Random anon back again. Actually I’ll just call myself Anon5 since idk what else to call myself.
I was thinking a lot about how you said Maria in RNM seems superfluous and they just don’t know what to do with her. How she doesn’t seem necessary to the plot. And it had me thinking of OG Maria. And it hit me.
OG Maria was the die hard friend who basically looked out for the group. She was someone who would believe them when no one else would, hold them when they cried, and protect them even if it put her at risk. She was the one who was 100% human (No handprints, no gaining of alien powers), but refused to allow that to stop her from standing by them. She’s the only 100% human with no powers who stays with them even when they leave at the end of the series. She was pretty much the heart of the group.
RNM introduced Maria as that character and then has basically destroyed that characterization over the course of the series. Leaving us with someone who is the exact opposite. Who never listens to others, puts their lives at risks for her own selfish desires, and has to be constantly saved and protected by the other characters. (No way OG Maria would have ever dated Michael knowing Alex’s feelings or put Max’s life and Kyle’s career at risk for her “visions”.)
She’s now the part alien one with powers, which erases the importance of her willingness to stand by the Pod Squad no matter what. Human Maria saying “This is my family go eff yourself” has meaning. Part Alien Maria whining about not being made to feel welcome by the Pod Squad (who have known each other most of their lives) is just annoying!
Basically they’ve erased the character’s purpose from the original story with their writing choices and not done anything to make her interesting or necessary in a different way. It’s so frustrating! I’d literally be more interested in the murder plot if she was less involved in it!
Hello my friend, Anon5 haha I never watched the OG series but everything you wrote here is honestly just spot on perfect!
I am extremely confused with the angle they're playing with her not being part of the pod squad. Like?? She fucking berates and belittles Michael at every opportunity they do interact, she's just weirdly obsessive over Isobel, and hasn't really hung out with Max all that much for me to know how she views him. Plus, like you said, the pod squad have known each other their entire lives!
Yeah I'm honestly so over the murder plot. I assume it's going to wrap up soon enough since Chris had said it was only the first half of the season. I'm ready, it's been enough.
Loved the analysis on OG Maria vs RNM Maria!!
