Links
Season 4 Wrap Up Part 4
by thedonoman
Oral Copulation, Bauers and Beatboxing 414-418
414 - Secret Part 1
Oral copulation in the ravine is the center of attention as Emma struggles to find "life as usual" in the wake of the school shooting. The timing of this episode was quite crucial as not only does it show the long term affects of trauma, but it ties in the school play mentioned in previous episodes creating a more complex overall story arc. And while we're chatting it up about kick-backs to earlier episodes, Secret finally consummates the hinting at an Emma/Jay connection in 409. Meanwhile in the B-plot, we see more Craig as he deals with his recent diagnosis of Bi-Polar disorder.
- Let's start with the best line of the entire episode. Emma steps into the van for the first time and slyly comments "this is fully anti-climactic." Oh if you only knew honey...
- Brilliant use of goulash as Craig attempts to keep Ashley from bringing up a soar topic. I believe this episode makes it clear that Ashley is the worst girlfriend in the entire world. I have yet to see another person aside from Debbie Downer, and possibly the entire cast of Dawson's Creek, put such a damper on any given conversation. Regardless, I would love to be in the room to witness a goulash support group meeting.
- Let's learn some new terminology, shall we? Ellie shows up at Craig's place under the pretense of needing her guitar stringed. Instantly is becomes obvious that this is not the reason she is there. She admits her guilt of crafting a "paper thin guitar excuse." This here is possibly an example of Degrassi "Hanging the Lantern," as they call themselves on not being able to come up with a more creative idea, by embracing a piss-poor one. Or maybe they were just calling Ellie's character on the same offense?
- And lastly a little "matter of fact" for you all. This is the first episode of Degrassi where the Executive Producers names are fittingly placed off center at the end of Act III to better fit the shot of the ending freeze.
415 - Secret Part 2
Through the mist and fog of the ravine comes the conclusion to Emma's seasonal two part episode. Part deuce serves a major function of bringing closure to the school shooting plotline for Emma, as well as setting up next week's similar episode for Jimmy. Emma's problem notably mirrors another character played by Miriam in the made for tv movie "She's Too Young," where the local school deals with a mini-outbreak of an STD. Which by the way we never do find out if Emma contracted. The subplot showcases an important step for Jimmy in his rehabilitation as the Kid Elrick concert forces him to bring his A-Game. Or more to the point and illustrated by Jimmy, it showcases that he had an A game to bring in the first place.
- When Snake tries to find out what's going on in Emma's life, she offers up a bit running narration. "Stand by for concerned Father Figure lecture," a clever reference to the title of episode 301/302.
- Give some credit to showrunner Aaron Martin for allowing for some more realistic dialogue to seep into the kids vocabularies. Jimmy's "ugly-ass walls" were just another small step following Jay's mention of blowjobs in Part One. And don't forget the Jack Daniels reference that comes later in the episode.
- DOCTOR SHPITZELHAVEN???!!! Another example of some randomness worked into the Degrassi world. A welcome addition in my book as it adds a whole nother layer to the kind of comedy that the show is allowed to play off. Or was it Doctor Shmingle-mazishun? Another impressing thing about this scene in particular is the chemistry that Marco, Craig and Jimmy share. Aubrey, Adamo and Jake do a great job of playing a group of guys who are close friends, probably because they really are.
- Two things. First off, who wasn't scared for Jimmy while he worked his way to the front of the Kid Elrick show? And second of all, who the hell knew that Kid Elrick was a play on Kid Rock? I'm sorry, but that thought never crossed my mind until I saw the long haired hill billy, rapping on stage with a top hat adorning his head. I really feel like the producers had fun in season 4.
- One thing seriously lacking from the more recent The Next Generation episodes is the connection between Spike and Emma. Near the beginning of the series it was clear that the two shared a special bond, but that has seemed to fade since she married Archie. Perhaps that's intentional, but if you ask me the final scene where Spike is hugging Emma was the best moment those two have shared on screen since season two. I'm not saying let's go Gilmore Girls with things, but perhaps some more of their relationship should be touched on now and again.
416 - Eye Of The Tiger
Aubrey Graham; put "Eye Of The Tiger" at the top of your resume the next time you audition for a part. Aside from showcasing Graham's acting talents, this episode puts alot of closure on the issues between Jimmy, Spinner and most anything else surrounding the school shooting. It also propels Spinner further down his social dive bomb, helping to setup his characters struggles of season 5. The subplot is yet another example of Liberty and JT getting the shaft when it comes to onscreen minutes.
- My favorite thing about this episode: Jimmy sees Snake and goes "what's up man?" No one ever talks to teachers like that while their still in school, but it works. Now I doubt this was their intention, but I see this moment as the kind of one that can only happen for a kid at a point in his life where school doesn't even matter to him. Jimmy's life is on it's ass and there's more important things going on than school. "Yo Miss Kwan, want to grab dinner tonite?
- Yet another example of the convenience of television and more specifically Degrassi extracurriculars. Spinner now plays basketball.
- Sean proved it in episode 216 "Message In Bottle" and Jay hammered it home in this one. Mixed drinks in Canada always have one hell of a ratio. I'm sorry Jason, is that a bottle of Tequila with a spritz of Grape Cola in your devilish hand?
- Have you ever wanted to see what it would look like if two Degrassi cast members hooked up in real life? Near the end of the episode, Sarah and Ryan were absolutely hardcore making out by the hot tub. That wasn't acting. Watch it again. They were eating each others faces.
417 - Queen Of Hearts
After seeing the CTV promo, most expected this episode to preach about the dangers of gambling. But in fact gambling took the back seat as the creators use the second true Ellie episode of the season to pick up where the last left off. After being schooled in a lesson of trust by Alex during a game of Euchre, Ellie learns that she should also trust her recently sober mother and move back in. The subplot serves as the rising action of the overall story for Paige, Matt, and an unallowable relationship. One that we will see the conclusion to in the following episode 418.
- Degrassi chooses to put Euchre at the center of the plot, as opposed to poker which has recently became a pop culture sensation in America. If only they hadn't truncated Marco's explanation of the rules maybe I'd understand how the game actually works.
- The scene where Marco and Ellie bury Beuller (Yet another one of the countless 1980's references found in the show), the scene looks incredibly similar to the one in Garden State where Largeman and Sam bury her hamster.
- A small theme in this episode was advice coming from exactly the characters you would expect. A clear sign that the writing staff knows (or at least knew) exactly who each of their characters are. For example, Craig suggesting that Ellie postpone dinner with her mother due to a death in the family is practically expert testimony when he claims it's "a good excuse". This is coming from a kid whose parents both died before he was 16.
- Also fitting is the advice that Manny offers up to Paige while folding the new uniforms. She implies (though she's wrong) that perhaps Matt is cheating on Paige. Much like last season, when the previously aforementioned orphan above was messing around behind Manny's back, with his girlfriend Ashley. Which makes total sense if you know how Degrassi works.
- And yet more good advice. Alex, whom we later find out has an alcoholic mother, convinces Ellie that she needs to find a way to trust her own mommy who has recently completed a stint at a rehab center.
418 - Modern Love
And comes crashing down another Student/Teacher relationship in dramatic television. Matt and Paige are exposed as a somewhat direct result of Manny (which sparks the main plot of episode 420) and are forced to face the consequences. What I found most alluring about the ending was that Matt and Paige actually wind up together. Until of course a season later when he returns baring only an ungroomed face and a dimebag, but that's a whole other story. The subplot is far less serious and perhaps serves as the seasons biggest dud. Emma struggles with some uhh issues...and hmm...well the girls totally make Chester pay with that tampon tree for umm...whatever he did to them...But he's still totally cute or something. See what I'm saying?
- Thrown in near the beginning is another little Heather Sinclaire reference. We learn from Paige and a locker room story (I imagine it was a locker room story, although other possibilities are far more alluring), that Heather S. sports Granny panties.
- Our boy C-Dawg is back in the house. But this time not to spin hot beats or even bust them beat box style. Instead he returns to bust Emma's proverbial balls and display some resentment from their poorly crafted early season breakup.
- To continue however, apparently Chris's heckling is just enough to make Miriam's over-angst filled drama-queen bad acting, that much more extreme. "It's ALL the guys!" Yes, they're judging your virtues or whatever (as one dimensionally put by Jay a few episodes earlier) Yeah we get it Emma and so does Liberty "you're off."
- More convenience of television as Mr. O and Hatzi seem to be the only two staff members around to break up the girly cat fight between Paige and Manny. They should have studied the tape when Alex and Emma fought last season. Now that was a fight.
- Okay, someone has to say it. What the hell does "Emma-Lean" mean anyway? And why is Chester relentless in calling Emma that? Couldn't come up with something better? Little funnier? And who the hell are his brothers? Do they not go to Degrassi 'cause they look about the same age? Oh well, at least the writers called him on that mole he has. Nice write-off for his character.
The above article was published by dTNGHO, please credit if cited or used
author contact info: donovan@korn.zzn.com
