Degrassi goes there with racism, self-harm, depression, and pizza in its second Netflix season.
What is there to say aboutDegrassithat hasnt been said already?
When a show is on the air as long asDegrassi, it has a danger of becoming repetitive.
What can a show likeDegrassido to stay fresh?
Rip from the headlines of course.
As Lisa J ofNo Pink Spandexnoted,Degrassiis theLaw and Orderof tween TV!
Not only that, the season gets into the ramifications of racism.
Its not just about replicating a certain protest or copying an exact racist act.
Its about showing racism through the eyes of the teen Degrassi characters.
Its just that the clothes will be crazy out of date.
Unlike my review of season one, Ill be breaking this up by plotline.
It would be talked about in an episode or two and then brushed off.
Here its the focus of the whole season and we see it through two distinct viewpoints.
On one side, Frankie, a white privileged girl who staunchly believes she isnt a racist.
When she draws the zoo picture of their opposing school, she doesnt for a moment consider the implications.
Even Shay isnt quite aware of it at first.
But slowly as the season progresses Shay realizes just how racist it was.
Shay makes it clear to all her friends that this is in fact racist.
We dont hear it from one of the white characters; this isnt some white savior thing.
Its from Frankie and she brought it to light.
She tries to come up with every excuse she can.
She brushes it off.
She tries quick and easy solutions.
She avoids the responsibility.
Im not racist, she says over and over.
While watching I couldnt help but wonder why so much time was given to Frankies revelation of being racist.
Shouldnt it have been more focused on Shay?
Perhaps, but throughout the season there was no question that Frankie was in the wrong.
There wasnt a moment where you felt bad for her because she was a racist.
You only felt bad because she wouldnt admit to it.
Thats when things began to come back together for her.
This plotline was a win forDegrassi, feeling stronger than even last seasons feminism arc.
Racism was shown to not have one magical cure all answer.
Its tough and it comes in many forms.
It also wasnt that Hunters anger was 100% cured.
His main reason to get better?
The romance between her and Hunter was very cute and Hunters fear at hurting Yael was heartbreaking.
Im excited for more from these two.
Maya and Zig
Ah, classicDegrassicouple.
I mean, these guys arent endgame or Claire/Eli level of flawless but theyre fun!
Zig continues to be a dumb puppy dog of a person.
I mean come on, that scene with him at the restaurant all alone?
Thinking hes going to marry Maya?
Hes an idiot, but thats why we love him.
Her plotline mostly consisted of bad decisions and hanging out with Peter.
This was your standardDegrassiromance entanglement.
In fact, Id call it a break from the more heavy topics in the racism and Hunter plots.
Miles and Tristan
Ugh.
It wasnt THAT bad.
Yeah, I did not care about these two at all.
Do you not know that there exists a word for people who like men and women?
Say it with me.
Miles himself says he likes guys and girls.
Why cant they say it?
Are they not allowed?
Someone hey explain this to me.
Okay, I get that shes apparently a lesbian now.
Melding the self-harm with some of the social media elements from last season was a genius move.
What will happen with Zoe now?
Will she come out to her other friends?
I loved these two together, even if they werent right for each other.
Look no further than the two giving conflicting advice to Zig at the restaurant.
Lola is all for Zig not being at fault while Tiny desperately tries to be the voice of reason.
The relationship begins to spin off the tracks when Lolas insecurities come out.
This is accomplished in what might be one of the funniest scenes in all of Degrassi.
Tiny discovers Lola is still using teendir (the mostDegrassiname for an app ever) but Lola defenders herself.
Im not interested in other guys.
I just want pizza.
Yes, Lola flirts with dudes for free pizza.
Girl, I get you.
This of course is really because Lola wants an out for the relationship.
Shes afraid of people leaving her, so she wants to leave Tiny before things get serious.
Tinys got a thing for Shay.
Ive said it before and Ill say it again.
Lola is my favoriteDegrassicharacter inNext Classand quite possibly of all time.
Lola is written almost as a kind of bimbo, but that would be doing her a disservice.
She sees the world simply and plainly.
She wants everything and everyone to be happy and doesnt quite think about the consequences of her actions.
Of course she would ask her phone, how to prove my school isnt racist.
Thats just how Lola sees the world.
Lola will make you laugh.
Lola will make you cry (from laughter).
Lola, as they say, is everything.
The Degrassi Reunion Episode
Ah, the biggest thing theyve been hyping.
Im of two minds about it.
But if Im being honest?
The reunion itself was kind of a let down.
Giving only one episode to cram in so many cameos just left me feeling unsatisfied.
Look, it was great to see them.
My man Sav is doing great and Holly J is still killing it.
Mo is still existing, so rock on bro!
It was fun and cute, but some of these scenes didnt feel specific enough to the characters.
I mean come on, Marcos bit about listening to podcasts could have gone to anyone.
That was nice and I wish we had more scenes like that.
Just go with me here.
Not as mentors, just in fun wacky ways.
Really make it feel like the old generation and the new generation were coming together for a common goal.
Even make some jokes about the middle generation!
I cant believe Im saying this, but Peter coming into Mayas plot made the most sense.
Im sure they exist.
But come on, in your big reunion you give Peter the biggest part?
No love for Joey?
Come on, you could have at least tried to get Spike.
Maybe they did, who knows!
Of course Snake was there but come on, what about some BLT?
Honestly, if youre interested in some real reunion goodness?
Check out Degrassis social media pages.
The best of all is Adamo and Shane Kippel (Spinner) reenacting Marcos coming out scene.
Its adorable and feels like a more fitting tribute then what the show itself gave us.
Think of how everything really came to a head at the end of season one at the dance.
Okay, thats really emotional but its not the result of anything in the plot.
It just makes for an okay finale.
Overall though, this season is still very strong.
Degrassi continues to be,in the words of Stefan Brogren, painfully earnest.
It feels real and continues to outdo much of its competition.
I mean really,Game of Throneswishes it had Lola.
If youre a longtime Degrassi fan, this season will give you more of what you love.
Rating:
4 out of 5
