Kristy's Big Day

 Book #6, Graphix #6, Netflix S1 E8

Original Book - Writer: Ann M.Martin

Graphix Book - Illustrator: Gale Galligan

Netflix Series - Director:  Kimmy Gatewood, Writer: Rachel Shukert

Basic plot

Kristy is nervous about her mother marrying, the family changing and the move across town. Elizabeth is stressed with all the wedding preparations, but on the day of the wedding everything goes well and Kristy is happy for her mom and Watson.

Things that are kept the same 

• Kristy is still feeling apprehensive about the marriage and is especially not looking forward to moving.
• Kristy and Mary Anne have some conversations from window, knowing they won't be able to do that when they move (Netflix they have flashlight conversation)
• To keep the kids entertained Karen and David Michael play at being bride and groom.
• Elizabeth is very stressed with organising the wedding.
• Kristy is actually excited to wear a pretty dress and be bridesmaid.
• Karen is the flower girl and screams when she see Mrs Porter "Morbidda Destiny" at the wedding, but things then calm down and the wedding goes smoothly.
  

Things from other books 

• [Netflix only] The girls discuss their upcoming summer camp, they discuss the list of things the camp has said they need to bring (Original Book BSC Super Special 2) 
• [Netflix only] Charlie will drive Kristy to her BSC meetings (Original Book 7)
  
  

Things that are changed 

• Timeline change in the Graphix and Netflix series means this takes place after Mimi's stroke.
• Otherwise the Graphix stays close to the original book, with the subplot staying the same - the BSC looking after a group of kids while the parents help with the wedding preparations. Again because Mallory is now a member she joins with helping Kristy's group of kids, the reasoning being that Kristy will sometimes have to go do wedding stuff like dress fittings. 
•  Other than addition of Mallory there are a few small changes in the Graphix. Elizabeth mentions Watson's parents being religious as one of the reasons to move wedding up (and presumably not just live with each other), funnily in the Netflix series there is also mention of Elizabeth trying to appease Watson's family.
• Not a major plot but in the book Sam makes a prank call to the BSC looking for babysitter with experience with Little Women for Amy March, which is actually kind of funny and smart. In the Graphix he calls looking for sitter with experience with lots of smelly farts. Presumably this was to do with how much space to fit dialogue in Graphix but I miss the original joke.
• In the Graphix when Karen freaks out about Morbidda Destiny, Dawn shoots her a look and she acts nicer to Morbidda (also ties in nicely to Dawn having to talk to her earlier in the week about her scaring kids with stories). In the original book it is Kristy and Watson who stop Karen from being rude to Mrs Porter but then Karen goes into house and won't come out until after Mrs Porter is gone.
  
• The Netflix series drops the subplot of looking after the kids completely. Instead it has it's own subplots to follow.
• There is tension with Elizabeth when Watson buys her kids expensive things. Charlie a new car and Kristy a new bridesmaid dress. (The original dress is yellow like the books, but she gets a new blue one)
• Kristy and her mom have fight about the cost of new dress, and she thinks it's unfair that she gets more of a talking to about it then Charlie got about car. One of the conditions of Charlie getting to keep the car is that he has to use it for all the family, so he will take Kristy to her BSC meetings.
  
• The fight means although she is happy for mum finding happiness, they leave things on bad terms before ceremony. They do make up before Elizabeth and Watson drive off on honeymoon.
• Kristy also gets her 1st period on the day, and the BSC are there to help her.
• Richard and Sharon get back together at the wedding.
• Esme Porter officiates the wedding. When Karen screams on seeing her, she calmly explains Karen thinks she is a witch and that she is correct and then moves on with the ceremony.
  
• There is set up for the girls going to camp next episode. Claudia initially was going to go to art school but decided in the end she would prefer to spend her Summer with the BSC.

Final Thoughts

While the Netflix series has 2 more episodes left, this feels a bit like the finale with a big event and the wrapping up several ongoing plots (Kristy's apprehension about marriage, Sharon and Richard's relationship, Kristy getting her first period), I can see why they moved it to later in the series. There are some great visuals in the Graphix like when Kristy is describing her dress, and it changes as she adds more description. I also like little details between the chapters like the list of charges and the coloured groups they belong to. This was favourite book of mine when I was younger, it's nice to see it adapted so well.

 

Timeline

Original Series	Graphix	Netflix Series
1. Kristy’s Great Idea  Kristy, Mary Anne, Claudia and Stacey form the Babysitters Club. Kristy babysits the Brewers for the first time.  Stacey meets and has a crush on Sam Thomas. Stacey tells the club she has diabetes.	1. Kristy’s Great Idea Kristy, Mary Anne, Claudia and Stacey form the Babysitters Club. Kristy babysits the Brewers for the first time. Stacey meets and has a crush on Sam Thomas. Stacey tells the club she has diabetes.	1. Kristy’s Great Idea Kristy, Mary Anne, Claudia and Stacey form the Babysitters Club. 1st appearance of Logan Bruno (not named until episode 2).
2.       Claudia and the Phantom Phone Calls Claudia has a crush on Trevor Sandbourne. Claudia struggles academically in school.	2.       The Truth about Stacey  The BSC find out about rivals - The Babysitters Agency. Kristy has the idea for Kid-Kits. 1st appearance of Mallory Pike Stacey makes up with her New York friend Laine.	2.       Claudia and the Phantom Phone Calls  Kristy babysits the Brewers for the first time. Claudia has a crush on Trevor Sandbourne. Claudia struggles academically in school. The BSC find out about rivals - The Babysitters Agency.
3.       The Truth about Stacey The BSC find out about rivals - The Babysitters Agency. Kristy has the idea for Kid-Kits. 1st appearance of Mallory Pike Stacey makes up with her New York friend Laine.	3.       Mary Anne Saves the Day 1st appearance of Dawn Schafer. Mary Anne and Dawn find out their parents dated in high school. Dawn joins the BSC.	3.       The Truth about Stacey Kristy has the idea for Kid-Kits Stacey meets and has a crush on Sam Thomas. Stacey tells the club she has diabetes.
4.       Mary Anne Saves the Day 1st appearance of Dawn Schafer. Mary Anne and Dawn find out their parents dated in high school. Dawn joins the BSC.	4.       Claudia and Mean Janine Mimi has a stroke	4.       Mary Anne Saves the Day 1st appearance of Dawn Schafer. Mary Anne and Dawn find out their parents dated in high school.
5.       Dawn and the Impossible Three Dawn becomes alternate officer.	5.       Dawn and the Impossible Three Mallory Pike joins the BSC as junior officer.	5.       Dawn and the Impossible Three Dawn joins the BSC. Dawn becomes alternate officer.
6.       Kristy’s Big Day Elizabeth Thomas and Watson Brewer get married.	6.       Kristy’s Big Day Elizabeth Thomas and Watson Brewer get married.	6.       Claudia and Mean Janine Mimi has a stroke
7.       Claudia and Mean Janine Mimi has a stroke	7.       Boy Crazy Stacey  Stacey has her first kiss with Toby in Sea City	7.       Boy Crazy Stacey 1st appearance of Mallory Pike Stacey has her first kiss with Toby in Sea City
8.       Boy Crazy Stacey Stacey has her first kiss with Toby in Sea City		8.       Kristy’s Big Day Elizabeth Thomas and Watson Brewer get married.