Grab the nearest tissue box and let the tears fall: "Degrassi" has finally come to an end. The show ran for a record 14 seasons, doling out every teenage issue from sexuality, assault, drugs, alcohol, kidnapping, to gender identity. Granted, the show might have dragged at some points and gotten some eye rolls when people found out there was another season airing with a new batch of freshmen coming in that we didn’t know, but the loyal fans are definitely left feeling some type of way now that its officially over. The seasons have given us heartbreaks, laughs, tears, motivation, and everything in between. These are some reason you’ll miss hearing “whatever it takes” more than you think.
It was inspiring.
Remember when Jane joined the football team and stayed on the team, despite getting bullied by both her teammates and her coach -- proving she was one of the strongest and best athletes Degrassi had? Or when Ellie started cutting to escape her problems at home with her alcoholic mother, but thanks to an intervention from Paige got help from guidance counselors and social workers? Between Jenna, Manny, Liberty, Mia, and Clare every pregnancy story may have had different outcomes, but each mother or mother-to-be showed courage and hope in every decision they made. The point is, with almost every situation a Degrassi character has come in contact with, they’ve fought and made it out a winner. Their stories are inspiration for watchers that there’s always a silver lining if you try hard enough to get one.
It was informative.
I grew up watching "Degrassi," and most of the time when characters started having issues I had no idea what those issues entailed. As a preteen, I didn’t know what it like growing up homosexual or with a psychology disease like depression, bipolar, or a drug addiction. And I had absolutely no idea what being transgender even meant. Watching the characters go through all of these things and more helped me understand all these things and what it felt like to live a day in the life of someone who experiences any one of them. Seeing it right in front of me with real people and story lines made it a lot clearer than anything I would ever find on Google or in a textbook.
It was relatable.
No matter who you are or what kind of life you grew up in, there was at least one character or issue on the show you related to. Whether you were a quiet music girl like Maya, the queen bee like Paige, the one always in the spotlight like Manny, or always had your nose in a book like Clare, there was always a girl that you imagined being your BFF. There were the boys that you always imagined dating, if you wanted a bad boy like Sean, a goofball like JT, a tortured soul like Eli, or a sweetheart like Sav -- not to mention, every single teen issue they’ve talked about like body image, stress about school, drama with friends, and relationships problems to the brim. If there was ever a time your friends weren’t available for advice, "Degrassi" always was.
It was real.
Every issue or problem "Degrassi" featured on the show was never watered down. When Marco was the first character to come out as gay, "Degrassi" showed how tough that was, having Marco be ridiculed by classmates, isolated by his family, and even beat up by strangers. When Adam’s secret of being transgender came out, "Degrassi" went into a detailed history of everything in Adam’s life prior to that episode, how his family felt about the transformation, and had Adam himself explain what it meant to his friends in the show. From the consequences to sending a naked picture to taking drugs at a party, Degrassi is hardly a cookie-cutter show. It’s a gritty fictional show with real situations that teenagers can face everyday.
It was funny.
Even though "Degrassi" was meant as a drama, they did a great job throwing some humorous moments in here and there at the perfect time, whether is was situations or quotes. And as always, they were 100 percent real and relatable. Like when they brought up sex in the best way, with JT and Toby trying out a penis pump or Becky getting caught with porn on her laptop. Degrassi also had the best way of dealing with trouble, like when Ashley announced Manny and Craig’s baby to the cafeteria to cover her heartbreak. And who could forget "Degrassi's" remake of the famous "Breakfast Club" movie?
"Degrassi," you’ve filled millions of peoples’ teenage years with iconic moments, catchy sayings, holiday specials, and everything in between. You’ve covered every issue any teenage could thing of -- and then some. You’ve inspired us, broken our hearts (how could you not marry Sean and Emma), tormented us with suspense, and shown us every side of being a teenager. You've taken us through weddings, shootings, death, graduation, and what its like to really grow up. Through 14 seasons and countless characters, you’ve left a lasting legacy that will be missed by many, including the steppingstones to Drake's career. All I know is that whatever it takes, I know I can make it through thanks to you.
