14x01 Smells Like Teen Spirit

As promised I've pulled up the season on Youtube and have started to slowly but surely finish up my recap project as I want to be a competitionist damn it!

So all I remember from season 13 is that it was long and draggy and ended on the cliffhanger that our beloved Clare is preggers....

So the episode begins as the school is being evacuated due to a fire (why not...just why not the damn school is freaking cursed) and Miles and others are looking anxiously for Frankie...

HOWEVER we don't know if they find her yet as it flashes back to 10 weeks earlier and Becky is in front of the school which is still recovering from the hurricane damages (cursed I tell you!) handing out flyers for Power Cheer and to parallel the cold opening is also looking for Frankie who she hears is an ace tumbler. Drew comments that the school has a Cheer squad already however according to Becky this is not the same thing as Power Squad but it's an actual competitive sport. Zoe and Tristan show interest however Becky informs Tristan it's girls only. The underclassman head in the school as Alli and Dallas head out... it's the beginning on their final quarter of senior year...FINALLY. Alli is looking for Clare but she's MIA...she and Dallas leave and Drew tells Becky he's sure Clare doesn't care about them (I forgot Drecky were a thing for a moment) Becky however isn't being bummed about Clare knowing about them she's more worried cause Power Cheer is HER fresh start and if Zoe is on the team it will keep her from moving past the fact her brother raped the underclassman. Drew tells her to just not let Zoe join..as President he decrees their last term be awesome just as soon as he finds his VP. His VP AKA

Clare is in the ladies room suffering from a bout of morning sickness when Alli comes in...Alli asks if it's the Flu and Clare says she at a bad breakfast burrito...Alli teases saying is she sure it's not morning sickness and Clare all but admits she's knocked up...and it's most likely Drew's put she's getting an abortion she's already decided and picks up the phone to call the clinic... WHOA...again...a total 180 of her character from the early years.

WHATEVER IT TAKES (still what I affectionately call the power point opening...we get a full song again in Next Class though so there is that...)

14x01 Smells Like Teen Spirit Post-Mort:

So, I think at least on the Tuesday's I don't close I'm going to make a list of 8-10 points from the episode (also I will not be labeling characters on this)

• I didn't like that they kept the crap opening from last year but beggers can't be choosers
• I kind of thought Clare even considering abortion was a bit OOC (then again present Clare and Clare pre season 10 are pretty much different people)
• I was confused about Becky and her cheer team though from what I gather the new Power Cheer team is a competitive team while the Power Squad cheers at events (though if that's the case why did the new team preform at the event in this episode?)
• Zoemund...that is all
• Triles....well...that's happening
• Drecky are a thing (for now)
• We met 2 of the newbies (though not by name)
• Maya is still annoying....

13x01/02 Summertime

The season opens with shots of the school and a marque announcing the Summer Day Camp the school will be running. Maya and Tristan eagerly race up the steps so glad to be on campus despite it being Summer break and they are excited. It’s going to be the BEST SUMMER EVER as they are planning on spending the next two months in Paris. Upon entering the school Maya literally runs into Miles who is in the office with Winston and upon seeing her heart eyes Tristan informs her that Tori’s family has moved away and she’s his new hag….er Bestie so no boys for her.

They arrive in the French classroom for a final meeting about the trip where we see Alli, Conner, and Jenna are also in attendance. Madame says two people are missing and Alli says how Clare has an appointment so she’s taking notes for her and soon another person arrives in the form of West Drive star Zoe Rivas. Tristan is fanboying saying she’s amazeballs and upon introducing himself to her and finding out she along with the cast is fans of his fan blog Tristan declares he’s making Zoe his new BFF and  says they can all be friends. Zoe invites Tristan (and Maya she guesses) to a concert. Tristan is in but reminds Maya about her super early curfew.

WHATEVER IT TAKES (the opening credits we’ve had since season 8 are gone and are replaced with a shortened version of the theme song and a title card that looks like it was created in windows movie maker….it’s horrible and prayer circle we get the old sequins back next season)

12x01/02 Come As You Are RECAP

Okay a quick note….while by the time this post moves from queue to blog I should have season 12 on DVD however until that happens I shall be watching via the DVR not that it makes a difference except now I will have to fast forward those pesky commercials and what not….anyway it’s time for another twenty episode Novella called ‘Showdown’ and it’s interesting to note that episodes for this arch aired at a 10PM timeslot as opposed to the normal 8 or 9 PM slot.

Anyway re-watching Via the DVR there is a nice little recap of major plotlines from the first two seasons pertaining to the main characters who have plots in this episode.

It opens up with the Torres brothers and new student Dallas whom is their ward of sorts showing up at Degrassi for the start of the next term. Dallas is checking out the girls and knows he’s going to like it here as Audra calls out how she and Omar are in Kingston overnight and the boys can have one friend over and that’s it….translation PARTY. Dallas wonders what the big first day assembly is about and Drew says it’s probably all about introducing Dallas and the Ice Hounds the new major junior hockey team now being hosted at Degrassi. Adam thinks it’s about the school closing due to all the drama. Dallas goes to see his team as Dave, Jenna and Alli join them. Dave also thinks the school is going to close and asks why Drew is a sour puss. Adam says how he was supposed to dump Katie but he chickened out. Drew denies it and says how her parents gave him a sweater. They then start talking about all the relationship dramas that have happened as Clare shows up as part of the group. It’s a really cute ensemble scene overall and I wish there were more scenes like this that went on.

The Bell rings and Drew sits beside Bianca at the assembly and she can read Drew and knows that he didn’t do it. He mentions the sweater but Bianca reminds him he promised to wait until she was out of rehab and in a good place to do his dirty work….um if I remember correctly Bianca was the one who was all unselfish and let Drew go to be with Katie so then why is she such a bitch about Krew (Katie + Drew) she changes tone and teases him asking how ugly the sweater is as Katie takes a seat saying how it’s okay if Drew hated it he just has to wear it at every family function. Bianca comments saying how Katie looks to be in a good place and Katie notes she is and thanks Bianca for caring so much.

Simpson comes on stage with some board members. He could have sent this in a letter home but he wanted to do it in person. The school is now uniform free!!!!

WHATEVER IT TAKES

11x01/2 Spring Fever AKA Boom Boom Pow—RECAP

While this episode is the season opener it was produced at the end of season ten….that said doesn’t expect to see any newbies. And don’t expect to see a new and improved opening title sequence either as this episode is produced on the DVD like the full length movie episodes were.

The episode opens with scenery porn of Toronto. It’s Spring Break. The Bhandari’s are painting walls, Drew, Bianca, KC, and Dave are out where a DJ is giving out KeKe Palmer tickets and Bianca does a dance to win them as Fiona is trying on swim suites. Bianca is taking Drew home before his curfew as some old buddy of hers, Anson starts to cat call her. He’s a nobody….a has been and she just wants to saver what time she has left with Drew.

WHATEVER IT TAKES (well a title card)

10x01/02 What a Girl Wants||RECAP

So here we are up to a double digit season number and also a supersized forty four episode season….yea, you read that right. Though to be fair technically it’s twenty two two-part episodes and that’s how I’ll be posting them all….With this season we also get the dropping of the ‘Next Generation’ subtitle and the intro also of   fan favorites   Drew Torres introduced in this episode and Eli Goldsworthy introduced in the next pair. Also you’ll note the season is more fast paced and there is allot more character/story arcs happening thought the season as opposed to one episode then done.

The season opens where the movie left off in New York at the Coyne penthouse. Its Holly J’s going away party. It’s not really goodbye it’s see you in a few months when you arrive at Yale. Fiona finally arrives at the party after her exhale in the Hamptons all renewed and refreshed with a new boyfriend. Declan just doesn’t trust Bobby…maybe it’s cause he’s Fiona’s first (and only) real boyfriend or maybe just maybe it’s cause of something else.

WHATEVER IT TAKES---I think it’s the same background vocals as last season….90% sure of it. The credits are a mix of old and new clips and faces…it opens with new shots of Peter, Sav, Clare, and newbie Eli. Then it’s the old Coyne Twin and Leia/Holly J scenes. A new one with new teacher Miss Oh, Connor and Wesley. The old Chantey/Anya and Jenna/Dave scenes then more new content with Adam and Bianca (newbies) along with Simpson and KC followed by newbie Drew, Riley and Alli with the pimp spot...

9x01/2 Just Can’t Get Enough RECAP

The season opens just weeks after the events of last season/the movie special as Studz hot off their theatrical debut in Mewsical High are rocking it at Degrassi. As they are singing in the gym cut to a limo pulling up in front of the school as two well-dressed students exit from it. They are Declan and Fiona Coyne, their father is some sort of diplomat and it’s unclear whether they are American, Canadian, or duel citizens as while they call New York their ultimate home they are world travelers. Chantey introduces herself to the twins’ camera in hand ready to vlog. They ask who the important people are…. Holly J the president, Studz Degrassi’s own movie stars and the lead singers girlfriend famed model Mia just home from Paris. I assume the shoot that was canceled/delayed in the movie happened and she flew from LA to Paris then back home which was why she had millions of dollars of cloths with her on the bus….see it all comes together. Holly J tells the band they are on the set list for the Winter Beach Bash while Peter comments they ARE the set list and informs Mia he’s so close to landing a spot in the music master class.

WHATEVER IT TAKES this season it’s a new vocal track of the theme song as well as some new scenes as Derek and Mia are now gone and the four new characters this season are added. The changes are as follows: The Leia/Derek scene is now Declan/Fiona, between the Anya/Chantey and KC/Clare/Connor/Alli scene is now Leia/Holly J, then after the grade nine quad are new grade niners Jenna and Dave…. Finally with Holly J in a new scene the one of her and Mia is obviously gone….

8x01/02 Uptown Girls—Recap

As a new season begins Degrassi’s new football team and the newly rebranded Power Squad are practicing/holding tryouts during the last week of summer. Mia’s late and hopes she can still try out however Holly J is now in charge of everything cause the new Principal, Principal Shepard AKA ‘The Shep’ who ran a pre-fire Lakehurst is now in charge and he’s always had a sweet spot for Holly J. She tells Mia she’s not going to let her try out because she’s unreliable.

WHATEVER IT TAKES (so the titles are back to the seasons 3-5 format though the backtrack vocals are new. The opening includes 8 new characters, Clare (though she was technically introduced back in season 6), Alli, Connor, KC, Kelly, Blue, Leia, and Riley as well as three minor characters bumped up to titles (Bruce, Johnny, and Chantey) All the graduates  sans Emma, Liberty, Manny and Spinner are gone as well as Christine (Emma’s mom) and Darcy. It’s common in the fan communities to refer to any character introduced after this Generation 2 (and some even refer to Maya, Tristan, Tori, Zig, Campbell, Miles, Zoe, and Winston as Generation 3….)

7x1/2 Standing In The Dark—recap

New Season, New Characters, New Distributer of the DVD Boxed Set…..but still the same school year.

It’s the first day back from break and its pretty bus heavy outside of Degrassi. Manny is now Blonde (though don’t get attached by episode seven it’s back to normal….I believe she changed if for her role on Instant Star don’t quote me though). The reason for the buses is because Lakehurst burnt down and so now the students are going to Degrassi. Peter and Darcy are still sneaking around from their parents but she really wants him to tell Miss H.

WHATEVER IT TAKES (the opening is the same instrumental soap opera style one as last season though the title card has been updated with a group shot. Other changes are Sean, Alex, and JT and in their place is a Danny/Derek, Holly J/Mia, and Damian/Jane card.)

6x01/02 Here Comes Your Man||--recap

New Season, New Format, New Opening Theme….I know it’s the season thirteen tagline but it’s a whole new Degrassi….

Peter and Emma are at the country club after spending the day with Peter’s dad. The valet pulls up with a car that isn’t the one they came in and Mr. Stone tells Peter it’s an early Birthday gift as while its two days away he wants him to have the car for the first day of school. Peter and Emma goes for a joyride in a scene similar to that of the one Spinner and Paige did in season four complete I believe with the same audio backtrack. After the ride, Peter is telling Emma just how lucky he is when Emma hears her name being called. Sean’s back and he’s with Jay….don’t get your mind in the gutter he’s just couch surfing they are not an item. Emma smiles and introduces her new boyfriend Peter to her ex Sean.

WHATEVER IT TAKES (I’m still going to mark the opening with the theme lyrics however this season and next it’s a whole new opening. It’s an instrumental theme with a white background with reals of the characters in past scenes in a blue filter. In the foreground the actor in character is looking to the camera. It has a rather soap opera feel but it was a refreshing change and would of much rather seen the season 13 theme go this route instead of the hot mess that it is. Added to the opening theme is ‘Darcy’ as well as ‘Sean’ who is back for the season while ‘Hazel’ ‘Joey’ ‘Caitlin’ and ‘Craig’ are gone.  Also removed although still on cannon just demoted to recurring is ‘Toby’. ‘Ashley’ is also recurring despite being back.)

5x01/2 Venus--recap

A new season means a New Year, new looks, new characters and lots and lots of new drama including a highly memorable Degrassi moment at least to me.

It’s the end of summer and Emma and Manny are lying out at the local pool. Emma’s got her eye on Peter whose surround by a bevy of beautiful girls and as Manny whose been bitten by the acting bug is telling her friend she hopes that she gets a call back from the agent she sent her profile to Emma hopes Peter notices her. She worries that she’s got stomach rolls and flabby thighs which is massive foreshaddowment for later in the season and soon she explains to Manny how Peter is the first guy she’s liked since Sean. (I guess Chris is being ret-conned or the rebound guy means nothing to her) Emma can have the guys….Manny has one goal….fame.

WHATEVER IT TAKES (I believe it was the same theme music honestly wasn’t really paying attention. The Ashley/Craig and Jimmy/Spinner title cards have changed into a Craig/Jimmy one panning to Spinner who is awkwardly watching his ex-friends (Ashley is gone from the opening and from cannon until the finale) The Sean/Raditch scene has now become Peter/Miss H and there has been an added Jay/Alex scene promoting them to the main cast.

4x01/02 The Ghost In The Machine --recap

With a new season comes new character looks such as Spinner’s longer hair and Craig ditching the curls.

The season opens as Spinner, Paige, and Craig are at Joey’s car lot as Spinner is christening the new car he just purchased. Spinner and Paige then go for a ride and are talking about taking the car to the drive in for a date. Things are going all too perfect as they pull into Paige’s driveway and the cops pull up behind them. Worried that Spinner received a speeding ticket it turns out that the cops are there to serve Paige as it’s finally time for Dean’s trial after all these years.

WHATEVER IT TAKES (complete with new back-track and removal of Terri from the credits)

13x1/2 Summertime Postmortem

3x01/02 Father Figure Recap

I just want to say WOW at how much some of the characters changed. Ashley dropped her Goth look and has this new punk/rock style which I loved so much and still do also lots of the boys have fluffy CW/douchebag hair.

The episode begins as Emma is sitting outside reading as Christine yells ‘it’s time’. Soon some Lion King-esque stock music plays in the background as Emma and Simpson run inside thinking she’s about to give birth. It was just a drill and both of them sigh. Apparently she’s been doing these allot as she’s prepping to have a home birth and needs to make sure things are going swimmingly.

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)

1x01/02 Mother And Child Reunion --Recap

The series premiere and the sole two part episode of season one. Before I begin I want to make note about the quality of the season. It’s not as Hi def as later seasons go yet it’s still much better than the season 13 promos that look like they were filmed on IPhones but I digress.


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?