1. First off, I see people misunderstanding the time travel logic so I gotta set this straight.
Every time travel device in fiction allows effects to exist for which no cause ever manifests. That is how time travel in TV and movies always works.
In the first place, Cyd and Shelby got their powers in an alternate past. In the timeline that began at the end of the first episode, the event that caused them to gain their powers never happened. That isn't a plot hole, that's how it works. Time travel couldn't work differently, anyway.
After Cyd and Shelby jumped back and made it so Barry never got into science, they still have time travel power in the present because they aren't from that timeline. They are from the timeline where they do have time travel power. It's no different.
A question arises in the 1950s episode: why did Shelby transform into a girl with a different grandfather? Well, the answer is just her existence isn't to be presumed because it took place before she was born. That may not seem logical but it is an answer. There is always an explanation for these things and I'm certain BFW is always consistent with its own assumptions.
2. The twins: Brett and Chet weren't very interesting to begin with but their story came to be about learning to become different people and accept the other for who he is. It wasn't extremely interesting but it was better than lame gags.
3. Comparing to GMW and other Disney shows: a lot of people complain that Cydby are a knockoff of Rilaya but this doesn't make any sense. If you watch the show you know their personalities are nothing like Riley and Maya. As an anxious girl and a spontaneous girl? They aren't different from Rocky and Cece, Miley and Lily, Lindy and Logan, etc. Rilaya are a knockoff of Cory and Shawn anyway so this is kind of a pointless argument.
4. This thing always happens where young people grow up and the new shows seem childish compared to the old ones. It's in your head. A lot of criticism towards BFW sounds like wishing that Disney would make something very different or less imaginative rather than judging the show on its merits.
Okay, let me assess BFW on it's merits. This show is constantly touching without being overly sentimental. The overarching plot lines are actually suspenseful and interesting. The main villains, Janet and Sebastian, were funny and drove the plot. Shelby being anxious and self- absorbed, Cyd being exuberant and aimless--they are a hilarious pair. The parents were such parents. Parents on these shows are usually silly but Norm and Astrid were both realistic and funny, somehow a perfect balance.
The tensions between Cyd and Shelby were valid and the time travel gimmick was valuable in figuring them out. The creators kept finding brilliant new ways to make the gimmick relevant and operate the plot. Friendship is all about trade-offs and time travel lets them explore this. Last but not least, BFW discussed feminism and girl power, usually straightforwardly but often in a clever or sideways manner, in many episodes.
Best Friends Whenever is Disney Channel's best creation ever.
Every time travel device in fiction allows effects to exist for which no cause ever manifests. That is how time travel in TV and movies always works.
In the first place, Cyd and Shelby got their powers in an alternate past. In the timeline that began at the end of the first episode, the event that caused them to gain their powers never happened. That isn't a plot hole, that's how it works. Time travel couldn't work differently, anyway.
After Cyd and Shelby jumped back and made it so Barry never got into science, they still have time travel power in the present because they aren't from that timeline. They are from the timeline where they do have time travel power. It's no different.
A question arises in the 1950s episode: why did Shelby transform into a girl with a different grandfather? Well, the answer is just her existence isn't to be presumed because it took place before she was born. That may not seem logical but it is an answer. There is always an explanation for these things and I'm certain BFW is always consistent with its own assumptions.
2. The twins: Brett and Chet weren't very interesting to begin with but their story came to be about learning to become different people and accept the other for who he is. It wasn't extremely interesting but it was better than lame gags.
3. Comparing to GMW and other Disney shows: a lot of people complain that Cydby are a knockoff of Rilaya but this doesn't make any sense. If you watch the show you know their personalities are nothing like Riley and Maya. As an anxious girl and a spontaneous girl? They aren't different from Rocky and Cece, Miley and Lily, Lindy and Logan, etc. Rilaya are a knockoff of Cory and Shawn anyway so this is kind of a pointless argument.
4. This thing always happens where young people grow up and the new shows seem childish compared to the old ones. It's in your head. A lot of criticism towards BFW sounds like wishing that Disney would make something very different or less imaginative rather than judging the show on its merits.
Okay, let me assess BFW on it's merits. This show is constantly touching without being overly sentimental. The overarching plot lines are actually suspenseful and interesting. The main villains, Janet and Sebastian, were funny and drove the plot. Shelby being anxious and self- absorbed, Cyd being exuberant and aimless--they are a hilarious pair. The parents were such parents. Parents on these shows are usually silly but Norm and Astrid were both realistic and funny, somehow a perfect balance.
The tensions between Cyd and Shelby were valid and the time travel gimmick was valuable in figuring them out. The creators kept finding brilliant new ways to make the gimmick relevant and operate the plot. Friendship is all about trade-offs and time travel lets them explore this. Last but not least, BFW discussed feminism and girl power, usually straightforwardly but often in a clever or sideways manner, in many episodes.
Best Friends Whenever is Disney Channel's best creation ever.