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Airing on Disney Channel, Girl Meets World is a continuation of sorts to the beloved ‘90s/’00s series, Boy Meets World. The show follows the family of Boy Meets World stars Cory (Ben Savage) and Topanga (Danielle Fishel) Matthews, which includes their daughter Riley (Rowan Blanchard) and son Auggie (August Maturo). Sabrina Carpenter plays Maya, the best friend to Riley – basically the Shawn Hunter to Riley’s Cory Matthews, if you will.
Although Girl Meets World has featured a handful of Boy Meets World alumni in its previous episodes, more well-known characters will appear in the show’s Christmas special tonight. Most notably, Rider Strong will reprise his role as Shawn and reunite with the other half of the best friendship “in all of existence.”
The Wrap rounded up two promo clips from the special Christmas episode of Girl Meets World, “Girl Meets Home for the Holidays.” The first clip (above), teases the reunion between Cory and Shawn that many fans of Boy Meets World have eagerly awaited. The second (below) introduces Joshua Matthews (Uriah Shelton), Cory’s younger brother, who catches the eye of Maya.
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In another clip, released exclusively by Buzzfeed earlier this week, Shawn and Maya face off, battling to be the best of the best friends. Although Cory and Shawn may be “the best friends in all of existence,” Riley and Maya have the uncanny ability to read each other’s mind.
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Watch the Clip on Buzzfeed
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In addition to Strong, Betsy Randle and William Russ are returning as Amy and Alan Matthews. With the exception of Morgan (played by Lily Nicksay on Boy Meets World) and Eric (Will Friedle), the whole Matthews clan – including Shawn and Maya – will be together.
Going forward, Us Weekly is reporting that other Boy Meets World characters will be featured in the second season of Girl Meets World. Friedle will reprise the role of Eric in an episode titled “Girl Meets Mr. Squirrels,” which references an episode of the original series when Eric referred to himself as Plays with Squirrels. Mr. Feeny (William Daniels), will also appear in season 2 of Girl Meets World along with a mystery character that will be announced at a later date.
For fans of Boy Meets World who were looking forward to revisiting their favorite characters in Girl Meets World, the Christmas special may be the episode most worth watching. Viewers of the original series may not have been keeping up with Girl Meets World, but the Christmas episode seems to be the reunion many fans were hoping to see. Or, for fans looking to become more heavily invested in the Boy Meets World spinoff, it appears the writers will be including more characters and references to the original series in Girl Meets World season 2.
However, those fans of the original will need to keep in mind that Girl Meets World is still a show made for children. So, while many Boy Meets World cast members will return to our screens, reprising our favorite characters, they might be a little different within the context of current children’s television. That being said, it will be fun to see Girl Meets World revisit many of the characters and relationships fans grew up watching – no matter the context.
Girl Meets World continues tonight with “Girl Meets Home for the Holidays” @8PM on Disney Channel.
