The beloved show Lizzie McGuire is available on Disney+ now, and fans love reliving their favorite episodes. Even though Disney likes to keep things age-appropriate and pristine, their shows still deal with some challenging issues. One of the hardest challenges of growing up is having your heart broken.
Disney Channel in the early 2000s was still finding its way, so the writers had a lot of creative freedom and could really add multiple dimensions to their characters. Lizzie McGuire is no stranger to disappointment, but her friends go through heartbreaks, too. Here are then ten worst heartbreaks of the series, ranked from smallest to greatest.
"The Rise and Fall of the Kate Empire"
Not many Lizzie McGuire characters escape disappointments in life. It does come as a bit of a surprise when Lizzie's enemy, Kate, experiences a hardship. When Kate falls during cheerleading and hurts her arm, she is temporarily off the squad. Her best friend, Claire, wants nothing to do with Kate and cuts her out of social activities.
Lizzie feels bad for Kate and decides to help her learn some one-handed acrobatic tricks (you know, the ones Lizzie learned in her rhythmic gymnastics episode). The two girls don't bond quite as much as they do in "Lizzie and Kate's Excellent Adventure," but Kate is appreciative of the help in this episode and reclaims her spot at the popular table.
"Lizzie Strikes Out"
Lizzie is always chasing after Ethan Craft, and she accidentally double-books herself for a chance to hang out with him at the bowling alley. Lizzie's dad, Sam McGuire, wants to take her out for dinner, just the two of them. He is so excited and keeps telling Lizzie about cool restaurants he'd like to try.
When Lizzie tells him that she made plans to go bowling on their date night, Mr. McGuire is crushed. Lizzie cheers him up with a compromise--her dad is invited to go bowling with the kids. He pulls out all his old bowling gear and has a blast.
"Between a Rock and a Bra Place"
The bra episode. Written by sibling duo Nina and Jeremy Bargiel, this episode is iconic. Lizzie wants a bra, and her mom, Jo, is happy to help her and Miranda find their undergarments. Lizzie and Miranda are embarrassed when Mrs. McGuire talks about their bra shopping in front of a male teacher who is out shopping for his wife.
Lizzie lashes out at her mom and excludes her from the shopping trip. Jo is hurt by the exchange, but Lizzie apologizes to her mom when she realizes that it's tough to buy a bra. The heart-to-heart conversation between the McGuire women brings them closer and contributes to their good relationship throughout the series.
"Just Friends"
It's time for the Sadie Hawkins Day Dance; that's the one where the girls ask the guys, in case you missed the Relient K song. Lizzie asks Ethan Craft if anyone else has asked him to the dance. He answers, "No sir. So far, I'm paddling my kayak alone." So, she goes for it. Once Lizzie asks Ethan to go to the dance with her, he delivers the dreaded line, "I always thought of you more as a friend." To make matters worse, he adds, "I can't see you as, you know, my romantic type."
Lizzie spends most of the episode trying to learn what Ethan's type is so that she can change herself accordingly. Ethan finally says no again and tells Lizzie there's no chemistry. Lizzie is upset at the outcome of her efforts, but in the end, she decides to be herself, and she gets to dance with Gordo.
"You're a Good Man, Lizzie McGuire"
Yet another dance, the Spring Fling, is coming up. Kate accidentally breaks the statue of "Walter Patterson, our first principal," who famously said, "Hey you kids, cut that out!" Kate won't admit to breaking the statue, and Principal Tweety says that no one is having a dance until someone 'fesses up.
Lizzie decides to take the rap so that her friends can enjoy their Spring Fling. She is sad staying home alone the night of the dance, but Miranda, Gordo, and more friends surprise her. Ethan says, "Lizzie, Lizzie, Lizzie, if you can't come to the party, the party's comin' to you." A great backyard dance commences, and Lizzie is heartbroken no more.
"Dear Lizzie"
"Dear Lizzie" is one of the later episodes of Lizzie McGuire. Miranda is on her never-ending vacation in Mexico City, so Lizzie and Gordo get a little closer. This episode shows Gordo's deepest feelings for Lizzie when he anonymously writes in to tell her how he feels about his best friend. Lizzie doesn't find out that the letter was from Gordo, but she does find out who another letter came from.
Veruca Albano, an excellent minor character from the show, needs help dealing with a bully. Unfortunately, Lizzie's advice to fight back only gets Veruca in more trouble, since the bully has friends. Veruca has to hide in the garbage to stay safe. It's so upsetting to see her with cafeteria food all over her clothes, and Lizzie tries to make things right. The two join forces to overcome the bully in the end.
"Scarlett Larry"
In a glorious scene with Coach Kelly, the Hilldridge Junior High kids are learning how to square dance in the show's first season. In her sing-song voice, Kate taunts Lizzie, "Howdy-do corner, guess what? Somebody has a crush on you!" Larry waves and says, "Hi, Lizzie!" This reveals him as the "crushee." Lizzie just can't say no, even though she thinks Larry is a geek and doesn't want to date him.
She realizes that she shouldn't have judged Larry. Still, she doesn't think that they are compatible and breaks things off. Larry is emotional but still takes it pretty well, and the break-up scene between them is surprisingly sweet.
"First Kiss"
Lizzie's first kiss is with Ronnie the paperboy. It's a spicy episode as the teens pursue their budding romance, but Ronnie cuts things short with Lizzie because there is someone else. She cries and can only be consoled by Gordo, who tells her, "There's no one prettier than you, or more fun to be with."
This is a side of Lizzie we don't see that often. While she shows her emotions, she is not always quite as vulnerable. Gordo is really there for her, even though it was hard for him to see her with Ronnie.
"A Gordo Story"
Gordo wants to take minor character Park McKenzie to the dance (the last school dance of the series), but she says "I'm sorry, I can't." Gordo is dejected and says to Lizzie and Miranda, "I guess I'm just the guy you say hi to in the hallway, and not the guy you actually go out with." Lizzie gets to the bottom of Parker's disinterest, and unfortunately, Gordo is within earshot. When Lizzie asks Parker why she turned Gordo down, Parker replies, "Because he's short."
Gordo's emotions plummet, and he tries on some cowboy boots to elevate his height. He also falls asleep in class (very uncharacteristic of him) and has nightmares about his height. With a little help from Mr. Dig, Gordo remembers his worth and has a great time at the dance with Lizzie and Miranda.
"My Fair Larry"
Miranda decides to have a big party. She seems to be inviting everybody except Larry Tudgeman. Lizzie tries to persuade her to invite Larry, but Miranda won't take suggestions. In efforts to do the right thing, Gordo and Lizzie conspire against Miranda to get Larry into the party. They give him a makeover, including fly sunglasses, and no one recognizes him. He introduces himself as Lawrence, and Miranda thinks she is falling for a new hot guy.
She freaks out when Larry reveals himself to her, but she realizes the error of her ways in excluding someone. The episode also has a reference to "Scarlett Larry." When Lizzie tells him, "I thought I'd take you," Larry milks the irony of the moment. He says, "Like a date? We've been down that road before kid. Just can't work between us."