Farkle tells Riley that she has until midnight on New Year’s Eve to tell everyone how she really feels about Lucas. (imdb.com)

I’m still amazed how good GMW is.  I’m still amazed by how talented this troop of young actors is.

In the Texas three-parter, it was like all the cards were thrown up in the air and all of our couples were reshuffled.  The show continues to explore the feelings between Charlie, Maya, Riley and Lucas.  While the show can sometimes veer into schmaltz territory and also veer into the land of convenience (how convenient was it that Harper is teaching Sense and Sensibility at the same time all of this drama is going on just before Christmas vacation?), we’ll take the ride because we understand the conflict that the characters are feeling and facing (sometimes head-on, sometimes not).

Here, Farkle reminds Riley about her pledge to tell Lucas and Maya about her true feelings for Lucas.  Riley suggests that she is stepping aside to not hurt Maya’s feelings in the same way that Maya has done for her.  Farkle reminds her that the Horn of Gabriel will blow at midnight on New Year’s Eve.

In Harper’s class, the crew explores the meaning of sense and sensibility.  Sense means good judgment while sensitivity reflects sensitivity.  As Farkle suggests, the most important word in the title is And.  You need both sense and sensibility in life.

We finally make it to New Year’s Eve.  Cory and Topanga, in reflecting on the upcoming year, state “bring it on!”  Charlie wants to play the couples game and, surprise, surprise, all of the questions challenge the relationships between our key players.  Close to midnight, everyone ends up on the roof.  Charlie pours his heart out to Riley, but RIley says there needs to be something more.  Maya ends up next to Lucas and asks him “Have I ever said anything nice to you?”   When Maya suggests that being next to Lucas is exactly where she wants to be, Lucas replies “That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”  I’m impressed with how Peyton Meyer has grown as an actor and how talented Sabrina Carpenter is.

But the Horn of Gabriel must blow – and Farkle drops the midnight bomb that RIley still has feelings for Lucas.  The assembled group quickly leaves (Auggie says this is the first time he’s made it to midnight but then falls asleep with five seconds left; Charlie carries him out) leaving RIley, Maya and Lucas to ponder the future.

It will make for compelling viewing when the show returns in January.  It’s great that the show has been renewed for a third season and that the group will be graduating to high school.  Two years in middle school is enough and I’m ready to see how they address the challenges of a more adult environment.  This cast has more than proven they can handle it.