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Season 4 Wrap Up Part 1
by thedonoman
The Highway Series 401-405
401/402 - Ghost In The Machine
A powerful season premiere where Paige takes Dean to trial after two long years. Even though she doesn't win, she's able to gain closure in the matter and to a certain degree she moves on. I think it was good that the writer's waited for this topic until season 4, the timeline is more realistic and the outcome is too. In the subplot we see what is the beginning of a Craig and Ashley reconciliation. Both actors did a great job of playing the awkwardness up. This episode also gives us a first glimpse into Joey's money troubles that set up some big plot happenings later this season. And of course, along the way we had some memorable moments.
- In the opening sequence we see Spinner and Paige cruising around with music and camera work as if they were in a ferrari. But instead they're in a red, what looks sorta like an old used Corsica, "Love Mobile".
- The convenience of TV. Notice when Ashley just sorta accidentally bumped into Craig? That happens all the time in real life, those damn Degrassi corridors just aren't wide enough.
- Paige pushing the asian girl into the wall. Maybe this is only something a guy will understand, but seeing an angry Paige ready to throw punches is pretty damn hot. I give it 4 stars.
- Then of course, what I'd consider the best of line of the episode which was delivered by Craig. It's not really funny, it's a little bit sad, but above all I appreciate the comment because it doesn't have any real meaning, it's just a real life comment. "Eh, I don't have a dad, remember?"
403 - King Of Pain
Most fans find this episode to be near the lowest on their list of season favorites. Marco runs for president in a tough race and Emma confuses the hell out of all of Degrassi Nation by all of a sudden gaining the attitude to go along with her new look. The episode gives us a first look at the nicer side of Alex, without compromising the character previously developed. The only real critique is that the Emma/Chris and Chris/Liberty plots never really get mentioned again, aside from Liberty hating Emma for the rest of the year.
- New Year, New Look, New Wit. Paige has a lot more sophisticated, yet still bitchy dialogue lines. Particularly when she runs into Alex, she's perhaps the only character who could fit into the Dawson's Creek world. She also has a great Zigfried and Roy joke in reference to Dylan and Marco.
- While you're busy being stunned by Emma's attitude about Chris dating Liberty, Manny drops the line everyone wanted to say. "That's the meanest thing I've ever heard you say, and that's really saying alot."
- Marco coming out to his mother was something that no one expected to happen so early in the season. But the scene was crafted well and was quite moving.
- Dylan doing a wonderful job looking like a cardboard cut out right after the election results were released.
404 - Mercy Street
I liked this episode particularly because it had two plots that equally took up screen time. Depending on which plot you like best you can consider it your own main plot. The episode serves the main function of setting up the foresee-able tragic return of Rick. And at least Emma hasn't totally turned on us, as we see her activist side show up in this episode. The other plot serves a beautiful contrast providing a comical plot involving Manny and JT...and a stack of dimes. Ahh, penis jokes.
- The episode contained a few wonderful examples of foreshadowing. The most obvious was the ending line "They're not interested Rick." "They will be, someday." The line is kind of hard to explicate, but basically it just shows how much Rick wants to earn them back, if anything it foreshadows his effort to make people like him in Wack Your Brain.
- The best planned ironic line of course is Ellie and Sean calling Paige and Emma "such heroes."
- I love the idea of the black kid helping out the white kid with his penis problem. "Your wang goes in the tube, then pump!"
- Manny has a great line as well. Delivers the word fart beautifully. "You're always farting and joking around."
- But the best moment is in the locker room. The scene was comical on its own, but Spinner delivers the line "WH@T!!??" more perfect than I thought possible, making the scene that much better.
405 - Anywhere I Lay My Head
The main plot of this episode involves Sean living out every high school boys dream, when his girlfriend Ellie moves in to their own apartment after her mom almost burns down her house. Ellie's moms drinking reaches a breaking point and in a dramatic moment Ellie confronts her about cutting. On the side we see the beginning of what later becomes the Manny vs. Paige Battle Royale. Also, fans first start to finding reasons not to like Spinner, as he has guilty thoughts about another girl. What a rough year for the boy.
- Mr. Simpson's priceless face after Mrs. Nash walks away, you'll probably have to watch it to remember.
- The carwash scene that turns into a provacative moment as Spinner bends Manny over and goes to town with soap suds. All the while old men watch while eating ice cream, what the hell was going on in that scene?
- We see a little bit of background dialouge, as it's restated that Seans' parents live far away and can't see his "fine automotive display". This comes into play very soon in the future.
- Another great little ironic foreshadowing moment is thrown in at the car wash. Jimmy points a hose at Rick, and just as Rick starts to drive off Jimmy pulls the nozzle.
The above article was published by dTNGHO, please credit if cited or used
author contact info: donovan@korn.zzn.co
