‘Felicity’ 20 Years on: A Look Back at the 10 Best Episodes (Published 2018) (2024)

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‘Felicity’ 20 Years on: A Look Back at the 10 Best Episodes (Published 2018) (1)

By Jason Bailey

J.J. Abrams and Matt Reeves had only collaborated once — for the 1996 movie “The Pallbearer” — when they sold “Felicity” to the WB network 20 years ago this weekend. It wound up an outlier in their careers, which went on to include genre series like “Alias” and “Lost”; scary movies like “Cloverfield” and “Let Me In”; and big-screen reboots of “Star Wars” and “Planet of the Apes.” “Felicity,” by contrast, was a modest, character-driven TV drama about an introverted high school student (Keri Russell) who follows her dream guy, Ben (Scott Speedman), to college in New York City.

The show sounded like the stuff of soapy teen melodrama, but it rarely was, thanks to the intelligent writing and first-rate ensemble. It is a densely plotted, serialized show that rewards close and comprehensive viewing, but if you don’t have time to watch all 84 episodes on Hulu, these 10 will give you the general idea.

Pilot’ (Season 1, Episode 1)

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One of the most striking (if, in hindsight, unsurprising) qualities of the pilot episode is how much it looks like a movie — a great little 45-minute film about breaking away and taking a chance. It is so elegantly done that it makes the show’s nutty premise seem not only credible, but emotionally logical. Speedman is perfect as the object of Felicity’s affection, displaying easy-breezy charisma and also the self-awareness and complexity that gives the character its depth; Scott Foley is immediately charming as Noel, the nice-guy resident assistant who completes the show’s romantic triangle. Many shows struggle to find their voice in the first season, but this series’s aesthetics are firmly in place from the jump: evocative slow-motion photography, thoughtful voice-over, silhouetted compositions and well-curated music. (Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” is so well used, you almost forget it was in “Say Anything.”)

Thanksgiving’ (Season 1, Episode 9)

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Things get complicated in the rapidly developing relationship between Noel and Felicity, when Noel’s long-distance girlfriend comes to New York for Thanksgiving break. That girlfriend was played by Jennifer Garner, who later starred in “Alias” for Abrams, and we’re treated to two enjoyable scenes in the dormitory bathroom between her and Russell, two future TV super spies. But the romantic elements aren’t what make “Thanksgiving” so special, it’s the way the writer Andrea Newman orchestrates the changed plans, missed connections and emotional emergencies that create a makeshift holiday dinner of friends, roommates, and exes. “One minute you’re standing in this new city with nothing but your suitcase,” Sally notes, in the final voice-over, “but then you look around and suddenly you realize: You’re surrounded by family.”

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‘Felicity’ 20 Years on: A Look Back at the 10 Best Episodes (Published 2018) (2024)

FAQs

Who did Felicity lose her virginity to? ›

They experience stumbling blocks along the way, namely Noel's conflicted feelings for ex-girlfriend Hanna, and when Felicity in turn loses her virginity to an art student (Simon Rex). They break up after a few months when she chooses a summer road trip with Ben over Noel's invitation to Berlin.

Do Felicity and Noel ever sleep together? ›

Noel and Felicity getting so close results in them having sex together for the first time, on the roof of The Loft. Afterwards, Felicity rejects Noel once again, saying she wants to be with Ben, and tries to continue that relationship without revealing that she cheated.

Who does Felicity sleep with? ›

Felicity gets jealous but tries to be understanding, until she starts to feel like she might be losing Noel. When he leaves with Hanna, Felicity goes to the art studio and ends up spontaneously sleeping with one of the art students, Eli. After the fact, Noel and Felicity can't get past hurting each other and break up.

Does Ben cheat on Felicity? ›

Synopsis Noel fumes with the knowledge that Ben cheated on Felicity; Ben questions Noel's motives in offering Felicity a job in Seattle.

Who does Felicity end up with at the end? ›

The show had fans embroiled in a Team Ben vs. Team Noel debate, while Russell's second season hair makeover shook the world to its core. Through the Sarah McLachlan soundtrack, the show eventually ended with Felicity getting together with Speedman's Ben — well, that was the first ending.

Why was Felicity Cancelled? ›

Then, in 1999, during season two of the series, Russell chopped off her iconic curls. It was a move that proved to be fatal for the show. Some (slightly too obsessed) fans never forgave her and ratings for the show began to plummet. While Felicity's hair eventually grew back, the show was canned in 2002.

Who dated in real life on Felicity? ›

At least two romances went from the screen to reality thanks to Felicity. Keri Russell and Scott Speedman dated during the later half of the show, and Scott Foley married Jennifer Garner, whom he met when she played his season one girlfriend Hannah.

Who does Ben get pregnant on Felicity? ›

Lauren informs Ben that she got pregnant from their one-night stand; Felicity stresses about her future as an artist.

Does Felicity become a doctor? ›

Felicity was initially set to attend Stanford University to become a doctor, like her father. But once she realized she was only doing it to make him happy — and once her longtime crush Ben signed her yearbook — Felicity made a sharp change.

Are Keri Russell and Jennifer Garner friends? ›

Good friends with Mission: Impossible III (2006) and August Rush (2007) co-star Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Friends with Jennifer Garner.

Who does Felicity have a baby with? ›

In season seven Felicity reveals to Oliver that she is pregnant and later gives birth to their daughter, Mia.

Why was Felicity so popular? ›

Following a guy to college is a wacky premise, one that shows like Crazy Ex-Girlfriend would later riff on, but one of Felicity's achievements is how grounded and realistic it managed to be in spite of that—even as its main character consistently made terrible decisions.

Did Keri Russell wear a wig in Felicity? ›

After spying a little boy's wig among the items that were being put away after the first season, Russell took it, and as she explains, "We put it on me at like 2 in the morning as a joke… and we took a polaroid and over the summer we thought it'd be really funny to send to J.J. (Abrams) and Matt (Reeves) and say, 'I ...

Does Felicity and Ben ever get together? ›

Ben and Felicity get engaged, to the disapproval of her father. Upon reflection, she instead decides to move to Palo Alto for school and this time, Ben follows. This episode was originally planned as the series finale, so it offers a comforting sense of closure.

Is Ruby really pregnant on Felicity? ›

After she comes back we learn that she has had an affair with a producer named Wade. She decides to keep her baby and that becomes the downfall of Noel and Ruby's relationship. Eventually, she decides to go home to her parents so they can help her take care of the baby.

Who does Joey lose her virginity to? ›

During Season 3, Joey loses her virginity to Pacey, and the two fall in love.

Who does Dawson lose his virginity to? ›

He blames himself and struggles to connect with Joey; instead confiding in his old girlfriend, Jen Lindley. During their trip to the Hookset Film Festival in New Hampshire, Dawson loses his virginity to Jen, and they begin a relationship.

Who got Ruby pregnant on Felicity? ›

After she comes back we learn that she has had an affair with a producer named Wade. She decides to keep her baby and that becomes the downfall of Noel and Ruby's relationship. Eventually, she decides to go home to her parents so they can help her take care of the baby.

Does Felicity ever sleep with Ben? ›

Felicity and Ben start to make up, and have sex, but then Ben leaves because, even though he still loves her, he still feels hurt by her.

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