The Boy Meets World cast recently launched a re-watch podcast aptly titled Pod Meets World. Although it took a few years for it to launch, Rider Strong, who played Shawn Hunter, came up with the concept long before similar podcasts such as Office Ladies and Fake Doctors, Real Friends found success.
While some people remember Shawn Hunter for his good looks and charm, others appreciate how much his character was able to grow throughout seven seasons, and even more as an adult on Girl Meets World. Whether Shawn was spouting sarcastic quips, emotional speeches or insightful lines, his quotes always left an impression.
"Use A Mirror, Babe."
Season 1, Episode 4: "Cory's Alternative Friends"
Throughout the first season, Cory had many friends who would rotate on a regular basis, but the one constant was Shawn Hunter. His cavalier attitude, sarcastic one-liners and surfer haircut made Shawn stand out — and made Cory a little jealous. Shawn convinces Cory to chemically straighten his hair, but things go horribly awry, and Cory is mocked by his friends, including Shawn.
After Cory sits with a group of outcasts at lunch, he ends up working on a school project with Topanga Lawrence. She decides to do an interpretive dance on global warming and finishes by drawing a peace sign on her face with red lipstick. Shawn's shady reaction to Topanga's look sets the tone for this trio and changes the show's trajectory.
"I Just Knew I Had To Get It Far, Far Away ... So I Mailed It."
Season 1, Episode 17, "The Fugitive."
Shawn was always a bit of a troublemaker, but his schemes were pretty harmless until he blew up a United States mailbox with a cherry bomb. Although Shawn made sure no bystanders were hurt, this prank was pretty far-fetched and was even joked about later on in the series.
After Shawn outruns the cops, he sneaks into Cory's bedroom, and tries to secretly live there for a few days, because he can't go home, since his dad will "kill him." This is the first real glimpse into Shawn's problematic home life, but it's clear that Shawn is frightened of his father.
"I've Got A 30-Foot Range."
Season 2, Episode 2, "Pairing Off."
As Cory and Shawn become interested in dating girls, Cory realizes that Shawn has one move that he cannot pull off - stroking his hair back. Shawn continues to brag that he has a "30-foot range," which means he can make girls notice him when he touches his hair, even if they're down the hall, or across the street.
Although Shawn doesn't reference this talent throughout the series, it's obvious that his hair is one of the many qualities that continues to attract the female gaze. Cory, on the other hand, must learn to win girls over with how he acts towards them since his curly hair won't budge.
"You're Cory. I'm Shawn, Just Like It's Always Been."
Season 2, Episode 5, "The Uninvited."
When a popular girl at school invites Cory to a party, but not Shawn, the two friends are confused yet curious. Cory focuses so much energy on becoming a popular guy and trying to change his parent-approved image, that he loses sight of his steadfast friendship with Shawn.
After Cory discovers that Shawn wasn't invited because he's so cool, Cory finds it hard to believe that his best friend would rather hang out with him one-on-one, than with a whole crowd of people. Cory asks Shawn if he thinks he's a geek or cool, and Shawn replies with, "of course not," to both, because they are who they are - Cory and Shawn. It's the only label they need.
"Love Is The Most Amazing, Rare And Precious Thing In The Whole World."
Season 2, Episode 7, "Wake Up, Little Cory."
Mr. Turner surprisingly gives his students permission to interview friends and family members about love, sex, and slander, and get it all on video, as a lesson related to Much Ado About Nothing.When Topanga interviews Shawn about love, he recites this quote.
Topanga follows up by asking Shawn if he's ever been in love, and Shawn replies, "Five times a day." At the time, Shawn had no idea what true love felt like since he had just started dating, and had not yet met Angela.
"I Lost My Mom. I Don't Think I Deserved To Lose My Dad Too."
Season 4, Episode 4, "Fishing For Virna."
Towards the end of the second season, Shawn's mom, Virna leaves town and takes her family's mobile home with her, in one of the most emotional episodes of Boy Meets World. Instead of comforting Shawn, Chet chases Virna across the country for several months, leaving Shawn in the care of Mr. and Mrs. Matthews, and eventually his teacher, Jonathan Turner.
When Virna finally returns to the motel across the highway from the trailer park in the fourth season, Shawn courageously confronts his father and asks him why he didn't want to stay and be a family with him after Virna left. Even though his parents reunite for a while, Shawn never gets the answers he truly deserves.
"Don't Blow Me Off, God. I Never Asked You For Anything Before."
Season 4, Episode 21, "Cult Fiction."
When Shawn is feeling lost and vulnerable towards the end of the fourth season, he gets manipulated by a group of strangers, trusting them over his own friends. Shawn tries to avoid the reality of Jonathan Turner's motorcycle accident, but he ends up pleading with God.
Although Shawn came from a tumultuous upbringing and always struggled financially, he makes a point to say that he has never asked God for anything. Shawn wasn't ready to say goodbye to Mr. Turner, and he knew his pseudo-guardian "wasn't done yelling" at him either. Although Jonathan isn't seen again until Girl Meets World, he was one of the best father figures Shawn ever had.
"My Brother Just Called Me A Pig. I Think This Might Work Out."
Season 5, Episode 2, "Boy Meets Real World."
There are several continuity errors throughout Boy Meets World, including Shawn's absentee siblings, Stacey and Eddie. When the show took a turn at the beginning of the fifth season and introduced a new character named Jack as Shawn's half-brother, it wasn't a big surprise for long-time viewers of the show, but they were shocked he stuck around.
While fans debate whether Jack or Shawn was the better brother on Boy Meets World, it's clear the pair had a rocky start, since they came from different backgrounds. Once they opened up and told each other how they really felt, Shawn admitted things might work out with them.
"I'm My Own Worst Eskimo."
Season 5, Episode 13, "The Eskimo."
When Cory and Shawn get a case of senioritis, Mr. Feeny teaches one of his best lessons by asking them to acquire two tickets to the Super Bowl. Shawn was challenged to succeed, and Topanga was told not to intervene. If either of them failed, so would Cory.
Shawn enters a radio contest to see if he can outlast nine contestants on a Philadelphia billboard in the middle of winter. In the final two, it's down to Shawn and a member of the Inuit tribe, who thrives in cold weather. Shawn realizes that while there have always been external factors keeping him from succeeding in life, more often than not, he gets in his own way, and doesn't even try.
"You've Killed Us, You've Killed Us All."
Season 5, Episode 17, "And Then There Was Shawn."
Shawn didn't have a lot of consistency in his life, but one thing he could rely on was that Cory and Topanga belonged together. After they broke up, Shawn was devastated. Even though Cory cheated on Topanga with Lauren, Shawn blamed Topanga for ending the relationship and believed she was the reason the main characters were in danger in the horror-themed episode.
"And Then There Was Shawn" is noted as one of the best episodes of Boy Meets World, even though the events are not exactly canon. Although the Pod Meets World co-hosts have different memories from working on set, Danielle Fishel, Will Friedle and Rider Strong all agree they had the most fun shooting the episode fans love to re-watch every Halloween.
Source:gamerant.com