3x22 The Power of Love--recap

As another season comes to a close we get an episode that like more modern episodes has an A-B-C format translation tons of shit goes down.

The episode begins with it being the last day of school and Simpson is watching the students emptying lockers. Jimmy is leaving to go to Basketball Camp in California over the summer though he wishes he didn’t have to as while it’s the best of the best when he signed up for it he didn’t have a girlfriend he’d have to leave behind for the next few months and so he is planning the perfect night for him and his friends complete with a limo and nice pre dance dinner. Meanwhile Paige is celebrating her yearlong banishment to the wasteland (remember episodes one and two?)

WHATEVER IT TAKES

3x20 I Want Candy -- recap

This is the second 80’s movie reference episode this season however this time the reference is only a sub plot. The movie is Ferris Bueller's day off. This movie is later referenced next season as well.

Episode opens in Science class Miss H is giving a lecture then tells Paige to pick up Ashley’s homework for her as she’s sick….again. Paige nods before saying to Spinner that they should skip the following day.

WHATEVER IT TAKES

3x17 Don't Dream It's Over RECAP

Paige’s parents are planning to go away for the weekend and have given her use of the van (so it’s implied that they all must of passed the driving test they were planning to take huh). Terri doesn’t want to go because she doesn’t want to be a fifth wheel and Paige says she won’t but if it worries her then bring someone else.

WHATEVER IT TAKES

3x14/15 Accidents Will Happen RECAP

This is the infamous episode that because of its subject matter. Sure back in White Wedding this topic was mentioned without any issues but with the way America is and still is on the subject of abortion it was initially banned from the air. It did eventually air at least once in a marathon leading up to season six or seven’s premiere and it may still be in the syndication rotation when they air earlier episodes. I will not go into my political views unless someone asks for them in the comments and so without further ado accidents will happen….

The episode opens with Miss H running gymnastic practice as Craig is taking team photos for the yearbook. Kendra excuses herself because she has the stomach flu going around and Craig goes to take Manny’s picture and asks her to smile. She says she can’t around him.

WHATEVER IT TAKES

3x10 Never Gonna Give You Up RECAP

I didn’t go off and rant during his first appearance because I wanted to focus on the A plot but I can’t stand Rick at all. Sure in the last episode he showed up he seemed all adorkable and romantic sending the letters to Terri however in this episode and for the remainder of his arch in this and the next season I couldn’t stand him and I think of all the antagonists the series has had he’s the one I loathe the most.

Anyway the episode opens with Rick as well as Terri, Hazel, Jimmy, and Marco in the auditorium as they are doing scene studies and will be doing an original piece by Marco. Marco wants to act so Jimmy is appointed director much to Rick’s dismay. Rick is told he can be stage manager and nods. Terri meanwhile is the lead and doesn’t think she’s good enough despite Rick’s assurance.

WHATEVER IT TAKES

3x08 Whisper To A Scream RECAP

Before I go on I just want to say this episode I know is triggering to allot of people I know and so I will try my best to scale back on the sarcastic jibes that are interlaced with my recaps….

The episode opens with Ellie at a base as her father is being deployed to Afghanistan on a piece keeping mission. Looking over to her mom her dad comments she’ll be fine she has things under control hinting that something isn’t right with her. As Ellie tells her it will be all right her mom coldly tells her to just shut up smile and wave.

WHATEVER IT TAKES…..

SEASON 3 CHARACTERS

2x17 Relax Recap

The episodes open with some of the girls at floor hockey try outs. The cuts will be made tomorrow however Miss H who is the coach of the team pulls Liberty aside saying she made a great effort however didn’t make the team but she wants her to manage.

WHATEVER IT TAKES

2x11 Don't Believe The Hype recap

Terri is talking to Hazel about how it’s going to be international day and soon Paige shows up giving Terri a fashion ticket for wearing last year’s jeans. Hazel takes the pad giving Paige a citation of her own because at the beginning of the season I mean school year she had a mullet. She then goes over toward a Muslim student fully and gives her a ticket for her Hijab. Paige declares when SHE gets offended then the line is crossed.

WHATEVER IT TAKES

2x09 Mirror In The Bathroom Recap

Before I get into recapping this episode I kind want to bring up two things that interested me as I watched this episode. The first is that I was impressed at the way the A and B plot complemented one another which is something that I found both interesting and refreshing. I also was impressed that the first eating disorder plot the show did (There are at least two others to my memory) was about a male because most people don’t think they can happen to them as well as woman.

The episode opens as Liberty is giving announcements and is saying that Toby placed third for the school in some computer completion however it’s Sean who is the star of the moment being overall sports MVP of the month. Everyone applauds him and Toby feels like an utter dork.

WHATEVER IT TAKES.

2x07/2x08 Shout Recap

Like I mentioned before due to subject matter and plot continuity this arch aired as a 90 min episode along with episode 2x20 when it first aired in the US. Anyway this is another deep and graphic episode much like the season opener was however instead of child abuse the subject is Rape and re-watching I just want to say Lauren Collins gave me chills years ago and still gives me them now.

The episode begins with the spirit squad cheering at a soccer game….well the squad may be cheering but Paige seems to be watching a rival player with hearts in her eyes….

WHATEVER IT TAKES

2x04 Karma Chameleon RECAP

Not to be confused with episode 12x35/36 Karma Police the episode opens with Paige talking about a party to Hazel and Jimmy as Ashley and Terri walk by. Ashley says cool and Paige blows up at her saying how it’s funny how something can be cool one year and not the next then blows up at Ashley about taking Ecstasy at the end of the year. Ashley is sad and wants her friends back.

WHATEVER IT TAKES

2x01/02 When Doves Cry

Welcome to a new season and new school year of Degrassi. Emma and co are now in grade eight while Ashley and co are in grade nine…..what does this mean? Are we going to have a split narrative between Junior High and High School? Is one teen group going to fade into obscurity? Well this question will be answered quite early in my almost two pages had written episode notes however first let up meet a new character who this episode and many an arch for the next three seasons will be about.

The episode opens with Emma and Joey’s daughter Angie playing in the fountains in the park as a teen boy is hiding in the distance taking photos of them. Before you wonder this guy is not a stalker but the new character mentioned above. His name is Craig and the following scene he arrives home and his father is going off on the fact that he was supposed to be home by six. Craig apologizes however soon his dad flips out smashing dishes in the process.

WHATEVER IT TAKES….. (Same open but a few new scenes added to the sequence)

SEASON 2 CHARACTERS:

1x15 Jagged Little Pill Recap

This is one of three episodes to my knowledge to air out of order in the US do to subject matter as this aired between 2x03 (Girls Just Wanna Have Fun) and 2x04 (Karma Chameleon) during season 2. The other episodes are 2x07 &08 (Shout) which aired as a 90 minute special  along with 2x20 (How Soon Is Now) and 3x14/15 (Accidents Will Happen) which aired in the US well after it came out in the DVD boxed set.

The episode begins on the last day of school Jeff and Kate are planning to go away for the night and have told Ashley and Toby that they can each have one friend over and no parties.

WHATEVER IT TAKES

1x14 Under Pressure Recap

This episode opens as Sean is working on his bike while his brother Tracker is quizzing him. Tracker brings up that his mother called and is sober and wants to talk with Sean. Sean thinks that by talking the mom means that she wants him to come home and he’s not. Tracker tells him to stay out of trouble and get good grades and he doesn’t have to worry about going back.

WHATEVER IT TAKES

1x13 Cabaret Recap

One of the fun things about Degrassi is the bands. From Zit Remedy in the original series to the first TNG band that arrives in this episode to WhisperHug in season 12 music has always been a constant. Speaking of constants remember in Rumors and Reputation the talk about the Talent Show….well my best guess is that it evolved into Lunchtime Cabaret

The episode opens with Ashley working on a song on her piano while Terri is looking at a Tarot card site. Ashley asks what Terri thinks of the song that they’ll be singing at cabaret and she asks why it is so slow it’s supposed to be a duet but with the arrangement it sounds more solo. Ashley assures her that it’ll be a duet.

1x10 Rumors and Reputation:

This episode begins with Emma going to turn in a paper to Coach Armstrong however as she gets to the classroom she sees him in there with Liberty. The coach is leaning in closely to the student and Emma thinks something is up between the two of them.

WHATEVER IT TAKES…..

1x09 Coming of Age: Recap

If this were Friends the episode would be called ‘The one with Emma’s Period’ oh yea and more Jimmy and Ashley angst.

The episode opens with Jimmy, Ashley and Terri talking about Jimmy is turning fourteen and that they are going to have dinner with his parents. When he walks away Ashley confides in her friend how Jimmy is always over her house and she already has Toby as a pseudo brother. Ashley also mentions at some point about her gay dad which is continuity and in a way it lets us know she didn’t abandon him but decided to accept him.

1x08 Secrets and Lies: Recap

This episode opens with Ashley in the car with her bio dad Robert who has come back from England. She’s glad that he’s visiting and giving a lecture in their MI class. She gets dropped off back home and watches as her mom and Jeff are having a minor argument (I think it was about dishes but I didn’t note it) however Kate soon stops to ask about her time with her dad. Ashley smiles saying she had a good time.