I keep reading a lot of people that Rini is a cliche but I honestly donât see it. I donât see what would make people believe that theyâre a cliche. What do you think?
I think if you look at the skelton dynamic you might think itâs a cliche? Boy and girl are dating, break up because the guy doesnât want to get serious, girl tries to move on, guy wants her back once he loses her.
But there are so many LAYERS to that story that completely change the framing of it all.
Teen shows so rarely give such interesting, complex motives for their characters actions. Thatâs what I love about this showâthereâs depth everywhere you look for it, and thatâs so valued and appreciated by me.
Ricky couldnât say I love you because of his parents (divorce affecting a child in their everyday lifeâdepth)
Nini tried to move on because he couldnât be honest. (Miscommunicationâtypical for a show, but still realistic)
Ricky NEVER moved on, but actually KEPT HIS DISTANCE as she dated someone else and gave her the space she needed when she told him no. (Not pressuring the girl or actively trying to win her back with the exception of joining the play which he did before he realized she wasnât playing and also it quickly became more than just about Nini).
Ricky wanting Nini back had NOTHING to do with EJ, he wanted her back before he even knew they were dating (a teen guy not using jealousy to drive his actionsâNEVER happens)
The fact they rise above it as friends in the moments that matter (being genuine friends beyond just a ploy to date each otherârevelatory)
Nini being jealous seeing Ricky with Gina but going out of her way to bond with Gina anyway and be there for her, because sheâs hurting, and none of it is Ginaâs fault (teen girls not being pitted against each other in a teen showâgroundbreaking)
Nini and Ricky having countless arguments but none of them are ever taken to an unhealthy or toxic place (two teens not saying the worst possible things to crush each other for selfish impact but having healthy conflict that is still interestingâFRESH)
Nini not taking Ricky back right after she dumped EJ because that wonât solve their problems (a girl wanting a boyfriend badly but refusing to get back into a relationship she doesnât trust and instead staying alone and figuring things out in due timeâWHERE ELSE DOES THAT HAPPEN?)
I could keep going, but you get the picture