Reliving the Same Day in Movies and Television: I’m totally having Déjà vu right now!

“Oh yeah, it means someone’s thinking about you while they’re masturbating. I get it six times a day.” (Danielle in Happy Death Day)

Reliving the same day again and again may seem overused in film and television, but somehow it still works, bringing new and inventive material our way without ever feeling stale and overdone.

So, what is it about Déjà vu? 

After recently watching and thoroughly enjoying the rom-com movie, Palm Springs on Hulu, I started to think about how many movies and television shows center around Déjà vu. Not to mention that some of our favorite television series of all time tend to have at least one episode dealing with some kind of time loop or Déjà vu.

While Groundhog Day still remains as the movie I automatically think about when it comes to Déjà vu, Happy Death Day certainly made a splash and proved that horror comedies can flourish using this theme. There has to be an element of comedy or the concept can become a little repetitive…pun intended.

Happy Death Day
Image courtesy of Blumhouse Productions

Some television series also took a stab at Déjà vu, but they were short-lived.

Remember shows like Tru Calling and Day Break?

Tru Calling
Image courtesy of FOX

No? I’ll remind you because they were actually pretty fantastic and addicting, but they did not last very long. Tru Calling (starring Eliza Dushku) was canceled after the short second season and Day Break (starring Taye Diggs) only got one season.

Day break
Image courtesy of ABC

Netflix’s Russian Doll also explored this concept more recently.

But let’s not also forget some of our favorite television shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Charmed, and Supernatural. They have some pretty amazing stand-out episodes featuring the concept of a time loop or reliving the same day. Honestly, this list goes on and on and I’m sure that if you take a look back at some of your favorite shows, you will most likely find an episode that deals with some kind of time travel or Déjà vu.

Here are my standout episodes:

Supernatural
Image courtesy of The CW

Supernatural

Episode “Mystery Spot” (Season 3, episode 11).

Sam continues to relive the same day over and over as Dean dies. He must find a way to save him before time runs out.

Buffy Life Serial
Images courtesy of Hulu

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Episode “Life Serial” (Season 6, episode 5).

Buffy attempts to find a job, but ends up stuck in a time loop while working at the Magic Box. This brought us some welcomed comedy for sure.

Deja Vu all over again Charmed
Image courtesy of Netflix

Charmed

Episode “Déjà Vu All Over Again” (Season 1, episode 22).

Phoebe realizes that she is repeating the same day over and over again. She must figure out a way to save her sisters from a demon, but a new threat is thrown her way at the end of each day.

So the theme of Déjà vu still works, but why? You would think that this would become overdone and yet I find myself enjoying this theme more and more. I think it’s because it allows us to discover something new each time.

Either the character needs to learn a lesson, a life needs to be saved, a sacrifice has to be made, or we have to start looking at something or someone differently than we used to. Maybe it’s even ourselves. I personally welcome this theme and I will always go into it with an open mind, but I think that in order for it to continue to be successful, it needs to do something slightly different each time while maintaining a steady balance of humor as well.

What are YOUR thoughts on Déjà vu in movies and TV?

Feel free to post some of your favorite movies and shows centering around Déjà vu in the comments section below! 

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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Ranking the top 5 moments from “Younger” season 5 episode 4: “Maybe if you get to know the Real me”

Happy Wednesday TV fans!  After watching TV Land’s Younger season 5 episode 4 last night, I learned that sometimes good things can happen when you least expect them to.  Who would have thought that a clogged toilet at a party could lead to a fabulous and romantic date with an old flame?  Surely not Diana, but it’s about time she gets a chance at her own happy ending.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the latest episode yet.  In last night’s episode, “The Talented Mr. Ridley,” Liza meets a new potential romantic interest who shows her the way of “plus-oneing.” Meanwhile, Josh tries to push the reset button, Kelsey keeps Zane at a safe distance, and Charles continues to try and deal with the truth about Liza.  My top 5 moments from Younger season 5 episode 4 are:

5

“It is a game isn’t it?”

At the beginning of the episode, Diana is hosting a game night party at her apartment and decides that they should all play “Mafia.”  Liza gets randomly selected as the “murderer” and chooses Zane as her first victim.  After Kelsey accuses Liza automatically because she is drunk, Charles tries to lead the townspeople to see through Liza’s lie.  Liza tries to gently remind Charles that it’s just a game, but it escalates further when he tries to take out some of his own bottled anger about Liza’s real life lie on her.  Liza stays cool, however; and convinces the “townspeople” that Charles is the murderer.  Even though it’s just a game, Liza quickly realizes that Charles has yet to come to terms with her earth shattering news.

4

“I said crash not smash.”

After Kelsey has too much to drink at Diana’s party, Zane offers her a place to stay.  Kelsey appears to have strong feelings for Zane, but she has been trying to keep things casual especially since they work together.  After noticing that Zane changed his shirt at work, she asks him if he is going out on a date, but then reminds him that it’s his business.  It’s obvious that Kelsey and Zane have the potential to become a couple, but are they ready to take the next step?  It looks like Kelsey is going to explore a new romantic interest of her own in the next episode, which could be a conflict of interest at work, but will this completely sever any chance she has with Zane?  We’ll have to stay tuned to find out, but I am hoping that both Kelsey and Zane can let their walls down and give their relationship a real chance.

3

“The last time you picked up a stray you married her.”

Josh makes the decision to give up sex and alcohol for 90 days, but quickly learns that this is no easy task.  He explains that he feels like he needs to do a full reset to get his life back on track.  With almost perfect timing, Josh finds a stray dog, Hawkeye, who is impossibly adorable to distract him.  After sleeping with the dog’s owner, Josh returns defeated to Maggie who tries to help him laugh it off and reminds him that a glass of wine and a good conversation can be the actual remedy that he needs.  Josh is still trying to find his way, but it’s nice to see him have friends like Maggie and Lauren there to help him figure it out.  I am still waiting for Josh and Liza to discuss their conversation before his wedding, but it seems like we will need to wait a little bit longer for this moment to happen.  After all, good things come to those who wait and all that.

2

“He knows…everything.”

After Charles lashes out on Liza’s potential new romantic interest and author, Don Ridley, she tries to confront him again and suggests resigning.  Liza confides in Kelsey and tells her what is going on, but promises she will do her best to fix it.  Charles continues to shut Liza out, but ultimately takes a step in the right direction when he tells her that he should not have acted that way toward a potential client and tells her that Millennial needs her to survive.  Liza takes this opening as a chance to potentially make things right and suggests, “maybe if you get to know the real me,” but Charles tells her to forget it.  While Charles is able to apologize to Liza, he is still not able to let her in after all of the lies, but is there any chance that time will help heal his broken trust?

1

“Oh my God I’m going on a date with my plumber!”

After Diana’s toilet gets clogged during her party, Liza assures her that she will call a plumber to take care of the problem.  Diana explains that “this party, like my marriage, is too gay for its own good,” dismissing the idea of finding a potential romance anytime soon.  Diana is beyond surprised when she opens the door and sees Enzo standing in front of her who she had a hot and passionate fling with in the past.  Enzo asks her out on a date and Diana happily accepts.  Enzo takes her to a romantic Italian restaurant in Staten Island and tries his best to impress Diana.  I have to say that I absolutely love the potential romance here and I really hope that it works out for Diana.  It’s about time she finds her chance at happiness.  Fingers crossed!

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own theories and thoughts on Younger below in the comments section.  Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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