Another thing of note this episode as being the bridge between the original series the brunt of the plot is about the adults. It’s their ten year High School reunion which is the center plot of this episode. The main three adults of note you meet or re-meet if you’re a better fan then me and have seen the original series are:
Christine ‘Spike’ Nelson- Emma’s mother who had her at sixteen
Archie ‘Snake’ Simpson- The constant of the series who was there for the original and is still with us today now as school Principal and one of the Directors of the show.
Joey Jeremiah- A used car salesman and recent widower who has a daughter Angie who is about to start Kindergarten. Angie is played by Alex Steele sister of Cassie who plays Manny. Alex recurs as Angie for the first three or four seasons before coming back as Tori in seasons 11 and 12. Hey I mean Roger Howarth can go from playing his One Life Alter Todd on General Hospital to playing Franco (who was an expy of James Franco the A lister who originated the role) while still playing Todd on pre-taped episodes of One Life 2.0 then it’s not that crazy with Alex right?
Any I’m ranting again. Anyway the plot aside from the adults has to do with catfishing a term that is rather popular and everyone from the above mentioned One Life To Live to Glee has done a plot with it recently.
What is Catfishing? Well…
Catfishing
The phenomenon of internet predators that fabricate online identities and entire social circles to trick people into emotional/romantic relationships (over a long period of time).
Possible motivations: revenge, loneliness, curiosity, boredom
The term catfishing was inspired by the 2010 documentary "Catfish."
This show premiered in 2001!
Anyway the episode and well the series opens with Twelve Year Old Emma who being the tie from last generation to this is one of the main protagonists looking at the computer screen reading the latest email from Jordan a guy she’s been chatting with online for the past 8 months. Emma is smitten with him however as soon as her mother enters the room she flips to the graduation website saying she’s showing the site to Manny commenting on 80s styles.
End of Cold Opening….cue theme song….Whatever it takes…..
Emma, Manny, and friend JT are now carrying boxes of memorabilia into the newly renovated Degrassi saying how they can’t wait to go there next year while listening as Emma once again gushes about Jordan.
There are a few intercuts of adults plots such as being introduced to Joey however soon it’s back at the school where they run literally into Simpson before rounding a corner to see Toby getting a tour of the school. Toby is the final member of this foursome which can easily be parallel to that of the niners in season 8 and to a less extent that of the ones from 11 B (Zig is more a Sean and Tristan doesn’t have a season 1 expy) Toby it turns out went to camp with JT and had moved to the district because his dad had moved in with his girlfriend.
Emma breaks into the MI (computer) lab to check her mail and while there is more adult subplot we soon find out Jordan asked to meet her. She’s worried cause she said she was in High School as Jordan is sixteen however Toby and JT bring up the point that well if Emma liked maybe Jordan did too. He could be some 30 year old video store clerk or something. Emma points out she’s known Jordan more than Toby.
She then ends up fangirling and later talking to moms friend Caitlin asking for advice about it. She tells Caitlin it’s like Jordan is reading into her soul and Caitlin tells her that sometimes you just go for it and that’s how part one ends with Emma messaging Jordan.
Part two opens with a recap and the opening theme while Emma watches her mom getting ready for the reunion. She tells mom Manny’s coming over to watch movies but then tells Manny she’s gonna watch a documentary on TV cause Jordan recommended it….in reality she hops a cab to the hotel. Manny can tell she’s lying and goes to the boys. Toby tells a story he heard about a girl from BC who met an online date then was found dead a week later. JT says Emma is too smart yet still they begin to hack into Emma’s email and in doing so they realize Jordan didn’t read into Emma’s soul he was simply parroting what she talked to Manny and other friends about.
Meanwhile back at the hotel Emma meets an older man in the lobby who says he’s Jordan’s teacher and he leads her to a room with a camera. Saying the camera is for a video diary that the students are making while they are on their trip Emma nods and takes a seat before realization hits…This guy IS Jordan. She says she dropped her bag in the lobby however upon being called out by her lie Emma runs into the bathroom. Jordan says he’ll let her go however when she does emerge he grabs her saying if she screams he’ll gag her.
Manny and the boys managed to find not just the address but the room and after running to the reunion they manage to inform Spike and Snake who call the police and make it to the hotel before things get too deep.
It turned out Jordan was a repeat offender and would be going to jail.
The episode ends with a touching mother and daughter moment and the classic line. ‘Mom I was so scared’
There are at least two more catfish like plots that pop up during the series (so far) however this one is probably my favorite.
Ashley and Terri also make their first showing briefly in part two giving tours of the new additions of the school to alums.
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