The horror episode in Boy Meets World was very odd, and also extremely messed up considering the series was intended for young viewers. That said, the terrifying installment from season 5 still stands as one of the most memorable episodes in the show’s history. It’s become a fan-favorite among viewers, especially those who are appreciative of the horror genre.
The episode, “And Then There Was Shawn”, has always been considered a Halloween special but the Boy Meets World episode actually premiered in February 1998. The coming-of-age sitcom was one of the most popular titles within the beloved TGIF lineup. This particular episode strayed way off from its typical format of focusing on the innocent life lessons of friendship and young love as a teen. The episode featured the main characters - Cory, Topanga, and Shawn - trapped in detention as a masked killer went on a killing spree in the school.
The terrifying nature of the plot was the main reason why the episode seemed so out of the norm. The episode began with the trio thrown into detention along with a few other classmates. A creepy janitor barged in before locking the group inside the room. After a note reading “no one gets out alive” was found written in blood, Eric and Jack show up to add some comic relief. Then a classmate named Kenny got stabbed in the head with a pencil before sending the group in a panic. They ran out into the hall disturbing music began to play throughout the building informing them they are about to die. The narrative took a darker turn as the masked killer started to dart around in the background. The group got picked off one by one, including Mr. Feeny, before only Cory, Topanga, and Shawn were left. The killer then revealed himself to be another version of Shawn in a twist that most likely went over the head of many young viewers.
Shawn being the killer was meant to represent the guilt that Shawn felt for Cory and Topanga’s breakup. The masked figure killed everyone to bring the couple back together which was why he joined their hand after unmasking himself. The figure was Shawn to act as though the real Shawn was looking in a mirror. The entire horror sequence turned out to be a nightmare that Shawn had during detention. He felt responsible for what had recently happened and that manifested into a horror movie in his head. Rather than go back to the innocent nature of the show, Boy Meets World used the closing scene to show the masked killer jump out from the darkened classroom to playfully rebuke that it was all a dream.
It’s safe to say that a young adult sitcom on network TV, portraying death and murder inside of a school, would never be approved in this day and age. There was a threat of suicide that was used as a joke as well, rather than a lesson. Even in the late ’90s, the network had issues with the episode since they were worried it was too far off of format and that it might be too scary for their viewers. The writers promised to present the horror as tongue-in-cheek. They succeeded but it was also wild seeing beloved characters like Mr. Feeny being murdered, especially from being stabbed in the back with scissors.
Looking back, the Boy Meets World episode was the perfect tribute to horror movies of the ’90s. Not only did it take many elements from the Scream franchise, particularly with the killer’s appearance, but it also included a cameo from Jennifer Love Hewitt. The actress, who starred in the I Know What You Did Last Summer franchise, appeared in the episode as Jennifer Love Fefferman, aka Feffy. She was portrayed as the stereotypical “pretty girl” who quickly became a victim. Hewitt now stands as a member of one of Boy Meets World’s most unforgettable episodes. It’s amusing to reminisce about how messed up the episode is, but let’s not forget, it was much different time in the ’90s.
Next: Why Boy Meets World Was Cancelled Before Season 8
