The other day I blogged about how season 4 was really great for Topanga and her relationship with Cory. While the season was good for her, there was another character who had an even greater season. The real star of season 4 was not Cory or Shawn or even Mr. Feeny. The real star of season 4 was Eric Matthews, Cory's brother. By this, I mean that Eric's character arc seemed to be the main focus as the season began and ended with him.
To understand what I mean, you have to start at the end of season 3 where Eric had learned that he wasn't accepted to any college, so he went on a road trip across the United States with Cory. The beginning of season 4 started with the conclusion of that road trip. Eric realized that he had nothing to look forward to when he got back home and tried to postpone the end of the trip as a result. Cory and his family managed to convince him that he should go back home because running away would not solve any of his problems. He ended up going back home. Flash forward to the end of season 4, and we see that Eric has finally been accepted to a (fictional) college. I would like to argue that not only did Eric have the best character arc of season 4, but the entire season was about him instead of Cory.
Needless to say, Eric does not just change into someone who wants to go to college overnight. He spends the entire season navigating life and trying to understand himself. It is easy to see that he wants to correct the mistakes he made in high school, but his emotions are ruled by the fact that he failed at getting accepted into a college by the end of season 3. I would say that the first half of season 4 is Eric resisting everyone's advice to seek higher education while trying to better understand himself. He does this by trying to get into a relationship (which he sadly never does despite several promising prospects) and trying to get a job (which he does). I would also argue that the second half of the season is Eric fully understanding what everyone is trying to tell him. He understands why he is fired by his dad from the family store. He realizes that he doesn't have to be a townie. Most importantly, he accepts the wisdom of Feeny that Eric could go to college and realize his full potential. As a result, this season makes the show about Eric's journey from the lows of college rejection to the highs of understanding where he wants his life to go.
I think it is important to note that there are other things going on in this season. Cory and Topanga are working on their relationship, Alan Matthews experienced a small midlife crisis, and Shawn did his usual thing of trying to (unsuccessfully) ruin his life. Despite all of these other things, one thing really stands out during the show. When you take a step back and look at the season as a whole, you realize that this season was mainly about Eric's journey.
I am sure some people would disagree with this, and if you do, I would suggest you comment and tell me why you feel that way. Meanwhile, I will attempt to continue with my rigorous attempt to deconstruct the hell out of this awesome show.
