Does anyone else notice this, mostly in the first season? I am still getting more of a feel of the characters through NaN, and from watching the first season, Maria seems depressed, mean, and moody, always complaining, moaning, etc., and she is always in some way or another telling Janice to shut up. I know a lot of people feel that Janice is "annoying," but one has to understand that she is younger than the rest of the group, and is trying to get attention from them like a "kid sister" would. She feels "cool" hanging out with the big kids.

I don't know why Maria always had to tell her to be quiet. It's like---dag! She just seemed mean to me!

Maria seemed totally different and nicer in the later seasons, like in the episode with Brad Pitt. It doesn't look like the same actress, either (Leslie's look changed so much during the years), but I know it is. Maria seemed happier, smiled more, and complained less. Does anyone else notice this, or do I need to see more episodes to fill the gaps?

When I first saw it on NAN Block Party Summer I said the same thing you did about Maria's look. I do have an ep from Dec 1987 from ABC. Maria's hair is straight but she is still wearing the leather jackets.

I like Maria's later look the best, with the straight hair. She was so pretty.

From seeing more episodes, Maria's personality is starting to make more sense to me. She is supposed to be the cooler version of Jessie Spano---neurotic and a grade freak. She does make a complete personality turnaround (and fashion turnaround, too) in the later years.