The Invitation

“The Invitation” was the second episode of the first season of Daria (episode number 102). It first aired on MTV on March 10, 1997.

"The Invitation" was written by Anne D. Bernstein.

Summary
Cheerleader Brittany Taylor repays Daria's assistance with an art assignment by inviting her to a party, despite Daria's unpopularity. Quinn is invited too, and Daria manages to sneak in her friend Jane through a ruse.

Trent Lane, Mack Mackenzie, Jodie Landon, Brittany Taylor, Kevin Thompson, Upchuck, and Claire Defoe make their first appearances in this episode, and Jane reveals that she is not shy around boys.

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.

“The Invitation” and Fanfic
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. Brittany's party plays an important roll in the AU story John by Richard Lobinske, giving Daria and John their first taste of the temptations they face.

On “The Invitation” the Episode

 * Episode Guide at Outpost Daria
 * Transcript at Outpost Daria
 * Novelization at Outpost Daria, by Martin J. Pollard
 * January 2006 interview with Anne D. Bernstein on DVDaria, in which the creator of "The Invitation" briefly discusses that episode
 * The Daria Fandom Blog, March 2007 archive. The DFG is maintained by CINCGREEN and Greybird. The entry for Saturday, March 10, 2007, is “‘The Power of ‘Giri’: A Review of 'The Invitation’”

Alternate Universe Versions of “The Invitation”

 * "Darius" by The Angst Guy. Brittany's riotous party is referred to near the end of this story, with a different outcome than in canon.
 * "John" by Richard Lobinske. John Lane and Daria go to Brittany's party, with interesting results.