Daria (TV Series) Of Human Bonding (2000) User Reviews

Sad but very insightful.

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 11 March 2011]

I nearly gave this episode a 10--it's exceptional and also, in a way, quite sad and insightful.

The show begins with Jake and Helen planning on going to a franchising expo, as Jake wants to find some business opportunity. However, not surprisingly, Helen drops everything for her job when she's asked to do something and Jake, as usual, comes second. However, he still has tickets for Helen and is convinced to instead to take Daria. During this trip, you can occasionally hear Jake's and Daria's thoughts--and this is pretty sad, as each wants to desperately reach out to the other but is too scared. It's a very poignant moment, but they show does not dwell on this--instead focusing then on the ridiculous and comedic aspects of the expo--and the supposed guru of high finance--an idiot who, supposedly, tore apart a hot air balloon with his teeth to save others! His insensitivity and annoying manner make him pretty funny to watch--as are Daria's insightful zingers (as usual).

There is a small subplot about Helen spending time with Quinn and her Fashion fascists. It was not that important to the overall episode but featured some nice barbs exchanged between Helen and Sandi.

Well written and showing a greater sense of depth than usual for the show--this is one a must-see.

Family bonding

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 11 January 2013]

When Jake and Helen are scheduled to attend a conference the girls are told they will have to spend the weekend at home together and each of them can invite one friend over. Quinn ends up inviting the entire fashion club and Jane can't come over with Daria as she is going out with Tom and his friends. It looks like Daria is in for a Hellish weekend until Helen announces that she can no longer accompany Jake to the conference; this gives Daria a chance to get out of the house and do a little father-daughter bonding. The conference leads to some touching scenes as well as some good laughs when the larger than life entrepreneur running the conference turns up... and it becomes apparent that his story of ballooning heroism isn't exactly true. Back in Lawndale Helen lets the fashion club give her a make over and the girls are horrified when the boys see there 'morning faces' the next day!

This was another fun episode; it was nice to see each of the Morgandorffer girls spending some time with one their parents. This lead to some amusing sniping between Helen and Sandi and Quinn feeling mortified when her mother joins them. The scenes with Jake serve to show more of his tragic childhood but a potentially dangerous situation leads him successfully confronting his childhood demons.

Poor old Jakey

[Rectangular_businessman · 9/10 · 19 June 2022]

While the show often made Jake look like a goofball (particularly in the fifth season), I think he was a good father overall: Every time Daria needs him, he provides his support, and accepted her without trying to change her behavior like Helen does.

I like how this episode showed how, despite everything, they both understood each other very well, having a healthy father-daughter relationship. And it was amusing to watch.

I think this is the only episode of the series featuring a flashback of Jake's unhappy childhood he kept rambling about: Even when said flashback is shown for comedic purposes, one cannot help feeling sorry for poor old Jakey.