In this episode, Riley starts off not wanting anything to change in her life. And then Zay, Lucas' old friend from Texas, transfers to their school. Secrets about (and new sides to) Lucas subsequently comes to light, and Riley starts to wonder whether she actually knows him at all.
In my opinion, this is one of the best Girl Meets World episodes to date. It has a great message - people change people. But the episode's largest surprise and biggest asset comes from a rather unexpected source; an incredible performance from Peyton Meyer as Lucas. He has a nice, intense scene towards the end that may actually be the best acting from any cast member so far in Girl Meets World. It totally and entirely changes our perspective on Lucas, and even Maya was left speechless (which we know says a lot). But at the end of it, we actually believe that even though Lucas was a different person back in Texas, his new friends and a new city actually has changed him, and that's a thing that could easily have gone wrong if done just a little sloppy. It was about time that we got an episode that was actually all about Lucas, and it got the best out of the actor (who until this episode has been okay at best, but that's mostly on the writers) too. Now I'm excited to see if the writers actually are going to use this new information on Lucas to let him have a bigger impact on the show and continue to develop his character, or if this was just a one-shot and he goes back to being kind of one-dimensional from now on. In that case, it would be a terrible waste of this great episode.
Also, I like that Cory lets Lucas figure out his problems on his own, even though he could have easily stopped him along the way, that Riley questions Lucas' past actions and don't just let it go despite her feelings for him (it gives the episode a nice dynamic), and that there isn't any notable (and unnecessary) subplots to ruin the episode.
Other reasons that I like the episode: Some fine one-liners (especially from Cory and Maya), a couple of hilarious Boy Meets World references entertains, and it has a good guest performance from Amir Mitchell-Townes as Zay, whom we luckily get to see more of later this season. Do not miss this episode! Season 2 has by the way started out great (so far several levels over most of season 1), and I hope it continues to impress.
