It’s the second time around for the Rugrats gang.
The Rugrats are back for the new generation! In ‘Second Time Around’, the first episode of the revival series, we see a lot of changes that differ from the original show, which aired on Nickelodeon from 1991 to 2004.
While the CGI animation style takes some getting used to, the designs of the 2D characters from the original series translate well in the new show. However, the only character with a slightly different appearance is Grandpa Lou, Angelica and Tommy’s grandfather, who now sports a braid at the back of his head.
Now, before you begin asking, “Where’s Dil and Kimi?” they’re currently not in this series as it is going back to basics with the characters who appeared before 1999’s Rugrats Movie and 2000’s Rugrats In Paris. Whether they will be is yet to be seen.
Going over to the parents, there’s a small change.
In this series, Howard Deville, Betty’s husband, and Phil and Lil’s dad don’t exist. Betty references that she had a girlfriend. An article by The A.V. Club confirms that Betty is gay. The symbol on Betty’s top in the new show is the Gemini star sign means a couple of things. The first is a nod to Phil and Lil as they’re twins, and it’s also a nod to how gay she is.
During Second Time Around, Susie’s parents, Lucy and Randy, play a far more significant role amongst the parents than they did in the original show. Also, Susie seems to be more naive rather than the one who tells Angelica off all the time.
Aged Down And Other Changes (Part 1)
Also, according to the character pages on the Rugrats Fandom site, the characters are much younger than their original counterparts. This is referenced by Didi when she’s talking to grandpa about the kids. She says the six kids are all under three. One example is that Tommy is a year old in the original show. In the reboot, he’s not yet one. The parents were also aged down.
For example, the Rugrats Fandom site says that Stu, Tommy’s father, was born in 1958. However, in the revival, he’s drastically aged down, so he was born in 1988. This was likely done to fit with the age of parents today like it was for parents of kids born in the 80s and 90s.
One of the most significant changes in the use of technology. The characters have smartphones, and there was a wide-screen television in the series’ first scene a while ago. There is also the use of a door camera at Grandpa’s front door that is broken.
We were surprised that the house that Stu, Didi, and Tommy live in is Grandpa’s. In the original series, it was their house, and Lou lived with them on and off.
Susie is now a year younger than Angelica rather than the same age. She is 3 in the original and 2 in the reboot.
Other Changes (Part 2)
The relationship between Stu and Drew is also slightly different from the original. While Drew is still complicated and critical toward his younger brother, they agree on things in the revival. For example, they set their father up on a dating app, much to his chagrin.
Also, Betty owns and runs a coffee shop that is a nod to Chas, Chuckie’s father’s coffee shop in the original sequel, Rugrats All Grown Up.
The adults outside, Betty, Chas and Lou, all wear wedding rings that weren’t seen in the original show.
It’s unclear if Susie has siblings in the new series, as her parents are seen to be much younger than their original counterparts.
Most the parents have different careers from their original counterparts:
- Charlotte is a politician instead of a CEO at some company
- Randy writes comic books instead of writing for the television show ‘The Dummi Bears’
- Didi is an Online Businesswoman instead of being a schoolteacher and Child Psychologist
Grandpa doesn’t constantly fall asleep as he does in the original show.
The Carmichaels are on the scene from the beginning of the reboot. However, in the original, they came into the story during the Season 2 episode, ‘Meet the Carmichaels’.
Didi is seen as overprotective of Tommy to the point where Lou has to convince her to leave him so she can go to a concert.
Finally, Chas is seen to mirror Chuckie and personality in the revival.
Links To The Original Franchise
Tommy and Angelica’s ability to drive the Cynthia car Angelica owns is likely a nod to Tommy driving the Reptar Wagon, which made its debut in the Rugrats movie.
As we mentioned earlier, Betty owns and runs a coffee shop. This is a nod to Chas’ coffee shop in Rugrats All Grown Up, where she worked.
Verdict
The ‘Second Time Around’ is a great episode that adds the perfect amount of nostalgia for old fans but applies a new element to keep the story fresh. What we love the most about the episode (and premiere) is that it provides an almost equal amount of screen time for the babies and the adults. This is a massive improvement from the original, which focused on the kids more than the adults, who were recurring in the narrative.
We give ‘Second Time Around’ the following rating.
