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Season 5 First Impressions Part 3
by cerebral assassin
As the season rolls to an end it is once again time to look back on the season that was. So without further adieu here are my Degrassi Season 5 First Impressions for episodes 514-519.
514: I Against I
A great way to come back off hiatus, I liked this episode a lot. It had a good balance to it. It wasn't overly dramatic but it also wasn't all light.
I'm gonna start with the subplot, Caitlin's back, at least for one episode, and she is blonde again, I like her season 3 look a lot better. It's great to see her back if only temporarily. And what can I say Manny's obsession with male strippers was just hilarious, speaking of male strippers where did they get a guy that looked just like a young Snake? Good light hearted plot with just the right amount of drama at the end, we all can see that Snake'll be back in the picture soon.
And on to the main plot, Adamo did some superb acting here. I clapped when him and Spinner finally said they were cool. A great moment, that's been a long time coming. Spinner ran hot and cold in this episode first doing great hanging with Marco again, than bowing to LORD Linus, Darcy's line about Spinner answering to Linus was great, I can't believe Darcy could see Linus for what he was but Spinner couldn't, maybe it WAS brainwashing. I cheered when Marco finally punched Linus it's about time, he is a huge hypocritical DICK. Also great throwback to "Secret" in the gonorrhea reference from Mrs. H. And great nod to the internet fans with Paige and Alex being referenced as Palex by Marco.
All in all a great episode, no real faults, good entertainment value, only problem I really had was Emma and Manny watching strippers, especially with her mom, aren't they supposed to be underage? That part was a little unbelievable but the point still came across good in the end.
515: Our Lips Are Sealed Part 1
I think this episode was decent at best, the thing that really detracted most from it was Miriam's acting. Her acting used to be at least bearable but now she is detracting from the scenes. I'd say the opening scene of this episode was the most god awful scene in Degrassi history, the acting was so flat it felt like watching an episode of "Barney." And having her end with the scene with an equally shitty line like "I need to take control" didn't do it any favors. If you could get past Miriam's acting at it's heart this episode was not that bad and I loved the subplot, which I'll get to later. Although having the episode be all about the one family kinda detracted from it as well. Other than Miriam, as far as the main plots story goes it was what it was, not a bad story and I'm sure part 2 story wise won't be a let down. I think Emma's controlling behavior as far as the writing goes is actually pretty realistic to how someone with an eating disorder would act.
Now onto the subplot which I really liked, although I do believe the whole episode being devoted to the "Simpson-Nelson Clan" as Archie put it, was too much. The subplots and main plot could have used some rearranging on that front. As far as the plot by itself though, it was wonderful, the adults all did some terrific acting (or maybe it was just such a huge contrast to Miriam it felt that way) and the plot was quite solid. Nice scene in the mall of Snake and Spike reuniting with the obligatory crowd that applauds (how many shows/movies have done this?) Plus the scenes of Snake and Joey talking felt so damn old school, it was like watching Degrassi Jr. High, I loved it, great nostalgia. All around the subplot gets an A+ in my book.
Overall I feel this episode could have been a whole lot better if Miriam's acting hadn't deteriorated to the point it has, I don't know if she is just trying to hard or what it is, and if the subplot and main plot had been in different episodes. Other than that it was a standard decent episode of Degrassi all around.
516:Our Lips Are Sealed Part 2
As critical as I was of Part 1, I adored this episode. Miriam's acting was a million times better and Cassie did a great job in some of her best dramatic acting we've ever seen. Peter also helped this episode immensely, Jamie is an excellent actor I hope he gets some big plots in Season 6.
Random scene of the night, Liberty teaching about female reproductive systems, touché Degrassi... touché. Loved the continuity here also got an Ashley Kerwin and a Craig reference all in one episode.
Onto the plot, the writer's did much better here than in part 1 of displaying anorexia as a mental illness than just a "crash diet". Emma's stress from dating Peter, still not trusting snake, and finals approaching are caving in on her. Her scene where she tells Peter she has problems is excellent and very emotional, as well as her scenes with Manny in the basement. I think mostly this plot suffered from poor setup in Part 1, they needed to show a lot more of Peter and Emma's mental stress in Part 1 for this episode to be fully effective because on it's own Part 2 itself has very few flaws.
And finally the subplot, and what a subplot it was. Very good comic relief to offset the drama in Plot A. Finally we see some more of Paige and Alex, apparently comfortable with being called lesbians now. It's nice to see people accepting Alex now as well, her character has changed so much since Season 3 and has really grown on me.
Overall a nice mixture of humor, drama, and storyline progression. Overall I can say this episode did what Degrassi does best, BE Degrassi. The episode really reminded me of why I like the show so much in the first place.
517: Total Eclipse of the Heart
This episode just seemed very blah to me. Especially the main plot, the drama between Dylan and Marco felt really bland, it seemed to really lack that special something Degrassi usually has. It was just kinda boring. What's up with Marco's kiss the first person I see when Dylan's around routine, first Craig, now Tim. I think Marco really acted like an asshole this episode, and it seemed really out of character, because just like Tim said, he used him. I suppose it was all for the best though, Marco will be gone next year along with Dylan, and Tim can move into a more main character role in season 6. I don't have a whole lot of problems with the main plot, but I don't have a lot of praise for it either, it was just kinda there.
Onto the subplot, you can see the setup for next season in this plot as well, as it heavily features two of the younger characters that will be getting bigger parts in season 6 due to the half of the cast leaving. Derrick and Danny are emphasized more as friends like was hinted in I Against I, and you can see the growing personalities of these characters. I loved the plot closure of the Liberty/Baby storyline as well, this story was huge part of the season and it was wrapped up pretty nicely. I see JT and Liberty being back together in Season 6 or at least part of it. I also liked the Derrick storyline. At first I thought he was asking Liberty out, but than his intentions became realized when we found out he is adopted and wanted to ask Liberty some questions, some minor character growth for him there.
All in all I enjoyed the subplot, but it really lacked some serious backup from the main plot.
518: High Fidelity Part 1
I loved it, both plots were great; if there were two plots, it kinda seemed it was all one big plot how the A and B plot were so tightly woven together. This finale beats the hell out of all the last 4 combined, I really can't wait for next week. This episode really showed how an ensemble show should work, not a whole lot of focus on one character but less focus on a lot of different characters, with a lot of different stuff going on that all ties together into one plot. And not just the main plots we got follow up on Emma and Jay actually acting human squashed in there as well.
The main plot was wonderfully written and Cassie, Shane, and Shenae all did a wonderful job. I was so immersed the whole episode, it's hard to say which was the best scene even. Darcy's jealousy was kinda over the top, but I actually have known girls to be like that in real life at times so it still stayed realistic. Paige pretty much explained it best in one of the plot crossover scenes when she said Darcy is jealous of Spinner's past. Although at the end I was about ready to wring Darcy's neck when she was still bitching after all that Spinner just went through for her, I actually cheered when Spinner dumped her. I also liked how people seem to be forgiving Spinner finally, like how Paige and Manny were both talking to him again.
And onto the subplot, I loved how the subplot and the main plot flowed so fluidly together and crossed over. This is something that is hard for an episode to do and not seemed really contrived, but this episode was pulled of really well. I did love this plot on it's own as well though, Deanna and Lauren have a great onscreen chemistry and their scenes together always seem so natural. Alex's revelation to Jay at the end was probably one of the best scenes of the night. Alex being so frank saying hey, I'm not confused, I'm not bi, I'm a lesbian was both very well written and very well acted. We also got to see a different side of Jay in that scene and Mike got to show a different side of his acting for once. Than of course the Spinner and Paige kiss at the end brought both plots together for a great scene, and I probably would have been quite surprised if we hadn't known it was going to happen for weeks. I think the best part of the subplot was the contrast of how Alex and Paige each dealt with their breakup.
Over all it was a great episode and at this point I think it may be my favorite of the season only thing that can top it is possibly part 2.
519: High Fidelity Part 2
We now have 2 more characters for season 6. The Ashley and Jimmy relationship that was set up to segue into season 6 was perfect.
I loved this episode, best season finale of all 5 seasons. Spinner and Paige going all the way was a huge surprise. I loved Paige's intentions as well, just no strings attached sex, and Spinner's reaction to being used was a classic guy reaction. Darcy getting on the bus and glancing back at Spinner was a very good scene as well. Overall though the most touching moment of the episode had to be Jimmy and Spinner making up, I loved it. The whole episode was classic Degrassi through and through.
As I said above the subplot was great setup for next year giving us two more returning characters and a returning couple for Season 6. I love how they got together too. Craig's return was really just more put in so he was there, although he still is dating Manny, I don't see him returning next year, but you never know I guess, I mean it don't look like he graduated. Speaking of graduates now we say goodbye to Marco, Paige, Alex, Hazel, and Ellie except for the movie, this could possibly be the last time we see them.
As the season finale closed and thoughts of how this may be the last time we see some characters, filled my head I thought back to the beginning of season 5, wow what a season it has been. From Manny's boobs, to Liberty's pregnancy, spinner's redemption, Ellie-Craig-Manny, JT's suicide attempt, Paige and Alex kissing, Emma and Peter, Ellie-Jimmy-Hazel, Craig leaving, Emma's Eating Disorder, Tim-Marco-Dylan, Darcy-Spinner-Paige, Ashley's return, and finally graduation; the season has been a nonstop rollercoaster ride and in my opinion the best season yet. So as the credits roll on graduation, and we say goodbye to some characters my final thought is "what will next year bring?" With that I bid adieu to what was in my eyes the best season of Degrassi yet and say "See you next year Degrassi!"
The above article was published by dTNGHO, please credit if cited or used
author contact info: lordlitwicki@msn.com
