Degrassi Junior High

"Great Expectations" is a great Degrassi Junior High episode. In this episode, Liz is a new student at Degrassi. I love how she starts a friendship with Spike in this episode. I love how Joey buys condoms because he thinks he can sleep with Liz. I love how Liz freaks out and kicks Joey out. This episode also dealt with a great teen issue. In this episode, Arthur is having wet dreams and he wonders if it's normal. I love how they call Dr. Sally and she explains how it's normal. I give this episode a 8.5/10.

Liz O'Rourke joins the 8th grade class, and Joey take an instant liking to her. Rumor has it that she sleeps around, and this makes Joey think that maybe she will sleep with him! But Joey was totally mistaken...



I like this episode because it addresses the issue of rumors. Because Liz was a bit stuffy, and she dressed and looked differently, everyone assumed that she was easy. Instead of getting to know the real Liz (as Spike did), they didn't want to talk to her. Joey became her first real friend, and she trusted him. But her trust was violated with Joey pulled out the condoms! Although Joey was totally sorry for what he did, it took awhile for Liz to forgive him.

Seeing Liz for the first time, she is different. Painfully shy, and misses her old school. But for some reason doesn't mind Joey's boldness. Nor does she really mind Spike getting to know her. Maybe it's being different; Joey stands out with his unique hat, and Spike is pregnant. Otherwise, another lesson that people aren't always what they seem. I like the line of when Wheels asks Joey "what's a girl who does it supposed to look like?" And it's great to see Wheels treat Joey better than he treated him. When Wheels was about to have sex, Joey pressured him to go through, saying "all the guys are counting on you". But Wheels tells Joey that he doesn't have to do this. I loved the way they showed Arthur and Yick talking about their wet dreams. And being afraid to talk about it with his dad; "he'll think I'm a pervert". I hope that inspires fathers to talk to their sons about it. And calling the Dr Sally show, good way to solve that! I may not agree with everything Sue Johanson says, but she's doing a good thing and it's neat how it's written directly into the show. Stephanie is still trying to impress Simon, and it obviously isn't working. Look how long this "real me" image lasted. Joey buying condoms at the drugstore was highly amusing. I wonder if all drugstore employees make a point of bugging young kids who buy condoms, or if they did in the 80s. The other scenes were painful to watch, especially Liz crying after Joey left. Only later do we find out why; and why her mom doesn't want boys over when she's not home. Did Liz call Degrassi a "dirty school"? And I don't believe Joey really liked Liz; he just wanted something to brag about.