Season 3 - What could have been?

The Netflix series ends after just 2 seasons, and 18 episodes, I really enjoyed this adaption and hoped to see more, so in this post I muse about what could have been.

Realistically because of age of actresses and the creators saying they didn't want to continue following the characters into High School, the most we could have hoped for with the Netflix series would have been 3 seasons and at a push 4.  I'm sure Covid delays didn't help and the girls already seemed much older, it also meant a shortened season 2 and not exactly a grand finale.

Creator Rachel Shukart did an interesting interview about its cancellation and what could have been in season 3. https://www.vulture.com/article/why-the-baby-sitters-club-was-canceled-at-netflix.html

So going partly from that and what was set up from the previous seasons, and giving each member an episode, here's a list of episodes I think could have made Season 3

 

1. Kristy and the Walking Disaster
• Not entirely sure what would be a good book to adapt for Kristy, but she got some big stories previous seasons (wedding, louie dying, adoption) so a more lighthearted one could be good.
  
2. Stacey's Choice
• There were hints of Stacey's parents possible divorce in season 2, but rather than move her to New York and then divorce, I imagine they would divorce and she would have to choose which parent to live with, so a looser adaption with elements of other books.
3. Little Miss Stoneybrook and Dawn 
• Rachel mentioned wanting to adapt this and it would be fun episode, something in tone with Little Miss Sunshine film for the pageant.
4. Jessi's Secret Language
• It's one of the best Jessi books, and opportunity to be inclusive to deaf actors, I think it could fit in well with the series.
5. Keep, Out Claudia
• Maybe a bit of special episode, torn between this and Claudia's Friend, but it was an interesting book to look at racism and instead of obviously having Jessi as focus having Asian character instead.
6. Mallory Hates Boys (and Gym)
• Mal is definitely deserving of an episode after missing out last season, Poor Mallory would have been my first choice but that was already touched on. Mal always tends to have a hard time, but this seems like it could be episode a lot of 11 year girls could relate to and as the show has sometimes leaned more on focus their personal lives rather than babysitting aspect, this seems a good fit.
  
7. Mary Anne and the Secret in the Attic 
• A mystery book, but as it explores Mary Anne's mother an past it feels like it would connect with the episodes well as we've already learned more of Alma's past in the show, as Mary Anne also learns things. This would also make good use of Marc Evan Jackson's Richard.
8. Snowbound 
• Rachel said she would have liked to cover another super special and she specifically mentions New York, New York and Snowbound, while former would be cool to see, I think filming wise Snowbound would be more feasible and is still a fun super special.
  
9. Graduation Day 
• For a finale I could see something like the Babysitters Remember but chose this as it's a story that brings the book series to the end and and has them finishing middle school.

Those are just thoughts of what could have fit in with the show and books I think could make a good adaption, but who knows, especially with some looser adaptions choices they made in season 2. There were certainly episodes in season 2 I didn't expect, like Kristy and the Baby Parade and Jessi and the Superbrat. I think they could have made a good job whatever they chose to adapt.

If I had to choose some other books that I personally would liked on to see on the screen it would be:

• Kristy and the Middle School Vandal (a mystery book, I enjoyed her and Cary's rivalry, liked following the clues and thought it was just a fun book)
  
• Claudia and the Recipe for Danger  (Claudia's mystery books were always my favourite ones and getting to see delicious cakes would be a bonus)
• Mary Anne Vs Logan (don't think it would have worked in series context as they actually decided to not be boyfriend/girlfriend, but bookwise I was never a big fan of Logan, and thought it was cool MA stood up for herself.)
• Stacey and the Bad Girls (this and Stacey Vs BSC it was really interesting to see someone break away from the group and do their own thing)
• Dawn on the Coast (don't think it would have worked filming but would have been fun to see Dawn in her California life)
  
• Mallory and the Trouble with Twins (this could be a good adaption, and actually early Mal books showing her being more competent, I actually really like Hello, Mallory as well)
• Jessi Ramsey, Pet Sitter (mightn't be the best book, but was one of the first I owned so it have a  soft spot for it)
• Welcome to the BSC, Abby (I only read one Abby book before aging out of BSC books, so while not a favourite character she would have been cool to see her appear at least)

In the meantime rewatching the 2 seasons we got will have to suffice, and at least the graphic novel adaptions are still going strong, so I will continue to look at those.

Kristy and the Baby Parade

 

Book #45, Netflix S2 E8

Original Book -  Writer: Ann M. Martin (ghostwriter: Ellen Miles)

Netflix Series - Director: Kimmy Gatewood  Writer: Rachel Shukert

Basic plot

The BSC decide to enter a float in the Stoneybrook Baby Parade but things don't go as planned.

Things that are kept the same  

• The BSC decide it would be a good idea to enter some of their clients in the Baby Parade float section and it would be good opportunity to advertise the club.
• All the members pitch ideas, most seem impracticable, like outer space theme, or Manhattan glam, they decide to go with "The Old Woman who lived in a shoe"
  
• It seems they may have been over ambitious and have some communication problems, so Stacey picks out an orange paint and Mal buys a clashing pink for the costumes.
• No-one is happy with how the costumes look, so Dawn (and others in the show) dress the babies in other outfits.
• The float is a disaster, Charlie is not happy to be using his car to pull the float and the BSC start fighting with each other, blaming each other for it failing.
• They do make up in the end, and at least one of the babies wins in the stroller section.
  

Things from other books 

• While not this specific situation Kristy's dad letting her down is mentioned in several books most prominently in the Portrait Collection: Kristy
• Kristy's dad wants the kids to meet his new girlfriend (Friends Forever 1) in this case he invites them to his wedding, they don't have a new baby yet but are talking about having a family. Charlie is the one who is not happy with it, but they do attend and accept he is never going to be good father to them.
  
• Stacey's parents are fighting a lot (Original Book 26, they divorce in book 28)
  

Things that are changed

• In the book the parade is bi-annual,  in the show it was a regular event but stopped 10 years ago, Stoneybrook is bringing it back for it's 80th anniversary.
• They are having a special old winners car and Kristy and Watson are both old winners.
• Kristy had no idea she was a winner of a baby parade, but Claudia knows and holds a bit of grudge because Mimi and Alma (Mary Anne's mother) had entered her and Mary Anne before Kristy came in last minute and won with a Mrs Claus costume.
• In the book the subplot involves Kristy helping Andrea Prezzioso enter stroller competition and they all go on a infant care course, none of this is in the show.
  
• They all have their pitch for a float
• Kristy - baseball game (book), no idea (show)
• Claudia - outer space (book & show), more elaborate idea in show.
  
• Mary Anne - Three Little Kittens (book), Nutcracker (show)
• Stacey - Glamorous Manhattan (book & show)
• Dawn - Surfing USA (book), Music Festival (show) 
• Mallory - Misty of Chincoteague (book), Old Woman that Lives in a shoe (show)
• Jessi - no idea (book) Nutcracker, pitched with Mary Anne (show)
• The reason Kristy doesn't have an idea to pitch in the show is she is too distracted as her biological dad has said he is going to visit with his new girlfriend and baby.
• This is particularly hard on Elizabeth as her and Watson attempts to have baby have not been successful, but she is supportive of whatever her kids want to do.
  
• Sam doesn't want to see him, but the rest decide to meet him. 
• He cancels last minute on day of parade, and Watson speaks his mind what he thinks of him and asks if he can formally adopt the Thomas kids which they accept. 
  

Final Thoughts 

Obviously this was meant to be just a season finale rather than a show finale, I'll get more into what I would have liked in another season in the next post, but taking it as it is, it's not the worst show finale. Kristy really accepting her new family and Watson adopting the Thomas children seems to be a complete arc for her from her first episode in season 1. And as always the BSC are supportive friend network the ending song being from the original tv series, seems a nice completion of the series.They took a lot from the original book including the disaster float, which was fun. In the book it was actually a nice change to see the babysitters take on a project and not excel at it! This doesn't seem to be a favourite book by may readers but I always liked it. I am sad this is the last of the series, but happy with the adaption we got.