Benji

..was that a joke?

Maple Crunch

Sarah wasn't great in this episode, but I'll forgive her for it because i don't think it's possible for an actor to really shine when they're forced to bounce off of Luke Bilyk. I was shocked that Ana was able to do so well.

But as far as regulars, I don't think it can even be argued that Sarah is the best actor on the show, the only person i can think that comes close is Ana, and she is inconsistent at best. Sarah is awesome almost every time.

lasha4god

Degrassi, Degrassi, Degrassi; where do I begin?

Let me start with the good or at the very least the things which were enjoyable if not entirely vital.

Winston and Frankie were a welcomed diversion from the heightened mellow drama and outright absurdity in the finale. Perhaps apart from what I’m to mention next, was the most realistic and genuinely great part of the episode.

What I loved too was Frankie and Miles brother-sister dynamic. It’s so refreshing considering most sibling dynamics rarely if ever factor on natural discourse and you the simple moments of fighting over the television remote. Kudos to the writers for this one.

Miles and Tristian was another matter altogether though, and one I mixed on. Little in the episode was handled well and the forced approach towards pretty every plot here didn’t help matters. But the chemistry is there for me and its context valid even if pushed and used for sheer shock-value. This, more in context to Miles’ character growth and him discovering who he really, is what interests me. I hope this is explored in less sensationalized way then it was here.

Drunken Maya was entertaining. I can’t really say much else of substance about her material with Zoe.

Now for the rest.

The illogical structuring of plots and out right absurdity in this episode was beyond the beyond. I know Degrassi is known for flipping an otherwise decent season to extremes, but this seemed to reach new heights for me.

Clare: such a huge digression in character growth. All it took was a single evening with Eli and she’s retreated into that unhealthy blind optimism.

Objectively speaking, I didn’t see much in the way of chemistry for Eli and Clare either. It fell flat, and the contrived circumstances which led to her staying at Eli’s dorm only made things worse for me.

Drew is a serial relationship-ist and savior. Because I have no other logistical reasons to why he would fall in to believing that what he and Becky have is something viable, healthy and worth growing. What I presume would have been a short time ago, he was on Clare’s doorstep genuinely apologizing and telling her he couldn’t imagine her not in his life. And now where here with Becky?

Clare’s non-reaction to Drew and Becky floored me, not because I needed her to be jealous or have some lingering attachment to Drew, but because he was with the girlfriend of one of her closest friends! I know some here believe that shouldn’t matter, but the fact that Clare didn’t even flinch regardless of her blind optimism with Eli and her high over the great Columbia interview, I just can’t understand it.
And now Clare is with child, which doesn’t excite me in the least as Drew and Clare shipper. There is such a minute chance of this working to romantic reconciliation that I can’t take even a hint of joy in Drew and Clare spawning a inevitably cute baby that would potentially be part of the Degrassi’s future.

It was made rather clear too that is nothing more than a wrench in her happily ever after, and Drew’s feelings for Becky. A huge disappoint, unless it completely restructures Clare’s false ideals to find her new life. I’m not holding out for that one though.

Don’t even get me started on the whole Golden Girls theme. I think it worked more effectively on The O.C..

So overall, I can’t say I was bored or indifferent – just out right frustrated by how out of sync this was to the season over all and the unnecessary contrivances which were needed to push everything forward.

I'd rather this as well. Drew still could of been of support and been a strong platonic factor in the story. Thinking more like Craig and Emma during the Shane situation.

The fact that Drew doesn't equate her feelings to her vulnerable state, and that she is likely using him to fill the void of Adam shows how dense that boy really is. These factors in addition to what I already brought up about Drew make this a recipe for disaster.

Having just been through a hurricane, I can relate to not knowing exactly how bad things would get. But it sure should have been cancelled anyway. As for number 3. Karma my dear, karma. And no, not God sending Drew a sign that he should make out with his dead brother's girlfriend.

Astroman129

I based this off the first fifteen minutes, primarily. And I really liked her acting then. It wasn't fantastic past that point, but I still think she's the best on the show anyway. Ana is great, too.

minkyfan

As badly as I wanted Triles to happen, I thought the execution was incredibly sloppy. The dramatic convo in the rain was stiff and forced. I also don't understand why Miles was suddenly flirty out of nowhere after being completely oblivious to Tristan's feelings and turning him down, followed by who knows how long of barely talking. It's just strange timing.

And Eric seems painfully awkward about the whole thing. Maybe they should've given Drew the bicuriosity plot.

Astroman129

Eric's really awkward about everything from what I've seen. There have been episodes of After Degrassi where they pretty much treat him like a sex icon and he looks less comfortable than normal. I feel kinda terrible for him, actually. I don't think the bicuriosity makes him more uncomfortable than anything else.

Maple Crunch

it feels like Eric is just uncomfortable all the time, right down to the way he stands. He just seems like a stiff and awkward person.

Xhin

While I actually enjoyed this episode and thought it to be one of the seasons best, who else got Fanfiction vibes from it? It all just seemed too set up and cliche. That's normal for Degrassi, but there was a lot in this episode were it was overload. Miles finally returning Tristan's romantic feelings, Eli confessing his lingered feelings towards Clare while the NY backround seemed romantic, Drew and Becky almost tragically dying together like Romeo and Juliet or something. I seriously feel like a super fan helped co-write this episode bc even the supporting characters acted like pawns. (Ali with Clare, Chewy with Miles, Dallas with Drew) While this happens a lot within this show, it happend so much in this single episode were it felt sorta bizare, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. If Clares baby daddy ends up being Eli I will scream. It's not that I'm a Clew shipper, but out of the two, Drew is the more realistic option as they had just previously had sex.

Oh-Canada

I loved this episode. In a I-don't-take-degrassi-seriously-so-i'm-just-going-to-watch-and-enjoy kind of way.

I mean, I'm basically pretending that the Eclare plot didn't happen. At this point I could care less whether or not Clare is pregnant. It's too dumb to even think about and Clare/Drew/Eli/Alli/Jenna/etc have already run their course on the show. So much has happened to this group that their storylines just come across as tired and unbelievable now. They need to graduate ASAP
Same with the Becky/Drew plot. I have no opinion on them either.

BUT I absolutely adored the Triles storyline and the Zoe/Zig/Maya storyline. These characters are just hitting their stride.

I was surprised that Zig wasn't in the episode very much - he was only in like 3 scenes in the 1st half. But drunk!Maya is hilarious and this is definitely setup for a Maya/Zig/Zoe love triangle in S14.

The Triles storyline was more than I even dreamed. Obviously we knew that they were going to kiss, but..I...just... I can't believe how many scenes they had. And scenes where they were actually talking and there for each other. A lot of you seem disappointed so maybe my expectations were really low, but I'm so happy they talked about Yates. THE CHARADES SCENE. AND Winston (sort of) looking out for Tristan and calling Miles out. And the ending suggests that there is actually HOPE like this will probably be a legit storyline next season. I'm so excited because I feel like they could take this in 1000 different directions.

lasha4god

The fundamental issue with Triles was the lack of ease (which is weird to say because I thought there was incredible chemistry). But that was the rudimentary problem with nearly the entire episode.

Of course as mentioned the actor who plays Miles is uncomfortable by nature and by extension so is the character. But the flow and dialog was off, so it goes beyond mere acting and character.

Oh-Canada

Eric is awkward irl and on the show. But I found him to be way less awkward in this episode compared to the rest of the season. Also Miles' awkwardness is part of his charm. I think it's hilarious that he's supposed to be this ~bad boy but he comes across so self conscious.

minkyfan

I agree, maybe Eric wasn't the storyline's biggest problem...I think the dialog and interaction felt forced or like fanfiction ("You're the most lovable guy I know," "come any closer and I'll kiss you," oh here lemme just casually intentionally grope your ass, etc). I wish we had had a few more friendship scenes, like Tris actually confiding in Miles about Yates, to reaffirm they were close before bringing up the sexual tension out of nowhere.

I think Clare's pregnancy will be revealed as a hospital mix up, but not before she compels Drew to dump Becky out of guilt.

Drew and Becky, man. Mess. I know no one remembers or really cares about Adam, but I still think it's weird that after "stealing" all of Adam's love interests because they were uncomfortable with him being trans, Drew also winds up with the only girl who loved Adam regardless. He's a two-dimensional romantic Marty Stu at this point, and randomly throwing him with Becky after all that angsty garbage about needing Clare in his life really underscores that. You can hate Clew, but you have to admit even they had more build up than Brew.

Nekoshoujo

okay finally Teennick put the episode up so I've now seen the whole thing and... mixed feelings.

- Imogen's "thank you tree" was so sweet

- I kinda like Becky/Drew but also I'm not invested I guess

- This episode ended up being another bullet point in the I'm-off-Maya chapter of my Degrassi experience. I'm just... I'm not sure how to phrase my feelings about her anymore. I see her points. And I do think her POV is valid but she's just not my taste. Maybe seeing her opposing a character I've come to really love (Zoe) solidified that feeling for me.

- I hope Zig/Zoe moves forward in whatever form that relationship takes. Good intentions with the drinking games Zig but not such a good idea considering the tension between these two girls. Points again tho for portraying the way actual teenage boys think.

- Speaking of I did like the Grace/Zig scene.

- Eclare was whatever. Basically they were the best they could be at this point. I really wish they hadn't done the pregnancy storyline. And unless Eli and Clare had sex after she was in remission - I doubt it? - then Drew is the daddy. Which feels like unnecessary drama. I know Clare needs a storyline for the rest of senior year but somehow this feels cheap.

- Cancel the dance!

- Miles/Tristan... hmmm... another plot that was hard for me to decide how I felt about it. On the one hand it kind works for me. I'm pretty neutral on Miles (he's a jerk but probably not naturally a jerk, more of a product of his environment) so I'm never quite sure how I feel about him in general. And honestly same for Tristan so this isn't the kind of couple I'd naturally care about. That said something about the circumstances of the kiss worked for me. I think Miles likes attention and admiration something Tris gives him so it's not odd -to me at least- that Miles would be attracted to that. What I'm unsure of is where this plot is headed. I'm not convinced given where these two characters are at emotionally that they could sustain a relationship.

- Maya eating the cupcakes -__-

- I completely forgot Miles and Zoe "dated"

- Really Ana is my queen this season

- There was a line about Zoe being "washed up" or something (Maya said it) and I really thing that's what works about her character. Originally before the season started they made her out to be a star type so I'm glad they're going in a different direction and making Zoe a bit of a women without a country if you know what I mean. There's something about Zoe - whenever I look at her - that seems to be that she's seen a little bit more of the world than everyone else but seems to understand that she actually isn't suited for it.

- I just really want Zoe/Zig. Even more of a friendship.I'm just liking the dynamic.

- And honestly kudos for Zoe for going after Maya in that storm.

Inesal

It is as vile a subplot as I can recall. And Degrassi has had their share.

1) Straight identified woman falls for trans man.
2) Trans man dies.
3) Straight identified woman flirts with possible romance with female friend but rejects it.
4) Straight identified woman falls for brother of trans man who has a history of almost all women falling for him.

There are several major league fails along the way.

1) Adam dying - If the actress wanted to leave the show, figure a way for Adam to have to move to a different location. Don't kill off one of the very few trans characters on television.

2) It is very normal for straight identified women who enter a romance with a trans man, if their relationship with him ends, to then find themselves also interested in women. The kneejerk response is to go Fiona went there. However Fiona did not. There is a major league difference between a woman who uses a trans man as a stepping stone to only other women (very rare) and a woman who is romantically interested in both women and trans men. The show's choice not to go there (though it would make sense) is theirs. However to tease they were going there and then pull the rug out seems weak particularly now considering where they did decide to go.

3) The most realistic scenario would have been Becky looks for a way to date another trans man*. Instead of wasting time on her cyber love, the show could have shown her using the net in an attempt to meet a trans man.

4) While in my experience it doesn't happen as much as the other two situations, Becky deciding to now go with a man who is not a trans man could have been done. However there has been nothing to show that Drew is the type of man that Becky is attracted to. Adam may have been Drew's brother but, in their behavior, they were miles apart. Most problematic is the history here. Drew again is with a woman who was originally interested in Adam. And if Becky's parents get over the trial, no doubt they will be very happy to see Becky is not with a trans man.

What makes it vile though is the ultimate path onwards from a groundbreaking tv romance (which Adam/Becky was) is to give the viewers a romance that explicitly panders to those viewers who find it attractive that Drew is irresistible and that reestablishes the annoying theme the show seemed to push years ago (that women, unless they are a lesbian, would end up with Drew over Adam). There are other men on the show Becky could have dated. But the show purposefully went for a situation that has the person who won Bianca's heart instead of Adam now winning Becky's heart. There is something unsettling here and, with the killing off of the Adam character, it all but erases the good the Adam/Becky storyline once brought. That wouldn't have happened if Becky ended up with almost anyone else.

*My preference.

kaleidocat

This episode was pretty good. Would I watch it again? Ehhh. But I don't rewatch anything outside of seasons 1-4 really. But this ep exceeded my expectations.

Isn't this the first big storm Degrassi has had? I enjoyed that. I wish someone would have gotten smacked by that tree though.

Drew and Becky is weird because he is dating his bro's girlfriend but if you think about it, it kind of makes sense. Not in a healthy way and I don't ship it but I get it. Becky is feeling lost and I think she is clinging onto the first person who is showing her support after the trial. Drew has been in a series of epic relationship disasters and I think he just wants to do the right thing so he is going to try to comfort her and make this work. It's not going to work with the baby on the way and I think this episode is setting up for that classic Degrassi soap drama. Whatever. It is mildly entertaining. And I appreciate that TPTB actually acknowledged Adam and I liked their conversation in the greenhouse.

If anything we can just sum it up to Becky and Drew having some sort of brain injury after the boiler room gas incident. I'm choosing to believe the same thing happened to Clare seeming to have feelings for Eli again. But I do have to say that I didn't throw any cat nip mice at Eli's head...although I think TPTB were trying to hard to redeem him and the whole plot felt like fan service.

There were a lot of great one liners in this episode. Winston going off to make a list of why Miles is a jerk. But am I the only one who found Miles a little chilling when he "murdered" Winston? "You're dead." I'm guessing he is still a little bitter and means the friendship in a way...and it was part of the game...but still creepy. But I loved the whole plot with the murder mystery game from the stormy atmosphere to the brother/sister banter to THE TRILES KISS. I was not expecting Miles to go back in and return the smooch. Oh and I got my moment where Tristan realizes that Yates didn't have the best intentions. I wish we could have seen him grope Winston but maybe the newbie actor wasn't comfortable with that.

Another great one liner was Zoe informing Maya that you know, hey, I dated Miles first. You picked up my sloppy seconds. Man has Maya been entitled this season so that moment felt good. Zig should have known better than to give the mean drunk peach schnapps. But I enjoyed them party and have some tension. I hope that we see more Zoe/Zig/Maya friendship. Kinda been imagining them exploring their music interest together. Let's throw in Grace too since the actor is into it.

All in all I think this episode set up things for us to discuss and expect for the next season.