This one is a little lengthy. But it covers both episodes so...
Much like Heat of the moment, I really had to process both of these episodes before reaching any kind of conclusion. Mostly because parts of both B-plots really made me feel... unsettled. Which is interesing because I should have felt that way about A-plot considering the subject matter. Instead I saw A-plot in more of a touching way.
This Entry contains SPOILERS! You have been warned.
Degrassi 813 and 814- Jane Says parts 1 & 2
A-plot summary: Jane's family has turned into a mess. Her brother Lucas can't seem to get a job or even get off the couch. And what's worse her mother has just announced that their dead beat dad wants to pay a visit. While Lucas is excited to see his father after so long, Jane has the opposite reaction. The rest of her family welcomes daddy dearest with open arms but Jane begins to pull away. She gains insight into her feelings when she starts to remember more about her childhood.
A-Plot Thoughts: Thank you Degrassi my favorite A-plot so far this season!
A lot of people seemed to think that part one really lagged because "nothing happened" but I enjoyed the pacing of this one. I think that by focusing on Jane's feelings for her father in the beginning was good set up for the reasoning in part two. Paula is a great actress and she carried these episodes well. She nailed the emotional confusion Jane was going through. And I cried more than once over the course of these two episodes. I am glad that this plot was given to Jane both for the benefit of Paula's wonderful acting and for the different family relationships that came into play. This episode really explained her need to stand up to the Shep as well. In this kind of situation you really get the sence of justice and projection that comes with being molested as a child.
My favorite parts from these episodes were the one's that showed Jane regaining these memories (these were also the scenes that made me teary). The first one that really touched me was when she went to the nurse's office. Once again it was really thanks to her acting that made this scene so emotional. The image of her curled into the fetal position really represented Jane's feeling for these episodes. I thought this scene tied in really well with the ending of the second part where Jane's mother is comforting her. I am glad that she had that kind of support in her life.
The ending of part one where she goes in closet was also really powerful to me. I think the camera angles and Paula clearing the floor were quite stunning and very effective. The same goes for the park bench scene. The music playing flowed nicely with that scene.
Although Spinner's parts were small his feelings were clear. I was actually glad that they kept the focus on Jane's family. This was a family matter. Playing off this I loved the dynamic of Jane and Lucas. I was more excited to see him than I thought. I hope that this isn't the last we see of him either. Of all the characters introduced in season 7 these two really stood out to me. They had already begun setting this plot up in last season's episodes. And you could see that their different opinions about there father ran deep. These episodes also really helped build up Lucas's character for me. Last season we saw him drop money on Izzy and walk away obviously imitaing what his own father had done. When we saw him with his father in these episodes I think that point was really driven home. I can imagine that all Lucas wanted to do was please daddy. With his change of heart at the end of the episode you also really saw his development as a father. When he walks in to find his father with Izzy you could really see all the emotions play across. I think the image of him standing with Jane and Izzy was very powerful. From this point on I imagine Lucas will be breaking the cycle he had started into. Marc Miardi did a wonderful job is this episode.
Even though her part was small. I liked Holly J in part two. Now that her reputation is shattered and she doesn't have to put on a fake persona for her fake friends you can really see the real Holly J. I think that even though we've only seen her as mean for two seasons, she is truly compassionate. She is a very insecure person, but that also allows her to see those insecurities in others. That probably helped her tease people. She know where to hit 'um where it hurts, so to speak. That's why she pounced on Alli and Johnny's relationship in Heat of the moment. She saw that Alli already wasn't sure of where she stood with Johnny. Since I love Spinner/Holly J/Jay friendship I'd really like to see her befriend Jane as well. Now that Darcy is gone, she could use a new BFF. The scene where she talks to Jane at the Dot was one of my favorites. I also liked her little understanding glance at Alli when she took her order.
Too bad we didn't see more of the football game. I guess Liberty's one scene in part 1 was just to add to Danny's plot. I think it came off as a little random though. But I did like Jay and the hotdogs! yay!
On another note, it's nice to see Mia mention Izzy again ♥
813 B-plot Summary: Leia couldn't be more happy being with Danny, but his friends are another story. She begins lying in an effort to avoid hanging out with them. To make Danny happy she agrees to go to a co-ed sleep over at Peter's. But when a truth or dare session provides her with an oppertunity to impress everyone, she might just tell a lie to big for her to handle.
Part 1 B-plot Thoughts: I'm going to be honest. Most of it was a trainwreck. I actually did something I never do while watching an episode for the first time: skip scenes. Eventually I did go back and watch the whole thing all the way through. I think it may have been better on reflection. The issue itself is a good idea. The reactions around the message boards seem to be that people don't start lying like this. Trust me they do. I know. Leia wanted to avoid Danny's friends so she made something up so she wouldn't have to see them. Granted telling Danny that Sav was hitting on her was a little extreme but I suppose Leia is the easy to panic type.
I thought that the way Peter and the gang reacted was a little much. So she doesn't really know Fall Out Boy, must we over react. Although if I was Leia I would have just made up another lie to get out of going to the concert in the first place. She really didn't think that one through.
The happy everyone is forgiven ending was a little much. Did it have to end so neatly? This fairy tale ending package seems to be becoming a theme this season.
Final thought: Why do Degrassi's "cool kids" come off as so uncool?
814 B-plot Summary: Alli's mother finds her secret stash of school clothes and throws them all out. With nothing else to wear she is forced to attend school in her less than flattering home fashions. Clare decides to help her out by lending her some of Darcy's clothes. Alli convinces her to wear them as well. But when Clare starts stealing some of the male attention, Alli lashes out at her.
Part 2 B-plot Thoughts: I like Alli I really do, but these last few episodes have really put me off her. At the same time I always seen her point. It's like I realize she's young and I know why she's upset but I don't think she always needs to push back so much. Like for instance, in Heat of Moment. Did she really need to use other people in order to gang up on Holly J? The whole time I kept thinking that the one she really should have been mad at was Johnny. For this episode I felt that same way about her. I think that the way she treated Clare was out of line. Especially the scene when she says Clare can't be pretty and smart she has to choose. That was just a horrible thing to say, and I'm sure she didn't realize it, but rather anti feminist. I think that putting Clare in that kind of position was really hurtful. It's funny in a way because this whole thing started with Clare trying help Alli. What a nice repayment.
To be honest this entire B-plot really didn't sit well with me. I think it was a little unfair to Clare that her makeover plot was hijacked by Alli. Looking back, Clare wasn't even in half of the B-plot scenes. I knew that was going to happen. You could just tell looking at the summary from CTV. But what I didn't see coming was the KC/Alli kiss. It actually unsettled me in a way. I'm being serious here- it really bothered me. I think it took me till a third rewatch to finally be able to watch that scene without looking away. I don't why it got to me. Is it because I'm a Klare fan. A really big Klare fan- I think so. But which was worse, KC or Alli's reaction there? Watch that scene again- I'm pretty sure he kissed her back. I wanted to know what he was thinking, but Sam has a way of just leaving you wondering. This is probably set up for future plots (much like Alli's arrest). Once again, I can see why she kissed him, but come on now. He gives you one compliment and suddenly you attack him? tsk, tsk.
(first Alli steals Clare's plot and then a kiss from her crush... ugh...)
To make up for that moment I was very happy with the Jalli conversation at the end. I'm really glad they included that scene. I was worried there would be no set up for Heart of Glass but this episode really made sure you saw how much they still like each other. I am really starting to like Johnny and I think despite him being a "bad guy", he's right for her. By the way, I checked the Anti-Grapevine and it didn't say anothing about Alli hooking up with KC- Johnny lies!!!
Back to Clare's makeover, which is what I thought this episode would be about. Even though it was a bit rushed, I thought that this was handled well. I liked the idea that Clare was wearing Darcy's clothes. This made a lot more sence than if she had actually gone out and bought clothes. The scene where she and Alli are trying things on in front of the mirror really made this plot for me. You could tell they were really having fun with it and that allowed Clare to relax a bit. Which may have been the reason she took to dressing like that so easily. I have to admit I could relate. At that age it's fun to do things like that. You go through your friend's closet and try on everything with her- I've done that myself. <3 But the best scene had to be when Peter asked if the outfit belonged to Darcy. haha! I love the look on Mia's face. For just a second you could see the jealousy. But Peter had a good comeback: "It looks much better on you." Subtle, complimentive, and believable. I have to admit. I cherish the little Peter-Clare moments. It really shows that Peter was putting a lot into the relationship and it's nice the writers aren't forgetting how much time he spent with Darcy's family (that we never got to see!). I only wish they had showed a little more of KC with Clare.
(today's secret: I thought the guy who hit on Clare at the Dot was a cutie. He had some nice style. *nods*)
Downloads And Online Viewing:
Part 1-
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=T2O6WY1Qhttp://www.zshare.net/video/56388315fd85a564/ Part 2-
http://www.mediafire.com/?mzi3yxkjmiuhttp://www.zshare.net/video/567510461afa2ee6/ Axis Powers Hetalia Episode 6:
I watched this first over Jasmin's house with Olivia. Then I went home and rewatched it over and over again. I even made my mom watch it. She wasn't into it. Some people just don't like historical humor. Austria is so amazing! And he played Chopin- my favorite! I wish I could express my anger through a beautiful song. *sigh* Maybe I should take piano lessons ^_^