User Reviews

While getting a driving lesson from her mother Daria almost runs over a dog because of her poor peripheral vision; her mother suggests that she should consider getting contact lenses but she is worried that people will see it as a sign of vanity. She eventually decides that she will try contacts and people immediately start congratulating her as if she has done something to improve her appearance... just the thing she feared would happen. When her contacts start to itch she takes them out again but now she doesn't want to go back to wearing glasses... is it worth itching or living in a blur to avoid going back to wearing glasses?! In a secondary plot thread Kevin and Britney have started wearing lensless glasses hoping that they will make them smarter; after all kids with glasses are brainy!

This was an enjoyable 'issue' episode; as somebody who has worn glasses for most of my life I can understand how Daria felt; I felt awkward getting better looking frames so can only guess at how awkward it would be to not wear them at all! That insight does also mean I thought the scenes where she walked in to people were a bit unlikely; we were shown what she could see; people may have looked a bit blurry but she wasn't blind! It was nice to see that Daria does have a degree of vanity; it is a flaw that makes her more human. The laughs mostly came from Britney and Kevin's attempt to get smarter by wearing glasses; it just made them more laughable.

Daria is being pressured to consider contact lenses. Part of it is practical--she can see better and will be less of a menace on the roads when she drives. Part of it bothers Daria...it COULD mean she's actually trying to fit in and cares about her looks. So, to figure it out, Daria calls Aunt Amy--the only family member she likes and respects. Amy loves the idea--especially since it will cost Helen a fortune! So, reluctantly, Daria gives in and does the contact lenses. Unfortunately, her eyes don't do well with contacts...but she likes the way she feels without the glasses, though she is slow to admit it to others. In fact, she even tries going to school without the lenses or her glasses. Sadly, Daria is vain like any other girl.

This episode, like several others for season two, emphasizes character development and that Daria isn't quite as self-confident as she'd like others to think. I appreciate that, but would have STILL liked a bit more humor in this one. Still, well worth seeing.