It has been nearly seven years since the iconic program “Victorious” concluded its run on Nickelodeon, and millions have longed for its return ever since.
To the joy of many, in early November, streaming giant Netflix added “Victorious” to its ever-growing catalog.
The show, which ran from 2010 to 2013, follows high school sophomore Tori Vega’s (Victoria Justice) career at Hollywood Arts, a prestigious theater school.
After performing in place of her uptight sister, Trina Vega (Daniella Monet), during a showcase at Hollywood Arts, Tori is accepted into the school in the first episode. Tori’s beautiful voice blows the entire audience away, which leads the school to offer her a spot.
At first, Tori struggles to find her place, believing she’s almost too “normal” for the eccentric student body. However, with the help of musical sensation André Harris (Leon Thomas III), who becomes Tori’s confidant, she meets a great group of friends and goes on a journey of self-discovery towards inner confidence. Over the course of three seasons, Tori and her friends find themselves involved in endless shenanigans.
While audiences at the time mostly enjoyed Tori’s storyline, today’s generation is far more curious about her friends. Jade West (Elizabeth Gillies), the emo “mean” girl who constantly clashes with Tori, stands out as one of the most popular characters. Writers intended Jade to be the antagonist of the show, but her snarky attitude feels relatable today, perfectly fitting the gothic Billie Eilish type.
Her relationship with beloved “Victorious” heartthrob Beck Oliver (Evan Jogia) served as one of the brightest points of the show. Their on-and-off relationship gave the audience a couple they could not help but root for.
The presence of the endlessly bubbly Cat Valentine (Ariana Grande) lightened up the show and provided laughs. Both Robbie Shapiro (Matt Bennett), who cannot be found without his sarcastic puppet Rex, and Trina, who has an interesting and often frustrating set of skills, are also highlights.
“Victorious” cemented itself in pop culture history with its unique storylines and humorous dialogue.
The most humorous bits include Trina’s one-woman production of “Chicago,” Robbie’s brief tenure as chief of “Robarazzi,” André’s grandma’s fear of the entire world and Cat’s addiction to “Bibble.” The sheer ridiculousness of “Victorious” shaped an entire generation’s sense of humor.
Humor aside, the music of “Victorious” is just as strong. The songs aren’t generic pop melodies. “Make It Shine,” performed by Tori herself during the pilot, serves as the theme song and remains a catchy bop. Jade, Cat and Tori also perform multitudes of empowering anthems throughout the show, including “Beggin’ on Your Knees,” “Take a Hint” and “Freak the Freak Out.” The music played throughout “Victorious” found a home in thousands of teenagers’ playlists.
“Victorious,” however, isn’t just a musical comedy, it taught important, valuable lessons and shaped an entire generation’s childhood including mine.
When I was younger, I was a huge fan of everything Nickelodeon had to offer — whenever an upcoming episode of “Victorious” appeared on TeenNick, I would sprint to my television and watch for hours. When Netflix released the episodes, I found myself curled up in my room, watching them back-to-back once again.
A rewatch of “Victorious” served as a long-awaited trip down memory lane, bringing me back to the good old days of my childhood. Thousands of teenagers, all the way from middle school to college, watch “Victorious” as an escape to their childhood.
Along with its nostalgic aura, “Victorious” has always been a tale of pursuing your dreams and never giving up. All of the characters, especially Tori, pursue their goals with intensity and ambition. Tori always follows her passions and knows that she will turn out okay in the end. This is a mantra that all children should maintain.
