Degrassi TNG: Best Recycled Plotlines | Screen Rant
Degrassi: The Next Generation presents many dramatic plotlines. Some, like the battle of the bands, are recycled throughout the series.
Degrassi: The Next Generation developed a massive following over the years. The show ran for 14 seasons and has presented dozens of characters facing several different conflicts in high school. Degrassi TNG has tackled serious issues and showcased light plotlines alongside them.
Perhaps as a result of the show's longevity, Degrassi: TNG often presents plotlines that are familiar to fans. As characters leave the show and new ones enroll at Degrassi, they often repeat the plotlines of graduates before them.
Some of Degrassi: TNG's plotlines repeat as a result of common dramas facing high school students. It's hard to argue that teens don't face some of the same issues with each generation, like bullying and substance use. However, not every high school student can say they know someone who has been married in Las Vegas as a teen. Audiences first see this plotline occur with Gavin "Spinner" Mason and Emma Nelson.
During Season 9, they get hitched in Vegas after a night of partying. They recognize the action as a mistake until they realize they have feelings for each other and have a real ceremony with friends on the beach. During Season 12, Bianca DeSousa and Drew Torres decide to get married in Vegas as well. However, they decide to postpone the wedding after realizing they want a proper ceremony with their friends and family.
Degrassi: TNG addresses revenge porn in several plotlines. Perhaps the first instance of a character blackmailing another with nude images comes with Peter Stone and Manny Santos. During Season 5, Manny drunkenly takes her top off for a camera-wielding Peter Stone. He holds the footage over her head in an attempt to get a date until he sends it to the entire school out of spite when she rejects him.
In Season 9, audiences see this plotline repeated with Alli Bhandari and Johnny DiMarco. Alli sends Johnny topless photos via text. When the two get into a conflict over Alli publicizing his "soft side," he sends the photos to his friend Bruce the Moose out of spite. He intimidates her about his power with the photos until they reconcile.
The students in Degrassi: TNG take on several jobs throughout the series. Some are paid positions while others are internships. In Season 6, Ellie Nash begins writing for her university paper. In the process, she gets involved with one of its editors, Jesse Stefanovic. The unpaid position presents a few other plotlines concerning their relationship, as well as that of Ellie and Craig Manning.
In Season 12, Clare Edwards works for Asher Shostak in a journalism internship. She too gets involved with one of her superiors at the newspaper, Asher. Unlike Ellie, this isn't a consensual relationship and Asher takes advantage of her. However, the plotlines are very reminiscent of one another.
One of Degrassi: TNG's highest-rated episodes features the events of a school shooting. In Season 4, Rick Murray is the victim of bullying. After he is humiliated during a school gameshow, he decides to take revenge on his perceived enemies. Jay Hogart and Spinner manipulate Rick into thinking Jimmy Brooks is responsible, and Rick shoots him after bringing his father's gun to school.
In Season 11, Drew faces conflict with Vince Bell. Vince is a gang member who terrorizes Drew and Bianca after they find themselves on the run from the law. He tries to force Bianca into a relationship, and when he and Drew fight on prom night, he pulls out a gun to shoot Drew. He misses and injures Adam Torres. Differently from Rick's plotline, there are no deaths and Vince is arrested for his crimes.
Degrassi: TNG is known for its drama, and romance is often a subject ripe for a spectacle. There are several love triangle plotlines that occur throughout the series. Perhaps the most memorable triangle to fans comes in Season 3 with Manny, Ashley Kerwin, and Craig. Craig is dating Ashley but gets involved with Manny in secret. Eventually, Ashley finds out when Manny has lost faith in Craig, and they both leave him.
Perhaps the most reflective love-triangle plotline comes with Spinner, Declan Coyne, and Jane Vaughn. Jane and Spinner are in a serious relationship in Season 9. However, Declan takes an interest in Jane and the two get together in secret. Jane holds the secret from Spinner. Eventually, he overhears Jane talking about the affair and punches Declan.
Some fans might say Degrassi: TNG often showcases teens acting as if they are in their late 20s, with mature behavior and lives of their own. This idea comes to the surface most often with characters who live on their own without their parents. In Season 3, Sean Cameron's brother Tracker leaves him and he is emancipated to live on his own. He struggles with schoolwork as a result after Jay imposes parties on his parent-free home.
Peter Stone faces problems with his mother Daphne Hatzilakos. By Season 8, Peter is also emancipated and living on his own. Like Sean, Peter doesn't fare well on his own. During Season 9, he falls into a brief but intense drug problem and asks his mother to come back to Degrassi to help him.
Many musicians are featured on Degrassi: TNG. Some are independent artists like Jenna Middleton, while others develop groups like Peter Stone and Stüdz. However, only some appear in the recycled plotline of a battle of the bands. In Season 3, Craig and his pals in Downtown Sasquatch face up against Ashley and her friends in Hell Hath No Fury in a battle of the bands. In the process, Craig apologizes for his infidelity in his and Ashley's relationship.
In Season 12, Maya Matlin and her friends form WhisperHug. The band presents several practices in different episodes and eventually competes in a battle of the bands. Like the Season 3 event, the competition brings up issues in a budding relationship between Adam Torres and Missy Parker. However, she betrays him and WhisperHug almost is disqualified as a result.