College. While there, Jake realizes he’s old, Daria gets a job writing papers for college students, and Quinn becomes the keg queen.
“Café Disaffecto”
Original Air Date: March 24, 1997
When the Lawndale Cyber Cafe is the victim of a burglary, Mr. O’Neill has his students go door to door selling things to bring the cafe back. Daria gets in trouble for refusing to sell chocolates to a very fat woman and Quinn excels at door to door selling.
“Malled”
Original Air Date: March 31, 1997
Jake and Helen forbid Daria and Quinn from going to the new Mall of the Millennium. Daria must break this rule for a class field trip to the mall, where Daria and her peers learn about economics. There, Daria finds Quinn and the rest of the Fashion Club skipping school.
“This Year’s Model”
Original Air Date: April 7, 1997
Daria is not fooled by a modeling agency that comes to Lawndale High to prey on the young girls who wish to be models. Quinn and Brittany both vie for a chance to be models, but in the end, they pick Kevin Thompson, head QB, and Brittany’s dumb boyfriend.
“The Lab Brat”
Original Air Date: April 14, 1997
Ms. Barch, a feminist science teacher who loves to bash males, pairs Kevin and Daria and Brittany and Upchuck together for their science experiments. Kevin is more interested in watching sports at the Morgendorffers. Jealous by how enthused Kevin is to go to Daria’s house, Brittany becomes suspicious of Kevin’s relationship with Daria.
“Pinch Sitter”
Original Air Date: June 9, 1997
When Quinn double books a babysitting job and a date, she goes to Daria for assistance. Daria accepts cash to babysit two children whose parents shelter them and are so conservative they cannot watch television. This drives Daria crazy until Jane comes over to help her.
“Too Cute”
Original Air Date: June 16, 1997
After another Lawndale student gets a nose job and becomes popular, Quinn decides she needs plastic surgery, too. Ms. Barch has Kevin dress up in ugly makeup and clothing to discover how people react to ugliness.
“The Big House”
Original Air Date: June 30, 1997
Both Daria and Quinn are late coming home and break their curfew. To punish them Helen and Jake decide to have a family court in the living room with Jake as the judge. Judge Jake decides to ground the two at a time when Daria needs to get out to go watch Mr. DeMartino take on Rock N Roll DJs in roller hockey. DeMartino had a heart attack on the court during the last roller hockey game and students are betting on when he’ll have the next one.
“Road Worrier”
Original Air Date: July 7, 1997
The boys of Mystik Spiral, Trent and Jessie, take Jane and Daria in a beat up van to Alternapalooza. Unfortunately, Daria, who has a crush on Trent, is embarrassed when she sits on an old Peanut Butter sandwich, gets stung by a bee, and has to pee in bushes on the side of the road. Quinn and the Fashion Club are going to the festival, too, but they get sidetracked by outlet shopping.
“The Teachings of Don Jake”
Original Air Date: July 14, 1997
Jake is so stressed about everything. He ends up bursting a blood vessel in his eye. The doctor recommends he find a way to relax, so he takes the family out in the woods camping. When Jake, Helen and Quinn eat bad berries, it’s up to Daria to save the day. In the meantime, Jane and Trent head off to a dysfunctional family reunion.
“The Misery Chick”
Original Air Date: July 21, 1997
When former Lawndale High football hero, Tommy Sherman, is being honored with a special breaking goal post, he shows up at school acting like a jerk to everyone. When he dies in a fluke accident after Daria wishes him ill will, Jane stops hanging out with her. Everyone else turns to Daria, “The Misery Chick” for advice, especially Kevin who saw Tommy as a hero.
SEASON TWO
“Arts ‘N’ Crass”
Original Air Date: February 16, 1998
Daria must explain Jane’s poster, which features a beautiful girl with a message discussing her bulimia. Ms. Li and Mr. O’Neill want to enter it in a competition, but they want to change the message on it. When both girls refuse, Ms. Li forces them to change it. Jake is upset he lost a client and searches for a new one fervently.
“The Daria Hunter”
Original Air Date: February 23, 1998
Lawndale High’s latest field trip is to a paintball park. Quinn accidentally breaks the Fashion Club’s rule to not shoot one another. Daria and Jane escape the park and go to see an exhibit on great white sharks. Helen and Jake go as chaperones. Jake gets drunk with Mr DeMartino, Mr. O’Neill finds a love connection with excessively feminist Ms. Barch and Ms. Li has it out with Helen over Daria.
“Quinn the Brain”
Original Air Date: March 2, 1998
When Quinn gets a good grade on an English paper she wrote, it goes to her head. Now deemed a brain, people go to Quinn for advice on how to be smart. With Quinn the new genius, Daria, the truly smart one, gets left in the dust.
“I Don’t”
Original Air Date: March 9, 1998
Disaster strikes when Helen finds out her mom paid for her niece, Erin’s wedding. Daria and Quinn are bridesmaids, but the dress looks odd on Daria. With Helen fighting with her sister, Rita, Daria finds escape with her Aunt Amy, who is much like Daria. Jake is mad he can’t go and play golf, while a groomsman and the minister fight over Quinn. Back in Lawndale, the school is having a bridal show and Jodie and Brittany are modeling. Kevin and Mack show up to support them, but they are mistaken as a couple.
“That Was Then, This Is Dumb”
Original Air Date: March 16, 1998
When Jake and Helen’s friends Willow and Coyote visit, Daria heads to Jane’s for the weekend. The two sell records at a fair, while Quinn gets to know, Ethan, Willow and Coyote’s son. With Jake and Helen growing up, they seem to have a lot less in common with their hippie friends.
“Monster”
Original Air Date: March 23, 1998
When Daria is assigned a school film project, Jane and Daria decide to film Quinn’s life. The film reveals just how shallow Quinn is, but Helen makes Daria feel bad for showing Quinn in such a bad light. When Jake’s childhood film reels are transferred to video, he remembers why he had such a troubled childhood.
“The New Kid”
Original Air Date: March 30, 1998
Ted, a odd kid, who has been homeschooled his whole life, has come to Lawndale High. Daria joins yearbook to have an extra curricular and she and Ted work to make the yearbook better. Unfortunately, this involves cutting school sports and club pictures. Quinn tries to bribe Daria to change her mind. Jake wonders if Ted is making Daria join a cult.
“Gifted”
Original Air Date: June 29, 1998
When Helen and Jake take Daria to a private school that is invitation-only for exceptionally bright students, they make fools of themselves in front of Jodie’s parents. Jodie tries to befriend the kids of the school who are smug jerks with social problems, while Daria takes a cynical look at them and the school. Quinn, unable to stay home alone, can’t put up with the Fashion Club members she stays with, so she ends up staying at Jane’s house.
“Ill”
Original Air Date: July 6, 1998
While at a club with Jane and Trent, Daria must escape when she develops a rash all over her body. After the rash comes back while at school, Daria is put in the hospital for tests. This leads the Lawndale High students to question what happened to Daria.
“Fair Enough”
Original Air Date: July 13, 1998
When the library roof crashes in, the school hosts a Medieval fair. Brittany is jealous when Quinn and Kevin are cast together in the school play, which will debut during the fair. With Brittany trying to keep Kevin away from the school, the Fashion Club plots to ruin Quinn’s performance, a reflection of Jake’s own performance history. In the meantime, Jodie gets stuck in a kissing booth and Daria and Jane get stuck on the Ferris Wheel with an overly-emotional Stacey.
“See Jane Run”
Original Air Date: July 20, 1998
When Jane and Daria refuse to participate in gym/cheerleading practice, the gym teacher labels Jane unmotivated. Jane decides to join the track team, because she likes to run. She’s also very good at it and leads the track team to victory. Daria is jealous, which is further complicated by her anger at Jane taking advantage of special privileges athletes in the school get. Quinn buys a pair of shoes that are too tight, but make her look good.
“Pierce Me”
Original Air Date: July 27, 1998
Trent and Daria go shopping for Jane’s birthday. Daria decides to get a belly button ring at Trent’s urging. Lawndale High hosts a mother-daughter modeling event and Helen and Quinn are selected to be a part of the show.
“Write Where it Hurts”
Original Air Date: August 3, 1998
Daria is asked by Mr. O’Neill to write a moral fiction story since she’s already read all the books on the list he assigns the class. However, Daria is unable to complete the assignment. Eventually, Helen gives her some advice that helps Daria get through her writer’s block.
SEASON THREE
“Daria!”
Original Air Date: February 17, 1999
The Lawndale High crew perform seven different songs (with dance numbers) as the town prepares for some severe weather.
“Through a Lens Darkly”
Original Air Date: February 24, 1999
Daria tries out contact lens when she goes to take her driving test. This makes her look a lot better, but it is painful for Daria to wear the contacts. She must struggle between her change in appearance and going back to glasses that are more comfortable to wear.
“The Old and the Beautiful”
Original Air Date: March 3, 1999
Daria, Kevin and Brittany volunteer at a Senior Citizens facility. The old people love Kevin and Brittany, but find Daria depressing. Daria is sad by this, until she is matched up with someone who doesn’t care how dark she sounds. Quinn and the Fashion Club contribute by collecting clothes for the homeless, but they will only take items that are fashionable.
“Depth Takes a Holiday”
Original Air Date: March 10, 1999
This is a fantasy episode where Daria and Jane must help St. Patrick’s Day and Valentine’s Day find Halloween, Christmas and Guy Fawkes Day, who have disappeared from Holiday Island. The two are shocked to discover that the three have formed a band with Trent.
“Daria Dance Party”
Original Air Date: March 17, 1999
Sandi makes Quinn volunteer to organize the upcoming school dance. Unable to do the job, Quinn gets Jane to help. Jane takes over and organizes the most awesome dance; a tribute to Jackson Pollack. When the dance is successful Quinn gets all the credit. Jane and Daria meet two boys at the dance and all seems to be going well until family matters get in the way.
“The Lost Girls”
Original Air Date: March 24, 1999
Daria’s essay is sent to a teen magazine by Mr. O’Neill. Impressed by the essay, the magazine editor, Val, decides to come to Lawndale to hang with Daria. Unfortunately, Val is in her 30s, but she tries hard to look, sound and act like a teen, much to Daria’s chagrin.
“It Happened One Nut”
Original Air Date: July 7, 1999
Daria gets a job working at the mall’s nut stand with Kevin. Kevin can’t do his job and Daria’s boss docks her paycheck for not smiling while working. Quinn is also working at the mall, in the pet shop, but the job is ruined for her when she is expected to work with pets that aren’t cute.
“Lane Miserables”
Original Air Date: July 14, 1999
The Lane siblings and Trent and Jane’s dad move back into the house, which makes it impossible for Jane and Trent to find their artistic mojo. The two move into Daria’s temporarily, where Daria is forced to see Trent, her crush and come to terms with her feelings for him.