Teen soap Degrassi has had multiple iterations over the years. Since its TeenNick cancellation in 2015, the Canadian series has moved on to Netflix under the title Degrassi: Next Class, where it explores the same teen issues but with a 2016 twist. If you’re a parent to a teen (or a soon-to-be teen), watching Degrassi can be an amazing way to spark conversations about what they may deal with during their sometimes-turbulent teen years. The second season of this Degrassi series will stream on Netflix beginning July 22, but before you binge on all things Next Class, you should revisit these classic Degrassi: The Next Generation episodes — because as much as things change, the stuff discussed in these episodes doesn’t.
‘Pride’
Degrassi has had a number of LGBTQ characters, but Marco was the first to publicly come out on the series. When Marco finally tells his friend Spinner he’s gay, Spinner can’t handle his confession and, in short, behaves like a homophobic ass. When Marco is attacked on the street by strangers for being gay, Spinner sees the violence that stems from his hate. Though Marco becomes more comfortable with his sexuality as the years go on, this episode is a poignant reminder of the dangers that stem from homophobia and is, sadly, still relevant today.
‘Shout’
The show’s first exploration into the aftermath of rape happened during the show’s second season, and Paige’s journey still feels incredibly important and relevant. When Paige’s older crush Dean invites her to a party, she’s excited that she finally got his attention — until the unthinkable happens. Dean rapes Paige, and Paige is left to deal with trauma, misplaced guilt, and depression. The series shows Paige recovering from the trauma with the help of counseling, but doesn’t neglect to show the realistic way our society handles rape cases. When Paige finally decides to press charges against Dean, he’s ultimately found not guilty, and Paige is left to decide what justice means.
‘When Doves Cry’
This episode tied Degrassi: The Next Generation back to the original Degrassi High series, as it introduced the world to former Degrassi student Joey Jeremiah’s stepson, Craig. Unfortunately, Craig’s first appearance on the show was a heartbreaking one; in the two-part Season 2 opener, it is revealed that Craig is being physically and verbally abused by his volatile father. The episode showed both the abuse and the sad consequences it has on Craig, who, at one point in the episode, considers jumping in front of a speeding train.
‘Whisper To A Scream’
In this Season 3 episode, we get our first real look into Ellie’s home life, and it’s anything but pleasant. Ellie’s father is deployed in the military, and her mother is a neglectful alcoholic. In order to cope with the pressure of school, her new internship, and her family life, Ellie turns to self-injury, only for her to receive help from an unlikely source — her frenemy, Paige.
‘Time Stands Still’
Degrassi: Next Class explored the issue of gun violence in schools in its first season finale, but it wasn’t the first time Degrassi went there. After spending several episodes as the target of bullying, a particularly cruel incident causes Teri’s abusive ex-boyfriend Rick to “snap.” Rick brings his father’s gun to school and shoots Jimmy, the resulting injury putting the former basketball player in a wheelchair for the rest of the series. Rick dies after being accidentally shot during a struggle for the gun, and Rick’s act of violence ultimately changes the course of Degrassi history. Each student — directly affected by the shooting or not — is forever changed by this one unthinkable act, and they never quite go back to the way they were.
‘Accidents Will Happen’
This episode is one of the more controversial in Degrassi history — so controversial, in fact, that the United States didn’t air “Accidents Will Happen” until years later. In the episode, 14-year-old Manny learns that she is pregnant from her only sexual experience. The two-parter shows Manny as she grapples with her pregnancy options, and weighs the opinions of her friends, family, and father of her baby Craig. Ultimately, however, the episode shows that the opinions of everyone else aren’t as important as what Manny herself wants to do. Manny chooses to get an abortion, a tough decision, but one that she feels she has to make despite the arguments of her friends.
‘Tears Are Not Enough’
A follow-up to “When Doves Cry,” this Season 2 episode shows what happens when Craig’s abusive father wants to re-enter Craig’s life. Craig attempts to give his father a chance, but when Craig realizes that his dad hasn’t really changed, he tells him that he never wants to see him again. Sadly, that moment happens shortly before Craig’s father dies in a car accident, leaving Craig to figure out a way to grieve the complicated person that raised him. The episode shows that there is no “right” way to mourn, and that it’s okay to have complicated feelings about someone’s passing.
‘Secret’
When I said that things changed for the kids of Degrassi after the shooting, this was the kind of thing I was referring to. In this two-part episode, notorious “good girl” Emma feels desperate to do something to keep her mind off of the tragedy of the school shooting. When Jay introduces her to the seedy hook-up spot behind the school, she begins performing sexual acts for rubber bracelets — and eventually gets an STI because of it. This episode is definitely on the extreme side, but it works because it shows Emma’s uncharacteristic actions as part of a larger issue. She’s hurting, and this is the only way she knows how to cope.
‘Don’t Believe The Hype’
This Season 2 episode explored an interesting side of prejudice. For Degrassi’s multicultural festival, Hazel prepares a presentation on Jamaica, despite not really being of Jamaican descent. It’s later revealed that Hazel is Muslim, and that she has been keeping her religion and ethnic background a secret because she was attacked for it at her previous school. When someone spray paints the word “terrorist” on another Muslim student’s project, Hazel realizes that she needs to educate her classmates and stop hiding from her heritage, despite the misunderstanding of it.
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