JustMe2000

I think that this is the first Degrassi episode in which all the lead characters in both plots are students who came to Degrassi after/or as a result of the Lakehurst merger.

Anyway......go!

bailamicorazon

Thoughts on the episode:

I definitely thought this was the weakest episode of season eight. I enjoyed UG more than this one. For one thing, I just didn't find the writing of the episode all that great... it emphasized Connor as a freak, which made me feel like they were misrepresenting aspergers. Also, as much as I like the grade nine students... they are some of the weaker actors in the cast, and having an a-plot showed that-- to me, at least. I found Clare sticking up for Connor nice but... a little forced. There was no build up or anything, she just stuck up for him the entire time-- regardless of what happened. It just seemed a little strange.

I know a lot of people were worried this plot would be a little too Disney-esque, and in a way it kind of was. Though the exception maybe being when the Shep called Clare "a little *****". Clare did remind me of Emma when she was cause girl. And I think of all of the niners, Aislynn is the strongest actress.

The Sav/Anya storyline was weak as well. It's nice that they stayed together but... eh... wasn't really all that interested either way.

And as usual, no promo for next week.

Oh-Canada

This episode was good. I liked it. It wasn't amazing or anything like that, but it was decent. I can't think of anything hugely wrong with it. It was a little boring, but it at least featured an interesting issue unlike some of the other episodes this season that I thought were boring.

I did like the subplot. I thought it was really interesting. I love Sav and Anya, so I'm happy that they are back together. I think it could lead into a really interesting storyline later on. Makes me wonder if they are going to get another main plot this season. I hope they go further into the whole Sav vs. his parents thing. I think it's kind of weird how quick Anya is to become a Muslim just over a little high school romance. I mean, the chances of her spending the rest of her life with Sav seem pretty slim if you ask me. But they're still cute.

The mainplot was also good. It was enjoyable to see The Shep put in his place. I would've liked it better if there was more emphasis on what Connor was going through instead of Clare, but it was still cool to see her stand up for him. I think that they are handling this storyline well. I hope there's some kid out there with aspergers who could relate to it.

Like this episode, season 8 is kind of meh. I have a love-hate relationship with it. lol. There are some really good things about season 8, but it just feels like they are missing something. I think what they are lacking is a really emotional, heartbreaking episode. We haven't really had a big episode like that yet. Not that I think all episodes should be really extreme, but I still think there should be 1 or 2 storylines. Perhaps it's because they have new, young, inexperienced cast and they don't want to give these kids something too difficult in their first season. Hopefully in season 9 it'll get better. In my opinion, season 8 is still better than season 1. I guess it's kind of the same thing.

thegoodbyegirl

I don't have much of a review to offer, but I liked this episode. It was over the top at times, especially whenever the principal spoke (or quoted Bill O'Reilly), and, yes, it had some bad acting and unintentionally funny moments. All of that reminded me of the earlier seasons of the show, though. I like the simpler episodes and the new characters haven't grown unrealistic and worn like most the older cast eventually did.

Sav/Anya are a lot more interesting this year, but I still don't want to see them last forever. Obviously. It seems against the point.

Benji

I thought it was a really good episode although cheezy at times.
It's probably going to get a lot of hate from people who don't care about the new characters though.

MegaJ

I really liked this episode.

Yeah, it was held up by some of the less capable actors (the Niners and SavAnya) but I thought this was a nice, heartwarming episode that felt a bit more authentic than Degrassi can normally get.

Claire vs The Schelp isn't done. Not by a longshot. I have a feeling if this show continues for awhile that Schelp will make Claire's high school career a living hell and the both of them will butt heads several times. That guy needed to be knocked down a peg.

Connor's actor isn't good (yet), but some scenes (like the end of the episode) I couldn't help but be like "D'awwww." Same with Alli's actress but she's beautiful so she can coast for awhile.

SavAnya was cute, and I like their relationship now. Sav has a bit more personality this time around, so I actually feel drawn to the both of them. The issue of family vs relationship was also well played.

JustMe2000

I'll admit it. I literally gasped when I heard The Shep call Clare a "little bitch." This show has had some shocking moments, and for me this was near the top of the list. It's hard to imagine him coming back from that, but I did like that Alli and KC addressed the idea of him being fired and how hard it can be to fire teachers in certain communities. I'm definitely interested to see how things play out with him when he returns.

The episode did have some clunky moments and AJ did struggle at times. That said, I though overall it was a good episode with a very sweet relationship in the Clare/Connor one at the heart of it. And yep, it did remind me of the early episodes of the series, which was also a refreshing change.

As for the subplot, I'm also enjoying Sav and Anya more this season. In particular, Sav is a much more interesting character. Ray and Sam have both improved over last season and appear to be much more comfortable with each other, as well as their characters as a whole. I do wish we had seen more of Sav standing up to his parents. In the end, though, I think they did a pretty good job of playing the family vs girlfriend dilemma for Sav.

ellen-cheerleaderx

I TOTALLY agree with you! I knew the Shep was an ass but my jaw DROPPED when he said that! I just thought he would go on about how he only cares about getting the award & not for the students and they would get it on tape. When I read what this episode was gonna be about I was like "GREEEAT ALL NEWBIES " But it was actually REALLY good! I'm also enjoying Sav/Anya a lot more this year, they're actually soo cute. Sav's parents were RIDICULOUS by letting Anya come to dinner & then acting the way they did.

starsprite

I love the Shep! He's the best thing about this season.

sixon4lyfe

The Shep is an evil man

rockstarsugar

I finally saw this one.

I loved it! I was surprised I liked it as much as I did. The Niners really shined in this episode, especially Clare. I thought her to be rather annoying but this episode actually made me like her...maybe just because I dislike the Shep as much as she does

Snake becoming principal should have already happened. I mean, the Shep? Really? Off topic but I love how Snake towers over all the Niners.

I didn't really care for Connor's subplot that much, he's still annoying but it made me like him a little more. I have a feeling that ships might switch, it might end up being Connor/Clare and KC/Alli...but that's just my opinions.

Overall, good episode. Can't wait for next week's.

*Butterflies*

I loved that Sav and Anya are back together I love cute and happy couples.
I'm proud that Clare stood up for Connor.Shep should be fired.

LidelKewte

This one wasn't as bad as I thought it would be...

One thing I have to say is I think they are trying to hard to have the new characters resemble the old ones. I know that there are noticeable differences, but still. Everyone knows that Claire protesting was supposed to resemble Emma and I just don't find it necessary. I do think the niner group is interesting which makes it enough for them to not have to do that.

One thing I started to think of is when Claire mentioned to the Shep about how he favors students that are jocks, which made me realize that every character on the show now (that is at degrassi) is pretty much divided into the jock/cheerleader or gifted students group. (With the exception of Johnny and Blu). I hope that if they introduce new characters next season (and I am sure they will) that they are ones who are not in either of these groups.

I liked the subplot just because I like seeing characters home life's. I felt bad for Sav and Anya at the dinner table. But it was cool seeing what Sav and Alli's family is like. Sav and Anya are still cute together.

Oh, and I am glad The Shep is still there. He is hilarious.

ihavealife2uknow

I just gave this one a rewatch and I hate The Shep. Alli really wasnt there for supporting Clare either but she came through in the end.

Oh and this show completely missed an opportunity developing a relationship between Snake and Connor. This episode made me want one.

JustMe2000

Yeah, they completely dropped the ball with Connor's relationship with Snake. That was hammered home when Snake showed up to the graduation after being suspended and they didn't even mention that he might want to see his godson who had been living with him for four years graduate. Instead he had a conversation with Clare.

Oh and while I'm on this little rant, I would have like to have seen some of the Spike/Connor relationship while she was still on the show, since you know, Snake wasn't the only adult living in that house with Connor.