[WARNING: THIS EPISODE REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS]
Another week = another great episode from Degrassi. It’s so weird to have back-to-back episodes that are really good. This episode (just like last week’s episode, Innocent When You Dream) is proof that the show can tackle an issue with sincerity and still be interesting, without resorting to some extreme (aka be as the tagline used to say, 100% Intense).
Anya is the second person to find out that Riley is gay.
Riley has been taking small steps to control his anger issues (such as yoga and the group therapy), which stem from the frustration of being too afraid of coming out. At the beginning of the episode, Peter is still the only one that knows he’s gay, but Riley finally confesses to Anya. Even I, a straight guy, held my breath in anxiety at that moment because it’s easy to feel Riley’s fear of rejection. It was great when Anya let him know that she was completely ok with it. (Side Note: Anya is a much better support character than a main plot character).
Flashing a smile like that, it's pretty obvious to see why Riley would like Zane
The plot is based around Riley having a crush on Zane Park (Shannon Kook-Chun). Riley asks Zane to hang out at The Dot, but Riley’s anxiety gets the best of him. Riley asks if they can go somewhere else, so they sneak into an abandoned construction site. Zane’s line, “Are we hiding from the world up here?” perfectly refers to the fact Riley is still too scared to reveal his sexuality in public.
The LGBT Mixer is just up those stairs, but Riley's too afraid to go.
When Zane invites Riley to the LGBT mixer, it’s still obvious Riley isn’t ready, so he declines. But of course he ends up going anyway (it’s being held at Peter’s club, Above The Dot). There’s several great things about that part of the episode: the extreme anxiety Riley has, when he tells Peter that he could only get halfway up the stairs, but was too scared to actually walk into the mixer. Also, the moment when dancing with Zane that Riley finally loosens up.
The ending made me think of It’s Raining Men. While that episode’s plot was *slightly* better overall, the ending to In Your Eyes was better. It’s like you could feel a sigh of relief with Riley as he finally realized it’s in his head, and no one really cares if he’s a gay guy in public. Oh, and Zane? It’s too soon to jump up and say he’s GREAT, given we didn’t learn much about him…YET. But I did like that he was an understanding and laid-back guy. And BOY does he have some awesome hair! Let’s hope they don’t do like they’ve done with other gay guys on this show and waste his potential by making him an annoying side piece.
Several characters earned a lot of respect in this episode: Riley of course for his bravery, Anya for her kindness and CLARE, who I’ll talk more about below.
IN YOUR EYES MAIN PLOT GRADE: A
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IN YOUR EYES SUBPLOT: Clare/KC/Jenna
I really like Clare these days. KC? Not so much.
KC is failing math, so what does Clare do? She decides to take it upon herself to tutor him. She obviously still has feelings for him, and at the same time Jenna thinks it’s a good idea for KC to use Clare to get a good grade.
KC falls into the category of douchebag for two reasons: 1) Trying to guilt Clare after she initially didn’t want to help him cheat, and 2) Blaming Jenna as being the reason things in his life have fallen apart since he and Clare broke up. Clare does the one thing we’ve been waiting for so long, which is stand up for herself and tell both Jenna and KC off.
What would've made this scene better? Clare slapping that silly smile off Jenna's face.
It’s hard to see a KC/Clare reunion after that, but just like the subplot in Innocent When You Dream (Sav/Anya), it’s great to see that the writers aren’t breaking up couples simply to rush and get them back together again an episode or two later.
IN YOUR EYES SUBPLOT GRADE: A
Kary's Degrassi Blog 
First comment.
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I thought this was a very good episode.
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I thought this was a GREAT episode.
The Riley plot was great. He wasn’t a rageaholic, and Argiris has really become a much better actor since last season.
With the KC/Clare/Jenna plot, even though I’m DYING for them to get back together, I’m so happy that she finally outed them and that KC could realize how much of an effect he had on her. Clare was amazing this episode! She handled herself so well. There were many signals in this episode that BOTH of them are not over each other, yet KC for some bizarre reason can’t seem to let go of Jenna. However, with this plot it is making me extremely excited for their relationship in Season 10. Sorry, I could go on forever about them. And yes, KC was a douchebag. Blaming everyone but himself. Good job Clare!!
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LOVED THE EPISODE!!!!!
1) Riley working on his anger issues
2) Riley/Anya friendship(She’s probably glad now that Riley had beaten up Sav)
3) Riley getting a Boyfriend
4) Clare letting KC know he is a douchebag and that Jenna is a slut and a bitch(Would have been better if they had a fight, but maybe next season)
The only bad thing was that they kinda left us with a cliffhanger for both of the plots. So now we are going to have to wait until Season 10 to see how everyone at school(especially the football team) reacts to Riley coming out and what happens between Clare/KC/Jenna(since Clare said,”See you in September”).
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Yes!! Luckily it’ll be premiering this summer, so we won’t have to wait TOO long!
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I had been dying waiting for this ep!!!!! XDDDDDD It was amazing but definitely not what I had expected! Everything from the commercial was in the 1st 7 minutes
Yoga+Riley= HOT!!! but I”m being a little paranoid cause I pretty sure we all know how the last yoga crush/relationship turned out!!!
And Riley completely pulled off lovable goof hahaa X3
Oh and Zane’s smile made me melt!!!! X3 I think I love him! Ziley or Zaley (still haven’t chosen a couple name for them) is know my fav couple as I thought they would be!!!!! XD I freaked out when Riley kissed him and his smile afterward completed my awesome day!!!
Can’t wait to see more of them!!!
*RILEY’S #1 FAN*
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i vote “Ziley”!
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I agree with everything! But, I have one quick question: who was the last yoga/crush relationship? I don’t remember. Anyways, I completely agree with EVERYTHING in your review!
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Good Story, but I wish Argiris was a stronger actor, some scenes seem really ackward when they aren’t supposed to be, but regardless it was a solid episode.
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dude I loved this episode! I like Riley now he’s so sweet and fun to be with! Anya was so supportive and I liked that, not that I expected her to run screaming from him or anything. And Zane is so adorable! I wanted more of a Piley relationship but Zane is PERFECT!
I was so glad when Clare called Jenna and KC out I practically cheered for her. I hate how before that whole scene with her saying “you used me” Jenna walks into the dot and has this 100% bitchy look on her face, I laughed so hard. Alli was right about her she is nothing but a fake backstabber, then she has the nerve to call Clare Clarebear. KC needs to own up and quit crying about what happens and try and give a little effort to life. Hopefully Clare gets a new boyfriend because I’m so over KC after tonight, he and Jenna deserve each other.
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the song in the promo, I finally found out what it is after someone else found it lol it’s straitjacket by stef lang I heard it’s a little different from the show but still the same song hope that helps anyone who was looking for it make sure to pass it on cuz a lot of people are looking for it (-D
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Great episode!
I agree so much with what you’ve said.
1. This made me realize I like Anya when she’s not around Sav. Glad she and Riley are friends.
2. Riley had awesome development this season. I was so happy that Peter was supporting him, especially in that first scene.
3. Riley’s crush was cute, the kiss at the end was perfect and I can’t wait to see more of them next season.
4. I can’t see how anyone could actually like Jenna after this. KC and Jenna have to be one of the worst couples in Degrassi history. She’s so toxic for him. I hated her looks at Clare at the Dot. Jenna is ruining KC…
5. I loved Clare in this episode. I loved how hard she was trying with KC and I hated that he took advantage of her.
6. I think there’s hope for KC and Clare if he makes some changes. KC seemed to really consider what Clare said at the end which honestly I thought was spot on, so I hope this means he’ll be making some changes before we see him again. I think this episode showed KC needs Clare to keep him grounded. But he has to change, he doesn’t deserve her right now. I think that’s saying a lot for me as I’m a big KC fan.
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lol “Jenna is ruining KC” wasnt the point of the episode that KC is ruining HIMSELF?
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I completely agree with you. I and I loved Clare’s line where she said “You don’t know what you want”.
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Does anyone know the song that was playing when Riley kissed Zane at the end?
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Nevermind! I found it… Tyler Kyte “happiness” if anyone else was wondering :-)
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I think that was my favorite Degrassi kiss. Ever.
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GREAT episode!
I just watched it online and I’m watching the new degrassi mini too!!!
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I really loved this episode. Riley and Zane couldn’t be cuter together, and I totally have a little crush on Zane myself. He’s so adorable! :D I squealed when they kissed at the end. lol But besides all that, I’m just glad that Riley is finally coming out of his shell with his sexuality. He needs to get with Zane, like NOW! lol
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i agree wth EVERYTHING u said. i squealed when zane and riley kissed too (and i LUV zanes smile… so cute) but im so glad riley is FINALLY coming out of his sexuality shell, cuz i think he and zane are perfect for each other!
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I really enjoyed this, it was great! Really one of my favorite episodes of Season 9.
I think Anya will be a good friend for Riley, I’m sure she doesn’t care that he beat up Sav now haha. I’m also glad they followed up on the whole anger management with Riley. They are doing a pretty good job with continuity this season. Zane is a great addition, him and Riley make a good couple, and the ending was so sweet. It also left it opeb for future storylines, I’m eager to see what they have in store for Riley in Season 10.
The B-plot was also good, I’m glad Clare finally stood up for herself after KC used her to cheat on the test, and for what he did to her. KC also really needs to stop blaming other people for his problems. And a side note, I think in Season 10 the writers will make us feel sympathetic for Jenna in some way, since most hate her.
But overall a fantastic episode!
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Yep, I can’t wait to see what they do with Riley in Season 10. Now that he has a boyfriend I just hope they don’t make most of his drama relationship drama, like they did with Marco. And you are probably correct about the writers making us feel sympathetic for Jenna, but I think most people will still hate her cause no matter what happened in her past it doesn’t give her the right to do what she did.
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I loved the episode, but I’m a little concerned that Zane is going to become another useless boyfriend , along the lines of Dylan. (Eeew) I hope not. I love Zane already!
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I love the episode; I like Riley as it is. He is a pretty awesome person, and then having Zane make him come out was even more amazing. It did kind of remind me of the other episode when Marco kissed Dylan out of nowhere. I realize that, they have brought a lot more potential to the show than the previous 2 seasons.
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He is an awesome GUY, not PERSON.
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Ehhh shutup
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i think in season 10 riley and zane are going to break up because zane seems like a nice guy while aggris tweeted that riley will be picking on the new kids and i dont think thats going to go well with zane
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I anticipated disliking Zane as a strange and useless character, but I was proven wrong. I have yet to see how he will be relevant to the show, but he definitely made a good impression.
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I can’t wait to see this. WCTBL part 2 has yet to air in Canada on Monday night, so I won’t be seeing this for a couple of weeks. :(
But I can’t wait! I have a huge huuuuuge thing for East Asian guys! Even though Zane’s too young for me…also too homosexual…but I digress.
KC’s “life is falling apart”? I’m thinking that maybe next season, he’s going to reach a breaking point and revert back to his delinquent ways. I certainly hope so. It’d shake things up.
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This episode was so worth it. Usually the commercials over exaggerate and make false anticipation, but this didn’t let me down. Zane, firstly, was cute. The crazy hair wasn’t the best, in my opinion, but if Riley is in to that, GREAT. He’s finally getting a storyline and i’m so happy for him! Especially when he went for the kiss and started making the moves he was so hesitant to make. My one fear though is that Riley will be too caught up in his first relationship that he’ll mess it up. I hope not, but Zane didn’t seem as excited as Riley was.
As for Clare and KC, She FINALLY stood up to him. I’ve been waiting for that. Clare did an amazing job setting KC straight when he started to complain about his “problems”. And especially when he started blaming Jenna, she told him bluntly and executed it amazingly.
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To follow up on what Kary mentioned a few posts ago in regards to a renewed continuity, I loved that they used yoga as a way to subtly show viewers that Riley was working on his anger management issues, instead of with a new activity to a school that already has an endless list of extracurriculars.
And in other news, I’m so jealous of Zane’s hair.
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Zane’s hair is AWESOME.
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I love the episode; I like Riley as it is. He is a pretty awesome GUY, and then having Zane make him come out was even more amazing. It did kind of remind me of the other episode when Marco kissed Dylan out of nowhere. I realize that, they have brought a lot more potential to the show than the previous 2 seasons.
This is the correct way to post that. Notice any changes?
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Seriously….let it go.
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You’re totally right. Riley is so not a person at all.
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Season 10 is going GREAT so far. It’s so exciting, I can’t wait for you guy’s too see it and to see your feedback! P.S i’m not a ‘main’ character but I still can’t answer any questions
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main character? Meaning your in the show?
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OMG, Zane is so cute. That smile! And that HAIR!!!
The kiss at the end shocked me, but when it wore off I was a little disappointed. C’mon! Just a 3 second kiss? You can tell that Agiris was kind of nervous, with his face all red and all.
And kudos to Claire. If I was her, I would of pushed Jenna off that bench. I bet in season 10, its gonna be a smack-down like Paige vs. Manny
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Seriously, Degrassi ahs just kinda got cheesier and cheesier this season, and just kinda bad… like with all these new characters they are just having trouble like meshing it all together. But this episode was so good, after watching it I just had such a good feeling about degrassi. Like this is one of those episodes where after you just I don’t know, but it was seriously one of the bests this season. Very relatable. I like the way they are going about Riley being open and I am really glad were getting some good KC Clare drama.
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I had to watch this episode again, just to see Zane… *obsessed* xD
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im not gonna lie. i haven’t watch degrassi in ages cuz i really didnt like the cast and the plot lines. but i am SOOOO GLAD i flipped to this cuz this episode was amazing. totally made me a watcher again… way to go with this episode being so late in the season though…haha. but all the lines had such double meaning to it that it captured such emotion. with the whole “clubhouse” thing and “coming out tonight” in the end. :D and yeah i hope that they don’t throw out the potential of zane’s character cuz i would LOVE LOVE LOVE to see him develop. and that way we get to see him and riley together more :)
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I so loved this episode, i really wish i could meet someone who was like riley or like zane, but then again that’s just tv. Why is it the gay guys thats always the cutest lol :)
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I have watched this episode about 15 times already and i cant stop watching it! I honestly think In your Eyes was like the best Degrassi episode ever. I absolutly love Riley!!!!
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any plot that involves rily is great. they should seriously have more riley plots.
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