Degrassi

I've been watching old new Degrassi this weekend ― by which I mean older episodes of Degrassi: The Next Generation, not the various Degrassi series that preceeded it by almost ten years (which would, I suppose, be "old old Degrassi"). New episodes seem to come in fits and starts, but they'll be starting up again next month.

I keep watching, but I'll admit, it's mostly out of habit ― I don't think the series has ever really recovered from it's outstanding young ensemble cast (and their characters) growing up and, inevitably, graduating from High School, and moving on. They've all had a likeable, natural quality that could carry anything from the lightest of high school intrigue to more serious, more substantive drama.

Few of the new characters that have been brought in to take their places ― and that step should have been taken much sooner than it was, instead of following several of the established characters into college life ― seem to have those same compelling qualities, as either characters or actors. And the stories have become increasingly far-fetched (and often established characters seem out-of-character), as new writers struggle to find paths that hadn't already been followed over the course of the past seven years.

That's a pity too, because when Degrassi is at it's best, it's been terrific. Don't underestimate this series just because it's set in High School — there's good reason the series has won so many Gemini Awards through the years. (That's the Canadian television equivalent of the Emmy Awards.) But it's difficult and disappointing to watch Degrassi sort of wobble along as a shadow of its' former self.