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.

WHATEVER IT TAKES……

Terri, Ashley and Paige are outside in the quad taking a quiz in a teen mag or Cosmo or something while Jimmy sits and listens in. Jimmy asks if he can come over that night for dinner but Ashley says she’s having a girl’s night with Terri and she’s mentioned it before. Jimmy is deflated about it.

Speaking of tests….the grade sevens are studying for a test ….well Emma is while Sean and Manny are talking astrology annoying a studying Emma.  Emma storms out of the computer lab and when the test is over has a fit that she didn’t pass.

Ashley and Terri come over to Ashley’s to see Jimmy and Toby playing basketball causing Ashley to roll her eye. She was clearly hoping for a Jimmy free evening.  She tells mom Jimmy isn’t staying for dinner when Kate comments about setting an extra place however after she comments about Jimmy always being alone Ashley caves and lets him stay.

Emma is also home from school watching a soap opera and getting all emotional. And for a brief moment she totally became my spirit animal and Spike’s quote to her pretty much sums up shows like present Degrassi, Teen Dramas and Soaps everywhere These Shows Are Designed To Make You Upset PREACH SPIKE PREACH!!!!! She suggests retail therapy and Emma is thrilled at the mall about her new sweater that goes with everything however her thrill is cut short by a creepy guy who makes a sexual comment in their direction. Spike is a BAMF and goes off on him.

Ashley says how Jimmy is smothering him and she is considering dumping him. Toby overhears.

Now back to Emma showing off her new sweater like a boss.

Toby goes to Jimmy asking a question about basketball however in reality his analogy is about Ashley and is bummed out.

Outside the grade seven quad is hanging out. They are talking about Jimmy and Ashley not like it’s any of their business but whatever. This is till Sean shows up apologetic about distraction Emma with the astrology talk and Emma accepts and asks Sean to show her how it’s done before class however as she gets up Manny notices a blood stain on Emma’s skirt…. Emma has her period. She tells Sean to go

Ashley tells Terri she wants to wait to dump Jimmy till after his birthday.

As Emma and Manny enter the girls room Manny is all giddy and wants to celebrate. Emma can get PREGNANT now. All things considered that line amused me especially at how innocent Cassie Steele’s delivery of that line was. She leaves to look for a change of clothes and soon someone shows up in the room….Paige. The older more experienced girl gives Emma a pad and they have a heart to heart before Manny comes back giving Emma a pair of gym shorts before arriving to Kwan’s room for a book report. JT begins to tease his friend about new outfit and Emma exclaims that SHE HAS HER PERIOD AND IT’S TOTALLY NATURAL This scene is right up there with Lizzie McGuire’s I WANT A BRA scene as far as to quote the title ‘Coming of Age’ moments on Teen TV go.

Ashley arrives at Jimmy’s on his Birthday to an empty place She realizes the reason he’s always over is in fact cause her mom was right….he’s all alone as his parents are workaholics.  Jimmy in that moment dumps Ashley before she can dump him and kicks her out before ordering a pizza.

Emma is starting a petition to get a tampon machine at school and after getting Paige to sign it, the older girl shows her true mean girl colors by attempting to embarrass Emma by asking Sean if he wants to sign. Sean does without a slouch.

The episode ends with Jimmy and Ashley looking at the pictures in their lockers as sad music plays in the background. Ashley approaches Jimmy saying she was wrong to call him clingy and she still loves him. He loves her too and they hug and while nothing is said it’s assumed that they got back together.