I re-watched the pilot for the 90s sitcom over the weekend and I was floored.
The theme song, the opening credits, and the episode are perfection, in a 90s sitcom sense.
Jenna Elfman's Dharma and Thomas Gibson's Greg's relationship was written in the stars.
As children, they were mesmerized by each other on a subway train in San Francisco.
Within seconds, we're introduced to Dharma's world, via her hippie parents, in the yuppie wasp world of Greg, via his parents.
Dharma's dad, Larry, warns her about trusting cops, while Greg's Edward, warns him not to look any of these common people in the eye.
But he couldn't help but look at Dharma.
And she him.
No words are said.
The same thing happened decades later on the same train.
Dharma is now a stereotypical yoga instructor and Greg a stereotypical lawyer.
Greg makes his move too late.
They're separated by sliding subway doors.
Then Dharma shows up at Greg's office.
Implausible.
Yes, but it's a sitcom after all.
It sets up the rest of the series.
It's built around a series of endless fish-out-of-water scenarios that are light, fluffy, and delightful.
It's the kind of TV that barely exists anymore, and I'd like to have it back.
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