Maya’s Meltdown
Maya’s finds herself losing sleep and stressed out because she keeps having a recurring dream about Miles jumping off the balcony at Degrassi. In order to take her mind off things she volunteers to organize the music for the cheerleading squad’s performance, but she still finds herself thinking about Miles. Grace and Zig take Maya to a park for Zen, and when that can’t calm Maya’s nerves they decide to hack Miles’ Facerange account. Miles wasn’t at school and when they see he responded to Tristan’s wellbeing message by saying, “I want to kill myself,” the trio break into Miles’ house to check in on him.
Miles is fine, but freaked out that Maya keeps bothering him. Tristan thinks Maya’s constant obsession with Miles is because she wants him back, but as she leaves she pleads for Miles to just talk to her. When Maya goes to check Miles’ social media accounts, she starts freaking out when she realizes he’s blocked her. Zoë walks in to confront Maya about bailing on the cheerleading squad, but Maya freaks out, saying “I won’t let it happen again,” as she flings the laptop across the room and has a panic attack. That night she continues to have the recurring nightmare about Miles, and Zig suggests she get professional help for what she’s going through.
GRADE: A
QUICK REVIEW: Long forgotten are the days when we assumed Degrassi would never have Maya suffer longterm emotional trauma because of Cam’s death. Nearly everything since has been about him, and now those feelings are overwhelming her. Maya’s breakdown gave me chills, period. If you’ve ever been so anxious about something that it literally consumes your existence and affects you physically, then you know exactly what Maya’s going through.
**********
What Is Hunter Hiding?
Frankie’s worried about her computer science grade, but Lola and Shay are too busy to help her study. They suggest she ask her brother for his homework to help her, but he refuses to do anything that would help the cheerleaders. When Hunter walks away Frankie looks at his computer and finds a graphic comic book he’s drawn, one where the hero character kills the cheerleaders. Frankie and Chewy investigate and find the rest of the comic. They realize Hunter isn’t planning to kill the cheerleaders, but the comic represents him saving their classmate, Arlene, from being teased by them.
Upon learning that Hunter has a crush on Arlene, Frankie sits with her in class instead of Lola and Shay, and Frankie invites awkward Hunter over so he can spend time with Arlene.
GRADE: A
QUICK REVIEW: The plot was amazing in two ways: first off, we’ve got Frankie discovering that Hunter has a very disturbing way of expressing his feelings. Even when he speaks you get vibes of anger and seclusion from him. Secondly, Frankie introducing herself to Arlene for Hunter’s sake was amazing. It’s little things like that scene that are compiling to make season 14 solid so far.
There’s also what could be Hunter’s eerie foreshadowing of the upcoming episode, Firestarter. “I would sooner see all the cheerleaders die in a fire than help them.”
**********
No Love Triangle For Jackogen
Imogen tells Jack that she loves her, but Jack simply responds by saying “Thanks.” Later, Jack tells Imogen they should break up because she doesn’t believe in monogamous relationships. Imogen reluctantly agrees that she enjoys polyamory so that Jack will still want to be with her.
Eli advises Imogen to tell Jack how she really feels, and Imo is motivated to do so when she sees Jack is on a date with another girl. Imogen busts in on Jack’s dance class and tells her how she feels. Jack admits she’s afraid of commitment and tells Imogen she loves her.
GRADE: A-
QUICK REVIEW: I’m not interested in Jackogen as a couple, but I loved that Imogen stood up for herself in this episode. We’ve seen this before from Imogen, where she goes along with whatever Jack is saying or doing in order to impress her. Sometimes it takes a slap in the face from reality (seeing Jack on a date with another girl) to stand tall and say what’s on your mind. Communication is one of the biggest killers of relationships; you have to speak up and tell people what you want, otherwise things will go nowhere.
–
–
Kary's Degrassi Blog 
Such a strong episode in my opinion! All three plots were very interesting. I feel like the one-parter episodes this season is really helping making each week feel fulfilling. I know a lot of the fanbase dislike her, but I honestly feel like Maya’s one of the strongest characters the show has ever had and she still has lots and lots of potential. I’m rather curious to know what’s the deal with Miles. I’m also hoping Tristan becomes less of a caricature villain because unless he gets a little bit of focus or redemption, it’s going to become ever harder to like him.
The Hunter/Frankie storyline was sooo good. I know a lot of guys that were just like Hunter in high school. It’s refreshing to see a character that’s so filled with anger and resentment towards others. I’m not quite sure he’s going to be the one to start the fire, there are still many possible suspects. Oh and a really nice start with Arlene. I heard people say that she was going to be a new Imogen because she’s suppose to be quirky and geeky but we got something totally different. We need quieter characters as well and I’m really curious to see where they go with her.
I’m not a big fan of Jack (who is really with what she’s been given?) but I haven’t rooted for Imogen like that in a while. I could really feel how brokenhearted she was by Jack’s rejection at first. I might also enjoy Eli working at the dot, it’s a more organic way to bring him back into the fold. He’s still a bit disconnected since he’s no longer attending Degrassi but he’s still somewhat relevant. Now could we please get some more explanation for why Jack is really doing the Ooompchat and how Imogen would react.
Other thoughts:
-Connor, Jenna….where are you? Maybe they’ll finally appear in next week’s Alli plot.
-What’s with the all the boys in tanktops? Zig twice and Miles. I really shouldn’t be noticing though cause they’re underage and I’m way too old to not make it seem creepy.
-I’m happy this episode was great, it kind of dilluted the horrible taste in my mouth left by the Andre Kim’s scandal. It still is a terrible thing, but it didn’t ruin my enjoyment of the show.
LikeLike
I liked the episode too.. it was a lot better than the Clare. I mainly come for the Zoe stuff. I watch shoes for -> good drama, humor and hotness. I really enjoyed Ana in those shorts:) thanks to her & Sarah 1 I saved money:) so I never had to buy adult magazines. This Maya stuff is annoying as frack man. Hunter is funny. the outfit Imogen had on & the last outfit Frankie wore.. I have pics of.
I hated Jack after wanting to do the nude things. Conner & Jenna ended their drama back when Dave was here. but what I am waiting for is the next episode. so far I narrowed it down to 3 guys who will rat Zoe out.. Hunter, Tiny or Zig. and with the preview I see the Zoe pic with her face in it is a clue. even if she does get the paid app thing deleted I hope the lucky bastard sends the nude
pic an info to the whole school at the end. since she’s in the 1st plot that means she could get the credits. an the look on her face will be classic. she will lose an i’ll be there. this explains why Frankie is in the squad again during the Firestarter preview. makes so much sense. so since there’s more episodes left before next year I see her getting in more trouble once everyone sees
the pic. then Chewie finds out an gets mad. but I know her punishments.. no squad, detention, no school events an I hope legal options. Child porn in Canada is a felony an can get anyone up to 20 years. an fraud = 7 years. I was hoping for aiding & abetting but idk. ill be happy for 1. if I am right about this as I was before then I will literally dance & sing to Pharell’s happy song. i’ll throw a
party so hype i’ll wake up in Italy wearing another clown wig. I pay attention to her stuff more since I love seeing evil go down. she’s like a female George bush.. and she has Antisocial Personality Disorder. & she’s Hydra! I see it! either she joined Hydra during the break or once she gets in trouble she gets in. but depending on if she gets kicked out of school, house arrest or jail
then that will determine if Ana Golja stays longer or not. but based on my research she is the 1st Degrassi character to commit 3 illegal felonies in 1 episode. or at all for that matter. no one will feel sorry for that *thinks of word* d*ckhead afterwards. instead of her turning over a new leaf.. that leaf has burnt to a crisp. it the guy does send the stuff at the end of the next episode I can
leave town knowing she’s on her way out. who knew in less than a grade school year she -> drugged a man, f*cked 3 seniors (I don’t believe she was too drunk to consent), an committed 3 felonies in less than a month. watching her is like watching a little kid put the circle in the square hole. I swear this plot is better than anything I have ever scene:) if she goes down I will cheer
louder than the crowd at the super bowl! I don’t think she will be here in 14B:) then maybe Maya can be sane for once after she leaves. science says when evil is gone everyone changes. an here’s a thought… next time they have a 15 year old character.. get an ACTUAL 15 year old girl to play zed character. 15 year olds don’t have bodies like that, if they did i’d still be held back.
damn I didn’t know I typed this much im just so happy to see what I’ve been waiting for. 1st comes The Rise & Fall Of Bill Cosby then The Rise & Fall of Zoe Rivas. maybe she wont be in Firestarter if she’s in jail, kicked out or house arrest but something will happen after that. there is no way to avoid jail!
an lastly *whispers* Zoe is hydra… spread the word. you didn’t hear this from me.
LikeLike
I liked the episode, but am I the only one who felt like everything was wrapped up too neatly? Maya has a panic attack, Zig suggests help, she accepts it. Frankie goes through Hunter’s stuff, finds the comic, learns he just likes a girl, sets him up with her in class. Imogen isn’t into polyamory, tells Jack, Jack is like “okay you’re right I love you.”
The acting was definitely strong and I liked the plots. I guess maybe I would’ve preferred a little more tension or conflict.
LikeLike
I really only came for the Jack stuff but staid for the Zoe stuff. but good friendly episode.. except the Maya stuff. she either needs help or a hit in the head. a hit in the head might re-wire her brain. but LOL & Zoe trying to be nice, that’s like someone sleeping with someone’s girlfriend then saying “hey man wanna see a movie?”
but the hunter stuff was good, i’m thinking he could be 1 of our 3 mystery guy choices in the next episode. since no one hates those girls more than him an there’s nothing Zoe could do to reason with him. but I still wanna know why the guys (Zig & Tiny) are in a cheerleading outfit. an Hunters room is awesome! looks like a secret agent room. I enjoyed the episode an no access Clare..
that’s like a food saying no MSG’s or in this case no CPG (Clare pregnancy).
LikeLike
Maya has shown, overall, to be the most ‘aware’ of herself and others when she isn’t off the deep end wrapped up in emotional nonsense. Compared to most of the cast anyway. So her being easy to wrap up isn’t that big a problem, to me anyway. Maya only becomes all around completely unreasonable when her emotional drama reaches a certain point (Zombie, Doll Parts, Who Do You Think You Are, Thunderstruck)… also when drunk, she’s a mean drunk.
She also owned up to her own crap most of those times anyway, she just had to get there again. And since she and Miles have to interact again later, this doesn’t feel over to me.
Hunter’s plot is, in no way, wrapped up. We’ve set up a number of antagonisms to come back to later. Frankie, Arlene, and Hunter all have issues with either the Cheerleaders as a whole (Frankie over the betrayal, Arlene with just Shay and Lola (so far), and Hunter over both his twin and the girl he likes being their targets). That isn’t an ending, its a beginning.
Jackogen plot was… yeah, they misused poly for that episode, but that’s also not a done deal plot wise. Since Imogen did lie about dating Jack to make Eli feel okay. So something else is going to happen here.
LikeLike
I actually enjoyed this ep. I hope Maya gets therapy and doesn’t date for a long while, poor baby.
Jackogen feels fake to me, at least Imogen finally stood up on how she really feels. I still feel that Jack is going to hurt/break Imogen’s heart. Jack will slip up I honestly think she’s only being monogamist to keep Imogen. Sorry but thats how I feel. i was happy to see Imogeli reconnect their friendship. I have a feeling Imogen will be leaving TO after graduation.
Hunter creeps me out but I understand him. He takes his anger in drawing comics but I do feel he’s not the one who causes the fire later on. Frankie was wonderful, the last scene made tear a bit she truly loves her brother.
LikeLike
This was the best episode of Degrassi in years.
LikeLike
“Long forgotten are the days when we assumed Degrassi would never have Maya suffer longterm emotional trauma because of Cam’s death.”
At least ONE of the characters who lost a love interest has lasting effects (why no, I’m not still angry about Seasons 6 and 7, why do you ask?).
Arlene has tons of potential to be an interesting character. Please writers, don’t screw her up!
LikeLike
does anyone think anything about the hunter? because if you notice in this episode imogen is wearing a skirt that has a comic ont it so does mayas shirt. Do you think the degrassi writters are foreshadowing that there is more to it? Do you think that hunter could of started the fire?
LikeLike
I caught that too, and wondered if it has a greater meaning.
LikeLike
Maya’s plot is a reboot of Eli’s in “Ray of Light”-It still is a very good one though. Someone feel free to correct me if I’m wrong, but I can’t remember a time since season 4 when an arc (besides a relationship storyline) has gone on two seasons (Paige/Dean storyline started in Season 2 and was followed up on in the Season 4 premiere “Ghost in the Machine.” Maya’s plot here represents the longest arc I can remember since that.
LikeLike
Well I mean, Fiona and her alcohol problem kinda fluttered around for a while and you could argue that adam’s transgender plots last pretty long. Riley was struggling to come out for a good 3 seasons i believe. Clare and Eli’s toxic relationship is still ongoing (Guess Anya & Sav would fit this too)
LikeLike
Hi Kary,
With Degrassi having Eli working at the Dot, what about at the Little Miss Steaks place?
With the current issues with Andre Kim on the show, why not phrase out his character and bring back Kendra Timmins’s character instead? We haven’t seen much of Missy since season 12,
Wouldn’t it be great to see her working at the Little Miss Steaks place?
So what’s your take? And as always, Opinions Please!
LikeLike
Hello fellow degrassians..i have just started a new youtube channel after a 6 year hiatus and i would really love it if you would check out my accapella cover of Cassie Steele’s (Manny Santos) song Rock Star Beau please check it out and share with every1 ill be singing more Cassie songs in the future so please subscribe http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=MgDx1P7-bO8
LikeLike
Wait a minute. Maya was saying “I can’t let that happen again, I can’t, I can’t, I can’t…” and then she threw the laptop and started having her panic attack. Oh my god… I really don’t think that was in response to what Zoe was saying. I think she was saying without directly saying it that she can’t let what happened to Cam happen again :O I’m really loving the storytelling lately. Omg.
LikeLike