In an earlier post I talked about my changing opinion regarding Brian Krakow. Now that I've finished the whole series again I have to say that I'm back to saying that Brian Krakow is awesome. Yes, as Jeri pointed out in the comments, Brian is kind of creepy. He also is kind of a jerk at times. As I continued to watch the show I thought about what I was like when I was Brian's age. I was awkward and had no idea how to talk to girls or what to do to get a girlfriend. This resulted in me being that borderline creepy guy simply because I didn't know any better. I think the same is true of Krakow and this is evidenced by the way he grows during the run of the show. As he makes new friends and becomes a bit more self confident he begins to be less socially awkward. For many this transition is seamless but for the Brian Krakows of the world (of whom I am one) it is a long and arduous process, so difficult that some never quite complete it.

The ending of the show, which isn't really an ending, always makes me scream and/or cry. Brian pretty much reveals his true feelings to Angela and while she does appear to be intrigued by this, she still gets in the car with Jordan. Fade to black. It reminds me of another Brian, the one in The Breakfast Club. Despite everything that happened in the movie and how all the characters supposedly came together, he's still left alone in the end to write the essay for the rest of the group. For many years this seemed to be our lot in life as geeks. These days it's nice to see that the Brian Krakows of the world have taken over. We are no longer left riding our bikes in the driveway or doing someone else's homework while the cool kids drive off and pump their fists in the air.Yes, Brian Krakow had his flaws. We all do.

I think some of my original disdain for Krakow was because many of his flaws are or were my own flaws. I had a Delia Fisher in high school. I'm pretty sure she still hates (or strongly dislikes) me to this day. I also had an Angela Chase in high school. Just like Brian, I never got that happily ever after, but things did turn out okay. I think the world is now in a better place when it comes to us. I know that if the show were released just a few years later it would have been absolutely huge and we would have gotten to see Krakow have his day. Instead we are left with things very vague and uncertain. I think it's almost better that way.