Things In Boy Meets World That Only Adults Notice

Boy Meets World is one of the most beloved TV shows of the '90s. Just ask any millennial about Cory and Topanga's memorable relationship, Shawn's iconic hair style, or Eric's unforgettable Feeny call and you're sure to get a complete account of the series. 

The show, which ran from 1993 to 2000, was a coming-of-age classic about goofy boy-next-door Cory Matthews, his intelligent classmate who steals his heart Topanga Lawrence, and his best friend Shawn Hunter, the bad boy who's always looking out for him. The show follows these characters — plus their friends, families, and even their teachers — through all the tough times as they grow up. Boy Meets World was perfect for young audiences who experienced the same challenges, triumphs, and heartbreak the characters went through, but there were lots of details about the show that kids might have missed. Here's what only adults notice in the hit series Boy Meets World.

The personality and intelligence level of Cory's older brother, Eric, changes throughout the seasons of Boy Meets World. In early episodes, Eric Matthews is a mischievous older brother who's mostly interested in girls and dating, but he does also focus on school and seems to be, overall, pretty grounded. But in later seasons, he's presented as dumb and goofy, such as in one episode when he shares that he thinks his ability to read people is a "fifth sense."

It's unclear if this change is meant to display another side to Eric or if the change was done simply for the show to have more opportunities for wacky jokes. The change is drastic, but it fortunately fits well with the show's pace in later seasons. In the beginning, a more mischievous but knowledgeable older brother made sense for Cory's story and character development, but later on, a goofy, comical character is probably just what the show needed.

In long-running shows, it's fairly common to see parts played by multiple actors. There was the casting change for Laurie Foreman on That '70s Show, a switcheroo for Darrin Stevens on Bewitched, and a complicated back-and-forth switch-off with the actors who played Becky Connor on Roseanne. But it's not common that a role goes through quite as many actors as Topanga's parents did.

Marcia Cross played Rhiannon Lawrence and Mark Harelik played Jedediah Lawrence for three episodes of Boy Meets World in a storyline that surrounds the characters' divorce. Before that, though, Peter Tork portrayed Jedediah for two episodes and Michael McKean played Topanga's father for just one episode. Meanwhile, Annette O'Toole may have been the first to play Rhiannon, but she only appeared for one episode in Season 6.

It's also worth noting that Topanga's sister, Nebula, was just played by one person, Krystee Clark, but she was only featured in one episode, "She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not." Where'd she go?

Any Boy Meets World fan will remember Stuart Minkus, the brainy kid who sat near Cory and Shawn in Mr. Feeny's class. He was known for his constant desire to earn straight A's and to get Topanga's attention. But he mysteriously disappeared after Season 1. Similarly, Mr. Turner, the cool younger teacher who acted as a father figure for Shawn, vanished from the show after a dramatic motorcycle accident. Viewers never see Mr. Turner again. At least, not until he appeared in the spin-off Girl Meets World.

And while young viewers might not have noticed this inconsistency, focusing instead on new characters and the many exciting plot points in the show, the writers clearly realized the issue. At the end of Cory, Shawn, and Topanga's senior year of high school, Minkus reappears, explaining that he hadn't been seen in years because he was "just in the other part of the school." He then calls out to Mr. Turner, apparently seeing him on this mysterious "other" side of school.

Ben Savage is known for his starring role on Boy Meets World, but he's not the only celebrity in his family. His brother, Fred Savage, starred in The Wonder Years as Kevin Arnold. Amazingly, the brothers both starred in a hit coming-of-age show with a memorable best friend and noteworthy childhood sweetheart love story. What are the odds?

But these brothers have another thing in common: They were both in a Season 6 episode of Boy Meets World titled "Everybody Loves Stuart." In this episode, a young professor, played by Fred Savage, makes a move on Topanga. He tells her, "I'm your teacher and I think you're attractive," and, "I think about you and I'd like to see you more than just on Tuesdays and Thursdays." Cory ends up hitting the professor, and he gets suspended from college for a day — and put on probation for the rest of the term — as a result. While Fred doesn't appear in any other episodes of the show, his character is definitely a memorable one.

The cast of Boy Meets World is pretty incredible. Not only are the roles perfectly cast, with Ben Savage rocking the lead role, Danielle Fishel playing the iconic Topanga, and the legendary William Daniels as the wise Mr. Feeny, but there's also some great guest stars. I Know What You Did Last Summer's Jennifer Love Hewitt appeared in one episode, while Brittany Murphy played Trini on the show the same year Clueless came out. Full House's Candace Cameron also appeared on the show, playing a witch in a Halloween episode.

Additionally, the show featured some great actors before they were famous. Parks and Recreation actor Adam Scott played school bully Griff Hawkins. Brokeback Mountain and Dead to Me's Linda Cardellini played Lauren, the girl who kissed Cory when they were on vacation at a ski resort. Julie Benz of Dexter fame played Eric's date Bianca in a Season 3 episode, and Keri Russell played Feeny's niece Jessica long before she starred in Felicity.

When you were a kid, we bet you didn't notice how much Boy Meets World talked about sex. In the episode "Prom-ises, Prom-ises," Shawn and Cory get ready to leave for their senior prom. While talking about the evening, Shawn says it is "the night we leave as boys and come back men." It's clear that they're talking about having sex for the first time with their girlfriends. Later in the episode, Cory and Topanga check into a hotel room, but the timing doesn't feel right to Topanga and she is conflicted about having sex with Cory. She says, "Cory I want to, that's why we're here. I'll do whatever you think is right. I'm just so confused."

In the end, Cory and Topanga wait until after they're married. "I have been waiting for this moment my entire life," Cory says. It's sweet that they decide to have sex on their own terms when they're both absolutely ready, but the show does put a surprising amount of focus on sex and abstinence for a series geared toward young viewers.

Boy Meets World is known for its comedy, but the show also teaches young viewers life lessons. In one episode, Topanga gives Shawn a harsh but important lesson on women. She says, "You don't understand women. You don't what we are, you don't know how we feel, and you don't know what we think. You see us as dating objects, and the faster we are, the more you want us. And until you can grow up and see beyond that, no matter how many girls you go out with, you will always be lonely." 

But the show explores lessons beyond relationships like irresponsible drinking. Cory and Shawn are caught drinking after Cory steals alcohol from the liquor cabinet. They end up urinating on a police car and get arrested. "So, how's it feel to put one over on your parents?" Cory's dad, Alan, asks. "You feel good?" Cory responds with a timid, "No." It's clear his drinking caused him embarrassment and shame. It was an important lesson that young viewers probably saw as simply another one of Cory and Shawn's crazy adventures, but adults knew the show was educating those watching.