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I’ll never forget showrunner Sarah Glinski saying that they aim to get a reaction of out fans.  It’s rare for a Degrassi episode to “hit me in the feels” like Hero vs. Villain did.  This is one of those episodes where my jaw was on the floor the entire time, because the characters in this episode were so ruthless toward one another.  Hero vs. Villain will be burned in my memory for a while.

Power Cheer vs. Degrassi Nudes

1410-1Simpson questions Power Cheer about Degrassi Nudes, and Zoë asks to speak at the assembly.  The rest of the girls freak out on Zoë, but she tells them she’s going to give a speech about her sexual assault to throw Simpson off their scent.  As Zoë finally forgives Zig for treating her like a victim, she receives a text from the Degrassi Nudes stalker threatening to release evidence before cheer finals.  Zoë confronts Hunter assuming he’s the stalker, but he convinces her that he isn’t the one blackmailing the cheerleading squad.  Zoë now believes Frankie is the one behind the messages.

Zoë asks Frankie to rejoin the team, and while Frankie gets undressed Zoë snaps a picture of Frankie topless.  Zoë threatens to pin Degrassi Nudes on Frankie if she keeps sending the text messages, but Frankie insists she would never hurt anyone on the team.  Zoë delivers her speech at the assembly, and afterward she decides to delete the photo of Frankie.  At that point everyone in the gym, including Simpson, receives a message from the stalker outing the Power Cheer squad as the ones responsible for Degrassi Nudes.

GRADE:  A+
QUICK REVIEW: An overwhelming majority of the time I either lean positively or are neutral toward Degrassi characters.  In general, they’re good kids who make a bunch of stupid mistakes throughout their tenure on the show.  However, Zoë Rivas has taken things to a whole new level.  Her being sexually assaulted was horrible, and I understand her frustration as being constantly seen as a victim.  But that doesn’t excuse all of her reckless and vindictive behavior since.  We have legit villain on our hands, someone who’s willing to destroy anyone who stands in her way.  She has to be the first major character on this show I actively want to see get crushed for what she’s done, and the fact Degrassi’s made me actually dislike Zoë as a person is impressive.

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Clare vs. Drew and Eli

1410-2Clare finally tells Alli that Eli is the father of her baby, not Drew.  Alli suggests Clare tell them both the truth now, but Clare wants to wait to think things over.  Alli tells Dallas, who demands Clare tell Drew immediately.  Dallas ends up telling Drew, who lashes out at Clare for not knowing who the father of her baby is and ruining his life.

Clare decides to tell Eli the truth before he hears it elsewhere, but he refuses to talk to her.  He tells her not to come crying to him and calls her a whore before walking off.

GRADE: A
QUICK REVIEW:  Well…both of the guys in Clare’s life called her stupid.  I really liked the Drew scene because he angrily appeared out of nowhere, plus they were able to integrate Bhandallas relationship drama without it being too intrusive.  I know Eli can be a total jerk sometimes, but damn…I have no words for what he said to Clare, and I guess he needs to be placed on that list with Zoë now.  Is there not a 90’s song called “Everyone’s Being An Asshole?” because during this episode we’re getting punched in the kidneys left and right.

If you include last week’s verbal dagger from Miles to Dallas, new Degrassi writer Scott Oleszkowicz clearly knows how to make these characters unrelenting.  I’ve said before that this entire Clew/Eclare stuff is strongest when Degrassi zooms its focus in on the emotions of the individual characters and not the circus storyline they’re involved in.  And Eli Goldsworthy is still the king of providing the most intense emotion on Degrassi.

Continuity alert: Alli calling out Clare once again for Clare’s disinterest in discussing anything major happening in Alli’s life at the time.

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Triles vs. Themselves

1410-3Miles is still upset about the intervention, but Tristan wants them to reconcile.  Miles isn’t really interested, so Tristan thinks he needs to do a grand gesture to get Miles to forgive him.

Tristan sets up a sushi date in the gym for Miles, who doesn’t seem interested in it, but he joins Tris anyway.  Tristan knows Miles wasn’t interested and finally learns why:  Miles still has feelings for Maya.  After confronting Miles about his lingering feelings, Tristan finally walks away from their relationship for good.

GRADE: A
QUICK REVIEW: If you’re one of those fans who love to complain every day about Degrassi choosing “fanservice” over disposing of unhealthy couples, then you should be running over to twitter to praise the Degrassi Writers for ending Triles the right way fairly quickly.  Tristan and Miles were using each other for their own emotional agendas, and it became clear very quickly in season 14 that they were doomed based on the fact Tristan was barely used throughout this major Miles arc.  Tristan saw it wasn’t working, and instead of trying to force a relationship past its expiration date he wisely let Miles go.

It’s no surprise that Degrassi’s leading us to another Matlingsworth reunion.  However, Degrassi has a chance to do something different this time.  Perhaps they will take a broken couple, have them get their crap together individually, then try it again? Because there’d be no point in wasting viewers’ time slapping them back together in their current states.

Posted by Kary

30 Comments

  1. I can’t believe the things Eli said to Clare. Where did that even come from!? After the way he acted while he was in NY he is not in a position to say those things to her. Rude. I’m disappointed Clare didn’t smack his face for what he said. I hope Clare doesn’t tell him and either Drew, Dallas, or Alli tells him. Then when he feels bad for his actions and wants her back I hope she tells him no- he ruined it.
    I’m also slightly disappointed that Frankie didn’t stand up and blast Zoe during Zoe’s speech although I understand why Frankie really couldn’t do that. It would’ve been great if she stood up and told everyone about the pic Zoe took of her. That was totally against Frankie’s will and I am glad that Zoe deleted it but she really can’t redeem herself at this point. I want them to kill Zoe off. Or just send her away, never to return. She’s a horrible person.

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    1. Thank you! its good to know that I’m not the only one who feels this way about Zoe! Frankie didn’t stand up to her since she’s coming up with a plan with Chewie later. I think he is the Blackmailer. since they are the only 2 people in LCCF. she hasn’t even been here for a full year an she fucked up! she’s a assclown. good thing their not friends anymore. being friends with Zoe is like hanging

      with the wrong crowd. she has more faughts than the ground. thank god she has no brother or sister. if she had 1 they would rat her out real quick. that was funny the way hunter acted lookin @ her tits & smiling. in my head I was thinkin “you bein jumped stop smiling!” an technically the Frankie pic wasn’t nude. she still had her pants & bra on. but after seeing the preview for the next

      EP. Zoe is evil. she reminds me of Grant Ward from SHIELD. they share the same traits. they both lie to everyone, they deceive their friends & con someone into thinking they love them & they will hurt anyone an the find the stupidest people to believe their lies. she hurt Frankie like Ward hurt & eventually burned his oldest brother.

      Zoe will go down in the end. their saving it for the F2 2nd plot. an since she’s in the beginning she will be in the end. I hope Sim finds out after all the proof comes out. she will get expelled for this even if we don’t see it on screen. its important to look at the peoples outfits. most go through 2 maybe 3 outfit changes per episode. if we see Imogen, Eli or Miles wear different outfits after

      the last commercial than we can assume its a new day in Degrassi which means she is expelled. we were supposed to be seeing her mom too. she will get a “Luke Role” meaning maybe a few come ups but nothing big, no whole plot. the most she can get is Juvie. but in 14B her mom might come to the school & she will be a high school drop out. after the F2 ending she will feel like crap.

      I think she is Hydra too! maybe after getting kicked out she becomes Hydra. I think she’s the 1st person to get expelled since Clare came on the show. I think the last character to get expelled was Spinner before he left. it would be nice for her to GTFO! the ending where she was crying was epic. I loved it! I taped it on my IPod & I repaid that many times. where’s someone with a bat

      when ya need 1?

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  2. I honestly think that last remark was very out of character for Eli . True he has a sharp tongue and bad temper but he hasn’t been an angel either in their relationship – and Claire would never dream to speak to him like that for all the things he’s done … That just seemed too harsh and rude coming from him to “the love of his life”. Also seemed a little below his IQ to say something like that , it felt too simple in my opinion 😢 (possibly rushed or just bad writing ) but it did get the point across that he’s very hurt – bottom line I’m pissed , and just want him to know 😬

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    1. I was set to defend Eli for at least righteous anger. But I had forgotten he cheated on Claire too, and first I believe. So while he couldn’t have known what she was about to tell him, calling her a whore was definitely over the top.

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      1. What Eli said was extremely rude but not out of character. From his POV she broke up with him just to have a quicky with Drew since he was close and Eli was far away. In his book that makes her a whore. Honestly I don’t think finding out the baby is his will make any difference in that. Then she will just be the whore who couldn’t figure out who the baby’s father was.

        Also remember that when he first found out she was pregnant (right before she said Drew was the father) he wasn’t excited. He was pissed that she didn’t tell him because a baby was ruining his plans for them to live together in New York (he even found them an apartment). Even when he thought it was his, the baby was still an inconvenience.

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  3. Ana Goljia is probably the best person we have had at showing emotion since Dylan Everett. Such an amazing actress playing an amazing character.

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  4. I think that since it is not Hunter, Miles, or Frankie sending the blackmail texts that it its Hunters “GF” because in an earlier episode she said whatever is coming to them that they deserve it. Also because she could have been over the Hollingsworth’s house while she sent the first few messages.

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    1. well not really. the doll voice is a guy. everyone forgot about that. its pretty obvious from the “L.C.C.F” thing that Chewie is the guy. we see him mostly with the Miles stuff. but no one ever thought of him. he slips under the radar. since they are working together in F2. there’s no other guy left. I just wish he could get that Zoe pic from the 2nd EP that she sent to Zig. have that sent.

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    2. That’s what I was thinking. I’m sure the last time we saw her wasn’t the last time we’d see her and she seems to be pretty good with computers, too. Though they may have done it before, I feel like the writers wouldn’t bring a character like her onto the show for no apparent reason. She’s going to be involved in some type of drama. Also, the fact that the Power Squad girls were teasing her makes a lot of sense when it comes down to her wanting to take them down.

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  5. THIS EPISODE WAS AMAZINGG. Shout out to Munro and Ana’s outstanding performances. zoe must be top 5 best degrassi characters if not top 3!! shes amazing. yes were supposed to dislike her and want to see her get pay back.. but u cant deny she is warm hearted deeeeeep down. the sophmores are my FAVORITE class of degrassi ALL TIME and ive been watching since 2003. funny becuz this is the first class that are younger then me in real life.

    kary i love the continuity alert!!!!! awesomeee

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  6. Triles has gotten to be quite popular and arguably the most popular male same sex pairing in this show’s history. I bet the producers are being flooded with angry tweets, LOL.

    I know it’s wrong given her situation, but it’s always satisfying to see the Emma/Clare types get smacked down. I wouldn’t feel this way if the writers didn’t adore them so much.

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  7. 1 thing I noticed in the ending is that.. were their “V’s” out? I saw no clothes. I thought it ws just boobs, odd to cover the boobs & have the “other” showing. it was a great police line up thing. I saw Lola 1st, Zoe 2nd & Shay 3rd. but even SIm got the text.. Gah Damn! question is did people outside the assembly get it? did all staff get it? thy person did say tell everyone. now all that’s missing is a video or phone recording.

    I love that ending, best Zoe 1 yet. i’m surprised someone did yell “DEAD MAN WALKIN!” cus I did. so will he come for Frankie? if he does she better say something cus I know their stories wont match. shaking down Hunter was funny. but what she did to Frankie was beyond wrong. good thing it wasn’t nude. since the girls saw her run out & they end up seein the site they must

    agree with her soon then. but I want to know how they get the confession & 4 the love of GOD when do we see the fire? I know the F2 scenes will be epic. Frankie will be my top fave character when she brings Zoe down. just imagine that F2 2nd plot ending… she thinks she got it good, people hate Frankie then maybe Sim comes & tells her off & takes her away. & maybe then we

    see what Chewie has to say cus we need to hear the “I Gotta Protect Frankie” thing soon. I predict she will go down & in 14B she will have that “other” category on the Degrassi wiki below Luke.. how ironic is that? right below the guy that hurt her. but when the June block comes she’s not that much involved. she wont be able to walk after the whole story is lose. she will be a high

    school drop out. troubled schools wont except her. I didn’t believe her FAKE ASS speech anyways. I saw right through her. she’s a hypocrite. goin around tellin folks how bad it is when you did it. since her pic is still out there all they need is proof she’s the boss. after she goes down I don’t mind waiting 11 weeks. I just know she wont be in a dance EP or the 4 PT special.

    great outfits though. I let my mom spend the night at ma BiG house & she saw the beginning & said “what the fuck do they got on?” gotta love those small shorts. the only thing their missing is a pole & dolla bills. but her character is evil. at the end she loses her friends (ALL) an gets expelled. people called me crazy for thinking that but whose laughing now? & how did Zoe forgive

    him? she called him an idiot, part of forgiveness is NOT to call them names. ut now he has that pic he don’t care, he wants the truth, there’s 2 sides.. the text that says Zoe started it & that Zoe site. I know Jack better say something soon. Zoe rubbin her face was funny (& somehow hot). she’s like a female Vince. maybe they can follow her in 14B after getting kicked out. she will either

    drug herself or do who knows what. but whatever happens after the F2 ending you deserve. I don’t care what happens to you. I hope that Frankie site gets removed before the press sees it.

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  8. I’m actually really confused by the end of this episode. Unless there’s an actual hacked picture of Lola, Zoe, and Shay standing together naked, it doesn’t prove the cheerleaders are behind Degrassi Nudes because the entire point of their fundraiser was to remain discreet aka they sent no faces just boobs.

    My main question: Was Zoe crying because she’s defeated and her plot is unveiled (which it shouldn’t be because of what I said above), or she’s acting even more to play the victim and upset that someone would blame the cheerleaders?

    I think it’s the latter because we see Clare saying “innocent until proven guilty” in the next ep/Frankie gets thrown into the mix instead of Zoe. Any thoughts?

    Also, Degrassi Nudes all could’ve been kept a secret if they (der der der) didn’t use DEGRASSI in the name -___- High schoolers

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    1. They haven’t officially been caught yet, the hacker’s text just places the cheerleaders square in the crosshairs of the investigation. And like you said they have to actually prove it was the cheerleaders before any punishment is dealt since anyone can make an accusation. So basically Firestarter 1 & 2 will be Frankie coming up with a plan to publicly pin the entire scheme on Zoë.

      That’s a really good question about why Zoë was crying. I assumed it was because the plot had been unveiled and she knows she’s going to lose everything she’s wanted and worked for (cheerleading and real friends). But with her being an actress it’s been difficult sometimes to figure out when she’s being real and when she’s “faking it for the camera” so to speak.

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    2. well actually there is a “hacked” picture of Zoe. she took a nude pic with her face in it in the 2nd episode. its on the regular app not the DN paid one. all they would have to do is search for it i’m sure there’s not that many Zoe’s in the app. IDK if we will see that one but that would single her out. based on the preview for the next EP she plays the victim, makes a site to single Frankie out. but based on the screenshot I saw when I came here I see all the girls (- Jack) an what looks like to be Zoe on the right side. but since Chewie’s in the mix in F2 I think he is the one. there’s no other guy left. even though we see 2 great EP’s i’m more interested in is to see Zoe go down harder than a asteroid hittin earth. I believe in Frankie. once this plan is finished & since Zoe is in the 1st scene she will be in the last scene. don’t forget we see see Chewie say “I gotta protect Frankie” in LCCF. he might say that in the end, Zoe never suspected Frankie getting him. this shit is big man:) what this means is after she gets caught in the end of F2 her role will be smaller than Lola’s IQ. good thing

      I only bet 30$ that Zoe will go down but I know I’m right. I was right about the whole school getting it. I wonder if he will tell Frankie he did it. maybe he can reveal himself. sometimes the bad ones are the people right under you. she forgot the doll voice is a dude. that’s not good (but it is funny). but the text that she (along with everyone in the school (including staff) said like the end of Missin You. put them in a line up from shortest to tallest. I do want to see how they get a confession. but the girls see how bad she’s getting treated. I hope they go to finals without her. as Phil Coulson said “You will lose its in your nature”. now how they found out IDK. that’s the point. we wont see how they found out but when you mess wit a mans woman you pay da price. she was crying because after giving the speech they still sent it. she had sympathy for Frankie an then lost it. she’s almost defeated. you see she plays the victim but unlike her Frankie isn’t crying, or acting out she’s not yelling. their both at fought. that wasn’t acting there. not after getting that text, that’s the 2nd time a pic of

      here’s got sent out. an the V was out too. this is the 1st nude one. who cares what Clare says… I don’t think she’s in this plot. she has her own. I hope she gets in trouble an gets expelled. I know I say it a lot cus it needs to happen. we may not see it on screen but its implied after Frankie gets what she needs. I hope they get a recorded confession. idk what else they would need, unless they get that 2nd EP pic. but the plot did say “elaborate plan” which means in the 5th scene she will go down. idk what she can get in 14B but nothing big. she will get expelled. Sim will hate her more fore creating a site to blame Frankie. she wont go to jail but she will be out of school & no school will except her. just imagine her look, thinking she’s free & BOOM busted. & with Winston too. imam tape that. there’s some lyrics that fit Zoe right now & 1 of them is “you aint dat nigga you say you is!” that’s what their thinking.

      to end this.. no Zoe in the 4pt special, no prom. I hope DN is gone in 14B. & I think she will become part of Hydra.

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  9. degrassilover_omg December 31, 2014 at 5:04 pm

    omg this episode had so much going on i am so pissed at eli how could he talk to clare like that now i am thinking is clare going to raise this baby on her own or eli going to step in i found eli and calre to be the perfect couple and how dallas say anything to drew clare needed to tell him i wonder if drew and becky will still get back together also when tristen gave miles a grand gesture miles didint say anything i am so happy that tristen and miles are not together anymore i did not like this couple at all i am so happy that miles and maya have a chance of getting back together they were my favourite couple after ali and dallas about zoe and degrassi nudes i think zoe was being a real bitch and frankie was sort of right i wonder how much trouble they will get into will they lie to simpson and who was sending those texts to the team.and has anybody wondering were jenna and conner are ever since conner and jenna got together they havent been that envoled i think jenna sort faded out a little after casey left where and what do you think thats going on with them

    what do you think will happen next so ecxited

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  10. Why the heck are some fans defending Eli? That was the most degrading thing a person can say to a woman… As to Zoe the Piper Paid the price, I love Zoe as a character but this is what happens when caught.

    I still think their are 2 blackmailers and one is on the team.. I don’t know but my gut says Jack & Grace. What if Grace & Jack are more than friends and are deceiving Immy too? Something is off about Jack and Grace is a hacker. I don’t think Winston or Arlene is the blackmailer. just an idea. But I do think its either Arlene or Zoe who start the fire as a diversion that gets out of control.

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    1. Well in LCCF in the Zoe one Winston is the only guy left. Remember: the doll voice is a guy. Even if a girl changed the pitch of their voice it wod sound different. Grace doesn’t care. She shows no emotion around Zoe. She has

      That “can you get away from me?” Emotionless look. As for Jack… She’s worries because she told her gf about it. Why do u think Winston came in F2? An I want to see the fire scene before the end of the F2 2nd plot. But seeing her

      Cry was epic. I’m thinking DEAD MAN walkin in the ending. Good thing is if she gets caught in the end she’s expelled an she gets the Luke Role. There’s the “other” category an Like is the only 1. Not for long. I was t to see

      Her go so we can have some piece. She’s like the hobo on the curb begin for cash. I will tpe her downfall in the end & share it. Plus I bet 30$ to dozens of people. If I win I get 2520$:)

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      1. But some of these doll recorder devices can change your voice. It can be a female.

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      2. I am not defending Eli. What he said was disgusting and that remark makes him the frontrunner for this season’s Emma Nelson Hypocrisy Award. However, I am defending him from the people who say that he doesn’t deserve to be in his baby’s life after what he said. Clare would be a moron if she took him back, but he can and should still be a part of his child’s life without being romantically attached to Clare.

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    2. Why would Jack be the blackmailer? She sent nudes too and she’s just as guilty as the rest of them. If they go down, she goes down with them. She has nothing to gain from ratting them out to Simpson.

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  11. I know its gonna end up happening soon but I’m so glad the writers didn’t immediately make zoe a nice person after the rape, zoe is the holly j I really wanted except meaner lol. I do hope that when zoe becomes nice she still has her mean girl moments.

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    1. Totally agree! I feel like Zoe’s a little more like Paige, who kept her mean girl edge for longer. I like seeing Zoe now that her and Maya get along, or Zoe with Tristan, or Zoe with Zig before the falling out, because even the mean girl can be nice to her friends. Zoe with the power cheer squad is just a Queen bee with her minions, but Zoe has had moments of real empathy and remorse (she is human after all). I feel like it’s a way to humanize her without taking away from the fact that she’s a villain. I don’t want her to wake up one day suddenly reformed, but I can’t see her character growth involving her getting any meaner, so she’s got to get nicer and more humble down the road.

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  12. TBH I just really hope they point out that Frankie’s one nudy chat went to her brother 😂😂😂

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  13. I’m sad to see Triles come to an end, but the timing was right, and I love Tristan’s newfound confidence and self-respect. I’d love to see more non-romantic Tristan storylines in the next block. I do think there’s some hope for Maya and Miles as a couple if both can make progress on tackling their demons. As for Zoe, I did appreciate the one moment of brief redemption when she deleted the pic of Frankie. Zoe is such a fascinating, multifaceted character. Ana does such a phenomenal job and steals every scene. My heart broke for Frankie when Zoe took the pic. Frankie can be so naive and trusting, though I imagine that’s about to change. I do hope Zoe gets what’s coming to her, but I hope it’s not at the hands of Frankie — revenge has its price.

    I’m devastated but not altogether surprised by Eli’s behavior. He’s always struggled with his anger, and in that moment, I imagine he said those things to try to hurt Clare as much as he was hurting. I’ve been in Clare’s shoes before, and those words take a long time to heal. After Imogen tells Eli that he’s the father, this is my dream convo:

    Eli: Clare…
    Clare: Thought up some more names to call me? Please, call me a whore again, coming from the guy who cheated on me.
    Eli: I can’t begin to apologize…
    Clare: Just stop. What do you want?
    Eli : I… We need to talk about this. About us.
    Clare: I believe your words were there is no us. You’ve made that abundantly clear. So let’s keep this quick. I am having this baby, and I don’t want you involved in any way.
    Eli: I was angry and I…
    Clare: Did you ever stop to think what I was going through? Being pregnant in high school? No, of course you didn’t. Because it’s all about you and your dreams for us being ruined. You know what — I wish Drew were the father, because he’s a hell of a lot less selfish and actually cares about me and this baby.

    Leads to next season, where Eli goes through the same transformation Drew went through, eventually proving he can be a great dad and still loves Clare. Lots of making amends. Eventually, Eclare gets their happy ending.

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    1. That would be an amazing storyline if they hadn’t announced that Clare, alli and so on are leaving this season and after aren’t coming back.. so i fear for an Eclare happy ending. I wish they hadn’t had eli say that. It broke my heart but i understand why he said it..

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  14. I think I died about a thousand deaths when Eli called Clare a “whore”. I’ve always been a fan of Eclare and Eli has always been one of my favorite characters but watching him be so cold to Clare was absolutely heart breaking. I was happy when I found out the baby was eli’s I thought, finally we can put an end to this awkward Clare/Drew relationship which i’ve always hated. I really hope that Eclare works out and the two of them are able to restore the magic there relationship once had. As a long time watcher of the show i loved that the degrassi nudes were finally revealed as a power squad fundrasier, it was nice to see degrassi getting back to the basics of jaw dropping, over the top drama. I especailly loved the irony of Zoey giving the speech about nude photos and then the black mailer immediatly revealing that she was behind degrassi nudes. Overall a top notch episode, my favorite of the season so far.

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    1. 100% with everything you said. My heart shattered when Eli uttered those words… they were in my opinion the best couple on degrassi. I hope him calling her a whore doesn’t ruin everything. Because Eclare being endgame is the only thing for degrassi i really want. They can’t take that away after what they did with emma and sean..

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  15. Should Zoe be punished? Yes. She’s always been a villain, verging on monster. ( I am still made Maya didn’t press charges for the cyber bullying arc).
    DO I think Zoe should be the only one punished? No.
    The other girls could have stood up for themselves, they could have thought for themselves, instead they behaved like sheep. And I will not accept a such a weak excuse for seeing someone you care being bullied and not doing anything about.
    It makes them just as bad as the actual bully( and seeing that they are actual bullies they have no leg to stand on).

    Overall, I like how Degrassi seems to be attacking gender politics in the recent seasons from Maya’s harassment to Zoe’s rape to everything that’s happening now. I like them showing grey, that just because someone’s a victim does by no means make them a saint, that seemingly smart people do stupid things, that many times the person who does the right thing or didn’t do anything wrong at all is the one that gets punished.

    I can’t wait to see what happens next.

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  16. I honestly don’t understand where all of this surprise is coming from in reference to the existence of continuity. When Degrassi made the transition (around season 10) from a focus on its identity as an “after school special” it stepped away from it’s PSA format. True, early Degrassi was not at all concerned with continuity in characters, and it was a rarity to see this at all. There were moments when we would see Degrassi writers have some continuity (Paige’s rape storyline has been referenced a lot as an example of this), but for the most part, characters experienced incredibly dramatic issues that were resolved within a couple of episodes (ie, Emma’s eating disorder, although was briefly mentioned in a couple of episodes if I do recall). Now Degrassi still tackles main issues that teens deal with, but this is not their exclusive focus, and the writers do not seem afraid to venture into story lines that do not tackle specific issues that cannot be easily labeled. Degrassi has transitioned to being a show about the characters, not just the issues that can be played out through the characters.
    Since this transition I feel as though there have been very very few continuity errors in Degrassi. The characters are very consistent and make at least semi realistic transitions (I added the “semi” to “realistic” with Holly J in mind). I honestly can’t think of any character acting “out of character”. Even with Bianca, I think people underestimate the changing influence that college, new friends, new environment and long distant relationships, can have on an individual even in a short period of time.
    As for Eli, I personally believe that the way he is acting is actually perfectly consistent with his character and the Eli we have known. He feels a lot and is dramatic. Anything can happen with Eli when he is this upset, regardless of the growth he has experienced. The writers of the show should be applauded for their continuity in building characters who are now realistic.
    Idk, that’s just what I think. I can’t think of any of the characters who are consistently criticized for being inconsistent at the moment, but it confuses me why people think this. Even Zoe’s specific vendetta against Frankie makes sense to me because of how Frankie seemingly turned on her during her trial.
    Oh! I do think that Zoe and Maya being “cool” with each other IS unrealistic. But maybe that’s just me, in fact I think a lot of Zoe’s positive relationships with people in general are unrealistic (Zig, Tristen) But maybe because I’ve never met anyone that blatantly mean.

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