S14.E03: If You Could Only See

[omgsowicked]

Frankie thinks it’s unfair that girls are expected to show their bodies to men with nothing in return. This gives Zoë the perfect fundraising idea. Maya doesn’t want to remain silent when she knows one of her friends is in trouble (again).  Becky isn’t the bubbly sunshine-y girl she used to be. So who is she now?

 

[omgsowicked]

Frankie/Zoe - So sexting is a good topic to cover but "child porn for cash"? Wowza. Someone's going to get burned here, though I'm not sure who yet. (Oh crap, I just remembered the future fire... ugh, lol.) Now, is the idea that Frankie unknowingly sent a sext to Hunter? Or was she just freaked out because the possibility was there? Either way, that's both hilarious and horrifying. Are all twins on this show going to have a twincest moment? Also, I couldn't help but think how silly it was that they had no money for a bus but had money for new uniforms and jackets. Did no one discuss budget before they started buying things? And why are these kids expected to raise money alone? Also, I thought it was strange that Jack was the first to agree to the plan and I didn't understand her comment (about waiting for no man) at all.

 

I really liked the overall story about how girls are held to different standards than guys. With Zoe and the team, it was about making double standards work for them, and with Frankie, it was about her family and their expectations of her. It seems she's been doing everything she's supposed to and isn't given the same privileges as her brothers (because they can't get pregnant, and I laughed way too hard at Miles' response to that... been loving the writing so far). I wonder if she'll become a wild child (because if being good doesn't matter, why bother) or if she'll seek control via an eating disorder or self-harm.

 

Maya - You know, fans always claim things are dreams and they rarely are... but I'm glad that balcony jump wasn't real because you just can't convince me that Miles is Cam 2.0. He's got issues, for sure, but he's not Cam. Speaking of, we didn't hear his name but it was heavily implied... I'll take it for now but I'm waiting for the day she says that this is about him. And if they could also have Miles find out about him, that would be excellent because dude has no clue and it's the driving force of everything she does. I think it would help the both of them to understand some of what went down in their relationship and why Maya's in his business now. Why has Miles been missing class, anyway? Has he been running off to make out with Tristan or is his dad making him miss class for more photo sessions?

 

And while I understood it, I was very disappointed that Zig (and Tiny) were so gross about Miles. I understand it because they want to show different reactions, and Zig and Tiny don't like Miles, so why not have them depict the jerk response... but still, that was disappointing. I was also surprised that Zig rubbed it in Maya's face, too, but I guess I'm glad because it seems like they're in the friend zone now and I like them as a BroTP only. I was also disappointed in Maya's opinion of Miles/Tristan, it was like she didn't consider for a second that it might be real. But they didn't talk about his feelings for Tristan, they only talked about the fighting with his dad, so I kinda get it. Happy to see her playing her cello again.

 

Becky/Imogen/Jack - Imogen and Jack are in established couple bliss so there wasn't much excitement there, but that's OK because this was about Becky. The Christian guy was way over the top (a sweater around the shoulders?) but I liked how it led to Becky realizing that she's a different person now and that perky/bubbly is not for her anymore. However, it leading her back to Drew... meh. I mean, I knew it would happen, based on the promos, but I'm just not sold on them. They somehow managed to get me on board with Clare/Drew, but they're out of luck when it comes to Becky/Drew, sorry.

[Falafel]

Wow, Degrassi is doing a great job of portraying all males as skeezy scum bags who look at boob pictures and objectify their female classmates all day long. I'm so glad that 13-year-olds get their social cues from shows like this. I know I sound old and crotchety, but who looks at boobs in their sister's bedroom while they wait to go to a family event? That's weird as fuck and I'm sure the show will just gloss over it and it will never be mentioned again. I think the show just wanted Frankie to realize her brother could end up seeing that she's on there, but I'm sorry, that is creepy as hell and that should be the storyline -- get Hunter some therapy. The selling of photos for money is a bizarre twist to the story. Again, I'm very skeeved out by the child porn that runs rampant in Degrassi. I'll be glad when this shit is over.

 

I really enjoyed Maya this episode. Whoever here said last week that Maya is being more sensitive because of losing Cam called it exactly. I like that she's showing concern for Miles and I thought that was an interesting throwback to Cam's suicide. After all, if I recall Maya didn't grieve too long. It was more like she was angry about and disappointed in Cam for not reaching out. But now we see the side of her that is more sensitive. So uncool of her mother though. Mrs. Matlin really didn't even know specifically what was going on.

 

I can't say I particularly care about Becky and I thought the date was ridiculous. The actor was over the top and the character was such a ridiculous cliche. I can't help but notice Becky actually seemed happier when she was "simpler." Am I wrong? I'm not saying she should go back to hating gay people or whatever, but I do admire a guy who can go to a roller derby (a rather crappy slow one at that -- LOL Degrassi sets) and be totally into it and have a great time. I guess ever since getting to Degrassi, Becky's life has been a lot harder and that's great she's accepted things can be complicated, but it also came across like being excited by new things or being positive are dorky. Good lesson? I don't really give a shit about Becky and Drew. Both of them grate.

Edited November 12, 2014 by Falafel

[Daisy]

What the heck is with all of these people taking pictures of themselves for money?. I mean this is far and beyond anything Darcy did. (at least she kept her clothes on). not one person thought 'this is porn  and that we could A: be arrested for perpetuating child pornography, or B: our friends can be arrested for soliciting it?

 

this is nuts. 

 

i found the whole episode kind of blah. I still don't get how Becky/Drew can be all.... Becky/Drew and Adam hasn't even been dead a year. (or maybe just a bit over a?) i don't know if i could date my boyfriend's brother that soon. 

[MegaJ]

A-plot. I really did like the theme of sexism throughout this plot. Frankie does everything good, is probably the most normal out of the whole Hollingsworth clan but she doesn't get the same treatment as her brothers, mainly due to the fact that she's a girl. I understand Mama Hollingsworth's POV but I think she's being entirely too unfair and overprotective. There was nothing wrong with that dress Frankie was wearing, and the dress Mama Hollingsworth made Frankie wear was ugly and childish. Like, a child's Easter Sunday dress or something.

 

Zoe's plot is just going to blow up in her face big time. I do like how the writers are writing her to be vindictive as opposed to mostly over her sexual assault, it's pretty understandable that she's mad at the double standards considering she was raked over the coals during the trial for her behavior as opposed to Luke and co.

 

But seriously, where is a teacher?

 

B-Plot. Okay, first I have to say this: who da **** Miles think he is barging into someone's goddamn house like that?! Maya should've cussed him out.

 

I hope this episode finally shows the fanbase the reason why Maya meddles in her friends' affairs. She really does need therapy of some kind, she's really not over Cam and clearly doesn't want to feel helpless whenever she sees someone being self-destructive. Good to see Zig (why is he still living there) remind her that she can do some good.

 

Also disappointed in Zig and Tiny's homophobic talk, though I supposed they're being realistic teenage guys. Good to see Grace chastise them (she was actually great the whole episode).

 

C-Plot. Gay Christian guy was over the top. This was just a cute little plot with Becky realizing she can't go back to the person she used to be. Not sure how I feel about the Drecky reunion but Becky finally stopped being mad at Drew for something he didn't really do wrong so that's something.

[Jonathan Seagull]

I was just so weirded out throughout the entire A-plot. You're telling me that this entire group of teenage girls (including Jack of all people -- I wonder if Imogen is going to find out about that) is cool with spreading naked pictures of themselves around the school? Really? Like, I'll ignore the fact that there apparently aren't any faculty members around that would need to approve fundraising ideas, even though it doesn't make any sense because any thing that's bought for the team would also presumably need to be approved, and wouldn't they wonder where the money came from....Anyway.

 

But seriously, I can only hope and assume that this entire thing will be some lesson about how terrible all of this is, because addressing the legitimate issue of sexism and double standards by having a bunch of teenage girls sell naked pics for cash is uncomfortable and gross.

 

I really liked the Maya storyline, though. I like this use of Maya so much more than the constant boy-drama of last season. And I'm glad that the balcony thing was her nightmare, because it makes so much sense for the character. I wish they would actually say Cam's name, but it was still all pretty obviously tied in. I also liked seeing her practicing again.

 

I'm pretty ambivalent about Drew/Becky. I'm not really a fan of the pairing, but I also never liked it when the show got couples together at the end of one season only to break them up immediately the next season (hi, Manny/JT). So I'm okay with them getting back together for now, because it makes it seem like the writers actually have things they want to do with them. And I do like both characters individually.

[Lone Wolf]

Okay, here we go...

 

The sequential hierarchy of Frankie and Winston getting busted was pretty funny.  First Little Brother, then Big Brother, then Mom.  All we needed next was Dad, followed by Grandma and Grandpa, and then maybe the family cat and dog. "J'accuse!"

 

Roller Derby?  As a night out for a lesbian couple (not that there's anything wrong with that)?  Really? How 'bout instead we just put on our Birkenstocks and flannels and hop into our Subaru Outback and go to an Indigo Girls concert and on the way we'll listen to Melissa Etheridge and Ani DiFranco, and then since it's our second date we'll move in together?   

 

Can someone explain to me how Oomfchat works?  Zoe said that they would make a dollar a second, but all they're doing is sending pics of their boobs...how does that translate to a per-anything rate?  Or was she just using hyperbole to say a dollar a pic?  And wasn't it supposed to be anonymous?  Based on the angle of the phone and the fact that she smiled, it sure looked like Frankie included her face in her picture.  And not for nothing, but Zoe's explanation to the Power Cheer team illustrated by the depiction of everyone actually doing what she was describing was a little too Ocean's Eleven for me, but I guess that was necessary so that we, the viewers, would understand what she was talking about.  

 

I haven't seen anything as creepy as Hunter hanging out with his big sis in her bedroom, looking at boob pics, since Shane Botwin was whacking it to pics of his mom on Weeds. C'mon, kid...you can wait a few minutes.

 

Becky dropping her crutches while kissing Drew...I guess this symbolizes that she doesn't need them now that she has him to lean on.

 

That's about it.  Snark notwithstanding, I truly do love this show.  It's earnest and it tries so hard...

[Bubbles]

I suspect the thing with Hunter was foreshadowing of how the girls will end up getting caught. They showed Zoe explicitly telling the girls not to include any identifiable background in the pics. Frankie took the pic in her bedroom, and her brother would obviously recognize his sister's bedroom if he sees one of her pics.

Considering what Zoe has been through recently, I thought it was pretty awful of her to pressure other girls into sending nude pics if they didn't want to. It was clear that Frankie didn't want to participate, but Zoe pulled that "it has to be unanimous and everyone else is on board" crap. She should have allowed girls that didn't want to participate to opt out. And I don't really buy Jack being so into the idea. She seems to have more sense than that. Grace too - she's basically being a child porn pimp, setting up the system and taking a cut. None of this is going to end well for anyone.

I'm so glad they're addressing Maya's lingering issues resulting from Cam's suicide. And she was practicing the cello!

I really don't care about Becky and Drew. But wow, Drew and Adam really had the same taste in women. Adam briefly had crushes on both Bianca and Katie before Drew dated them, they fought over Fiona, and now they've both dated Becky.

[omgsowicked]

Can someone explain to me how Oomfchat works?  Zoe said that they would make a dollar a second, but all they're doing is sending pics of their boobs...how does that translate to a per-anything rate?  Or was she just using hyperbole to say a dollar a pic? 

 

I've never used Snapchat (which is the real-world version of Oomfchat) but from what I understand, you can send a picture and the person who receives it can only view it for a few seconds before it's deleted (unless they take a screencap of it). So the girls are selling one second nudes for a dollar a pop.

 

BTW, @LoneWolf, Frankie and Hunter are twins... not that it makes much of a difference; it's still weird to look at porn while your family is in the room, lol. But it was probably crucial to the story, like to scare Frankie straight, or like @Bubbles said, maybe Hunter will recognize her bedroom in the background.

[Lone Wolf]

Omgsowicked, thanks for the correction and clarification.

 

Having personal experience with the bond that exists between twins, I'll cut Hunter a razor's edge of slack for what he was up to in Frankie's room.  It's entirely possible (even likely) that he's a lot more comfortable around her and has fewer boundaries than a brother and sister with a few years between would have between them.  Still, though...

 

As for Oomfchat, I'm usually pretty good at catching real world parallels in the Degrassi universe, e.g., MyRoom, Hastygram, and Facerange (because Mark Zuckerberg is always in Las Vegas, just waiting to pull an Indecent Proposal on a soccer-star-turned-painkiller-addict-turned-rooftop-gardener who just happens to be there gambling away her college tuition because her flight to Puerto Villarta was canceled).  I've heard of Snapchat and knew there was something out there that could delete pics soon after they were opened, but I didn't know the two were one and the same.  I've acknowledged for a long time that I'm too old to be watching this show; I guess that's one example.

 

[Quof]

I've acknowledged for a long time that I'm too old to be watching this show;

 

Hell's to the No.   I watched the original Kids of Degrassi.

[luckyroll3]

I've acknowledged for a long time that I'm too old to be watching this show; I guess that's one example.

Join the club!

[Lone Wolf]

Hell's to the No.   I watched the original Kids of Degrassi.

 

Zit Remedy forever! No band ever got as much mileage out of one song as did Joey, Archie, and Derek. Even Paige Michalchuk and the Sex Kittens had to have two hits.

[meatball77]

I loved that they brought that song back in the new generation with Snake/ 

[aradia22]

Oh, Degrassi. I'm not a fan of Frankie/Winston but that was a fun moment with everyone but her dad walking in. Neither "I'm 14" nor "Miles has done worse" are great excuses. Fourteen is too young to responsibly fool around, especially with parental consent and just because your brother has screwed up it doesn't give you lee way to do the same. I thought the "he can't get pregnant" part was an interesting spin on the double standard. No thought for the girls he could have gotten pregnant?

 

Interesting stuff happening with the rubber room crowd.

 

As with the Imogen bra stuff last season I'm not sure this was the best answer to the "what do we want" question but it's Degrassi so...

 

Oh my God, Maya's Miles suicide dream was almost as hilarious as the stuff that went down last summer in Paris. Also, good job taking your own advice about talking to someone, Maya.

 

Wow, Zoe's plan is stupider than I thought it'd be. I thought they were going to make a Power Cheer calendar or something.

 

Yay, for Miles blowing up at Maya! Though it's his own fault for fostering such a co-dependent relationship to begin with. Please don't ruin it by having her be right all along in a couple of episodes.

 

Not interested in Becky's foray into online dating. Also still not feeling Drecky's epic romance. Nice try, Degrassi.

 

LOL. Was Frankie upset because her brother was participating in the secret sexting site or because he had received her photo?

[aradia22]

 

Are all twins on this show going to have a twincest moment?

I forgot they were twins. I love it even more now.  Not as a legitimate plotline, of course, but because that shit's hilarious.

 

Roller Derby?  As a night out for a lesbian couple (not that there's anything wrong with that)?  Really? How 'bout instead we just put on our Birkenstocks and flannels and hop into our Subaru Outback and go to an Indigo Girls concert and on the way we'll listen to Melissa Etheridge and Ani DiFranco, and then since it's our second date we'll move in together?

Preach.

 

Why not just send photos of random naked people from the internet? Wouldn't that send a stronger message about taking advantage of boys' apparently untargeted sex drive? By the way if all they need are out of context photos of breasts why is the vast world of porn on the internet not good enough for these teenage boys. Hunter's first big plotline was that World of Warcraft ripoff so we know at least he knows how to use a computer.

 

What is with all the dating site plotlines? Count me in on unrepentantly probably being too old for this show but I refuse to believe that teenagers are using dating sites this frequently.