My So-Called Life - Our Town

Rayanne tearfully rehearses a scene from Pulitzer Prize-winning play "Our Town."
From episode 17, "Betrayal."

[@kyleminor]

Literally one of the greatest scenes in all of television history.

[@joelscottarnold3262]

All these years later and I still just dissolve into tears watching this.

[@kellylaflash1016]

One of the most underrated scenes in television history.

[@835hsyd]

OMG!!

[@RichardGross-cy9xh]

Not by those who've seen it. Not only is it a wonderful interpretation of Wilder's scene near the end of "Our Town," it adds an extra layer because of Rayanne's betrayal of Angela. This is really brilliant.

[@kellylaflash1016]

@@RichardGross-cy9xh, that's my point - I've found that a lot of people completely missed the depth of what was happening in the scene.

[@crystalobaseki]

💯

[@JTRocks1]

@@kellylaflash1016 I sure didn't. 😯

[@winterlynn9012]

I wrote a comment here several years ago, but it seems to have been deleted. A few things that I've always noticed about this scene, even as a 12 year old in the 90's is how for once, Rayanne does not have her usual elaborate hair styles (no funky braids, unnatural hair colors etc) her hair is just flat and straight, she's not wearing her usual mismatched clothes or dark lipstick. I believe this was done on purpose to show that Rayanne was so depressed/distraught that she didn't even care to keep up her usual appearance, which she ALWAYS did. This is one of the only times I remember seeing her look this way on the show. As a preteen I got that scene was supposed to be sort of a metaphor for the situation going on between Angela and Rayanne, but now at nearly 40, Rayannes lines from Our town make me think about high school and youth in general. Typically our problems as teens seem so HUGE to us, a breakup with a friend or boyfriend/girlfriend can feel like the end of the world when we're 15, and I don't think many of us appreciate being young and in H.S till way after its over. It's fleeting, yet when we're doing it, it seems like it'll never end. Now I would do anything just to go back again, and I'd embrace my adolescent problems with a smile, lol..Compared to my adulthood problems, my teens were a breeze and my "problems " were so simple in hindsight. I never actually saw or read the play for Our town but by this scene it's obvious it's partly about appreciating life and not realizing what you have till its gone. This scene is so well done, even the little attention to detail like Rayannes toned down look, it STILL saddens me that we never got another season of this amazing show!

[@iwaisman]

Rayanne' s toned down look tried to imitate Angela's .Remember that she mentioned it before. Rickie was there and agreed.

[@Dana-wq5tp]

Brilliant scene from the wonderful actor A.J. Langer. Gut wrenching and very real.

[@LadyGuinevere77]

When I first saw this, I was AMAZED. She's a natural born actress. The emotions in this scene are SO intense. This kills me. I LOVE MSCL...

[@YouHadMeAtMoonPie]

This was my favorite episode of the series and my favorite scene of the episode. So well done by everyone.

[@alexandria46408]

When I was a teenager I watched this episode like 200000 times and never cried...but now in my 30s I'm balling my eyes out. realizing mortality is a hell of a thing. Great Scene

[@mysoullovessoul558]

I was obsessed with this show and Claire Danes. What an amazing cast and talent and with very little to do she beautifully steals the scene.

[@RichardGross-cy9xh]

Wonderful scene, better than the "Emily" scene in the Broadway production with Paul Newman as the Stage Manager. But Danes has always been overrated. This is a multi-camera shoot and this is not a single take of Danes reaction.

[@katierobey-bhamani4435]

When I saw this scene I really understood the difference between good and amazing acting. Claire danes was amazing in this and she barely said anything.

[@DebNKY]

I loved Angela, but Rayanne was just on another level amazing.

[@luxvella1598]

"But that's all human beings are. Just blind people." 😭😭😭😭😭

[@JTRocks1]

😐

[@jeremyanderson7902]

This show still gives me all the feels

[@JTRocks1]

Me too. 😲

[@flashingarrows]

When they walk away from each other is one of the most "crushing" scenes in TV history, (for me anyway)

[@wkmacs4738]

This scene and the one on The Wonder Years when Kevin and Winnie broke up and their busses went their separate ways. Just sad.

[@Scoopriches]

Best. Show. Ever.

[@oldjack-mi8gk]

Best scene in the whole series.

[@t.herring2037]

Eons later and here I am doing a search for what was arguably the best and most standout scene of this entire series. Quite possibly the only one that I even remember specifically. I surprised myself that I still remember the words; even the emotional inflections from the actresses! Lol. This scene single handedly lead me to the wonderful play and in hindsight, maybe even my love and passion for the industry. It still resonates so deeply with me. What a nice nostalgic gem ❤️

[@julies5515]

I just started watching this again last 49 years old I know crazy lol but amazing how a show can take you back to those crazy awkward years in high school.

[@brianconnolly6551]

Great score in this show. Pity its not available anywhere. Played perfectly under every scene.

[@brainsparkles]

me, too. this is my favorite scene from my favorite TV series. it's amazing!

[@yuri2604]

Such an exemple of a writing and acting masterclass. Maybe is because I’m more like Angela and Rickie, I felt so angry with Rayanne many times. But just like, came back infatuated with her. It’s truly heartbreaking, but there are people we need to say goodbye to, even though we really love them. It’s tragic to think about what possibly became of Rayanne’s future after her breakup with Angela.

[@jw6948]

This scene!! 25 years later, still makes me tear up. Although, I may have screwed over the best friend I ever had to sleep with Jordan too lol.

[@adamf.4823]

Claire Danes steals the scene with three words.

[@RichardGross-cy9xh]

lol, shot how many times in a multi-camera shoot with more than one take from her? Great scene, but Danes' has always been overrated.

[@835hsyd]

God those kids could act.✌🏽

[@NurseMoonshine]

And these were teenage scenarios acted out beautifully..... #BRAVO

[@RainbowBrite80]

I remember this scene feeling really big back in the day.

[@waynesanchez6504]

One of the more powerful scenes ever, on television! I've adored Claire Danes and "MSCL" since first seeing them, decades ago. A few days ago, my 16 y/o daughter decided to begin watching it also. We sat together and enjoyed pouring through the several DVD's I have. Now she understands my fervor. This show needs to be revived, with a new cast, but the VERY SAME philosophy, mind set, attitudes. DO NOT turn it into another PC CORRECT piece of shit!

[@donnadicuffa4766]

Amazing scene- perfect.

[@everygorgeousmoment]

Angela doesn't forgive Rayanne, but she forgives Jordan...such a beautiful scene though..

[@Vitaluv]

Elizabeth Darvell I don't know if I could because she was a BESTIE. Men are whatever but your best friend hooking up with your man/ex is something I don't think I could get over.

[@winterlynn9012]

+Vitaluv Yeah but Rayanne was also intoxicated. .not an excuse but we tend to not have the best judgement while under the influence of alcohol. While I never hooked up with any of my best friends boyfriends I did however hook up with people while drunk that I never would have if I had been sober..this was back in H.S..I think the reason Angela forgives Jordan but not Rayanne is because she wanted him so bad. Ever notice that even in real life if a woman gets cheated on or is betrayed they usually blame and hate the other woman and forgive the guy? Love blinds us and makes us want to overlook the bad things. I can understand why she forgave Jordan and I believe that if the show continued she would have eventually forgiven Rayanne but their friendship would never be the same. From what I've read the writer of the show was going to have Angela get with Brian in the 2nd series so I'm guessing she would have gotten rid of both Jordan and Rayanne and just stayed close to Ricki and maybe even Sharon. Unfortunately we never got to see that. .

[@ceciliawade]

I wouldn't of forgave none of them.

[@thesupreme950]

I agree fully. I think if there was a season 2 Angela would have forgave Rayanne soon enough

[@coyalyons1980]

@@Vitaluv I wouldn't have forgive any of them it takes two to tango remember that

[@sophiehayden2]

This was the power of Thornton Wilder speak through gen x

[@JasperKenneth06]

i cried so much in this scene.

[@davidbolha]

Then Rayanne later on became the Countess of Devon. 😏😃

[@RichardGross-cy9xh]

...which suggests one should never downplay the possibilities of hanging out in a bar in Las Vegas.

[@davidbolha]

@@RichardGross-cy9xh Indeed. But women have it easy. 😏

[@laurenrogers]

Where was her damn Emmy

[@AeliaReadsBooks]

Our Town is a great play and I love MSCL

[@KabobHope]

I was in a college production of Our Town and this simple scene make me realize how awful the Emily in our production was and how good this Emily is.

[@thegsk]

Our town used both in the wonder years and mscl for the best of both moments.

[@khloekloset3645]

❤❤

[@RichardGross-cy9xh]

The hands-down best actor in that series was "Angela's" mother, played by the wonderful Bess Armstrong, also great in the early Tom Hanks' film, "Nothing In Common," with Hanks and Jackie Gleason.

[@Suite3600]

@xclefaniex Good call on the Wonder Years recommendation. Thanks! I found the video on KZbin with the title "twy s03e05 - On the spot - 3/3".

[@PatriciaJeanNC]

I'm ready to go back. *AlmostHealed*

[@FantasticBoObLeS]

Look at Cyrus Beene ❤

[@Vitaluv]

Cyrus with hair!

[@Damien-ob1ev]

So jordan wanted sex wit Angela but Angela wasn't ready for sex so they broke up but jordan and Rayeanne had sex and Angela ended her friendship wit Rayeanna but took jordan back because of a love letter that someone else wrote for him who was a neighbor of hers for years that loves her aka Brian

[@DrDolan]

THIS IS SO SO WRONG…. OH NOOOOO!!! 😂

[@thedishandthespoon1]

yeah this show ruined the play though. Thornton Wilder the author of Our Town complained the play was never performed properly and that it should be performed with sincerity but not sentimentality. This episode didn't do the play justice.

[@tommymarx391]

You understand that in the world of the show, they were high school students, right? And in the reality of the drama, the lines were actually a commentary on Rayanne's betrayal; the play - as wondrous as it was and still is - was not the point of that line reading at all.

[@Dana-wq5tp]

I think that was the whole intent of the scene. It wasn't that Rayanne was really thinking about how to interpret Wilder's words properly but that she was caught up in the emotion of betraying someone she loved and how much it hurt her. That's what makes it so moving and beautiful.

[@RichardGross-cy9xh]

If you want to see a REALLY bad version, check out the 2003 Broadway version of Emily's speech with none other than Paul Newman as the Stage Manager.

[@dixoncider4915]

I heard that there was no season two because two of the actresses were raped.

[@RichardGross-cy9xh]

Your avatar works.

[@clarabelldarling9070]

it's a PROGRAMME, not a "show". A show is what you see at the theatre. I know they say 'show' for TV programmes in the US, but the US needs to change to fit in with everyone else. Say 'programme' not 'show'. And your spelling should change too, and say 'mum' not mom. Mom is wrong. Plus I've never heard of 'Our Town'. US culture isn't really relevant to me.

[@MadameLil]

So what brought your arrogant arse here? Will you deny loving MSCL?

[@tommymarx391]

And who the fuck made you the grand emperor? Why does anyone have to change to fit anyone else? It was a beautiful show, series, program, season, whatever you want to call it. And while it's mum in some countries, it's mom in others, mama in others, and other words in other languages. I realize you're trying to be a major prick, so congratulations on a goal achieved. It must feel so righteous to be so pompous and yet so unloved and unwelcome.

[@sidfinster9298]

I realize you're trolling, but if you want to discuss the need to fit in with others, the majority of Europe drives on the right hand side of the road.

[@007thematrix007]

#intellectualsnob 👍

[@MariaMartinez-vw7xl]

Preciosa serie la miraba en 1996 cuando la dieron aca en Uruguay .Que recuerdos me vienen a la mente cuando estaba en los veinte, el primer amor y esa decada de mi vida que fue la mejor.

[@johnwest194]

now that is great acting