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Daria

Season 1

13 listed hours · 1997–2002 · MTV

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From the desk

How this season is filed

Filed by Tessa Quinn · Spoiler-Free (Mostly)

MTV’s deadpan antidote to teen gloss: a trench coat, a monotone, and a high school that deserves every eye-roll. Daria Morgendorffer treats popularity as a failing grade while Jane Lane draws the real picture. Adolescent satire that still feels like a private language — smart without being cruel, cooler than the jocks it refuses to chase.

TV Flash files Season 1 of Daria (1997–2002) on MTV as the first listed season of 5 — 13 listed hours, 1997-03-03–1997-07-21 from “Daria in Esteemsters” (S01E01) to “The Misery Chick” (S01E13). Titles, dates, and synopses on file — no invented recaps.

Desk essentials in this season

  1. S01E01 Daria in Esteemsters

    Esteemsters: MTV's trench-coat antidote to teen gloss, popularity already graded as a failing subject on purpose.

  1. S01E01

    Daria in Esteemsters

    The Morgendorffers move to Lawndale, where Quinn becomes a member of the popular Fashion Club and Daria meets an equally cynical artist named Jane during a self-esteem class taught by their neurotic, wimpy English teacher, Mr. O'Neill.

  2. S01E02

    The Invitation

    To Quinn's horror, Daria is also invited to Brittany's party after helping her solve an art class problem, and Jane tags along.

  3. S01E03

    College Bored

    The Morgendorffers visit Middleton College – Jake and Helen's alma mater, where Quinn goes to a frat party and Daria finds brisk business writing term papers.

  4. S01E04

    Café Disaffecto

    Daria reluctantly becomes involved in the opening of Lawndales's new student coffeehouse. She also becomes involved in its closing.

  5. S01E05

    Malled

    Daria's economic class takes a field trip to a new enormous mall. Daria is sickened by the teeming masses. She discovers Quinn playing hooky in the mall. Daria is no longer sick.

  6. S01E06

    This Year's Model

    Lawndale High has a couple of visitors, claiming to be modeling scouts looking for the next Christy Turlington. Quinn and Brittany have high hopes. Daria and Jane are revolted by their presence.

  7. S01E07

    The Lab Brat

    Daria and Kevin are forces to work as lab partners in science class. The homework consists of teaching a mouse tricks. Daria does all of the work, of course, while Kevin watches football on TV and flirts with Quinn.

  8. S01E08

    Pinch Sitter

    Quinn gets Daria to baby sit for her. Daria, who has no interest in being an authority figure since she doesn't respect authority, is stuck with two well-behaved "PC" kids who say things like "We don't like commercials – they lie."

  9. S01E09

    Too Cute

    Quinn decides she needs cosmetic surgery, and drags Daria to the doctor with her. She is happy to consult with Quinn, but very interested in Daria, whom she views as a long-term project and potential masterpiece.

  10. S01E10

    The Big House

    The annual teachers-verses-deejays roller hockey game is coming, and there is a good chance that the students will get to see Mr. Demartino die of an aneurysm during the game – but Daria is going to miss it because she is grounded by her parents.

  11. S01E11

    Road Worrier

    Daria and Jane hitch a ride to the "Alternapalooza" festival with Jane's brother Trent (Daria's heartthrob) and his friend Jesse. Their van doesn't work so well, but it's an interesting trip.

  12. S01E12

    The Teachings of Don Jake

    Jake's stress level is reaching critical mass, so the Morgendorffers go on a camping trip. Like that's gonna help.

  13. S01E13

    The Misery Chick

    Lawndale high is a buzz with homecoming preparations. The quarterback who lead the team to the state championship three years ago is returning! Then he has a tragic accident, which ironically leads to sudden popularity for our Daria.

More from the 1990s.