Danielle Fishel On The Moment She Realized Topanga Was Going To Be A Regular – Looper

About 32:40 into the November 30 episode of “Pod Meets World,” which recaps the “Boy Meets World” episode “Boy Meets Girl,” Danielle Fishel begins describing a scene in which Cory’s mom Amy (Betsy Randle) shares that she thinks Cory looks excited for an upcoming date with Topanga. Shawn Hunter actor Rider Strong then points out that this is the first time Cory’s parents acknowledge Topanga’s existence.

Then, at the 35:37 mark, third co-host Will Friedle suggests that this is the precise moment in which Topanga becomes a part of the larger story. He goes on to explain that the fact Cory’s parents show they’re plenty familiar with Topanga, rather than treating her like someone new or someone who will only appear briefly in Cory’s life, serves to legitimize her place in the series’ bigger picture.

At the 36:14 mark, Fishelle adds, “It felt very much like, oh, I’m in the Matthews’ family universe, not just the Cory-Shawn school universe.” Friedle elaborates that he found this to be a sign that the “Boy Meets World” producers were hinting at larger plans for Topanga should the show be picked up for more seasons after its first. Of course, that was indeed the case, hence why Fishel remains so closely associated with the role of Topanga to this day.