Degrassi: Season 5, language and subtitle (french, english?)

In my opinion, this is the best (and most dramatic) season of Degrassi yet, filled with everything you can possibly think of that a teenager might experience during their high school years. (I was a senior in high school when this season originally premiered so I know what I'm talking about!)

Season 5 starts off with the introduction of newcomer Peter (the principals son by the way) whom Emma has a desperate crush on, only to later find out that he wants Manny, her best friend. Manny is desperate to pursue a career in acting, and, after getting some pretty harsh criticism from a casting agent, decides to go so far as to get plastic surgery, much to the dismay of her very strict father, who refuses to let her become an actress and throws her out of the house after calling her a slut. A very upset Manny then goes to a party that Peter invited her to, gets drunk, and allows Peter to film her taking her top off. Manny begs Peter to delete the footage, but when she calls him a freak and refuses to date him, he emails the video to everyone at school, angering not only Emma, who is horrified that Manny did such a thing with the guy she likes, but also Paige who is disgusted by Mannys behavior and immediately throws her off the squad. A distraught Manny begs Emma for forgiveness, and ends up moving in with her. She also begins dating Craig again, who is on his way to becoming a serious musician.

Now onto the other characters.

Liberty reveals to JT that she is pregnant, and they both eventually agree to keep the baby, and plan on moving out together. In order to move out, JT picks up more shifts at the Pharmacy he works at, but when he realizes that he won't be able to support Liberty and the baby with the amount of money he's making, he begins dealing drugs and when Liberty finds out what's he's been up to, she breaks up with him. Around that time, Libertys parents urge her to give the baby up for adoption once its born, and she agrees. Devastated by the news and by the break-up, JT overdoses on painkillers and lands in the hospital.

Meanwhile a friendless Spinner, who is still dealing with his guilt over the shooting (from season 4) meets good girl Darcy, who is part of friendship club, and after they start dating, Spinner vows to become a born again virgin (yeah right!)

Paige, who is stressing over getting into the college of her dreams, and is still dealing with her breakup with Matt, begins experimenting with her sexuality and is soon dating bad girl Alex.

Jimmy is dealing with being crippled and is trying to find out who he is when he realizes that he's no longer the basketball star he once was.

Emma begins to develop feelings for Peter yet again, who feels the same way about her, but is desperate to keep her feelings a secret from a still-very-angry-at-Peter Manny. During a school play, Emma and Peter sneak off for a makeout session...only to find her stepfather (aka Snake) and the school principal (aka Peters mom) kissing. A devastated Emma tells her mom, who kicks Snake out of the house, thus leading to Emmas bout with Anorexia. During this time, Manny becomes angry with Emmas change in behavior, which angers Emma, who eventually confesses that she's been dating Peter. All of this leads to Emma having a serious panick attack, which lands her in the hospital.

....etc. I guess now you get the point when I say its a very dramatic =) and definitely a must see!

I love the cheesy escapism of this Canadian teen soap, in which every episode is A Very Special Episode. Watch Manny pursue acting, Emma struggle with anorexia, Liberty and J.T. deal with possible parenthood, Craig make it big in music, Spinner try to redeem himself, Jimmy struggle with his identity post-parapalegia, Paige explore a different aspect of her sexuality, and Marco come out to his Dad. And more. The stories seem a little better fleshed out this season, perhaps because of the back work done in season 4. In addition, the writing seems snappier and funnier, but I could have just been tired from being up all night with the baby;) Pure escapist fun. A guilty pleasure for those of us far past our high school days.

This is another great dvd box set of Degrassi! My daughter and I are still loving the characters on this show. It is very interesting to watch the trials and tribulations that this group of teenagers go through.
Highly recommended!

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