Degrassi – Recap & Review – Jesus, Etc. (Part Two)

photo: teennick

Degrassi
Jesus, Etc.  (Part Two)

Original Air Date: Mar 11, 2011

Karen Belgrad – Associate Editor
karenbelgrad@
thetwocentscorp.com

Welcome back to part two of Fitz’s return and the conclusion of “oh yeah, some other stuff kind of happened too.”

It’s a known fact amongst Degrassi fans that every episode has three story arcs.  This two-parter was no different, but the vast quality difference between the three was staggering! Keep reading to see what my TwoCents are and then share your feedback below.

Story#1: Clare tentatively approaches Eli in an empty classroom to apologize for talking to Fitz the night before.  Initially he comes across as a little cold, but once he sees how sorry she is he changes his tune.  Clare’s also written some add-ons for his horror story, “Stalker/Angel,” and Eli’s quite excited about it.  Later, she checks her emails and sees a ton of late night emails from Fitz, ranging from bible passages to wanting to help Eli.  She confronts Fitz and tells him they’re not friends and his opinions have no place in her life.  She looks concerned when she realizes he’s not sleeping at home, but the moment is fleeting.

Later, during a rainstorm, a bruised and battered Fitz shows up at her house, claiming no other place to go.  She notices additional bruises on his torso (similar to Craig’s dragon bites in season one’s “When Doves Cry”).  He finally relents and explains that his druggie stepbrother uses his as a punching bag when Fitz tries to show him the righteous path to the Lord.  He tells Clare the thought about her in juvenile hall and believes they have a spiritual connection.  When he starts badmouthing Eli, Clare tells him to leave, but Eli arrives and sees them together.

Once Fitz is gone, Clare spies Eli in his hearse and goes to talk to him.  She apologizes (again) and, per his request, promises to never leave him. The next day, Eli has finished his horror story and changed the ending.  The new ending has the hero killing the heroine and then drinking her blood, so they are always one.  Clare looks rightfully freaked.  Eli proclaims to the school hallway that he loves Clare Edwards.

Verdict: Well, I wasn’t happy that Clare had to keep apologizing to Eli.  After her personal revelation last week that Eli can be a little smothering, it seemed a little odd that she was apologizing at every turn this week. That being said, Fitz was completely annoying and shallow with his spiritual connection rhetoric.  Learning a few bible verses doesn’t make Fitz a better person; it just means he has a good memory.  That being that, I don’t see “EClare” lasting much longer.  Eli is clearly starting to show that hoarding isn’t his only demon.

Story#2: After his fight with Alli, Sav awakens to find out she’s gone.  Her parents think it’s just more drama and are angrier than ever.  Sav is right there with them. However, once Mama Bhandari notices some of her belongings are gone, she panics and calls the police.  Sav is still unsure, until, at his mother’s goading, he hacks into Alli’s computer journal.  Apparently, she was really hurt by the fight with Sav and by her parent’s continuing disappointment with her.  She thinks they’d all be better off without her.  Sav and Papa Bhandari drive around looking for her, and Papa B finally breaks down and worries about his youngest.  Later, the police show the family surveillance tape of Alli getting into an unknown car.

Verdict: Um, yay.  Alli’s now a teenage cliché runaway.  Without seeing any sign of her this week, it was hard to feel too distressed over this turn of events.  With four episodes in a row, plus next week’s preview, dedicated to Alli’s teen angst, I’m declaring overload.  She’s never been my favorite character as she tends to come across as self-pitying and whiny, so this prolonged story arc really needs to wrap up soon.

Story#3: KC and Jenna babysit a six year old with a high maintenance helicopter mom who only believes in her choices of organic food, no running, and no sunlight for her precious Caleb.  Jenna sings the boy a cheesy song.  When he throws a tantrum and kicks KC, she freaks that they’re going to be horrible parents.  KC gives the boy a hot dog, to his pleasure, and against his mother’s “choice”. Of course the boy tells his mom, she gives them the stink-eye and a lecture.  They laugh when she’s gone, decide they can do they parent thing, and choose to have hot dogs.

Verdict: Ok, seriously?  Did anyone care, enjoy, or garner insight from their silly subplot?  I want the approximately four minutes of my life back that were wasted viewing this dreck!  Can Degrassi please replace some of their computer classes with Sex Ed so we don’t have to sit through another teen pregnancy story line?  Especially one this insipid!?!?

Well, those are my TwoCents on this week’s Degrassi!  Share your TwoCents, feedback, and comments below!  And join us next week for the search for Alli and to find out what’s up with Holli J’s health!