The BSC braves the great outdoors at a summer sleepaway camp, where they explore archery, theater, activism... and a dash of chilling mystery.
In 2019, the television industry aired 532 scripted shows across numerous outlets. The way people consume content now is different than it used to be. It happens according to one's own schedule. As such, it's less necessary to provide ample coverage of each episode in any given season from a show. Moreover, it is simply impossible to watch everything. As such, this site provides shorter episodic reviews in order to cover as many shows as possible. With all of that being said, here are my thoughts on the next episode of Netflix's The Baby-Sitters Club.
"Hello, Camp Moosehead! Part 1" was written by Joanna Calo and directed by Luke Matheny
Kristy, Mary Anne, Claudia, Stacey and Dawn have certain expectations about what their time at Camp Moosehead will be like. Immediately, those expectations are forced to change. That's understood with the sheer fact that it is raining all the time. That is a likely result of this episode not being filmed during summer. The same was true earlier in the season when Stacey and Mary Anne were at the beach in jackets for spring break. The weather is a little distracting. But it helps get the audience into the right mindset for this particular story. The friends are broken up. They are in a completely new environment. This season has highlighted their strong friendships. They have succeeded in so many ways. They have grown because of the support they receive from one another. And now, it's time to put that to the test by having them separated at camp. Right away, Kristy is trying to control everything. She immediately demands to be treated differently simply because this camp isn't fulfilling her expectations of what this experience should be for her and her friends. She is unable to have fun and enjoy herself because she sees people being lazy with their responsibilities. This isn't an active camp where all of the kids are having fun. The camp counselors are checked out while the instructors are pushing the kids to buy items to enjoy a superior time away from home. Claudia and Dawn delve into those socioeconomic issues. They fight to ensure that art is produced and enjoyed for free. They do so because it is important to them. They want to ensure that every child is having a fun time here. They face off with a staff that is more disinterested than oppressive. The director of the program has been doing this job for many years. The camp is no longer what it once was. Items are probably being sold to present a superior camp experience because the program needs the funds to remain open. That's not a conversation anyone is willing to have. It ultimately comes down to Dawn seeing just how unfair all of this is. She will take a stand for it. Of course, Claudia is the one who is ultimately punished for the actions taken. She does so because she understands just how wrong it is. That is her being active. That is so much more compelling than Kristy lamenting how she doesn't feel like herself at camp. She is adrift because she doesn't have her friends fulfilling the emotional support she needs at any given moment. Sure, she worries about Mary Anne because of her quiet and sensitive nature. However, this season has proven that Mary Anne knows how to make new friends. She is lovable no matter where she goes. She is always given the opportunity to succeed. However, it's fascinating how Mary Anne and Lane can produce a musical in the theater even though there is no one there to offer any kind of official supervision. That's what got Claudia and Dawn into trouble. The adults made the big argument about the dangers of the woods with wild animals all around. Claudia and Dawn suggest that they are responsible because of their connections to the Baby-Sitters Club. That doesn't mean anything in this environment. It's simply them saying their qualifications without explaining why it matters. Kristy is seen as nothing but an annoying thorn in the program director's side. The girls from Stoneybrook are too opinionated and go against the tide of what this camp offers. They want something more. Their dreams shouldn't be crushed by the crippling realities of the world. And yet, that's abundantly apparent throughout this story. Stacey still feels betrayed by what Lane did to her in the city. They are both seemingly punished for that by being pushed into a poisonous bush. That will surely create complications for the musical. However, most of this episode really showcases that these young girls still have to mature a little bit more even though the world should respect their perspectives and trust their judgments more as well. They can take stands against an unjust system. But they have to be using their voices for good that does more than solely benefit themselves. Kristy suffers because she announces that none of this works for her. She doesn't allow herself to be open to the possibilities of something new. That is a consistent problem with her. Her friends help. Without them around though, that influence isn't that strong. She has to work on that. Instead, she is yelling at what has become of Stacey's face.
