Random Musings

• I'm pondering if I want to go back and attempt postmortoms again for season 14 or just wait until the seasons over to do recaps...or maybe I'll meet things halfway and do an opinions post at the end of each block?

• Aside from 4 new characters (3 freshman joining the Hollingsworth Twins + another Sophomore (or is Jonah a random Junior I already forgot) Tiny seems to be added to the main cast. Should I go back and tag him in season 13?

Speaking of tags of the 76 characters tagged I'd share the top 20

1-Clare (season 6, 8-Present)

2-Alli (Season 8-Present)

3-Drew  (Season 10-Present)

4-Spinner (Season 1-9)

5-Manny (Season 1-9)

6-Emma (Season 1-9)

7-Jenna (Season 9-Present)

8-Paige (Season 1-8)

9-Maya (Season 11-Present)

10-Eli  (Season 10-Present)

11-Jimmy (Season 1-7)

12-Connor  (Season 8-Present)

13-Marco (Season 2-8)

14-Tristan (Season 11-Present)

15-Ashley (Season 1-4, Season 6-7)

16-Ellie (Season 2-8)

17-Imogen  (Season 11-Present)

18-Fiona (Season 9-12)

19-Holly J (Season 7-11)

20-JT (Season 1-6)

13x38/39 Thunderstruck

Finally the season finale. This was a one hour action pack event let me tell you. The episode opens with foreboding and foreshadowing shots of natural disasters as Imogen is giving a report on Global Warming. Dallas comments that nothing like that would ever happen in Toronto and even after Imogen points out that the weather channel says that a system is brewing he claims it’s more likely to hit New York or New Brunswick. It’s apparently the end of term (how freaking long are terms in-verse…cause like didn’t just a few episodes a term/semester started and the activities fair is what inspired Maya to do the arts night?) Anyway Drew and his council company are going to now set their sights on the end of term dance. Becky wants to know about when the dance is supposed to end and it’s known that things have been a bit tense in the Baker home since Luke got sentenced to two years in jail. Imogen decides to cheer her up with Mambo #5 which causes Becky to burst out in tears and leave the room. Drew being Drew follows her and Dallas comments about how Drew is just friends with a girl to whom Imogen teases how he believes that but not global warming.

WHATEVER IT TAKES (god I hope the old theme or a variant is back next season)

13x36/37 Believe

Another two parter which much like the 13c finale Sparks Fly aired in 2 parts however least you think because of that than this is the finale… nope…there is one more 2 part/hour long episode to go after this.

I just want to point out how much I love that the title of this mirrors Unbelievable from last arch as it gives a sense of closure to that episodes main plot and is a nice book end to things. Unlike that episode this aired in its original time slot however it did have a PSA warning about sexual content and darker subject matters.

Zig’s phone is buzzing as Grace shows up late for school. Zig is wondering where she was because they have an assignment to do and she comments about the media circus outside.

Winston is talking to Miles about Maya and whatever drama is going on as Maya looks at her phone (is she in a normal homeroom again or is this already a later period since it was established Grace was late…confused) Maya comments about how Zig just texted her and Miles makes a comment about how somebody always seems to be in trouble and Maya nods…’yea, Zoe.’

Zoe meanwhile is auditioning for Wicked and is singing Defying Gravity. Maya walks into the auditorium and Tristan tells her she’s still dead to him however she tells him it’s not the time and starts to talk to him about the media for Zoe. Zoe finishes and tells Maya while she loves her she needs to practice for her audition and they tell her about the press. Zoe heads outside to talk to the press and tells them the boys are guilty and she plans to prove it

WHATEVER IT TAKES

13x35 Out of My Head

Preparations for the fashion show is still going on and Becky starts to tease Imogen about her crush. Becky shows the now done sketches to Jack who says they are ‘nice’ which causes Imogen to panic. She thinks they aren’t cool enough and that she’ll loose Jack to Lucy or one of the many other girls who have crushes on her. Becky kindly reminds Imogen the show is that night and it would mean everything to her with what is going on for it to run smooth.

WHATEVER IT TAKES

13x34 Hypnotize

Tristan is auditioning with Imogen and Becky to MC for the talent show. He was inspired by the Hollywood Glamor theme and sings an original song…seriously I’m over musical numbers Glee this isn’t (though the BEST number of the season doesn’t happen yet)

After the audition, Mr. Yates comments to the girls that they have a great talent and Imogen and Becky tease him for being teacher’s pet.

WHATEVER IT TAKES

13x33 My Hero|

 |

While the last episode had my DVR cutting off the last few moments this one cut off the entire cold open….so

WHATEVER IT TAKES

12x32 How Bizarre||

Drew and Dallas are pitching a party planning company for what looks like economics class. Proposals are due next week and Drew is a bit spacey as Mr. Hollingsworth has been working him to the bone. He needs a night off but Dallas already has big plans with Alli, Jenna, and Connor…Drew was left out cause Alli and Jenna are pissed that Drew ‘tailed and bailed’ and Dallas is just playing the Switzerland card. Drew asks him what about the code, bros before….nice girls. Dallas says Drew is his bro but he doesn’t kiss him like Alli does. Drew teasingly starts to go in for a smooch before laughing and being upset that Clare is effing his life up this close to graduation. He doesn’t want to apologize but he does want to have a mature conversation with her.

WHATEVER IT TAKES

13x31 Enjoy the Silence:

Maya is helping Zig  fake sick so Margaret will let him stay home from school because the gang is pissed that he skipped out the night before. Maya needs to go and Zig tells her he will send over the files for the panorama programs later on

WHATEVER IT TAKES

13x30 You Are Not Alone

Welcome to the final stretch of the season that does not end. Seriously season 13 started summer 2013 and it’s now summer 2014 though it was productions choice to do a summer set arch instead of a novella AFTER a 40 episode order was made so….at least season 14 is back to basics with I believe 28 episodes so I’d expect the blocks to be a third of the season to air in either 3 arcs (with an Oct, Jan/Feb, and June/July start date) or two arcs (Oct and Jan/Feb with season 15 if we have one possibly going back to Novella format)

Anyway…

It’s apparently a new season/semester (I’m going to go with season and that it’s Spring since setting wise it’s late February/Early March in-verse) and Maya, Grace and Zig are walking into a school activity fair. Maya’s excited suggesting to them to join show choir (glee reference anyone) however Zig and Grace say even if they wanted to join a club nobody would accept them due to their reputations (as seen when Grace looks at the film society booth with a slight interest) Maya asks if they could do an activity what would they do and Grace suggests an art festival like Burning Man. Zig is intrigued and Maya says they should totally pitch it to Student Council  and Simpson as a way to show the school the rubber room kids aren’t that bad. Maya asks if Tiny would be interested however he is acting aloof and as they enter the classroom for homeroom they are told Simpson is wanting them to do locker searches.

WHATEVER IT TAKES

13x28/29 Sparks Will Fly:

Maya is in the Matlin kitchen opening up a fancy package when Zig walks in and she tries to hide it. She comments about the Stetson he’s wearing and he tells her it’s for Wild West Night before snagging the box and opening it. It’s another lavish gift from Miles despite the fact that they are allegedly over.

WHATEVER IT TAKES

13x27 Everything is Everything:

Connor and Dallas are woken up the following morning at the police station. They aren’t in a cell or in cuffs but are just waiting in a waiting area. The cop says that they got a hold of Simpson and the boys story checks out. They are then told that they can pick up the car at the impound lot (where they most likely will have to pay to get it out in addition to paying for the tow and getting to the lot via cab) Dallas tells Connor how Alli can’t know what happened to them.

WHATEVER IT TAKES

13x26 Army Of Me

Alli is anxious about the science fair as she’s rattling off figures and there is a little UST between her and Dallas. Jenna tells him to step back at least until after the fair because boys tend to get her distracted. Dallas says if he waited his long one more day shouldn’t matter.

WHATEVER IT TAKES

13x25 CLOSE TO ME

Maya awkwardly walks in on Zig eating cereal and proceeds to pour her own bowl and more awkward persists as the doorbell rings. Miles is there to drive Maya to school and officially ask her to the dance. Maya however has something to say however Zig walks into Miles’s eyeline before she can come clean.

WHATEVER IT TAKES

13x24 WHAT IT’S LIKE-

First of all I love after last weeks’ time change that they had to advert that this episode was airing at its ‘regular time’

Anyways, it looks like after last episode Miles and Maya’s relationship status is back together as he’s carrying her over his shoulder down the halls besides a huge ass poster promoting a Sweethearts Semi-Formal. Maya needs to work on her rubber room essay cause she doesn’t want to spend any more time there then the daily visits first and last period if she can help it. They are kissing as Tristan says he really doesn’t want to watch them make out. Maya goes into her bag and realizes her laptop is missing, most likely stolen. Tristan says it must be Zig while Maya goes to ask for an extension.

WHATEVER IT TAKES

13x22/23 Unbelievable

I’m really hoping that this episode has taped as like I noted back when still doing postmortems this episode aired in the later timeslot of 10pm while my cable guide still listed it airing at 9pm and so I had to tape it when they did a TWEET peat a few nights later so I’m having to view the episode with pop ups and scrolling though I should still be able to recap this VERY SPECIAL Hour long two part episode.

It’s so special that before it airs we get a disclaimer of its graphic nature.

The episode opens as Zoe is waking up in the pool house as Frankie and Hunter arrive to bring her breakfast. She asks why she’s there and Frankie says it’s cause she drank too much at the party the night (and episode) before. She asks what she did and Frankie shows her some pictures of her dancing on tables and stripping.  Frankie comments how she guesses they aren’t singing at the winter WINTER WINTER (never giving up on that weather snark) talent show cause nobody would vote for them now however Zoe brings up how she fell off of a horse at a public event right into some crap and the next week she won a Teen Choice Award so she’s not dropping out after some stupid party.

WHAEVER IT TAKES

13x21 Basket Case

The episode opens with Clare having a sex dream about Drew…that is all…

WHATEVER IT TAKES

13x20 No Surprises

The episode opens in the Hollingsworth pool (insert another jibe about how Toronto has weather here) as he asks Maya to hop on in with him. Maya claims she has no suit and so he rips off his trunks and coaxes her into stripping down and skinny dipping which she actually does. Everything is fine until Miles’s dad shows up in the yard with his campaign manager (who side note is the woman who helped Clare back when Asher was harassing her which seems like a lifetime ago) Maya leaves and Mr. Hollingsworth tells his son that now isn’t the time for him to be cavorting with girls.

WHATEVER IT TAKES

13x20 Power To The People:

Miles Jr is talking to Drew about his speech he’s making at the school commenting about how if he gets elected Mayor perhaps there will be a place in his office for Drew. Zoe arrives saying he’d be lucky to have Drew work for him. Miles Jr asks who she is and she says how she’s Drew’s girlfriend and she loves his house practically spilling about Miles’s illicit parties.

Later on Dallas comments about how worried Drew is and he comments about how Zoe is a stage 5 clinger.

WHATEVER IT TAKES

13x19 Dig Me Out:

Sorry if there are soon gaps between my queued recaps as I’ve been on a string of closing shifts at work and when I haven’t closed my muse wasn’t into re-watching and recapping though I DO plan on getting through and queuing up the season by the time season 14 tentatively starts on October 8^th and then I get to stockpile on my DVR and do this all over again at seasons end :)

The episode opens as Zoe is bringing Drew coffee in the council room and it getting all touchy feely despite the fact Drew needs to focus on the campaign cause he hopes to parlay it into a post grad job. Zoe however wants to spend time with him like they did last night. Drew tells her that he can’t cause after work he has his weekly poker game. The two of them are making out when Clare comes in saying it’s an office and not a bedroom before saying Drew’s a president in the way Clinton was….nice burn…that is if the key demo (and CANADIAN based) audience got that reference. Zoe comments how Hillary was never president and Drew replies how Zoe (like said key demo) wasn’t even born when that happened. Clare says she’ll see him in class if he can come up for air and Zoe tells him that they can continue to make out once he blows Dallas off.

WHATEVER IT TAKES

13x18 Better Man

The episode opens with Maya entering the rubber room where they are playing a dodge ball esque game. Maya attempts to apologize to Zig for her words but Zig tells her he hates her. Grace tells Maya she needs to cut the crap and at least pretend she’s okay with things. Maya tells Grace how she’s going to be there for an undetermined amount of time and she wants to make friends and not be seen as some stuck up princess and asks Grace for help.

WHATEVER IT TAKES

13x17 The World I Know---

About to start 13C where the timeline gets all wibly wobbly timey wimey as now it’s apparently January in-verse (like in real time) when last we saw our characters it was Early October (late November in real time) and everyone is all dressed in Spring/Summer attire as this was presumably filmed over the summer…it’s Toronto for Christ sake…there is weather…wardrobe WTF

Rant aside the episode opens as Alli is running late for school as her mother stops her. She can’t believe Ali is turning 18 the following day as Leo shows up with coffee and the bad news that his transfer credits didn’t come through so he’s being deported back to France and won’t be there to celebrate. Alli tells him he’s not going they are going to figure it out.

WHATEVER IT TAKES

13x16 Spiderwebs

Council is getting ready for the Degrassi Family Feast to help feed the needy. Things are coming together nicely despite Clare being MIA. Audra pulls up and comments to Drew how proud she is of her son helping the less fortunate and how it’s a shame Bianca isn’t there. Drew tells her Bianca will be flying in that night and will be at the event the following day. Audra tells Drew how she can’t wait to hear about Bianca’s university experiences and soon Drew is informed by Dallas that Bianca is already in town though he’s unable to ditch his meeting to track her down.

WHATEVER IT TAKES

13x15 Black or White:

Drew is sitting in the council office listening to music and lost in the zone as Clare tells him that if ‘they’ ask about new computers say they are waiting on the school board however he’s was psyching himself out. Becky is getting him primped while Clare reminds him he’s getting ready to be interviewed on the school news and needs to make a good impression of himself. Clare is rattling off questions to practice and Drew is replying like a pro…he has this.

Sitting down, Winston begins the interview. We then get a glimpse of the interview which Winston edited to make Drew look like an idiot however he’s actually been applying himself. Dallas comments how Drew gave him the power he can easily take it away and that’s what Drew intends to do.

WHATEVER IT TAKES

13x14: Barely Breathing

Fun fact I wrote a Janny (Jay Hogart/Manny Santos) + Spixie (Damian Spinelli + Maxie Jones) crossover fic with this title….

Anyway moving on the episode opens with Alli applying concealer and flashing back to Leo hitting her. Jenna comments on her caking the makeup on and offers assistance however Alli says she was just studying for her SATs and was trying to hide the bags under her eyes. Clare then asks if she talked to Leo about moving to the states with her. Alli says she doesn’t want to talk about it they had a fight and she just wants to focus. Conner then shows up with balloons and flowers which Jenna thinks are for her but they are from Leo. Jenna says he is a sweetheart and Clare comments she guesses he’s sorry but Alli just wishes to focus.

WHATEVER IT TAKES