The Invitation

“The Invitation” was the second episode of the first season of Daria.

=Plot Summary=

At school, during Arts class, Daria helps Brittany understand perspective. Later, at lunch, wishing to pay Daria back, Brittany invites her to a party at her house. Daria talks about it to Jane and they decide to go.

Quinn is horrified that Daria is going to a party she will be in, and tries to convince their parents too forbide Daria, but both Helen and Jake are thrilled Daria is going and that both sisters have an opportunity to bound. Helen asks Daria to keep an eye on Quinn.

Daria and Jane are dropped at Brittany's house by Trent, and Jane buys her way in by leaving her sketch book with the gate guard, and then talking about geometry to Brittany (which she would need help with). They then go on a house tour, guided by Upchuck. Meanwhile, at the party, high school students engage in a variety of behaviour: Quinn shows off to The Three Js; popular-obsessed students (including Sandi, Tiffany and the Popular Girl) discuss the assumed popularity values of nearby students; Brittany shows the house to Mack and Jodie.

Later that evening, two young men try to interact with Daria and Jane, using some corny pick-up lines, which do not impress Daria. On the contrary, Jane is receptive and disappears with one of them for a while. Left to her devices, Daria teases Quinn by associating with her, and after by others some embarrassing (and possible false) stories about their childhood. Quinn, fed up with her, bribes Daria to leave her alone and go home.

Despite Daria's stories and Quinn's statement she is not choosing a boyfriend right then, the Three J's continue to fawn over Quinn, even going so far as start a fight over her, to Quinn's delight.

Meawhile, the guard at the front gate is so enthralled with Jane's sketch book that he leaves his post, allowing the entrance of some gatecrashers. Eventually, an angry neighbor appears with the police and ends the party. During that time, Daria and Jane, having decided to leave, take advantage of the guard's absence to pretend to be the new community gatekeepers, and ask embarrassing questions to the residents as proof of identity.

Later, when the party ends, they are joined by Quinn and, stranded at Brittany's, accept Upchuck's offer to drive them home.

=First appearances, Trivia and Fanfiction=

The theme of popularity marks its first entrance here, becoming a key element in later episodes and a huge quantity of Fanfiction.

First appearances

This episode is the first to show characteristics, attitudes or catch phrases of some characters, which would latter become recurring traits, both in the series and in FanFiction. These include:


 * The Three J's slaving and competing over Quinn;
 * Quinn mistakes Jamie's name;
 * Jane reveals that she is not shy around boys;
 * Mack is called "Mack Daddy" by Kevin Thompson (though probably not the first time it happens, per his reaction);
 * Quinn says she asked Daria to do her homework and Daria made her pay money;
 * First appearance of Trent Lane, and we see some signs of the crush Daria harbours for him;
 * First Appearance of Upchuck, displaying his "feisty" persona.
 * Sandi and Tiffany are shown interested in popularity (more than other colleagues). Interestingly, Tiffany talks at a normal rate, without the slowing down which would become characteristic of the character.

Claire Defoe also makes her first appearance in the series.

The background character nicknamed Shaggy appears herein, and in one startling sequence is shown to be in two different places at the same time, leading to speculation that he has paranormal powers.

Fanfiction Stories

This episode has not been well covered in alternate-universe fanfic, except in ficlets in which everyone gets stoned from pot and busted by police, etc.

Other stories that use the episode plot are:
 * "Beyond Between," by Medea42 (AU)
 * "Daria's Lane: Party Me Hardly," by Ace Trax (AU)
 * "The Brotherhood of the Traveling Pants," by Medea42
 * John by Richard Lobinske, giving Daria and John their first taste of the temptations they face.
 * Esteem Roller, by legendld: Daria, Jane and Quinn all attend the party