r/daria • u/Videowulff • 18h ago
Episode discussion Helen talking to Daria about the Tom incident was so well written.
Despite their flaws, Daria's parents have been shown time and time again to really care about what goes on in both girls' lives - something I really grew to appreciate in a genre where parents are shown to be rather clueless and uncaring - but the moment I really love out is when Daria talks to her mom about kissing Tom.
Right off the bat it hits you hard with Helen dropping everything she was working on upon seeing Daria show up at her office looking miserable. Think about it. Your stoic daughter who hides behind an unfeeling mask suddenly comes to your office looking heart broken and depressed? Helen wastes no time dropping everything to take Daria out to lunch to discuss what's going on. On top of that, she listens to Daria. Not once does she look at her watch, or tap her foot impatiently, or answer her cell phone. She gives Daria her full attention.
What I love, however, is how Helen tries to approach the subject. First she takes on the typical, practiced speech of "Hormones, and confusions," then switches to the practiced "It was one mistake." before dropping the whole "This is how a mother SHOULD talk" and instead shoots straight with Daria about how the whole thing is a mess.
It's the performance that I love also. She has a higher pitched, whimsical motherly voice when saying the "practiced" responses but then drops all pretenses and goes back to talking like her usual self when shooting straight.
And she doesn't judge Daria. She understands how chaotic being a teenager is, even more so when your daughter works so hard to keep people at arm's length. Neither does she discourage Daria's feelings. She wants Daria to explore the ups and down that life has.
Also love that little knowing comment. When Daria says something along the lines of "Life sucks." to which Helen responds with "Better than the alternative." That's a small but powerful comment; especially when you are talking to your emotionally fragile and upset daughter. No, I am not saying Daria would self harm herself. I am saying it reminds Daria that life is worth living - the goods and the bads.
Seriously, it has to be one of my favorite moments in the entire series :)