Degrassi - Season One Appreciation: Remember Jordan? Sperri? Ashley on E?

Mayberry · 10-25-2008, 05:50 AM

Welcome! Here's a place for Degrassi fans to discuss the very beginning of Degrassi: The Next Generation! Did you enjoy the antics of the Fab Four, the intense storylines, and immediately like a character? Which friendship did you like best? What were your favorite moments with your favorite couples (Jimash, Eman, etc.) and your favorite plots? What were you hoping that would happen that didn't? So if you always wanted to discuss season 1 in depth, here's your chance.

bailamicorazon · 10-25-2008, 08:33 AM

I loved season one!
The storylines were a little childish but... everyone was young, so it worked.

Also it amazes me how Ashley and Toby were once central characters of the show, and now they're not even present.
Emma was a googie-goodie and Manny was pretty much Emma's shadow. (see Hazel)
I didn't like Paige in S1 like I did in later seasons. On the other hand, I liked Ashley in the first season and hated her later on.
I was never big on Emma/Sean, but I did like Ashley/Jimmy in S1... I also thought the Terri/Spinner thing was cute.
I feel like going back and watching a few of these episodes now.

Mayberry · 10-25-2008, 10:00 AM

I had those exact same feelings about Ashley and Paige. I mean, I thought they were interesting and realistic, but they could be so annoying at the same time. I also thought the rivalry between them was pretty good, too. Paige always had some witty comeback for Ash. Then, in the Mating Game, Paige was flirting with Jimmy. I always wondered what would've happened if they kept up with that. Of course, I'm glad they went with Spaige, but it did make me wonder.

I actually really did like Jimash in this season as well. They were soooo junior high.

But cute. I liked the small hints of a Toby/Jimmy friendship, too. They addressed it a bit in Take On Me and AWH, but they grew apart, pretty naturally, I guess.

The storyline that still makes me uncomfortable is the season premiere. They definitely went there with the whole Internet predator storyline. I found it really interesting how Toby and the other kids got into the computer and saw how Jordan was taking on the role of a younger guy that was "perfect" for Emma. It's still a premiere I enjoy watching, eight years down the line.

Oh man, Sperri. As much as I love Spaige, I thought they would've been adorable. It hurt when Spinner said he'd be using Paige's notes from now on in EOTB. That's one crush I wish they would've developed.

**- Nina -** · 10-25-2008, 11:06 AM

Oh yeah, I remember the first episode..

Since that day, I've loved Manny and Emma's friendship

ish78 · 10-25-2008, 11:26 AM

The premiere was really good for sure. I've showed a few of my friends the first ep, and they've totally changed their mind about Degrassi.

I don't think I really started to like Paige until Season 2 actually...as for Ashley, I just started to like her in S6. That ended in S7.

Season one was pretty great though. I liked all the focus on friendships and how all the characters actually interacted with one another. I miss that. Now you'll be lucky to get a conversation out of Emma and Toby or out of any other dropped friendship. I think they're trying to recreate that in the new season, with involving all the new kids with older cast somehow...and I think that's pretty cool.

I'm not sure if I would have wanted a continued Spinner/Terri crush...it showed that not everyone will always end up with their crush at some point, unlike later seasons where everyone seems to have dated everyone.

Numb · 10-25-2008, 03:26 PM

Aww, I remember when everyone was so sweet and innocent back in the day.

Mayberry · 10-25-2008, 03:30 PM

Yeah, no one was cheating on anybody, and there were crushes galore instead of people hooking up.

The girls wore really sparkly, bright colors, except for Liberty and her overalls.

**kaleidocat** · 10-25-2008, 08:05 PM

Oh man, Season 1 has become my favorite part of the marathons. I miss our stars Ashley and Toby. Remember when it was the Kerwin/Isaacs family sitcom? I remember when I first saw season 1, I didn't care for the old Ash all that much cause I was all about her season 2 struggle for identity but now I love her in Season 1. She's hilarious with her teenage girl moodiness. I think moodiness/snippy remarks is a little off putting to teens at the time, maybe because they can see themselves a little. I think she was one of the most realistic characters because of that...just a bundle of insecurities and questions and hormones. Man do I miss Ashley. It'll always be your season, Ash.

I think Jagged Little Pill was my most anticipated episode, aside from When Doves Cry (I started watching during Drive). I got into the show home on holiday break and so I had to have my brother start taping episodes. Finally they reaired WDC and that was worthy of a large pizza and a couple shots of vodka. But I didn't get to see JLP until I think the every episode ever marathon pre Season 3! That episode used to be so controversial.

**chasing starlight** · 10-26-2008, 02:26 AM

What was up with Ashley's hair in season one? It was always brushed to wihtin an inch of it's life and super poofy.

That always bothered me.

**- Nina -** · 10-26-2008, 08:54 AM

LOL.
I always had issues with Ashley's hair in almost all seasons.

Her hair in season one was just so puffy all the time

**bickering love** · 10-26-2008, 02:48 PM

muffin hair!

i love season one, everybody was all adorable and innocent and the storylines were cute..

varjak-golightly · 10-26-2008, 05:16 PM

And much more realistic than what they are now. If you like a guy (or girl) they don't always like you back! And everyone doesn't have Hollywood looks, zits are a part of growing up!

LidelKewte · 10-26-2008, 07:22 PM

Awww...Season1.

Sure the episodes weren't intense but they had realistic storylines for teens at that age at least. I love Season1.

I loved the Manny/Emma, Spinner/Jimmy and JT/Toby friendships right from the start. I loved the Fab four. And I loved Sean/Emma. I also wanted something to happen with Sperri so bad! They were adorable.

I also loved how realistic everyone looked.

myolyn27 · 10-27-2008, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mayberry (View Post)

The girls wore really sparkly, bright colors, except for Liberty and her overalls.

I miss those overalls

Since the show is a little gimmicky now, I would love if they did a whole flashback episode with all the alumni dressed in their season one/two clothes. Emma in her fire dolphin pants (I had a friend that had those too - I think she thought that was what people wore to clubs. haha).

bailamicorazon · 10-28-2008, 10:53 AM

I'm hoping to see more S1 realistic storylines with the newbies... but the writing has changed a lot since then.
And yeah, JLP was intense for season one. And I agree about Ashley's hair-- and this is coming from someone with naturally poofy hair-- it's almost as if they were intentionally making it poofier.