Mother and Child Reunion (1)
This pilot focuses on Emma Nelson and the dangers of cat-fishing, before cat-fishing was a thing. It's so weird seeing how young everyone is, since it's been nearly 20 years since it premiered. Also, the mention of the internet being connect by phone-line. Geez.Anyway, I love this first episode because I remember being 11 and having an internet boyfriend! I totally related to Emma thinking she found a boy who understands her.
Mother and Child Reunion (2)
This episode picks up where the first left off, with Emma agreeing to meet who she believes is her 16 year old boyfriend, Jordan. Meanwhile, her mom is heading off to Degrassi's high school reunion.Thankfully, Emma gets out of that creepy situation safely, but learns a very powerful lesson. This topic doesn't come up again until Season 6, but "upgrades" to social media, which was starting to become a big thing.
This episode also sets up Joey and Caitlyn's, once again, off and on again relationship which will span a couple of seasons, before the adults are basically cut from the show other than as support characters.
Family Politics
We officially meet Ashley Kerwin in this episode (we briefly see her in 102), and learn that Toby is her new stepbrother. Spinner is also introduced as a bit of a bully and troublemaker. It's pretty hilarious seeing Spinner pick on Emma and Manny, since a few years later he dates Manny and marries Emma.Toby and Ashley are having some issues combining households, and he decides to take it to school by convincing JT to run for student council president against her. This isn't one of my favorite episodes, but it does a great job of establishing the hierarchy at Degrassi and showing who's friends with who.
Eye of the Beholder
Terri's introduction episode which shows her as being insecure about her weight and Paige as being manipulative and jealous. Terri is nervous about attending Degrassi's first night dance, because she's convinced that no boy will dance with her. Little does she know that Spinner is interested in her, which again, was weird because nothing ever comes of this in future episodes. It's like it never happened at all.Meanwhile, Toby and JT get another episode, and this time they get caught watching porn! Every teen's nightmare. And the woes of unreliable dial-up internet.
The mysterious Sean Cameron finally makes an appearance and it's basically love at first sight for one of the show's most memorable couples.
Parents' Day
More Toby as he dreads the upcoming parents' day, since his mother and father do not get along. And it turns out that his mother is a casting agent, so Ashley and Paige are trying to impress her. As for the subplot, Emma found a new cause: squeegee kids and advertising during homeroom. I actually did not remember this episode at all.The Mating Game
After a string of lighter episodes, this season is back to going there. It's all about sex! After a visit from Dr. Sally, and some snide remarks from Paige, Ashley feels pressured to have sex with Jimmy in order to keep their 8 month relationship going. It doesn't help that they're studying Romeo & Juliet. Is she ready? Absolutely not! Being 13 is such a weird time, with hormones, peer pressure, and the media sending all kinds of messages. But I do think it's great that this episode shows Ashley AND Jimmy buying condoms. It's both partners' responsibility to be prepared, even if they nothing actually comes of it.The subplot here is once again, Toby. This time focusing on his unrequited crush on Emma. This boy does everything to get her attention, but she only has eyes for Sean.
"You can buy anything on the net." If only they knew how true that would be 20 years later.
Basketball Diaries
Now we get to know Jimmy Brooks outside of his relationship with Ashley. He's desperate to make the basketball team, and now his grades are suffering. This is also the episode where we learn how Spinner got his name: ADD. A convenient little tidbit that leads to Jimmy abusing Spinner's medication to keep his energy up so that he can study and practice. This is Degrassi's first (and most mild) story-line about drug abuse. I also think this is the only episode where Spinner is shown or even mentioned taking his medication, or the effects of him not taking it.We also officially meet Liberty Van Zandt, as she realized that Ashley gets credit for all of her hard work on the morning announcements. She feels like she should be recognized, so Ashley lets her step in front of the camera...with disastrous results. We all have our skills and can't be perfect at everything like Liberty strives to do.
Secrets and Lies
Toby's mom was introduced back in Parents' Day, along with why his parents divorced. In this episode, we meet Ashley's father and learn that her parents divorced because he's gay. It's understandably a shock to Ashley. This is also when we learn that Paige's unnamed older brother is gay, the ultimate in Degrassi continuity, since we'll meet Dylan in Season 3.The subplot is almost directly related, as JT pretends to be gay (after finding out about Ashley's dad) to fend off Liberty's advances. An unrequited crush absolutely sucks, but JT is just mean even though that's not what he's going for. Little does his know what's coming for them in a few years. One thing that I love about this plot, is how confident Liberty is. Normally girls are shown as quiet and awkward around the boy they like, but Liberty has no problem speaking to JT.
"Some people are just gay, I guess."
Coming of Age
Happy birthday, Jimmy! Nice hints about Jimmy being rich. Teen magazine references! This is another Jimmy and Ashley episode, which is the opposite of The Mating Game. Ashley feels like Jimmy is always around and she wants space. I remember this feeling well.Meanwhile, Emma is moody as heck, because she's gotten her first period! In the most embarrassing way possible. I also remember this feeling well, since I had a couple of surprises when my period was new. It's kind of hilarious how Paige is the one to rescue Emma, and give her a frank discussion about puberty.
I love Spike standing up to that jerk in the mall. We're use to seeing Emma on a rampage about injustices in the world, and now we know where she gets it from.
Rumors and Reputations
This is the most memorable plot-line from this season for me. It's the first time that Degrassi tackled inappropriate student-teacher relationships, but also not really, since Degrassi doesn't fully "go there" quite yet. Emma saw Liberty and Mr. Armstrong together and jumped to conclusions. This episode teaches an important lesson about rumors, while also adding in a student struggling with a learning disability. It's also important to note that this accusation was taken seriously, even though it wasn't true.The side plot is a bit of a joke, as Spinner finds a bug in his lunch but no one believes him. It's a good contrast for the heavier main plot, but it's also forgettable. I had forgotten about it. I also forgot about Hazel for a minute, but we finally see her for a split second in this one.
Friday Night
Emma and Sean's first date! It's been so cute seeing these two interact up until this point, and Sean finally asks her out! Or did he? Is this just a friendly hang out or a real date?! Either way, everything that can go wrong does go wrong.Disc-man!!! I remember being permanently attached to mine until iPods became a thing a couple of years later. Anyway, Spinner and Jimmy wind up with detention from Ms. Kwan. Now the BFFs want revenge! This is another silly side plot starring Spinner, but it does have some heart at the end when we learn about Ms. Kwan's struggles. Teachers are people too, something we all forgot when we were students.
Wannabe
Paige wants to start a spirit squad, and Manny wants to join despite Emma calling it sexist. This is Manny's first A-plot and sets her up for the rest of her time on the show. Cheer-leading is the gateway to everything to come. I had a friend who wanted to be popular and dumped me for her shot. Needless to say, it didn't work out. Manny wants something more, but she doesn't have to lose her best friend in the process.JT and Toby get another B-plot. This time, they're trying to win a Pringles contest, and get tangled up with Liberty and Spinner along the way.
Caberet
Here's where Degrassi starts their trend of musical teens! Ashley sings and plays the piano, so she and Terri are entering the school talent show. Two Girls and a Keyboard is the first official Degrassi Community School band. However, Terri thinks their song is too slow, so Paige barges in to shake things up. Terri's sudden interest in tarot help Ashley sees things her way.On that same note, Emma wants to use the talent show to educate the students about endangered animals through interpretative dance.
Under Pressure
Emma meets Sean's brother and learns that Sean has had some trouble in the past, but she's been a good influence for him. But Sean is still struggling with what he did and getting back into his life. This episode contains the first fight! FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT! Why did we always yell FIGHT?! Duh, there is a fight happening! Then there's that part when Sean pushes Emma. He didn't mean it in a violent way, just wanted her out of the way, but still. Laying your hands on someone is never okay.Ms. Kwan is back! Which means Spinner is back up to his usual antics, like faking sick to get out of a test. Another silly side plot that I completely forgot about, despite being a Spinner fan. But didn't he learn to sneeze into this elbow, not into his hand?
Jagged Little Pill
It's the last day of school, and Ashley and Toby's parents are gone for the night, meaning PARTY! This is the only episode where everyone appears together somewhere outside of the school.I like this episode a lot, but I could never believe that JT was the one to buy ecstasy. But I do believe that Ashley would be the one to take it. Everyone thinks she's so perfect and responsible, so let's show them! Obviously, this fiasco ruins her life. Drugs are bad, mmkay!
I 100% forgot about Sean and Ashley. But that was one ship that did not sail...
On a lighter note, JT and Toby thinking that they're high is hilarious. Sean got them good. This is likely the tamest season finale in Degrassi history, but they had to start slow to keep the show running for as long as it did.
Degrassi Character Rankings
For this, I tried really hard to only use this Season and leave my future feelings out of it. Which is the only reason why Manny Santos isn't #1; she's mostly a support character for Emma thus far.- Ashley Kerwin
- Emma Nelson
- Paige Michalchuk
- Sean Cameron
- Spinner Mason
- Manny Santos
- Liberty Van Zandt
- Terri MacGregor
- JT Yorke
- Jimmy Brooks
- Toby Isaacs
- Hazel Aden
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