Re-watch after 12 years
I have recently started re-watching from the very beginning as someone who watched this show from day one. I have several takeaways with a fresh set of eyes. I am in fact the same age as most of the cast, so I kind of aged as they did, but my perspectives were much different 12 years ago. Keep in mind that I am only halfway through Season 3 in my re-watch. (These are just my opinions. I am not expert, not do I think everyone should even agree with me, I love that we all have different perspectives and takeaways and look forward to reading them.
Scwartz is an awful person. He tormented poor Katie. Anyone who defends him has been blessed to not have ever been with a man like him. The world loves him because he's "so much fun," but trying to build a life with someone like him is the most mentally draining experience ever. The way he never defended her. Never made her a priority and gaslighted her every chance he got. I believe he loved her, but I think he just loved himself more.
I was never a Sandoval fan from day one. I received a lot of crap for this from friends who all thought he was such a cool guy being slandered by "Krazy Kristen, which we will circle back on". He always gave me the ick and came off as a liar and manipulator. Anyone who stands on that high of a soapbox has a mountain of secrets under it. Period!
I was initially not an Ariana fan the first time watching this. I thought the way she treated Kristen was cruel and mean. Re-watching it, I still think she could have shown a bit more class in her words used and brought her cocky attitude down a notch or two but I realize now that is an insecurity defense mechanism
Jax is and always will be a Sociopath. Period!
Stassi, who I think comes off as the most balanced now, was probably the most insecure mean girl that ever exisited.
Scheana is and always will be an annoying self-serving "pick-me girl". I was not then and am not now still a Scheana fan. I think the show could have easily been done without her self-serving behavior.
Kristen, and I say this as a wholehearted current Kristen fan. Her ass was batshit Krazy back then. She needed therapy to work out why she acted out in the ways she did and why she allowed certain behaviours. I am so happy she has grown and worked on those things, and it really shows now.
unpopular opinion! I am and always will be TEAM KATIE. Was she perfect? no. Were any of us? no. I think she was a product of her environment and her relationship. I have watched her grow so much through the years, and I think Katie today is a gleaming example to young women of how to be your own champion. Schwartz was toxic af and treated her awful. She rode so hard for that man, and he could never be bothered to lift a pinky to speak on her behalf. Aside from the questionable accusation of "motorboating a D," she is probably the only cast member on this show amongst the OG's who didn't cheat. Rewatching this, I have wanted to cry several times for her and the way Schwartz treated her. I have been with men like him, and it is mentally exhausting having the whole world be fooled while you suffer in silence.
END RANT!