Friday, June 5, 2020

Degrassi: The Next Generation - Season 5 (2005-2006)

This post is going to contain spoilers for this season, and possibly later seasons if I make references to future events.

Venus (1)

A-Plot: Manny declares that she is going to focus on her acting career, not boys. She also tries to encourage Emma to go for new boy, Peter, but he has eyes for Manny. Craig repeat? Manny tries to get an agent, but is told she's nothing special and too fat, so of course she looks into plastic surgery. This isn't the first body image episode, but it is the first about cosmetic surgery.

B-Plot: It's Craig's birthday, but his girlfriend has decided to stay in England without telling him. Ellie takes on the task of throwing him a party, and maybe letting him know about Ashley.

Spinner is back at Degrassi, but no one welcomed him.

Venus (2)

A-Plot: This is the first true blackmail plot, as Peter records Manny topless while drunk. We know that he wants her, but she doesn't want him, which is a recipe for disaster. Manny's parents also tell her she'll be staying at Emma's until she gives up on becoming an actress, and all that it entails. Manny's whole world comes crashing down once again, because she makes decisions without thinking them through.

I can't believe Emma still dates this creep after this. Darcy too. But they both have savior complexes, so maybe it does make sense. Peter also should have gotten in serious trouble for distributing child pornography, not just a slap on the wrist.

B-Plot: The band needs a new drummer, since Spinner is out. Marco suggest that Ellie offer her drum talent to apologize to Craig. Instead she tries to get the girls back together with no success.

"Plastic surgery ain't covered by healthcare, honey." --Peter Stone

Death of a Disco Dancer

A-Plot: Matt is back in town and Paige couldn't be more excited. Until he dumps her over dinner and gives her a joint. Paige shares the parting gift with her new friend, Alex. Ruining her chance at her top choice college.

B-Plot: Jimmy is assistant coach for the boys' basketball team, and one of the players is giving him some problems. Derek thinks that he knows more than Jimmy, since he can still play while Jimmy is stuck in his chair.

I totally didn't realize that Hazel and Jimmy dated for so long. I always considered Ashley is long-term girlfriend, but really, it was Hazel.

Foolin'

A-Plot: While JT is teaching Liberty how to drive, he tries to have sex and she rejects him. He says she's been cold since school started, and later she confesses that she's pregnant. I was 100% shocked when this premiered. Liberty...pregnant!?!? She's so responsible! But then we learn how it happened, which is classic JT. They were safe, but JT insisted on buying XL condoms, which slipped off.

This plot also went in a direction I wasn't expecting, when Liberty basically pushes JT out of her life so she can take care of everything like an adult. Damn, Liberty.

B-Plot: Spinner's been flirting with Darcy, who then invites him to Friendship Club, a group for Christian teens. He tells her the truth about why he was expelled and is now repeating his junior year, and maybe religion can provide him with the forgiveness that he needs. This is the first time Degrassi goes deep into religion, Christianity specifically. We know Toby is Jewish from previous holiday episodes, and Hazel is Muslim, but those are just single episode mentions. Christianity is a huge part of Darcy's life, and soon becomes an important part of Spinner's.

Weddings, Parties, Anything

A-Plot: Craig is trying to get his band to do weddings. Luckily, Joey was hitting on a woman who needs a band for her sister's wedding. He also announces that he's not going to be distracted by girls this year, at least until he sees Peter harassing Manny and he rescues her. Old feelings return.

B-Plot: Joey is hesitant about dating a woman 11 years younger than him, but Craig encourages him. Diane does too.

I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For

A-Plot: Jimmy is trying out for a wheelchair basketball team. His father is still only pointing out his flaws, rather than how far he's come. He's also been designing his own wheelchair, and Ellie takes an interest in his art. Encouraging him to explore his creative size.

B-Plot: JT is still trying to talk to Liberty about the pregnancy with little progress. Then Danny finds out and understandably kicks the crap out of JT. I forgot how much Danny always looked out for his sister. He also "blackmailed" JT into taking care of his baby doll for Health class, which of course, shows JT that he and Liberty are going to need a lot of help. This was a bit of a light hearted way to deal with a serious topic.

Turned Out (1)

A-Plot: JT and Liberty finally talk to Ms. Sauve about the pregnancy, and JT wants to look into adoption, but Liberty is not having it. But after finally communicating with each other, they two come to a decision and get back together. After being turned away by his grandmother, and too scared to tell her parents, JT and Liberty look for an apartment. Unfortunately, they can't afford it, but Jay might have the answer to their money troubles. Jay is always sliding into people's lives when they're about to hit the bottom.

B-Plot: Emma is feeling like a third wheel now that Craig and Manny are back together. But then Peter starts showing an interest in her. She's conflicted because she did like him, but after what he did to Manny? Instead she agrees to a date with Derek. Clearly that is not going to workout, since Emma does want to give Peter a chance. I can't even remember them dating.

Turned Out (2)

A-Plot: JT does it. He meets Jay's contact and sells the stolen pills. He gets the money for the apartment, but they still need to tell Liberty's parents about the baby and the move. JT also admits to her how to got the money, and needless to say she isn't happy. Maybe her parents are right about him?

This all leads to this series' first suicide attempt. I still can't believe JT took all those pills.

JTs plan to buy the pills back and return them to the pharmacy always rubbed me the wrong way. The pharmacist noticed the pills were gone, he'd definitely wonder how they were put back. This makes zero sense. I guess you could argue that JT isn't thinking clearly, but...c'mon now.

B-Plot: Snake is entering a midlife crisis. He buys a motorcycle and then starts flirting with Ms. Hatzilakos.

Tell It to My Heart

A-Plot: Marco still isn't out to his father and it's getting more difficult by the day. Especially after he beings mentoring Tim, and encourages him to tell his own father the true. This puts Tim in a very dangerous situation, made worse when Tim finds out Marco lied about his own coming out.

B-Plot: Peter is still trying to charm Emma, but she continues to reject him based on his previous behavior. Then roles are reversed when Manny says they must take action against his harassment! Emma jumps on board when Peter starts acting like a jerk toward her. Revenge is a biatch. But Emma isn't, because she sees Peter for who he really is, and it's not the jerk he acts like.

Redemption Song

It's been on year since the shooting and it has students feeling some kinda way...
 
A-Plot: Spinner is still attending Friendship Club and dating Darcy. It making him think about things very closely. It's time for a change. But when the Friendship Club retreat gets off to a rough start, he calls up Jay. Who tries to help, in his own Jay kinda way, nearly ruining things for Spinner in the process.

B-Plot: Hazel is planning a summer roadtrip for her and Jimmy. He also won the mural contest, which she didn't know he entered, but Ellie did. Here comes the end of the longest Degrassi relationship.

The Lexicon of Love (1)

A-Plot: There was a bit of miscommunication here. Alex thinks she and Paige are attending the movie premiere together, only to find out that's not the plan. But after Paige learns she's been cut from the movie, she gets two tickets from Kevin, and invites Alex. And they look hot together. Then their night ends with a kiss....I LOVE IT!!!!

B-Plot: Emma and Peter are sneaking around! And so are their parents... Oopsie.

The Lexicon of Love (2)

A-Plot: Paige cannot deal with what happened with Alex, and treats her pretty poorly. But they do talk and it goes well. And I love that this show makes it clear that you don't have to be gay to be attracted to someone of the same sex or gender.

B-Plot: Meanwhile, Emma cannot deal with her stepfather and keeping this secret from her mother. Snake is trying to make it up to them, but he does come clean. It's hard to picture Archie as a cheater even after witnessing it! Dammit, Archie!

Together Forever

A-Plot: The band is finally going somewhere, but everyone except Craig has plans to go to college. He has a full scholarship, but music is his dream. Also, it looks like Ellie is getting in the middle of another couple. She's everybody's muse!

Kind of related, but I was totally in love with Craig as a tween, and now I'm realizing that he's not that great of a singer?

B-Plot: Toby is acting as secret go-between for Liberty and JT. She won't talk to JT, so Toby's been filling him in on all of the baby updates. The latest? Liberty needs to take it easy because her doctor said she's too stressed. Of course, she goes into labor early.

I Against I

A-Plot: A little foreshadowing of Spinner getting baptized, when Jimmy dunks him multiple times during the carnival. He also tries to reconcile with Marco, which doesn't go well when Friendship Club shows its ugly side. I love how Darcy is the voice of reason in this one. Her characterization as a Christian who isn't "a total loser" has been great.

Another important discussion hidden within an unrelated plotline. USE CONDOMS! Or don't have sex. Giving out condoms doesn't make kids have sex. They can still choose not to do it at all. Heck, passing out condoms doesn't even make kids have safe sex. Education is key.

B-Plot: Emma is working hard to cheer up her mom after kicking Snake out. They get her a stripper! I love how this episode is in direct contrast with the bachelor party. Craig, Toby, and JT wanted a stripper, but didn't get to stay for the show. But Emma and Manny get to stay for their party!

"It's never going to be the time." --Spinner Mason

Our Lips are Sealed (1)

A-Plot: The anorexia and bulimia plot-line. Emma decides that she is going to take back control of her life, while helping Manny and herself lose weight. What follows is a quick descent into an eating disorder for Emma, which Manny realizes and tries to stop. Then Emma faints at school, and can no longer hide that she has a problem. This is a much more in depth eating disorder plot than 209, and much more common. It does a great job of showing that it's not always about your weight, but about control.

B-Plot: Snake is desperately trying to prove that he's sorry to Spike, but he's going about it all wrong. Thankfully, Diane is the voice of reason.

Our Lips are Sealed (2)

A-Plot: Emma is still continuing to starve herself and pretending everything is fine. At least until she has a bit of a blowup at Peter. And she uses her secret relationship to distract Manny from discovering her real secret: that she isn't eating at all. But all secrets come out eventually, and Emma lashes out at those who love her most.

B-Plot: Paige is stressing about college, and Alex treats it like a joke. Along with her friendship with Hazel. So Alex tries to make an effort with her girlfriend's best friend. This doesn't go so well, because Hazel is just mean at times. But the two bond over how stubborn Paige can be.

Total Eclipse of the Heart

A-Plot: Marco is not over Dylan and pretends to be dating Tim when he runs into him again. Dylan is still in love with him and he plays dirty.

B-Plot: Liberty finds out that the adoptive parents of her son are moving to Seattle. She's keeping herself busy by studying and tutoring, but she's not as unaffected as she acts. But she finds comfort in Derek's adoption story.

High Fidelity (1)

A-Plot: Darcy is feeling threatened by Manny, especially after she learns that Spinner is not the virgin that he pretends to be. Resulting in another girl fight! And Spinner becoming a virgin again. However, Spinner feels like he'll never be "pure" enough for Darcy, who continues to judge him for his past.

B-Plot: Paige got into her dream college, and she wants Alex to move with her. But what would Alex be doing so far from home? She has no plans for the future and just wants to live in the now. With Paige.

High Fidelity (2)

A-Plot: Spinner gets back with Darcy and intends on telling Paige, but then things go much further than he anticipated. He thinks they might get back together, but realizes that Paige just "used" him. He's not mad at her.

B-Plot: Jimmy learns that he doesn't have enough credits to graduate. Then he asks out Ellie after some encouragement from Ashley, but he gets turned down. Not the greatest way to end the school year. Until he gets his best friend and first girlfriend back.

A happy season finale?! Don't get too use to it.

Degrassi Character Rankings

For this, I tried really hard to only use this Season and leave my future feelings out of it. Ashley and Sean were MIA this season.
  1. Manny Santos
  2. Alex Nunez
  3. Paige Michalchuk
  4. JT Yorke
  5. Liberty van Zandt
  6. Darcy Edwards
  7. Spinner Mason
  8. Peter Stone
  9. Marco del Rossi
  10. Emma Nelson
  11. Ellie Nash
  12. Craig Manning
  13. Jimmy Brooks
  14. Derek Haig
  15. Jay Hogart
  16. Dylan Michalchuk
  17. Toby Isaacs
  18. Hazel Aden
  19. Chris Sharpe
  20. Danny van Zandt 
  21. Shantay Black

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