One of the first things I want you to do is click here to see my grades for the Season 8 episodes, and notice the difference between them and the grades for Season 9: there was a vast improvement in the episode quality overall this season.
I’m going to take it a step further and rank this season’s episodes based on the initial grade I gave them:
______
Beat It: A+
You Be Illin’: A+
Innocent When You Dream: A
Shoot To Thrill: A
In Your Eyes: A
Close To Me: B
Somebody: B
Start Me Up: B-
Waiting For A Girl Like You: B-
Heart Like Mine: C+
Keep On Loving You: C+
Holiday Road: C+
Wanna Be Startin Something: C
Why Can’t This Be Love: C-
Just Can’t Get Enough: C-
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Beat It is the best episode of the season for me. Shoot To Thrill has a MUCH better subplot than Innocent When You Dream, but IWYD wins out based on the sheer entertainment value of its main plot.
Close To Me and Somebody are pretty close, but CTM is all about the Declan I WISH had stuck around the entire season (the pure player, instead of the guy who falls hard for Holly J).
Once again, Declan’s transition from bad boy to good guy (which was too fast) irked me, which is a reason why Start Me Up is ranked higher than Waiting For A Girl Like You. SMU was a solid follow-up to Just Can’t Get Enough, an episode that was nearly a mess.
All of the C+ episodes (Heart Like Mine, Keep On Loving You and Holiday Road) are episodes that had great potential, but never reached it because they went off track for whatever reason. Why Can’t This Be Love and Just Can’t Get Enough are at the bottom of the barrel because they left no impression; they’re episodes you can watch, then forget about five minutes later.
**********
This isn’t the final rankings by a longshot…we still have Degrassi Takes Manhattan, plus looking at the list there are already some episodes whose grade I want to change. The final rankings will come sometime after the release of the Season 9 dvd.
Now it’s time for YOU to rank the episodes. Your favorites? Least faves?
Kary's Degrassi Blog 
I think Season 10 will be much better.
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Kary is gonna have his hands full with episode reviews once season 10 rolls around! =]
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Oh right, I haven’t even thought about that! We’ll try and be easy on you Kary.
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I like the most intense episodes.
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Ever consider doing a rating of the actors for this season? Since the ratings that you give the episodes depend highly on the output done by the directors and the writers, maybe you could grade the actors?
Or maybe if your heavily rating the episodes, it would then also make sense to just rate the development of the characters. Thereby forcing a greater desire to see a new impact coming in the 10th season.
Anyways, just wanted to say that I love your blog! Keep up the influential work.
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I mostly agree, but here is how I would rank them:
Just Can’t Get Enough: C
Shoot to Thrill: A
Close to Me: B
You Be Illin’: B+
Wanna Be Starin’ Something: B-
Beat It: A+
Waiting For a Girl Like You: C+
Somebody: B
Heart Like Mine: B
Holiday Road: B
Start Me Up: C+
Why Can’t This Be Love?: C
Innocent When You Dream: B+
In Your Eyes: A
Keep On Loving You: C-
Season Average: B-
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i gotta say the best episode for me was in your eyes & is worst was why can’t this be love even thoo just can’t get ennough kinda sucked it had better subplots :P
& still maybe who noes ill change my mind with the movie ;)
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I think the problem with Degrassi is that we aren’t getting the shock value like we used to.
I do, however, believe that the shock value will return as of Season 10!
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you be illin and shoot to thrill have As? Eww! They were so lame. I totally heart Melinda Shankar, but that Jalli crap was so wack. Nothing real ever happened between the couple they made seem was meant to be. Its funny that hes basically gone now. Im ashamed to admit i havent seen anything past heart like mine….(charter is gone :() i cant wait to catch up. I have to admit the quality of season 9 is much better than season 8–which was THE worst season of all. It was a mess. This is a bit OT, but i cant believe Leias leaving. Its kind of like theyre accccepting defeat and admitting her character was a waste (i know its b/c judy jiao is leaving though) but still. It makes me wonder–what the heck was her purpose?? Also, what about Blue? Im pretty sure hes leaving, by the way everything seems. Hes been so MIA. Dont u hate when they make couples seem like theyre meant to be together–aka Holly J and Blue? They so set that up and it amounted to absolutely nothing. Im rambling here, but i wanna get this off my chest. Also, i think Rileys character has a lot of potential considering Beat It was great (i havent seen In Your Eyes but i heard it was great too). But did he flunk or something?i knew they couldnt let him go. And theres no jane…it feels weird without her. Shes going to be in the movie i think, i hope. She needs a proper send off. So do all the others. That was way too long. I have to say i LOVED BROKEN PROMISES :)) it ddnt really have devastating effects but it was cool. I agree with u Kary with the Declan thing. Remember the meet declan promos? They made him seem like some evil player out to do every girl in school. Not. I also am SUPER confused about fiona/declan incest b/c there was buzz about it & it was hinted @ in the first episode…weird they dropped it…i wannasee if it has anything to do with fionas makeup in the new peromo.
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Shoot to thrill was to me the best of the season followed by beat it
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Thats right!!! You go Riley!! Gettin your episode in 1st place!!!! XD
#1 Riley fan
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why so much riley love? I like his character now but i used to be so annoyed by him but now he is nice and he finally likes himself so he is ok. Before the character’s sexuality was dragged on way too much… In Your Eyes changed my mind because i wanna know more, you know?
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i know this is a little off topic but i just realized that the company sav submitted the music video to was tvm, the same company holly j recently got an internship from. my theory is that they will win the viral video contest which is why we can see jane, spinner, danny, sav, and peter in new york for the movie. anybody agree?
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I think maybe Spinner and Jane are going to get married but end up breaking up. I think this because Jane’s finally graduating .. but maybe not bc she goes to NYC. but i was thinking that the only way Fiona, Holly J and Declan would rush back for a wedding would be Jane and Spinner bc they are friendly. Not Emma or Manny’s idk. But many has to tell Spinner what Jane did. At least Spinner’s wedding bc he needs a storyline. I cant wait to find out.
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um no……they r not gonna….get married….thats lik saying 12 x 12 = 144….im blonde and single
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i agree i noticd that too
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I think that Why Can’t This Be Love and Heart Like Mine were two of the best episodes of the Season. I love Anya and I could relate to both of the stories. My girlfriend had broken up with me, so I felt just like Anya did since we had been together a long time, and I also felt for Clare cause we had the Clare/KC/Jenna thing going on but worse. So I was just able to connect to the characters in those episodes more than any of the other episodes.
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Aw, that’s hard. Glad to know you had something to relate to though.
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As a gay guy, I personally didn’t enjoy Beat It. I’d rank that at the very bottom with Just Can’t Get Enough. Riley’s acting seemed off in that episode and he just plain annoyed me. In Your Eyes made up for it, though. Very solid episode. I’m too lazy to rank the episodes, so I’ll just say that the worst ones for me this season were Beat It, Just Can’t Get Enough, and Heart Like Mine.
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Innocent While You Dream was my favorite episode of the season, mainly because it was the episode that made me feel a little better about Clare. I feel like she’s starting to come out of her shell, setting her up for some major changes I expect her to go through in Season 10. Is it safe to say that Clare is the main character? (kinda like how everyone considered Emma to be the main character in her time? UGH, I hate Emma. But that’s another story entirely.)
I liked Season 9 a billion more times than 8, but I still feel like 9 was a long set-up to get us ready for a real thrilling season 10. Hope I’m right.
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It’s hard to rate episodes,so I’ll rate charcters/couples of the season(main)
Holly freken J!!!! A+
Declan A
Clare A-
Jane B-
Dave B-(cuz he’s funny)
Alli C+
Jenna C-
D&Fs Chante,Bruce,Riley,KC,
(I know that’s not all the characters)
Couples:
Declan/holly j A+
Johny/Alli B-
Spinner/Jane B-
Declan/Jane C+
KC/Clare(they’re break-up) C-
KC/Jenna D+
Dave/Jenna D
Danny/Chante F- This couple was more forced than Pia. And atleast Pia did more than just fight and make up!!! When I saw the lovers/death cards in the season 10 promo,I was hoping they meant Dante was going to be stabbed repeativly to death.
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no way, alli and dave should b higher and should b A++ for couples heres wat i think.
Holly J. A+
Alli A+
Dave A+
Riley A+
Declan A
Anya A
Claire A-
Zane A-
Jenna B
Sav (most ppl hate him but i stil think he has a good side) B
K.c. B-
Spinner C+
Jane C+
Fiona C+
Chantay C
Peter C
Danny C-
Emma C-
Manny D+
Bruce D-
Johnny D-
Kelly F
Conner D-
Weasly F-
Leah z-
Couples
Riley and Zane A++++
Holly J. and Declan A+
Alli and Dave (i wish) A+
Johnny and Alli B+
Jane and Spinner B-
Jenna and K.C. C+
Claire and K.C. B-
Victoria and Peter D+
Sav and Anya A-
Leah and Danny D-
Chantay and Danny D+
Jane and Declan C-
Snake and Darcy B+ j.k.
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Leia and Danny deserve and F. And F- even. Possibly even a Z. They were such a waste of time it’s ridiculous.
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I dont think Danny/Chante were forced.. i mean look at Dolly J, now that was forced. For Declan to be the “player” then all of a sudden falls for holly j. Now that is forced,
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this is how I’d rank them =]
Just Can’t Get Enough: B-
Shoot to Thrill: A
Close to Me: C
You Be Illin’: A
Wanna Be Starin’ Something: C-
Beat It: A \
Waiting For a Girl Like You: D
Somebody: D
Heart Like Mine: B
Holiday Road: C
Start Me Up: C
Why Can’t This Be Love?: A
Innocent When You Dream: D [only because of the subplot]
In Your Eyes: A
Keep On Loving You: D
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I agree, i felt like the riley and alli episodes…with the exception of WCTBL, were the best of the season.
I really wonder why they didnt give somebody else the meth storyline. Because peter got to much exposure last season, and they gave him like 2 storylines this season but they never elaborated on it. I think if they would have gave the meth story to somebody else like danny or somebody else and made that a season long thing.
I think we should stop saying we cant wait until season 10, because remember when everybody was like “I cant wait for season 9” and it wasnt as good as it should be.
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Yeah, I agree. Putting your hopes up can bring massive disappointment. However, the promo for season 10 looks amazing.
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All promos can be misleading, however The season 10 is definately my fav promo so far, and im in love with the song.
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Degrassi Season 9 Episode Rankings (Part 1) « Kary's Degrassi Blog…
I found your entry interesting do I’ve added a Trackback to it on my weblog :)…
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My ranks are
Just Can’t Get Enough: d
Shoot to Thrill: A
Close to Me: C
You Be Illin’: A
Wanna Be Starin’ Something: C
Beat It: A
Waiting For a Girl Like You: D
Somebody: D
Heart Like Mine: c
Holiday Road: d
Start Me Up: C
Why Can’t This Be Love?: c
Innocent When You Dream: c
In Your Eyes: A
Keep On Loving You: c
I really like all the Riley and Alli Episodes of this season Riley became of my favorite chracter this season I didnt really like him for season 8 but I end up liking him more and more. I see a lot of Riley in me. All the stuff that he been through I face all of that. Besides him Alli was really intresting this season. My fave Alii episodes are “Shoot To Thrill” and “You’ll Be Illin”. I didnt really like “Heart Like Mine” but I thought that the sub plot was good it could’ve of been better. I see no point of Holiday Road cuz I have always hated Emma. She is just so annoying.
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i hav 2 admit, emma was annoying IN SEASON 1-3. in season 4 and 5 she got good, and 6 evn bettr w/ all the eating probs. and in s7 wen she was nud in front of the skuwl! emma was great!
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Her eating disorder was in season 5. Season 6 was her whole dilemma with Sean.
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I also hate Holly j and Declan as a couple I dont care for them
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o HELLLLLLLLLLLLLL no. dolly j r great. but i didnt lik how hes not a playr anymor.
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My favorite episode is probably Close To Me simply because I loved the secret relationship between Jane and Declan. I found it very dramatic and intense. I just wished that Declan’s sly behavior had continued throughout the season rather than falling for Holly J.
Speaking of the power couple, I thought Holly J and Declan we good together; they just had plots that weren’t really plots (which made for a lot of filler episodes). The Season Finale was a disappointment.
Least favorite: Holiday Road. Emma hasn’t shown up until now, and we don’t see her for the rest of the season. I just found it to be awful anyway, as well as irrelevant.
As for all the other episodes, I found them either satisfying or somewhat boring.
I found some of them to be fun and totally relatable (Shoot To Thrill, Innocent When You Dream) and others had a good plot that was executed well (In Your Eyes, You’ll Be Illin’). They had some good story lines, but weren’t executed as well as they could have been (Beat It, Heart Like Mine, Why Can’t This Be Love).
So anyways, the promo for Season 10 was epic, and I can’t wait to see how everything plays out.
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“i couldnt hav said it bettr myself” emma season1
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I hate Holly J and Declan together I found their episodes boring I love the Ali Peter,and Riley eps
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I really enjoyed season nine for the most part, but it made me HATE The N (teennick). During the summer, the promos made me SO SO EXCITED, but they completely misrepresented the season For example, I’m okay-ish with the “new” Declan, but he is inevitably dissappointing after the Promos.
On another note, I think the man flaw with the season was the choppiness of the running plots. I didn’t like how the early season was basically two parters divided by eachother. Having faux two parters makes the season feel shorter, and they are no substitute for an actualy extended storyline. (i.e. Craig cheating with Manny)
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Also, Jenna “stealing” K.C was dissapointing and now I find it difficlt to like either character
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Ditto. But it looks like (based on the promo) they will probably try to make us sympathetic towards Jenna. And all I can say is good luck because right now Jenna (and KC for that matter) are some of my least favorite characters from season 9.
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I dont like the fact that the writers are bent on having a boyfriend stealer…what is so cool about that? Its not like were attached to Jenna and KC, i mean…if Bianca does steal Kc, i dont think anybody would care. I think if anything, it would be better for Bianca to go after Declan and we can see Holly J bitch out again.
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my attitude with jenna is that i currently hate her, but im hoping that the writers do something with her character to make us like her. i feel like her character existed for one reason and one reason along: to “steal” kc. but now i want her to have a storyline of her own and be a person instead of a plot tool.
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I swear I’m the only person who didn’t like YBI. Johnny had an STD but once again we must cover it from a girls perspective because boys can have all the sex they want but girls will always have something bad happen to them if they do. wow. Hello double standards!
Also them pushing the HPV vaccine was a little too obvious for my taste.
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I don’t know if we’re aloud to curse on this site,but all you Dolly J hating fags need to. Start Ellieing youreselves.(Excuse my language,but I felt this would be stronger with strong language) They’re the number 1 couple degrassi has ever had even with their little showtime. I enjoyed the Dolly J parts of Keep on loving you too.(Unlike most of you) It was rushed,but I think it was suppose to be that way,because the episode was suppose to feel like a rollercoaster,not just a filler for the new degrassi movie. Somebody and Waiting for a girl like you didn’t force the couple together. Declan exspected Holly J to be like every other girl,but she wasn’t,and that’s why he fell for her so fast. Somebody also had an amazing plot(although I was hoping they’d keep the sneaking around part going on for a while) And the actors for this couple were amazing. Unlike the actors for:Riley,KC,Chante.
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That wasn’t necessary. Not everyone shares the same views as you. I do enjoy Holly J and Declan as a couple, however. But to say they were the best is your opinion. Learn to accept the opinions of others.
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i totally agree w/ drew. i do enjoy thos eps and dolly j. and amazing and non rushed. and roberto, dont get yur panties in a wad, im sur drew accepts othr ppls opinions.
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Right, because calling people who don’t share the same opinion as him “fags” and telling them to “Ellie” themselves is truly showing how accepting he is of other people’s opinions. Also, please don’t give me your snarky remarks, because they are unnecessary.
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Thankyou.
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Even though there are mixed reviews for all of them, almost everybody has loved In Your Eyes.
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I thought Kaylynn Cheergirl was 13 years old
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Kary this is a cool site. My friend Kaylynn told me about this and it’s cool. Kaylynn 13? That’s funny,what is this 2007? You are a little late.
CTV had a press release and Spinner gets a storyline.
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Its funny how you are suddenly on this site when someone posted a comment about your ‘friend’
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Yeah Tiffany is one of my friends. and that comment wasn’t from me. Ask Kary. They are different IP addresses.
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Hey kary what do they mean “telenovela/soap opera format”???? i don’t understand
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sam here
p.s. allis hot
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Basically telenova style is like soap opera style. If you heard of “General Hospital”, “The Young and The Restless”, and ” The Bold and the Beautiful”. The show airs daily and end with little cliff hangers.
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hmmm… i don’t know if i like this.
I mean i’ve seen those shows before and they are so weird. I wanna picture it as a true blood/desperate housewife thing better lol
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i no this is OT, but in s10 commercal, i think adam is a lesbien dressd as a boy to get straight girls, and jenna falls 4 him, causing her to b a lesbo , w/out knowing it.
and i heard that declan is gonna b a playr is s10. i heard bianca taks sav or declan. who knows????????
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I’ve been thinking a lot about Declan being a player again in season 10, and while watching the season 10 promo, an idea popped into my head! At first, it’s going to sound like a bunch of random ideas, but I’ll put it all together in the end. With Peter and Danny graduating, Sav doesn’t really have any friends in Degrassi, except maybe Declan, who it seems like he’s got a little friendship with. In WCTBL, Declan called Anya a “hottie” and maybe the writers were trying to foreshadow something. As we know Anya’s best friend is Holly J. From the promo, I gathered that maybe Anya (being two-faced) goes behind Holly J’s back to hookup with Declan, who will start his “player”-attitude all over again. And maybe Holly J is trying to get back at Sav (throwing the knife at him) because Sav knew all along, since maybe Declan told him or maybe he saw Declan and Anya together, and promised to keep it a secret. That last part about Holly J getting back at Sav isn’t as thought out as the Declan/Anya thing, but that’s all I can think of to try to make it all work out and make sense.
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tha wil mak sense. holly j. gets w/ sav trying 2 mak declan and anya go through how she felt
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STEPHEN HIMSELF TWEETED ME ABOUT THE MOVIE: there are 4 original songs, a catfight, and a couple gets together, and one separates, who you would not expect. at all.. ~~~~~~~~~~
who gets togethr, i know jane and manny hav the cat fight. who breakes up?
i think manny and spinner get 2gethr, which obviously means spinner and jane breaking up. maybe a couple that r gonna b in s10 break up. causing a storyline.
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Here are my episode ratings. Kary I think you have Beat It ranked way too high, and Just can’t get enough way too low. I think what makes a great degrassi episode is that there are REAL issues incorporated into the episodes. I think that season 9 had a lot of good storylines, and issues. I rated the episodes on how real the issue was, the acting, enjoyment, and how much WOW was involved in the episodes.
Heart Like Mine: A+ (Inappropriate KC/Coach relationship)
Keep On Loving You: A (Great finish to the season and did what it was supposed to…set up the movie)
Why Can’t This Be Love: A (Anya/Sav arranged marriage…Great plot & acting)
In Your Eyes: A- (Riley’s strongest episode, and what an awesome kiss with Zane!)
Shoot To Thrill: A- (Sexting)
Just Can’t Get Enough: B+ (Peter’s Meth/Mia’s last episode)
Start Me Up: B+ (Peter needs to channel his meth addiction, starts above the dot. Fritz Helder & Phantoms)
Holiday Road: B+ (Emma/Kelly storyline! Keeps us updated with older characters)
Somebody: B (Holly J finally gives a guy a real shot)
Waiting For A Girl Like You: B (Holly J and Declan become official…everyone knew now the season was about them)
Wanna Be Startin Something: B (Cheating episode, a little overdone in degrassi, and people seem to forget spinner did worse [we think] with Paige while dating Darcy. At least this episode it’s a girl cheating on her guy)
Innocent When You Dream: C+ (Clare & Declan & Holly J Vampire Episode)
You Be Illin’: C (Average episode, needed to happen though)
Beat It: C- (Riley’s acting was bad, the plot was bland. I think this was an over-rated episode.)
Close To Me: C- (Jane cheats on Spinner first time)
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CTV Original Movie D:NYC – Degrassi Takes Manhattan – NEW MOVIE
DEGRASSI concludes its summer run on CTV with an all-new two-hour movie featuring original songs and celebrity cameos. DEGRASSI grads and friends dive into the summer that will change their lives forever. And what’s summer without a little romance – or a wedding… Best friends Jane and Holly J head to New York City, with big hopes and even bigger dreams. Jane’s dream to front a hot indie band collides with a love she never saw coming. Meanwhile, Holly J’s determined to make her mark as a TVM intern in Times Square, and settle into her role as Park Avenue Princess with New Yorker boyfriend Declan at her side. Back in Toronto, Spinner’s summer is hotter than he ever anticipated and with friends Jay, Manny and Emma in town – there’s never a dull moment. When Spinner’s hopes for the future turn to dust – he needs to learn how to rebuild and move on.
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wat does it mean when it says ‘with a love she never saw coming?’ and stephan brogan tweeted me that a couple wil break up, a couple wil get 2gethr, and there wil be a catfight. im guessing jane and spinnner breakup, manny and jane catfight, or holly j and fiona, and mannyt and spin wil hook up or jay and manny would get bak 2gethr. wat r yur thoughts?
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um i think thats rit. i hope fiona and the mean boss chick get in a fight. ha…..ha…… im blonde.
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At first I liked Declan he seemed interesting as an evil guy,
but he didn’t do anything interesting… i thought thered be some storyline of him being bad.. but all he did was have ‘love’ storylines with holly j. boring. he was mainly a waste of space
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I hate when degrassi follows relationships sooo much it’s sooooooo boring!!!!!!! get to the drama .lol I.E. prego girls,drugs,sex,rape,murder,etc i dont care who hooks up or breaks up unless is Jay, Manny.lol but yeah I love you Degrassi but please GO THERE SOON! I could care less for Declan and Holly J’s relationship. I miss the old Holly J!! pony tail FTW
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has any1 noticd that in WHY CANT THIS B LOVE, anya is willing 2 do watevr it taks 2 keep sav, even if it means having sex w/ him, and in HEART Of (the?) GLASS, alli is doing watevr it taks 2 keep johnny, evn if it means having sex w/ him? they r the same! i know how in WHY CANT THIS B LOVE, there is anothr girl, making anya jealous, but i think the writrs likd that idea so much, they coppid it! and @ the end of both eps, the girls (anya and alli) both regret having sex and feel uncomfortable. similar!
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what r the subplots?
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My rankings:
Just Can’t Get Enough: C
Shoot to Thrill: A
Close to Me: B-
You’ll be Illin: A
Wanna be Startin Something: B
Beat it: B
Somebody: A-
Waiting for a Girl Like you: D
Why Can’t This Be Love: C
Holiday Road: D
Start Me Up: A
Innocent When You Dream: A
In Your Eyes: B-
Keep on loving you: C
I thought the worst two episodes were Holiday Road and Waiting for a girl like you because they boring and a waste of screen time. I felt that for HR that they just wanted screentime for Emma and have a follow up for her story for DTM. Waiting for a girl like you was just like, “Really?” and I felt like the writers from season 7 wrote this. I though it was bad.
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http://ziley.webs.com/
Become a Ziley fan!!!
#1 Riley fan
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