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« Degrassi: The Next Generation
Episode Recap: Don't You Want Me (Part I)
This was by far the most depressing episode of Degrassi that I've seen since JT's death. We've watched for months as Alex has attempted to clean up her image and score those grades that will get her into university. She made amends to the people at Degrassi whom she has wronged in the past. She's tried her best to rid herself of the bad influences in her life and find a circle of friends that don't trade plastic bracelets for sexual favors. Yet despite all of these positive changes, life just can't cut Alex a break.
Although I've had a lot to say about the quality of the episodes this season, this one def. took the show one step out of the trenches. My heart dropped in the opening scene when it became clear that the scumbag "father figure" in Alex's life was taking her and her mother for all they're worth (which was very little to begin with.) Then, just in the nick of time to stir up some more trouble for poor Alex, her old friend Jay shows up with a new girlfriend who recommends she take a job at a local strip club to get some extra cash. Aside from having terrible taste in men, the girl seemed to be genuinely concerned for Alex when she was debating shakin' her assets on the club's stage. Yeah, she hooked Alex up with the job in the first place, but she did try to warn her that the owner was pretty sleazy and that even just that first dance will change her forever. And just to make things more difficult for Alex, Paige decided that now would be a good time to try out that whole lesbian thing again.
In less exciting news, it's looking like there's going to be a new member of the teenage pregnancy club at Degrassi High School. First Manny had her big "A," then Liberty gave up her baby for adoption, now it seems Emma has quite the decision on her hands as well. I would hope that after realizing that her own mother was faced with the exact same decision when she was a senior, Emma will be the one member of the club who chooses to raise her child knowing that she has a family that will support her decision. She's a smart cookie... she'll get through this just like the others. I have to add, though, I found Sean's acting in this episode to be pretty laughable. That scene outside in the snow, which should have been a pretty intense moment for Emma and Sean, was just some downtime for me between the more interesting moments in the episode. I was a lot more interested to see Manny finally turn up in an earlier part of the show (even for the brief amount of screen time she had).
Even though it seems like everyone's favorite Canadian prime-time soap is once again on the upswing, we will have to wait and see how things turn out next week with the conclusion of this two-parter. On that subject, the number of two-parters this show tosses our way kind of annoys me. Can't they at least make a few of them hour-longs? Whatever... I was just glad to get away from the Peter/Darcy drama for a week. Though I don't hate their relationship like most of you, where's Liberty? Toby? Ellie? Jimmy? Ashley? Come on Degrassi writers, show the rest of the cast some love!
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Jul 27, 2007 10:23 PM
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Poor Alex. How much misery does this person have to suffer? Now she's forced to strip in order to keep a roof over her and her mother's head. I'm really hoping that a Fairy Godmother comes along and grants her the money she needs to cover the back rent that "Scumbag Wannabe Daddy" scammed them out of. And she's in love with Paige, who doesn't know from one minute to the next whether's she's straight or gay. Even if it turns out that Paige is gay, it's a well known fact that gay women have babies, so she can still make her parents, grandparents.
As for Emma and Sean, I do love them, although Sean's not a strong actor. At least Emma has love and support from her family and boyfriend. Sean won't desert her.
I think that the Peter/Darcy storyline may turn out to be great, as long as it's well written. I want more Manny, Liberty, Toby, Ellie, Jimmy and Ashley, too. We love these characters and need to see more storyline with them. I also want to see how Liberty's dealing with J.T.'s death and her feelings about adopting out their child, now that J.T.'s gone.
I'm also with you. If the storyline is a two-parter, show us both parts as a one-hour special. Don't make us wait!
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Jul 28, 2007 10:44 AM
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I think in Canada, they sometimes air the 2parters together, but here, The-N has to draaaag it out. 
I'm guessing even though paige finds out about alex's new 'job' that they'll be toghter by the end of the episode.
I'm not too much of a fan of sean. I haven't liked him since he came back at the beginning of the season.
And I don't like Peter or darcy so, my feelings wouldn't be hurt if they just forgot about that story line.
I was glad to see manny at the beginning of the episode and a little in the middle. I'm with you, they need to have more of the original characters than just 1 line an episode. And they have been showing jimmy lately, but no ashley, that doesn't even make sense.
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Jul 30, 2007 3:14 PM
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Poor Alex. I have so been pulling for her. She has done everything she can to turn herself around, but nothing seems to stick. I hope it gets better.
If they never showed Darcy or Peter again I would be just fine. Bring back everyone else.
One thing. Spike had Emma when she was 13, not a senior in high school.
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Aug 7, 2007 5:49 PM
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If they never showed Darcy or Peter again I would be just fine. Bring back everyone else.
me too I can't stand either character.
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Aug 7, 2007 6:03 PM
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