The Baby-Sitters Club Season 1 Review: A Must-See Summer Show That Gives Preteens the Respect They Deserve
Preteendom includes very little glory. The Baby-Sitters Club does right by its adolescent subjects by putting the formative nature of their experiences on a big fat pedestal and letting us adore them.
The Baby-Sitters Club takes a group of middle schoolers seriously and that alone feels nearly revolutionary.
Another thing that makes the series so special is that it shares moments in life that are deeply awkward without making them feel awkward for the viewer at all.
Even Kristy’s first period is handled with a cover of grace and sincerity.
Indeed, what have long been considered rites of passage (parents getting divorced, first kisses, first periods, etc.) are secondary to the journeys of self-acceptance and family-acceptance that the girls go on.
The final two episodes take Mary Anne, Claudia, Kristy, Stacey, and Dawn away from their families to summer camp. Even though camp is a fun setting and we, importantly, get to meet Jessi and Mallory there, because of the distance from each girl’s family, they are the weakest episodes.
In lieu of parents, grandparents, and babysitting clients are cynical and inept camp counselors. It’s a rare misstep on the fantastic series. The character growth that happens at camp could have easily come from the BSC being separated.
That being said, Claudia and Dawn’s free art class is surprisingly moving and effective as a storyline.
I am an avid fan of the book series and as such, I was initially very skeptical about the adaptation. By the second episode, every hesitation I had is long gone. By the end of the fourth episode, I am texting every other The Baby-Sitters Club reader I know to fawn and gush about the show.
This is a show you need to watch with your sons.
Yes, of course with your daughters. But, even more pressing is the need for our sons to see this earnest and inclusive representation of becoming a teenage girl.
Stacey facing having diabetes and coming out the other side supported and understood is simply glorious. Her sparkly blue pack is like a middle finger to our ableist society that tells little girls that disabilities are ugly and sad.
Stacey’s episode, The Baby-Sitters Club Season 1 Episode 3, “The Truth About Stacey,” is one of the two best episodes of the series.
Internet bullying happens to middle school kids, and not just in sexualized settings. The episode lets us see how Stacey has been hurt by Insta-culture, while also showing us how grownups can be allies and can really see the preteens around them as more than just hormones.
When Charlotte’s mom, a queer woman of color, stands up for Stacey by explaining why she, as a doctor, feels that Stacey’s diabetes gives her a leg up as a babysitter, the dialogue around what it means to be capable shifts.
Stacey’s internet experiences aren’t the only modernization that happens on The Baby-Sitters Club.
The cast is wonderfully diverse. Mary Anne, Claudia, and Dawn’s characters have become more representative of marginalized people in the U.S and as a result, the entire series feels more inclusive.
The casting is stellar and provides evidence that other series simply aren’t doing enough to seek out diverse talent. Clearly, it is there.
A story that wasn’t included in the books is the anchor of the other best episode of the first season, The Baby-Sitters Club Season 1 Episode 4, “Mary Anne Saves The Day.”
Bailey is a transgender little girl who Mary Anne babysits. When Mary Anne discovers that she has a high fever, she calls 911 and goes with her to the ER.
Mary Anne acts responsibly!
This is such an underrated quality in many young people. We assume because they are young and not fully matured that they do not understand the importance of their actions. On the contrary, as this show illustrates, often preteens are the ones closest to their empathy and because of that, they make the best choices.
Mary Anne stands up to two doctors and not only explains that Bailey is a girl, she explains why mis-gendering her is a problem.
I can’t think of an adult who would do a better job of advocating for Bailey.
What a show!
The Baby-Sitters Club is the show of the summer and we would all be wise to call that epic 80s landline to reserve a spot with them for next summer.
Club Notes
- Alicia Silverstone is perfect on this show. PERFECT.
- Mimi’s stroke and recovery process is another example of how The Baby-Sitters Club does disability and inclusion right.
- The show doesn’t hold back on making Kristy frustrating and arrogant. It also makes her thoughtful and kind. That is right. That is what it is like to be a Kristy (I would know, I am one). She contains annoying multitudes.
- I ship Richard and Sharon in a BIG way.
- Momona Tamada’s face is art. It just is. I love it.
- Even when they are fully boy-crazy, the show is never about the boys. Refreshing is an understatement.
- Watching group of strong girls becoming who they are is a freaking honor.
- SEASON 2. NOW.
What did you think of the first season of The Baby-Sitters Club? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Critic Rating:
User Rating:
The Baby-Sitters Club Season 1 is streaming now on Netflix.
Follow us on Twitter and on 
Instagram!
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
Janelle Ureta
Janelle Ureta is equal parts Veronica Mars, Raven Reyes, and Rebecca Bunch, but she aspires to add some Tammy Taylor to the mix. An attorney turned teacher, Janelle believes in the power of a well-told story. She is currently exploring how to tell short stories, 140 characters or less, on twitter. She loves to talk about TV, and right now she can't shut up about Timeless, Dear White People, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, The 100, or Younger.
One thought on “The Baby-Sitters Club Season 1 Review: A Must-See Summer Show That Gives Preteens the Respect They Deserve”
I’m a fan of the book series, too, and remember watching the HBO show back in the day and the movie as well. I too was wondering how they’d handle this latest adaptation of the series.
And you’ve summed up my thoughts so well. I’m seriously impressed at how well they handled this, and I love the way they were able to balance the more modern take on things with the nods to the wonderful details from the books that we all know and love. I’m especially impressed at how the current pop culture references didn’t feel shoehorned in. They all seemed like things I could see these people believably being into and knowing about.
Stacey’s whole storyline with her diabetes was such a powerful storyline, and I love how they carried the fallout of that part of her past throughout much of the season. The viral video bit broke my heart, and made seeing the girls stick up for her later on all the more touching and moving.
I also loved how they handled Kristy’s struggles regarding her dad abandoning her (her anger when she sees all these other kids’ dad being so eager to spend time with them while hers isn’t part of her life-again, heartbreaking and so well done), and her difficulty not just in accepting Watson, but adjusting to a whole new sort of lifestyle. I loved all the moments between Kristy and her mom in regards to all of that, and I agree on Silverstone. She nailed the balance of a mom’s usual struggle to be firm yet understanding at the same time. Kristy was my favorite member as a child, and this series reminded me why all over again.
Personally speaking, though, I’m much more a Mary Anne, and I loved everything with her, too. The way she stuck up for Bailey was lovely, and I liked how relatable she was with her desire to speak up for herself and be more confident and have her own style and whatnot.
It’s nice to see Claudia and Mimi’s relationship highlighted so well here. Anyone who’s read the books, that whole part of things had to hit them in the heart a bit. Let’s just say I hope Mimi gets to stick around a good, long while.
Yeah. So much to enjoy about this, and what makes it even more fun is seeing all the people who aren’t familiar with the book series getting into this and discovering these girls and this world for the first time. It speaks to the power of this series and its excellent messages and themes that it can gain new fans so easily. Your point about how boys should watch this is spot on, too. Yes.
As always, a great review from you! I’m so happy you enjoyed this as much as I did!
Comments are closed.