Fans of Zack, Kelly, Jessie, Slater, and the rest of the gang were excited to return to Bayside High for a brand new edition of Saved by the Bell, a reboot that combines all the whimsy of the original show's shenanigans with updated issues, perspectives, and technology. Unlike previous spin-offs like Saved By The Bell: The New Class, this series features almost every member of the original cast so that fans can see what their favorite Bayside Tigers have been up to.
The last time anyone saw the members of Zack Attack, they were featured in Saved By The Bell: The College Years, which picked up where Saved by the Bell left off and ended in 1994. The reboot allows fans to see how the kids at Bayside have grown up the past twenty years, and what they're passing on to the next generation.
Changed: Slater Is More Sensitive
In the original series, Slater's strict upbringing and an emphasis on athleticism made him devalue anything considered effeminate or sensitive. If he liked something other than sports (like when he joined a cooking class), he was discouraged from pursuing it.
The reboot forces Slater to reassess his own values, and he learns how to be a more well-rounded person from the "sensitive" young men that he coaches, as well as the empowered Douglas students he sees every day. In the final episode, he also validates Jessie's activism from when they were in high school, and sincerely apologizes for being a "sexist pig" to her.
Same: Jessie Is Still Neurotic
Jessie Spano was an enthusiastic activist in the original series, and her zeal in standing up for what's right meant that she could also become obsessive. Her neurotic tendencies caused her to overthink and over-analyze situations, often resulting in unintentional social consequences with her friends.
In the reboot series, Jessie is just as much a champion of causes as she ever was, which makes her perfect as Bayside's guidance counselor. She may be a little overly involved in her students' lives, and the life of her son (also a student and the captain of the football team), but her heart remains in the right place.
Changed: Zack & Kelly Have Become Snobs
One of the more unfortunate effects of the progression of time is that Zack and Kelly have become arrogant and condescending, as evidenced by their treatment of Jessie and Slater as public school professionals.
Kelly, who's become obsessed with pseudo-science and starting a lifestyle brand a la Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop, doesn't understand the struggles of her friends. Her and Zack come off as incredibly out of touch and elitist whenever they appear at Bayside, prompting Jessie and Slater to intervene towards the end of the reboot for the sake of preserving their bond.
Same: Slater Is Obsessed With His Body
As much as Slater has become more self-aware, complex, and altruistic in the reboot, he hasn't completely left behind his obsession with physical fitness. There are plenty of scenes in the reboot which focus on Slater's body, which is somehow in even better shape than in the original series.
Part of what made Slater an icon and a role model was his physical appearance, and thanks to Mario Lopez and his sense of discipline all these years later, he's able to convincingly portray Slater as the athletic director of Bayside High, and fill out those salmon-pink tank tops.
Changed: Screech Doesn't Keep In Touch
Screech was Zack Morris's best friend (even if he didn't always treat him like it) and one of the brightest students at Bayside High. He was also an integral member of the friendship group that consisted of Zack, Kelly, Jessie, Lisa, and Slater, all of whom have a reoccurring role or cameo in the reboot.
In the premiere episode, Jessie and Slater reveal in conversation that Screech isn't around anymore because he's up at the International Space Station with his robot Kevin. It remains to be seen whether or not he'll be featured in a video chat like his crush Lisa.
Same: Zack Is Still Self-Absorbed
Just because he's a public official, doesn't mean that Zack Morris has a great concern for other people. Just like always, adult Zack is still all about Zack, with the reboot focusing on his efforts to make his re-election campaign gain traction. To accomplish this, he feigns sympathy for the plight of the Douglas students.
As pointed out in the first episode, Zack only ran for political office to get out of a seventy-five dollar parking ticket. He doesn't make time for his own son, and continuously blows off Slater and Jessie because they work in public education, and he considers his problems more important than anyone else's.
Changed: Lisa Lives In Paris
In the final episode, the gang takes a video call from Lisa, who is revealed to be living in Paris and working in the fashion industry, an epilogue that most viewers saw coming whether they liked her character or not. She appears to be living in a fabulously appointed apartment and has multiple Frenchmen spoiling her with attention.
While fans don't get to see all that much of Lisa, her life seems vibrant and positive, which is appropriate considering that viewers were unsure if they'd get to see Lark Voorhies at all this season. It remains to be seen if she'll pop up again in Season 2.
Same: Jessie Still Gets Involved
Jessie always fought for the rights of the disenfranchised at Bayside, which often included people of color, women, and animals. She was often the only one of her friends waving a sign, especially when they thought hosting a bikini contest at Bayside wasn't overtly sexist.
When the Douglas students are nearly thrown out of Bayside soon after their arrival, she supports them in getting their voices heard and encourages the faculty to do the same. As Slater admiringly tells her, "The next generation are all a bunch of Jessies. Even the big strong Slaters are Jessies", reminding viewers of just how inspirational she could be.
Changed: Zack Has Become A Politician
The fact that Zack Morris has become the Governor of California in the reboot is more bizarre than the reason he ran for the position - trying to avoid paying a $75 parking ticket. That Zack would plan an elaborate scheme to get out of being held accountable for his actions is predictable, unlike the population of California believably voting for him.
As Governor, he has no concept of politics, and he regularly makes a fool of himself at press conferences and town halls. He doesn't come off as a popular Governor, which makes the confidence he had as the most popular student at Bayside a facade when it comes to making practical decisions.
Same: Slater Still Has The Moves
In the house party episode where Jamie invites all of his friends over for his birthday, Slater ends up having to crash the party. He winds up recreating one of his iconic dance moves (first revealed at a party involving Zack and Screech in the choreography), this time incorporating Douglas students.
Slater busts out several moves in dance routines throughout the reboot, sometimes wearing nothing but boxers, a tank top, and shades, and sometimes just in Jessie's kitchen. He proves he still has his swagger over twenty years later.