Degrassi 8x10: Bad Medicine
Okay this one was a little "after school special" -the ending at least- but still solid. It may have stumbled a bit in the beginning, but season 8 is starting to turn out some awesome episodes. Although a lot of people have complained that there are too many new characters, I think you should just view this season on it's own without comparing it to previous seasons.
**SPOILERS**
Summary: Riley, ashamed of his sexuality, begins using steroids in an attempt to make himself straight. Things seem to be going as planned when Anya takes an interest in him after a big football win. But everything is not as wonderful as he dreamed. Soon Riley begins to think everyone knows his secret and despite doing everything to push that side of him away, an old friend is making that very hard.
Meanwhile Derek asks Danny to help him get a date with Leia, but it seems Danny has feelings for her as well. Will their common interest in her bring them together or rip their already fragile friendship apart?
I'm going to start with the B-plot on this one. First of, I was pleasently surprised. Everyone pegged this as GMMSOY version 2.0, but actually it wasn't so bad. I think the writers did a good job of focusing on Danny and Derek's friendship instead of them just fighting over Leia. I would like to see this further explored in the future. As in I'd like to see more of their friendship in future episodes. Leia didn't bother me half as much as she did in previous episodes. I think it's about time I stop using Leia as my season 8 punching bag. I liked her hair a lot in this episode (how random is that?) maybe if she keeps the pig tails I'll really start to like her >.<
The flow of the B-plot was very nice. Lots of DannyXLeia hints from the beginning, which in this case was a good thing. And I think Derek's reaction at the end seemed really natural. It seemed he actually valued Danny's friendship over Leia. Which I have to admit I liked. I don't think I'm going to be any big fan of DannyXLeia but I think this couple is going to have a lot of potential due to Leia's upcoming "complusive lying" plot. It really makes me curious how Danny is going to fit in to that. Also after watching this episode it's the first time I'm actually looking forward to this plot. Also interesting to see what happens since Leia is only a junior and I think the writers may be trying to build her character up into a player they can use more in seasons to come. Kinda like how Anya was Holly J's sidekick and now she's getting all kinds of screentime. Speaking of Anya screentime...
A-PLOT! I know this is what everyone has been looking forward to. Or at least I certainly was! And it was good. First off the more screentime Riley gets the better it for Degrassi because Argiris Karris is a great actor! I love his subtle looks and actions. He really could have screwed this character up (and wrecked good story lines forever) but he didn't. I think he really understands Riley. What kind of person he is. And he isn't too over the top. He also coveys a kind of "innocence" if you will that makes Riley really enduring. Seriously he's like my favorite character this season. And so I was really looking forward to this episode- and it did not disappoint!
I guess I'll start with the negative first. My only problem with this story was that it was wrapped up all neatly in one episode. Although it seems he was taking the steroids before this episodes, it was the first time we were introduced to the idea. This should have been a start and then continued throughout the season. That way we could really see some progression. That having been said, the episode didn't feel as rushed as I thought it might.
The writers didn't go to over the top with the side effects. It would be very easy to over play steroids especially considering the episode only covers a limited span of time. However I think that these were also covered well. I actually really liked the classroom scene. Once again leave it to Argiris's great acting skills to make steroid paranoia seem so realistic. I also really liked the "beatdown" scene between Riley and Sav. Ah, it made me happy. Not that I am pro-violence or anything, but Sav had it coming. He is so annoying you knew he was gonna get smacked down sooner or later. Plus, Riley told him to get out of his face, so he was warned.
The writers get two points for Piley friendship. Even though Peter isn't the best friend in the world, I think that their scenes seem very natural. I always liked Peter- he makes a great anti-hero so I'm glad that he finally has someone besides his girlfriends to really interact with. His character is being put to good use >.< Although Riley could have just ended up as Peter's sidekick, I started to get that vibe when the writers decided to tell MWTH from Peter's perspective, Bad Medicine really proved that Riley is his own character, and decidedly more interesting than Peter. Anya/Riley friendship also has potential, although at the end of the episode they are not on such good terms. It makes me a little sad because this was one of the first times that I really liked Anya. I thought she was pretty enjoyable this time around. Even though she got stuck with some stupid lines she was pretty cute. I liked the pop tart and panini bit. Maybe that's just because I love giving people food nicknames >.< And I loved when they talked about the kiss and decided to be friends instead. Obviously Riley was happy and I think he actually does like Anya, just not in that way. I hope that this friendship is revisited later in the season. It would be a shame to let Sav come between them. Although since it looks like they are getting back together (*gags*) this might be the first and last time we see a friendship between these too. I guess this goes back to the B-plot, Degrassi is really starting to have some good friendship themes.
I think that will continue in Causing a Commotion (with Clare and Conner- I'm really curious how that will turn out). Although it seems the start of Conner's story will be told from Clare's perspective, not unlike Peter and Riley in MWTH. I'm sure how that will work out, but I don't think I'll mind since I actually like Clare. Speaking of, anyone got a link to CTV's 8x11 promo? Is it even out yet?
Conclusion: Great episode in my opinion. I still liked Lost in Love more, but this might be my second favorite. I hope that the rest of the season continues at this level. It feels like after the hit or miss of seasons 6 and 7, Degrassi is finally hittting it's stride again! There was a lot to this episode so I might revisit this it again.
*UPDATED*Description of the Next Episode:
8x11: Causing a Commotion-
Clare stands up for Connor when he receives unfair treatment from The Shep. The result of their peaceful protest? Detentions for everyone. No one is more frustrated by the detention than Alli. It wasn't her idea to protest. And Connor is being super annoying. When he doesn't listen and continues tapping his pencil, she grabs it and breaks it, sending Connor into a violent rage. He is expelled. After some testing, it is confirmed that Connor is affected by Asperger's Syndrome but The Shep will not treat Connor "specially" and sticks to the expulsion. Clare thinks The Shep is wrong. And she stands up against the administration.
Sav and Anya have started hanging out again - as friends. But when Sav thinks he's winning her back, she explains that they didn't break up because she doesn't love him, they broke up because he couldn't balance their relationship with the demands of his family. To prove things are different this time, Sav finally invites Anya home to meet his parents. But when the meeting doesn't go well, Sav fears Anya will end the relationship for good. Is he right?
I am really looking forward to A-plot!!! I am really NOT looking forward to B-plot...
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