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MAYA PLOT RECAPMiles isn’t happy when he discovers Zig is now living at Maya’s house.  Maya begs Miles to give getting to know Zig a chance, and he reluctantly agrees.  However, Zig has no interest in doing the same when he turns down Maya’s invitation to hang out at the semi formal with her and Miles.  The move upsets Maya, who tells Zig that she thinks Miles is a better guy because he’s at least willing to try.  Zig does end up making it to the dance, and there’s tension between him and Miles; Zig doesn’t hide his feelings for Maya, and Miles is convinced Zig is a drug dealer.

Later, Mr. Perino approaches Zig and tells him it was reported that there might be drugs in his locker.  Grace immediately believes Miles is the one who snitched, and he confesses.  Maya is livid, and tells Miles that she needs time to think about their relationship.  At home, Maya apologizes to Zig for what Miles did, but Zig tells her there were no drugs in his locker to begin with.  Zig also tells her that he should’ve kissed her on the day he told her he’d wait for her, then he walks away.

1326-1Degrassi uses an entertaining technique where they use two parallel scenes to explain to Maya why going to the dance with both Miles and Zig is a bad idea.  Both Tristan and Zoë as well as Grace and Tiny highlight the inevitable rivalry between Miles and Zig, and yet Maya’s still completely clueless.  At this point it seems like she’s just helping out a friend, and all she wants is for that friend and her boyfriend to live in harmony.  However, we all know that’s not going to happen.  Zig still has feelings for Maya.  The opening scene of the episode shows a gentler Zig as he and Maya bond over breakfast.  However, from the moment Miles shows up at Maya’s front door it’s as if Zig transforms into the character we’ve seen throughout season 13; he becomes bitter and resentful.  It makes for an exciting conversation though between him and Miles at the dance, one where Zig puffs out his chest and openly flaunts his feelings for Maya.  “Well it’s gonna be hard to stay friendly with someone when you sleep down the hall from them,” Zig says, clearly just trying to get under Miles’ skin as foreshadowed by Grace and Tiny.

1326-2It’s interesting how Maya views the two guys in her life who spend the episode being jealous of each other.  “Miles thinks Zig is a bad guy, but he just doesn’t know him,” Maya says early in the episode.  At the end of the episode she says to Zig, “Miles, he’s not a bad guy, though I don’t know why he’d do something like that,” referring to Miles telling Perino there’s drugs in Zig’s locker.  Meanwhile, somewhere in the middle we watch Miles and Zig resort to vindictive behavior, Miles with his actions and Zig with his words.

There’s enough tension in the plot to keep it enjoyable, even though the story doesn’t really go very far.  It’s become customary as of late for Maya and Miles to wind up in some type of argument, one where they’ll kiss and make up later.  Zig’s brooding over Maya again, this time wedging himself between Matlingsworth.  “You remember when I told you I’d wait for you?” Zig asks Maya.  “Well I shouldn’t have said that; I should’ve just kissed you.”  While it’s clear where Miles and Zig stand, we’re left wondering what’s going through Maya’s head.  It’s a cliffhanger I don’t mind for the time being.

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JENNA PLOT RECAPJenna is still bothered by the attention the niner girls are giving Connor after his makeover, so to make sure he still wants her Jenna shows up to the semi formal in a dress that’s too tight.  Jenna and Connor are named king and queen, and while celebrating Jenna’s dress snaps, exposing her breasts.  Jenna’s embarrassed and upset that she let the niners make her jealous, but Connor tells her he has no interest in any other girl and also tells her that he loves her.

1326-4This plot is even more simple than it was in What It’s Like.  One of my favorite quotes is the idea that “There is no reality; only perception.”  The reality that viewers see is Connor’s receiving attention from girls, but he has zero interest in them, and there’s never any threat of Connor’s eyes wandering.  Jenna’s reality is completely different; she’s having trouble coping with new-found attention her boyfriend is receiving, and it’s starting to make her feel self conscious.  “I need to look hot tonight,” Jenna says.  Of course Alli is the voice of reason, saying “Connor would love you even if you looked like a giant cupcake,” but Jenna doesn’t listen.  Jenna squeezes herself into a dress that’s too small, and it takes an embarrassing nip slip for her to realize she let someone else’s behavior (the niners) dictate her, similar to how Miles allowed Zig to get under his skin in this episode.

Jenna and Connor are adorable as a couple.  They work well together because they truly accept each other.  When told about the niner girls flirtatious ways Connor says, “They only like me now because I’m conventionally dressed. You liked me before then.”  It’s weird how little screen time this couple has received compared to others, but based on what we’ve seen when Jonnor drops the “L” word, there’s a definite sense that it’s for real.  Connor seems like he would never tell a girl he loves her unless he truly meant it.

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BECKY PLOT RECAPJack wants to ask Imogen to the semi formal, but Becky tells her that Imogen already has a date.  While Jack isn’t convinced Becky is a lesbian, Jack warns Becky that leading Imogen on could backfire.  Becky and Imogen are having fun at the dance, but when it’s time for them to slow dance together Becky comes clean.  Imogen is actually relieved because Becky is the first platonic female friend she’s ever had at Degrassi.  Later, Becky tells Jack that she was afraid of losing Imogen’s friendship, and encourages Jack to dance with Imogen.

1326-3Becky finally realizes she’s painted herself into a corner by asking Imogen to the dance.  Her wording implied that she’s interested in Imogen romantically, though she’s really just jealous of the idea of Imogen and Jack spending time together.  It’s funny that Becky would even be able to entertain the idea of pretending to be a lesbian, given how wet behind the ears she is when it comes to life in general.  Her jealousy is strong enough to play head games with Jack, but in the end it’s not enough to help Becky actually follow through with any of it.  “I thought I could dance with you and maybe pretend to be a lesbian but I can’t because I’m not,” Becky says to Imogen.  Imogen’s sigh of relief isn’t surprising, because she actually seemed uncomfortable with the idea of a possible romance with Becky when asked to the dance in What It’s Like.

Imogen and Becky’s conversation after the big reveal is an important one.  These are two solo characters who were brought together after the death of Adam, primarily because they had no other friends.  A lot of their friendship has been off screen, but it’s not surprising that they’re close given that they work on Degrassi TV together.  Degrassi fans’ number one complaint about the show is the relationship drama and Degrassi pairing up characters who will eventually date, but that doesn’t happen here, and we even get an explanation as to why.  “You’re my first girl friend at Degrassi who isn’t my girlfriend, if you know what I mean,” Imogen says.

It’s fantastic to hear Imogen bring up her former relationship with Fiona, one where they were close friends before they dated.  “Me and Fiona were inseparable…but now we barely even talk,” Imogen says.  Becky says that’s sad, and when you think back to those days when Fimogen graced the halls of Degrassi together, it really is.  Though for different reasons, Becky and Imogen were ultimately in the same place mentally, both afraid to lose their friendship because of a relationship.

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Posted by Kary

28 Comments

  1. TBH.. Zig scares me, when he said to Maya “I Should’ve kissed you” gave me the creeps at the end of the ep…

    Jenna & Connor are a great couple. And I am very happy about Becky & Imogen just wanting a platonic BFF relationship, And I love Jack, she’s seems very cool.

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    1. Ooo.. I like that angle, didn’t see it that way, but now it’s inspired a lot of crazy thoughts… After Zoe’s plot, I was thinking how I was kinda disappointed that they go a similar route with every rape storyline: all date rape, all with a male character who either was barely on the show beforehand (Dean), wasn’t discovered at all (Darcy’s rapist), or wasn’t enough of a character for anyone to care about (Luke). And now with 2/3 of them, the victim doesn’t remember the incident and doesn’t have to struggle with her feelings about the perpetrator because the victim didn’t personally know the guy (you know, deeper than the obvious, “I hate that guy because he raped me,”- more like, “We were friends once; I can’t believe he would do this to me”).

      It’d be interesting if they’d do a rape storyline where the victim and the viewers had more experience with the perpetrator- a more intimate kind of date rape storyline, like what people were worried was going to happen with Declan pressuring Holly J into having sex. A storyline where viewers may feel conflicted since some may have previously liked the offender and may kinda see his perspective (I’m kinda thinking Buffy-Spike right now, if anyone was into that show). People do actually go through that- not wanting to accept that someone they thought they knew really did commit a horrible crime. This Maya-Zig thing would have been a great opportunity for that… but, fans would be outraged and it’s probably just way too heavy for Degrassi anyway.

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    2. I love this episode so much im on team Zaya.If they make it they will be my second favorit paring of degrassi my first is eclare.

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  2. The writers could have done great things with the Zig homelessness plot, but of course they throw all of that potential away and use it to focus on Maya and her love life instead. Also, why do the writers insist that the Emma/Clare/Maya types must always have a guy worshipping them? These characters are not that amazing! In fact, they’re annoying.

    Can we get a Jenna/Connor plot from CONNOR’S POV, please? He’s yet another character with wasted potential.

    I’m very happy with Becky/Imogen. I’m so glad that they avoided that cliché.

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  3. I might have been the only one, but I was jumping up and down for joy at Zig’s last lines of the episode. For everything he’s said and done this season, it’s still been so obvious that he loves Maya still, and it’s about time he stood up and said, “Guess what? I’m still here and still waiting.” If he had just done so sooner – Miles probably wouldn’t even be in the picture now.

    I’m also glad to see that Zig’s 180 hasn’t gone quite as far as I feared – the Zig we all know and love is still alive and kicking. My hope is that as we find out more about what happened over summer with him – that we’ll see more of nice Zig and less of the bitter one. Though he has always had a mouth on him and a way with pushing people’s buttons (what he did in last night’s episode with Miles reminded me of he goading he did to Campbell in BS that lead to Campbell’s suicide) and the effect his words have is nevertheless entirely what he means them to – he knows how to get a rise out of someone.

    I wasn’t at all surprised by Miles reaction and his later actions, just based on his past actions with Zoe and his dad. He is Mr. Vengeance to a certain degree – and it has finally come back to bite him in the butt. I don’t know why Maya was surprised by it – Miles gets hurt, he almost always lashes out. And I was right in one prediction – Maya wound up alone, without either guy, buys end of the episode. My hope is hat she realize who she really belongs with – Zig – and she finally starts fighting for him. Something about her and Miles’ relationship feels very cliched to me – making it hard to root for them or understand why she would choose him. While he slow build of her and Zig has always felt very real and genuine – they have a natural, tangible chemistry, and it could be felt in last night’s episode.

    As for the other two plots – I’m glad Becky and Imogen managed to maintain their friendship, and Jack doesn’t come between them any further. Both girls desperately need a female friend, and its nice to see they’ve found each other. Jenna and Connor are so cute – they are the light of the show right now. And I want to see more of Grace – she’s interesting, and she clearly knows what’s going on with Zig cause she’s protective of him. I just hope they don’t do what they did with Ellie and have her go all mainstream and lose her edge.

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    1. “And I want to see more of Grace – she’s interesting, and she clearly knows what’s going on with Zig cause she’s protective of him. I just hope they don’t do what they did with Ellie and have her go all mainstream and lose her edge.”

      That’s partly why I DON’T want to see more of Grace. I’m completely fine with her being in the role she is now as a support character…I’m all for seeing more of her in that way. But I know that if they decide to delve too deep into her character she’ll definitely wind up losing her edge just like everyone else does in the end.

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    2. i like both miles and zig but maya should be happy not stuck in the middle. part of me hates zig for saying that to cam cuz he made him feel so bad about himself that he hung himself.Just like i hate that becky cheated on adam and then he died. i blame them a little for others deaths, no one desrves to die a teen. it will be intresting to see what chartacter she chooses.

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      1. Becky didn’t cheat on Adam. Adam cheated on Becky, BTW. :-)

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      2. then how do u explain that guy she was with in flordia?

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  4. I agreed with the extra video of the weekly Principal’s office segment. The guy that plays Principal Simpson said he thought Zig and Maya should just be friends, with all the baggage and crap that they have had in their past. Agree with him completely.

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  5. this episode was truly degrassi at its finest!!! every plot was deeply engaging!! I LOVED ITTT!! this episode is deffinely in the top 15 episodes of all time!!! If i would have graded this episode I would have givin them all ‘A’s

    After watching this episode I think that this season is the the best or atleast second best of all seasons!!! THIS SEASON HAS BEEN SOOOO GOOD SO FARR!! I have to wait until the season is over of course to rank it as best season but its either this one or season 10! with season 4 coming third place

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    1. I agree! I was so upset with what they did to Ellie, and with Eli as well. A lot of people maintain their style and “edge” well into adulthood, Degrassi!

      I also love Zig, but I hope that Maya doesn’t immediately fall into his arms now. The tension between them is great.

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  6. I loved the Zig/Maya plot. Its about time ythe went back to it. Zig and Maya have a lot of baggage, but that’s what makes them a great pair in a weird way. They have all this drama and intensity without ever actually being a couple. If done right by the writers, they can be one of the best pairings to come out of this show. Another Semma I believe.

    And Zig’s last line to Maya, and her reaction, proved Maya has feelings for Zig she’s been long since denying.

    Maya and Miles are beyond done at this point. Their writing is repetitive and they just lack that spark that Zig and Maya have.

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  7. This whole Zaya triangle is giving me Eli/Jake/Clare flashbacks so hard. The difference being — Zig is not as mentally unstable as Eli, and Jake was a lot more civilized than Miles. Otherwise this plot setup is EXTREMELY similar. :P

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  8. I thought the episode was okay. I dont think this was a fantastic one nor has this been a great season so far. I think it is just a good step forward from the disappointing first two segments of season 13. As far as Maya/Miles/Zig thing goes I hope she does go back to Miles. Obviously Zig hasn’t changed at all from last year which is a huge problem I think. The way he even talked to maya “Learn to take a no” or whatever he said sounded kinda harsh, like he was talking to a dog or something. I think Miles was 100% correct in saying he was playing her and she was falling for it

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    1. As a whole, season 13 has just been okay. 13A was forgettable, and 13B was alright just because it wasn’t as bad as 13A. However, 13C has been great, and I agree it’s definitely a major step up from the rest of the season.

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  9. For the whole maya/miles/zig thing it reminds me of season 6 the whole peter/sean/emma triangle. which is stupid. Im definitely team Miles. I mean I will always be team cam but since they took him away I love miles with maya they are so cute and they make each other interesting to watch. I used to like zigs character but they have changed his character completely that i dont even like him anymore he isnt the same person he is kinda weird and obsessed with maya…

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  10. For me, when I see Miles and Zig interacting, it becomes clear how wide the gulf of Miles’ privilege and Zig’s hardships extends. Miles ends up looking like a rich brat, whose only recourse is to ‘notify authorities’, in spite of what seems to be a rebellious nature, he is still ruled by his socioeconomic power.

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    1. Good point!

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  11. By the end of this episode, I was definitely in Miles’ corner, and hoping he and Maya get back together. He was absolutely right by saying Zig is playing her, because he is. When alone with Miles, he purposely tries to get under his skin, contrary to what Maya believes. Was telling the police Zig had drugs in his locker too far? Sure. I could agree with Maya getting angry at that because she was right in saying Zig is having a hard time right now, and that would’ve set him back even more. But Maya is wrong to completely take Zig’s side, when Miles is telling her the truth about Zig. I don’t know why it’s so hard for her to believe Zig would say some mean stuff to Miles behind her back. Just because he’s nice to you when you’re alone doesn’t mean he’s an angel all the time. And by the way he speaks to her sometimes, she should be able to see that.

    But even though, I’m siding with Miles, Zig made a strong case for himself at the very end, in Maya’s eyes. He displayed a tremendous level of confidence in talking to her the way he did, and I’m almost sure it made Maya go crazy inside… especially with how close he got to her. It’s a bold move for him, but he’s being real and it definitely has Maya a little conflicted.

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  12. I really liked Tristan in this episode. I was pretty impressed with Zig and coming from me that’s saying something since I usually hate Ricardo Hoyos’ acting.
    I can’t stand the Zig/Maya/Miles drama. I’m hoping Maya stays with Miles since I still don’t like Zig. Someone else already mentioned that Zig has a way with his mouth where he says things that cause problems that could potentially be big (ex: Cam’s suicide) and it’s that kind of behavior that makes me think he isn’t right for Maya. Maya is too sweet for Zig. I think she deserves better than Miles too but like Maya said at least Miles is trying.
    I love Connor though lmao he’s great.

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  13. It’s absolutely amazing how far Becky has come since her first episode on the show. I think I can safely say now that Becky is likely my favorite character at the moment and even if we never see Luke again, I hope we get more about how it’s affecting her family.

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  14. I didnt like this episode tbh. Its just going to be another episode where some girl is going to have to choose between two guys. How many times are they going to shove this plot down our throats? Alli’s done this, Clare etc. Can we just focus more on Zig’s issues? Why is he homeless? What’s his relationship like with his his parents? Im just tired of all this boy drama.

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  15. Kary did you get an eerie “True Colours” flashback in this episode? Im sure everyone must have been thinking it but I haven’t heard it mentioned!

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    1. Oh yeah it was kind of funny lol. I wonder if they added the drugs in the locker similarity on purpose?

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    2. I think Mrs. Hot Sauce should have made an appearance and then it would have been perfect.

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      1. I miss Teacher/Principal Melissa DiMarco so much. As much as I miss Degrassi grads like Fiona, Bianca, Katie, etc.

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  16. I can’t stand Zig. He is confusing and acts like an asshole and I definitely don’t think he and Maya should be together. Why can’t Degrassi ever just let a friendship prosper without turning it into or alluding to a relationship?

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