This list was rediculously tough to compile. There were around 14 episodes that deserved to make the cut, so trimming it down to ten was painful (sorry Darcy's attemptive suicide... you would've been number 11, and season 7's only nominee). I chose this topic due to the premier of season 10 (which is 48 episodes long) which is all two parters. Therefore why not look at the best 2 parters ever.
10. Why Can't This Be Love (S9): Maybe it's because it was so recent that I remember this so fondly, but I am quite fond of this episode. Sav and Anya are two of my favorite characters, so I was pleased to see them front and center, but also concerned. However, this was actually one of the best acted Degrassi episodes ever, especially by Anya. Her crying at the end is one of the very few touching degrassi scenes that is actually touching. Here is hoping season 10 continues to allow Sav and Anya to grow in to the elite character status.
9. High Fidelity (S5): The Spinner-Jimmy reconcilation is my favorite Degrassi scene ever, so lets keep that in mind. Degrassi two parters have been great, but not typically as season enders. We had the Kevin Smith two parter, which was the only weakness of a stellar season four (well, that and Sean deciding to try and drown himself at Wosaka bech). High Fidelity, however, actually was one of the strongest parts of season as it allowed closure, and Spinner to really stay front and center, realizing that he does love Darcy (as she rode away on a bus). This is actually one of the highest rated Degrassi episodes ever, and for good reason.
8. Our Lips Our Sealed (S5): Miriam McDonald is a terrible actress, literally one of the worst in all of television. So having her deal with an eating disorder is a terrible idea. However, Emma actually did in "ok" job in this episode at showing emotion correctly. Now, I am not saying she deserves an Emmy or anything, but her reaction to her family falling apart around her is strong. This episode had a build up for weeks, ever sense Snakes brief affair (the only bad thing he has ever done on the show) so it didn't come completely out of nowhere. With that said, it is almost too quickly dealt with, but still the strongest part of season 5. This also might be the turning point for Peter, btw, as he actually becomes a good guy who truly does care for Emma.
7. Accidents Will Happen (S3): The abortion episode. No episode of Degrass is more controversial... They even pulled it on my syndication packages. Craig's excitement about the child, because of his own broken family, is what really pushes the episode further up the list. I mean, it does have the line "No schlabagel", which is a Degrass classic, if I do say so myself. All in all, one of the classic episodes, even if it is never ever referred to ever again.
6. Shout (S2): The first really serious episode of Degrassi, as it dealt with Paige's inner turmoil. After getting raped, she has no one she can turn to, and so she blames herself for her clothing and her fleeting interest. However, because of Ashley's support, that all changes and Paige finally can come to terms. This storyline actually reappears in two future episodes, as Paige continues to come to acceptance (with the help from Mrs. Solvay, a great school counselor).
5. When Doves Cry (S2)- The introduction of Craig. Very rarely does Degrassi throw a character into the mix right off the bat, but thats what they did to Craig in "When Doves Cry". Craig became immediately likable with his happy but emotional personality (which would come out two seasons later as bipolar). He tried to run away to Vancouver, taking his step sister with him, just to get away from his dad, but in the end it was a friend and a father figure that saved Craig. Craig bookended season 2 with his two greatest episodes, possibly ever, and is one of the most memorable Degrassi characters. When Doves Cry is a great example of what he brings to the table.
4. Time Stands Still (S4)- First of all, I love how I can't decide on hyphens of colons to come after the season. Ah well, gives the list charm. Time Stands Still is the most significant episode in Degrassi history, no doubt. It starts a huge chain of events that carries on through the rest of the series. Spinners downfall and redemption, Seans leaving, Emma to the ravine and most of all.... Jimmy in a wheelchair. Rick shook the world, with the gun shots that I can't imagine anyone saw coming. It is critical and ground breaking, and deserves the spot this high. Plus it gave us the Spinner hair; single handedly the greatest thing in Degrassi history.
3. Beat It (S9)- It's the "B" storyline that gets this episode so high on the charts. The best recipe for a great episode of Degrassi is an intense "A" storyline, with a "B" storyline for humor relief. No one can do humor relief like Sav and Anya, with some LARPing thrown in. Anya was amazing in this episode, holding the line between pure enjoyment and embarassment. Of course, the "A" storyline was even better, as Riley continues to be the best character to star in a degrass ep, as he tries to force himself to be straight (and saying great statements like "there is no cure for b*tch) . Quite frankly, in a few years, I think this could truly rival the top two, but then again, the top 2 are pretty superb.
2. Pride (S3): Homosexuality is always well done in Degrassi, and two of the top three show that. If one was to ask me what the best done episodes of Degrassi ever are, there are only two choices: Jane Says and Pride. Jane Says did not make the episode, because it is so well done on child molestation it is disconcerting. Pride, however, is also a great episode at looking at the trials of coming out and that best friends don't always accept (it truly took Spinner 2 more seasons to finally accept Marco). Marco struggled to get to this place, and to see him gay bashed is painful. Jimmy's rescue and holding of Marco is one of the few true emotion scenes in the show, so a number 2 is definitely deserved.
1. Secret (S4): Is this episode better made then Pride? Absolutely not. And yet, is there a better lines in degrassi history than the following:
"do you know what a blowjob is?"
"You didn't earn that bracelet"
and best of all "You Gave me a social disease!'"
That is the thing about secret, it is so over the top and rediculous, which is why we watch Degrassi. If I wanted to be touched, I'd watch FNL (which I do, adamantly) but I watch Degrassi for humor and rediculous kid drama. Secret does that tenfold, and the ravine is literally my favorite Degrassi locale (barely ahead of "the dot"). That and I've seen Secret like a dozen times (and the commentary) and it is always great.
Notes:
~Four seasons got absolutely no noms (1,6,7,8), where the other five got exactly two nominations. What is interesting is that season 8 had many splendid single parters and is one of my favorite seasons. Season 1's pilot was the only two parter in the season and season 7 was overall the worst season of degrassi (and yet, it came very close to getting on the list).
~There will be no list next week, because I will be celebrating my one year anniversary with Samantha, however, I will be back in two weeks.
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