Dispelling The Felicity Sophomore Slump Myth: The Show's Polarizing 2nd Season Was Actually Its Best — And We Have The Receipts To Prove It

With network shows wrapping early and endless streaming options at our disposal, the communal viewing experience is becoming a rarity. Enter the TVLine Binge Club, a new opportunity for everyone to get back on the same page — or at least the same channel — to reflect on classic shows that once brought us all together.

Let's get this out of the way right out of the gate: Felicity's ratings did not plummet in Season 2 because Keri Russell cut her freakin' hair. It's an attention-getting (read: lazy) headline and a fun piece of TV trivia, but it's not true. Felicity's viewership plunged because someone at The WB thought it'd be a swell idea to move the show from Tuesdays, one of the network's highest-rated nights, to Sundays, the net's worst-performing evening by a mile. As a matter of proven fact, the series' ratings downturn was already well underway when Russell's titular character debuted her new 'do in Season 2's third episode. One had absolutely nothing to do with the other.

Among the unfortunate byproducts of this false narrative's 20-year propagation was that it overshadowed the season's real headline: Felicity Season 2 was a masterpiece. Series creators J.J. Abrams and Matt Reeves followed up the show's breakout, Golden Globe-winning freshman year with a superior sophomore run. (Disclosure: I am developing a TV series with Abrams' Bad Robot and HBO Max about my childhood.) Not only did Year 2 feature Russell's strongest work on the series, but it yielded many of the show's most memorable episodes — so memorable that it was almost impossible to limit TVLine's Binge Club assignment to just five (which is why I cheated and went with six-plus).

SOPHOMORIC" (S2, E1) | Fans waited four months to find out if Felicity chose Ben or Noel, so what's another 12 minutes? That's roughly how long Abrams (who penned the episode) teased out the cliffhanger's resolution in this ingeniously structured hour that found Felicity slowly, agonizingly recapping her summer to Sally and a hilariously impatient Javier. When we finally learn that she chose Ben (woo-hoo!), and that the pair are officially a couple, the reveal — which is sealed with a literal kiss — is as satisfying as it is swoon-worthy. And Russell perfectly captures Felicity's bliss. "I can't believe I used to hope I'd just run into him," she gushes to Sally. "And now here we are kissing in the backroom and making plans."

Her dream fairytale ending quickly devolves into a nightmare when she begins to assess the collateral damage her decision wrought — and this is when "Sophomoric" goes from great to utterly superb. The heretofore optimistic, romantic hour takes a foreboding turn, giving rise to a string of scenes that are alternately heartbreaking, darkly hilarious and downright vicious. The interplay between Russell and Scott Foley's bitter, scornful Noel is particularly brutal. Sample dialogue: "I was a little annoyed at first wondering what positions you guys were in... whether he was on top or you were on top." When all three members of the triangle have a run-in later in the episode, the wickedly crafted insults fly so fast and furious one can barely keep up. The tension inevitably begins to take its toll on the newly-minted super couple, leading Ben to invade Felicity's privacy by covertly listening to her latest recorded message to Sally (in which she suggested she might be falling in love with him). And with that, the season's audaciously dark turn officially takes root.

Other observations from "Sophomoric":

* The original opening title sequence never fails to emotionally trigger me, in all the best ways. Felicity debuted not long after I graduated college and while I was in the midst of navigating my first serious romantic relationship (and subsequent breakup).

* Amanda Foreman and Russell give a master class in comic timing in the scene where Meghan humiliates Felicity during their first meeting as co-RAs.

* Michael Pena makes his debut as Felicity-crushing Burky, and I totally forgot he was on the show!

* I also had forgotten that Felicity and Ben did not consummate their relationship right away. That'd be downright scandalous in today's young adult TV sphere.

* The episode reminded me how refreshingly quiet and meditative the show is. The characters rarely scream and dialogue is given room to breathe. It is the perfect tonic for these scary, uncertain times.

THE LIST" (S2, E2) | The infamous haircut episode succeeded not in spite of Felicity's extreme makeover but because of it. Regardless of whether you loved or hated the new 'do (and we'll get to that in Episode 3), there is absolutely no denying that Felicity's impulsive decision to drastically alter her appearance made sense narratively. It felt like something Felicity would do, especially when you consider what preceded it.

And there was a lot that preceded it, so much so that referring to it as the "haircut episode" is a bit disingenuous since the trim doesn't take place until the hour's closing minutes (and the big reveal itself is held until Episode 3). "The List" is primarily about the gradual demise of Felicity and Ben's short-lived romance, and our heroine's resulting epiphany. Their breakup is messy, complicated and heartbreaking, and so beautifully rendered by Russell and (the underrated) Speedman. The Act 1 scene that begins with Felicity looking on as Ben unenthusiastically thumbs through photos of their summer together and ends with the pair reluctantly agreeing to part ways was a triumph of not only acting but of direction (by Barnet Kellman) and writing (by Jennifer Levin), too.

Other observations from "The List":

* Meghan-centric cold opens bring me so much joy, and this one — which finds the wannabe witch reneging on a deal with Felicity to reveal the contents of her mysterious box — is no exception. So much of it is in the abrupt timing of the cutaway to the opening title sequence.

* Felicity's high-voltage red-venge dress stands the test of time, oh yes it does.

* The sight of Felicity sitting alone in Bryant Park biting into that sad chicken salad sandwich after getting stood up by Ben still fills me with rage. The first time I saw it, I nearly decamped to Team Noel. (Relax, I said nearly). At least now I know there's a huge payoff coming in "The Aretha Theory" (more on that later).

* The episode's one flaw: Felicity awkwardly referring to the barber shop/hair salon where she got her massive trim as "the haircutting place." Yeah, that's not a thing anyone says.

ANCIENT HISTORY" (S2, E3) | The haircut blowback actually was ignited by the show itself. The episode opens on Meghan's horrified reaction to the new 'do — "Wow, bad," she sneers at her roomie  —and you gotta give the show credit for getting way out in front of the forthcoming backlash, even if it was done unintentionally. It takes guts — not to mention a healthy sense of humor — for a show to stage such a mammoth twist and then immediately torch it. (For the record, I never felt strongly one way or the other about the actual haircut. It was... fine.)

And the hits keep coming. After receiving a smattering of positive feedback from Burky and Ruby (Amy Smart's debut!), a still-sour Noel gives the trim an enthusiastic thumbs down. "It'll grow out, right?" he asks, before shrugging, "So you have a bad hair year. Go buy a hat." Nasty Noel is my favorite Noel, partly because it brings out Fiery Felicity. And "Ancient History" is an embarrassment of Nasty Noel-Fiery Felicity riches.

In the wake of her physical transformation, Felicity makes a momentous decision that has significant repercussions throughout the rest of the series: She drops pre-med to focus on her unexplored love of art. That puts her squarely back in Noel's orbit and leads to at least three acidic confrontations before the pair finally conducts a long overdue and wonderfully awkward come-to-Jesus talk about the Ben of it all. That, in turns, sets up the wholly satisfying and deeply emotional climax wherein Noel comes to his ex's defense during a brutal art history class takedown. Felicity's subsequent heartfelt apology brings their three-episode feud to its very natural-feeling conclusion.

Other observations from "Ancient History":

* Felicity and Noel make better friends (and occasional frenemies) than lovers, and this episode proves it.

* Richard's (Robert Benedict, in his first S2 appearance) backhanded "pep talk" to Noel about Bridgid is LOL.

* The first seeds of the winsome Noel and Ruby romance are planted here.

* Felicity cements her gay-icon status when Noel's crush Brigid (without a T) reveals she's a lesbian and in a long-distance relationship with a woman, and our girl barely bats an eye. When Felicity replies with an empathetic, "That must be tough... " we think she's referring to her sexuality, until she adds, "Being in a long-distance relationship." I love her so much I can't stand it sometimes.

* Silence is golden again: The dialogue-less scene wherein roomies Sean, Ben and Julie just casually go about their morning routine is so incredibly effective I nearly forgot how much I despise having roommates.

HELP FOR THE LOVELORN" (S2, E11) | Arguably the biggest creative swing in Felicity history, this Twilight Zone homage was a random and indulgent gamble that paid off spectacularly, resulting in one of my favorite hours of television ever. From the stunning visuals to the haunting score to the intentionally over-the-top acting, the episode — written by Abrams and directed by OG Twilight Zone helmer Lamont Johnson — was a perfect marriage of art and unabashed gimmickry that also underscored Felicity's ongoing romantic journey. All of that plus we (sorta) found out what was in Meghan's mysterious box!

THE SLUMP" (S2, E12) | Russell received a total of zero Emmy nominations for her work on Felicity, and this episode — Season 2's best — really brings home the injustice of it all. The future Americans Emmy contender delivers one tour-de-force after another as Felicity comes to grips with her parents' separation. "The Slump" — written by Abrams and directed by Reeves — also marks Amy Aquino's unforgettable introduction as Felicity's no-nonsense, classical music-obsessed, chain-smoking counselor Dr. Pavone. If I were to list my five favorite scenes in Felicity history, the cold open that serves as Aquino's debut would, without question, make the cut.

Other observations from "The Slump":

* Watch those initial Pavone scenes and marvel at Russell's perfectly modulated reaction shots as Aquino's unorthodox shrink pushes all of Felicity's buttons, much to her profound irritation.

* There were so many standout lines in the episode, but my favorite is this one from Pavone to Felicity about her parents' history of manipulation: "This is a sporting event. This is Martyr Ball. They got the sticks and you're the puck — and you're telling me you're not angry?!"

* Twenty-year-old me would've dropped out of college to backpack through Europe with Ben in a heartbeat.

6. "THE ARETHA THEORY" (S2, E21 — the final two scenes) | Ben's "time machine" line to Felicity is so corny, but it packs such an emotional wallop, largely due to Speedman and Russell's beautifully subtle scene work. Combine it with the subsequent private outdoor movie screening montage high atop New York City that served as the couple's official reunion, and I challenge you to find a more romantic five minutes on any young adult drama ever.

THE BIGGEST DEAL THERE IS" (S2, E23) | The funniest episode of the season, the finale takes place against the backdrop of Javier's wedding to Samuel, and finds Felicity facing another summertime Sophie's Choice: Does she spend her four-month break with Ben in California, or does she remain in New York to pursue a-once-in-a-lifetime career opportunity? With a little push from Dr. Pavone, she wisely picks the latter. But not before Felicity and Ben turn Javier and Samuel's rehearsal dinner upside down with competing passive-aggressive toasts (uproarious!) that give way to an explosive argument within earshot of the 40 assembled guests, which then gives way to the two of them impulsively having sex for the first time (way to upend expectations!) within earshot of the 40 assembled guests.

The refreshingly unsentimental development builds to a heart-stopping antepenultimate scene in which the couple finally exchange I love yous. But in a fitting, full-circle twist, it's Ben who utters the three magic words first. It works because it makes perfect sense while also feeling like the the most wonderful and well-earned surprise.

Other observations from "The Biggest Deal There Is":

* Another brilliant Meghan-Felicity cold open. Another ingenuously-timed cutaway (i.e. Felicity recoiling in disgust in the wake of Meghan oversharing about her sex life with Sean).

* Speaking of Sean and Meghan, I was on the fence about them as a couple. But then he gave her that skull necklace. And she quit Wicca camp. And just like that, I was all in.

* Ben feigning interest in Richard's summer travel plans and Richard not picking up on it, FTW.

* "Biggest Deal" marked the first episode-specific collaboration between future Alias and Lost colleagues Abrams and Jack Bender (the former wrote the hour, the latter directed it).

* Felicity needling Ben about his pronunciation of "anything" during their first post-coital canoodle session is so oddly specific and sweetly intimate.

* I love that the final person Felicity interacts with is Dr. Pavone, and that you can track how much their relationship has evolved over the course of the season. What started out as a combative and adversarial doctor-patient relationship gave way to an abundance of mutual trust, respect and affection. Felicity and Pavone were the high point of an extraordinary second season, not to mention Felicity's most underrated love story.

OK, fellow bingers, let's talk: Where do you stand on all things Season 2? Drop your thoughts in the comments. Who knows? I may even chime in myself.