| “ | Forgiveness is one of our finest qualities as human beings. | ” |
Girl Meets the Forgiveness Project is the twenty-third episode in season 2 of Girl Meets World and the 44th episode overall. It aired on November 6, 2015 to 2.5 million viewers.
Overview
When the class receives an assignment about forgiveness, Maya writes to her father in an attempt to forgive him for leaving. Riley tries to let go of the fact that Auggie destroyed something important to her, and Lucas and Zay are upset with Farkle because of the fact he has ruined every single movie they've watched together.
Plot
Cory chooses to teach the kids about forgiveness so they can all change their history for the better. He asks them to write a letter to someone they want to forgive. Riley decides to try to forgive Auggie for biting the face off her stuffed bear, but Maya doesn’t write anything. Lucas and Riley suggests this might be a good time to forgive her father softly, implying they have had offscreen conversations involving this matter, but she does not respond. Riley also points out that Maya and her mother are in a good place and maybe it is time to forgive her father. Maya then tells Riley to butt out.
At home, Riley tells Auggie that she forgives him for biting the face off her bear. Auggie doesn’t really care, which makes Riley upset. She feels that Auggie is supposed to be thankful for her forgiveness, but Auggie just states that he’s not sorry he bit the face off her bear to begin with.
Topanga decides to help Katy out at Topanga’s as a waitress. Katy believes Topanga isn't cut out for waitressing, but Topanga insists on trying. After she handles one customer badly, she points out another one she will try to serve just as he’s walking through the door. Katy pauses and says that she will handle that particular costumer. When she goes up to that customer, she pushes a piece of cheesecake in his face and starts throwing baked goods at him. Topanga asks Katy who the man is, and Maya walks up to him and when he says "hi, Maya", she replies “hi, Dad”.
It turns out Maya had written to her dad, Kermit, as part of the forgiveness project. She asks him why she and Katy weren’t good enough for him. Katy wants the answer to that question too. Kermit only says that that’s not the reason he left. Maya reminisces about being scared as a kid, and how it was Katy who was there to make her feel better, not Kermit. She soon realizes she’s not ready to forgive her father for leaving them, and she walks out.
In class, Cory asks how the forgiveness project is going, and everyone complains that it’s not going well. Cory asks Maya why she didn’t get the explanation she was looking for from her dad, and Maya says she didn’t actually give him a chance to explain. He then asks Riley why Auggie bit the face off her bear, and she says she doesn’t know. Cory tells the class that if you’re going to forgive someone, it helps to understand why they did what they did in the first place.
Back at Topanga’s Kermit shows up again. He takes Maya outside and explains to her that his leaving had nothing to do with her. He was not a good father, not a good provider, and he just wasn’t ready for the responsibility of a child back then. He tells her that he has changed now. Maya tells him that even though she appreciates him telling her that it wasn’t her fault, she still doesn’t feel like she can forgive him. He was supposed to stay, but instead he left, and she can’t forgive him for that. As she gets up to leave, she realizes that she isn’t angry anymore, and she tells Kermit goodbye.
Maya walks back into Topanga’s crying, and tells Cory that she failed the project, because she didn’t forgive Kermit. Cory tells her that he never expected her to. Maya asks him what exactly he wanted to come out of this, and Cory asks Maya if she has now forgiven herself. Maya hugs Cory, still crying.
Cast
Main cast
- Rowan Blanchard as Riley Matthews
- Ben Savage as Cory Matthews
- Sabrina Carpenter as Maya Hart
- Peyton Meyer as Lucas Friar
- August Maturo as Auggie Matthews
- Corey Fogelmanis as Farkle Minkus
- Danielle Fishel as Topanga Matthews
Guest cast
- Cheryl Texiera as Katy Hart
- David Thomas Jenkins as Kermit Hart
- Amir Mitchell-Townes as Zay Babineaux
- Carlos Antonio as Howie
Quotes
Maya: Do you remember the night where that thunderstorm shook the apartment? I was five, and I thought the light was so bright, the world was on fire. I'm all under my covers, crying, and you came flying in another room and picked up the covers, and decided to make it a game. We are in Alaska, looking for gold, and you said the lightning was northern lights. The aurora borealis. You made that entire night an adventure until the storm passed. And I woke up the next morning, and it was a sunny day. You don't remember that? Kermit: No, Maya, I don't. Maya: That’s because it never happened. The storm happened, but you didn’t–it was mom that came in. She made it Alaska, and I wasn't scared at all. Katy: I was petrified. Greatest performance of my life. Riley: Where were you? Kermit: I wasn't home. Riley: How could you not be home? Maya: 'Cause kids bite teddy bears' faces off, friends ruin movies, and fathers leave. You know, sometimes you can let it go, sometimes you can’t. |
Maya: This girl here’s more of a father to me than you. Riley: Yeah, I raised Maya since she was a pup. |
Katy: You said you were going out for a walk and would be back in an hour. You’re nine years late. |
Cory: Maya, know anyone in your life that you want to forgive? Maya: No. Lucas: Do you think now would be a good time? |
Riley: "Dear Auggie the murderer...." |
Kermit: I'm sorry I wasn't there. |
Maya: Oh, Farkle, you don't need to impress us. Riley: We love you just the way you are. Farkle: Movie? Riley and Maya: Anytime. |
Kermit: This wasn't you, Maya. This was all me. I couldn't provide comfort for you on a lightning storm, and I was no good for you on a sunny day either. I blew every paycheck instead of providing food for the refrigerator. And when you know you're not good for people, you start not showing up, and then you don't show up enough times and it begins to feel like leaving. Until you do. Maya: You’re there for your new family, aren’t you? What did they do that I didn’t do? Kermit: You never did anything, Maya. You were just a little girl. I was who I was. And there is nothing you did or could have done. I just I wasn't ready for you or anyone. But I think I've changed. These people believe that I am capable of something. They don't know who I was. They believe in who I am now. Maya: Who are you? Kermit: I found a job, and I managed to keep it. I came back to tell you that I am grateful for what you wrote. I am sorry for what I did...and I am happy that you are okay. Maya: You found a job? Kermit: I did. Maya: Your job was to stay. Thanks for telling me your side. My teacher thinks if I forgive you, it can bring me peace. And he's usually right about these things but I don't see how he's right about this one. And I can't. Your job was to stay. You don't think I had it in me to allow my father to grow? I'm happy I wrote to you and heard what you had to say. And it makes me feel better knowing that I had nothing to do with what you did. I always thought that this was my fault somehow, but it's not. I didn't do anything. |
Cory: Did he help you understand what happened? Maya: No. |
Cory: Better minds know that sometimes to really forgive someone, it helps to understand them first. It gives the other person a chance to be heard too. |
Cory: Forgiveness is one of our finest qualities as human beings. |
Maya: I'm sorry. I failed. I know you wanted me to forgive him, but I didn't. I couldn't do it. You were wrong about this one, Mr. Matthews. Cory: I never expected that, Maya. That kind of forgiveness, it doesn't come so easy. But life is a long time, and I hope you get there someday. But that's never what I was looking for right now. Maya: What did you want from me? Cory: Maya, did you forgive yourself? |
Cory: Dear Dad. I forgive you for...everything. Riley: I do. Cory: Wait a minute, wait a minute. What did I do? Maya: Oh, you know what you do. |
Maya: In school, I am learning about forgiveness. What you did makes me have a lot of angry feelings inside of me. I don't want to be angry anymore. Why did you leave? Did I do something? Make me understand what I did. Your daughter, Maya. |
Riley: I should go anywhere but here. Maya: Nope, you are going to stay here with me. You're my family. |
Lucas: Farkle, why do you tell us the end of the movies? Farkle: Well, you are good at everything you do. You got the class clown thing going. All I got is my mind. So I try to impress you with it in anyway I can. |
Cory: Farkle, I forgive you. Farkle: What did I do? Zay: I forgive you too. Farkle: What did I do?! Zay: You know what you do. Cory: I feel better know that I've forgiven you. How do you feel? Farkle: I'm sorry for every time that I hurt you. What did I do?! |
Farkle: Do you think that we could still go to the movies if I stop telling you what happens next? Lucas: You think you could do that? Farkle: Of course I can! "Oh, let's give him one more chance." "Hey." Then you chase me, then I scream. Zay: Oh, let's give him one more chance. Lucas: Hey. Farkle: It's just too much fun. |
Topanga: You don't think I could do this, do you? Katy: I think you that you are Topanga Matthews, attorney at law, and that might perhaps color the way you deal with costumers who, I don't even think, believe that you are a waitress. Topanga: Ugh! I could be a fine waitress! And what would you have, sir? Howie: Yeah, give me the cheesecake. Topanga: You wanna try that a different way, chief? Howie: No. Katy: Okay, Howie. Oh, there you go. You know what comes with our biggest piece of cheesecake? Our biggest smile! |
Farkle: Riley, Maya, movie with me? Riley: Are you crazy? Maya: Never again. Riley: She dies. Maya: He blows up. Riley: She's the killer. Maya: Nobody gets outta monkey town. |
Riley: This is the first thing that I see everyday. |
Cory: I think a person should only be forgiven, Topanga, if that person has actually done something wrong. Really? Oh, come on! Okay, I know what that one is. |
Riley: Hi, I'm Riley. I've heard a lot about you. Kermit: Are you Maya's friend? Riley: Please don't take this the wrong way, but what? Maya: Riley is my best friend, but you don't know much about her. Or me. |
Riley: I gotta say Matthews, I don't know what you were thinking. |
Riley: It is the reason the only thing you know is the aurora borealis. |
Riley: This isn't about me. This is about me thanking you for forgiving me. So thank me! |
Auggie: Can I at least go the the bathroom? Riley: Quiet, I'm talking. |
Auggie: I am begging you to let me go. If you don't let me go, I swear I will eat your face off. Oh, sweet freedom. |
Maya: I wrote something and I mailed it. Tell me it was a good move. Riley: It was a bad move. Maya: Why? Riley: Tried it. It doesn't work. They don't apologize. Forgiveness is for jerks. |
Zay: We gotta get better minds, man. Lucas: Yeah we do. |
Maya: I've been angry for so long. I'm not angry anymore. |
Riley: Go on, open it. Read it. Go on. Open it, read it, go on! Open it, read it. I'll read it. "Dear August, remember when you bit the face off of my Beary-the-Bear bear? Well, I forgive you." Ha! Auggie: Now what are going to do? Didn't I do that when I was, like, three years old? Riley: Well, now I forgive you. Your move. Auggie: Don't you think a normal person would have gotten over this by now? Riley: Auggie, this isn't about me. This is about you thanking me for forgiving you. So thank me. Auggie: What is the matter with you? Riley: This is the matter with me. Auggie: It doesn't sound like you're trying to forgive me. It sounds like you just want me to be sorry. Riley: You should be. Auggie: Well, I'm not, Riley. So do you still forgive me for something I'm not sorry for? Riley: Forgive you with no return apology? No, I do not. Auggie: Then good day. Riley: Good day to you, unforgiven. Auggie: Good day to you...Nut! |
Kermit: Hi, Maya. Maya: Hi, Dad. Riley: Hi. I'm Riley. I've heard a lot about you. Kermit: Hi, Riley. You a good friend of Maya's? Riley: I'm sorry, and please don't take this the wrong way, but what? Maya: Riley is my best friend. But you wouldn't know much about her. Or me. Kermit: Thank you for being Maya's best friend Riley: It's easy because Maya's great. She's the best person I know. Kermit: Then I'm happy she found you. Riley: I was picturing a monster. He doesn't seem like a monster. He seems like Frosty the snow-guy. Katy: What are you doing here, Kermit? Kermit: I was invited. Katy: What? Riley: This is all my dad's fault. Topanga: Your father had an idea? Riley: Uh-huh. Kermit: I apologize immediately. Your food is on the house. That's very nice of you because I wouldn't have been able to afford all of this. May I please borrow a towel and your sink? And I'll take this to go. |
Riley: Forgiveness does work, Maya. You just have to do it right. Auggie: Can I go play with my friends now? Riley: No! All you have to do is listen to the other person. Auggie:Can I at least go to the bathroom, Riley? Riley: Quiet. I'm talking. Maya: Auggie is there every day, Riley. My dad couldn't get out of here fast enough. I mean, he's halfway home by now. Forgiveness doesn't work for everybody. Kermit: I am not hungry, so please don't throw anything at me. Maya: I thought you left. Kermit: I did. I did. I was in the car on the way back. And then I looked at this thing again and it says you don't want to be angry anymore. I know what you all are to Maya. Thank you. I just need to borrow her for one second, if it's okay. |
International Premieres
- May 16, 2016 (Israel)
- June 10, 2016 (Philippines)
- August 4, 2016 (Latin America, Brazil)
Trivia
- This episode marks the first appearance of Maya's absent father, Kermit.
- The episode title was renamed from 'Girl Meets Forgiveness'.
- Topanga does not mention her prior experience as a waitress at "El Coyote," a Mexican restaurant, as seen in the BMW episode "Last Tango in Philly."
- Katy repeats her sentiment that a girl should think well of her father, from Girl Meets Master Plan.
- Maya cries for the second time in the show, the first time being in 'Girl Meets Hurricane'.
- It is revealed that Farkle spoils movies for his friends, due to the fact that he finds them all predictable. He also finds his friends' actions and thoughts predictable as well.
- Auggie would've bit Maya's face off too, if she wasn't so strong.
- Despite the fact that Riley is the main protagonist of the series, some people think that this episode is focused more on Maya than Riley.
- This is the third episode whose main story is on Maya. The first and second being Girl Meets Master Plan and Girl Meets Hurricane.
- The Forgiveness Project Letters:
- Maya to Kermit--unforgiven
- Riley to Auggie--forgiven
- Yogi to Darby--unknown
- Clarissa to Yindra--unknown
- Haley to Jade--unknown
- Jade to Haley--unknown
- Lucas to Farkle--unforgiven
- Zay to Farkle--unforgiven
- Riley to Cory--forgiven
- Topanga to Cory (3)--forgiven
Gallery
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The image gallery for Girl Meets the Forgiveness Project may be viewed here.
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Transcript
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To view the Girl Meets the Forgiveness Project transcript, click here.
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Videos
Girl Meets World - Girl Meets Forgiveness Project Teaser (Season 2 Episode 23)
Disney Channel Friday Night (11 06 15)
Girl Meets World - Girl Meets The Forgiveness Project - Episode Clip
Girl Meets World - Girl Meets the Forgiveness Project
References
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