'Degrassi': 20 Most Iconic Moments, Ranked
EmmaSeanDate
20. Emma and Sean's First Date
Before we get into the pregnancies and STD outbreaks, let's remember the first date between the couple that taught all of us what it meant to 'ship. On and off from Grade 7 (#OhCanada) to Grade 12, it all started when Spike took an awkward picture of our favorite environmental activist and the boy from the wrong side of the tracks. (Nothing says early '00s bad boy like all denim.)
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19. Boycott The Caf
I can't be the only one who learned what "GM foods" were from the episode where Emma tries to get healthier options in the cafeteria — not to be confused with her science fair project that convinced Spinner healthy foods give you boners — which resulted in an epic food fight.
The N#00841
18. Jay & Silent Go Canadian, Eh!
There were multiple memorable cameos in Degrassi history – Billy Ray Cyrus driving the limo to the dance, Natasha Bedingfield playing prom – but nothing beats the incredibly random time Kevin Smith decided to film a movie at Degrassi, giving all of our favorite students life advice and their chance to be in a feature film. He also kind of broke up Joey and Caitlin... but their history is a whole different Degrassi gallery.
AdamsDarcy
17. Darcy Takes the Internet
It's quite possible Shenae Grimes went through more in Toronto than she did in that other zip code. Known for being a Christian (shoutout to the Friendship Club!), Darcy's downward spiral started when she posted sexy pics "MyRoom," and was catfished — pre-MTV, of course — by a creep named Adams who showed up on her front doorstep.
Ellie
16. Ellie Cuts
Watching Degrassi's resident redhead turn to self-harm as a result of her alcoholic mother was equally shocking and terrifying in the early 2000s, and I can't be the only fan who never looked at a compass in math class the same way again.
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15. Twincest!
There aren't really words for the time Fiona got drunk and kissed her twin brother Declan.
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14. Jane's Flashbacks
It was difficult to watch the toughest chick at Degrassi — girl was the star of the football team! — have nightmares that lead her to rediscover the horrifying memories of her father molesting her as a child.
MannyFamous
13. Manny's Close-Up
A few years after Manny broke out of her shell — and her legendary blue thong — she had another "cuckoo bananas" moment when she took her top off on camera, declaring, "You can sell this for a million dollars, 'cause I'm going to be FAMOUS!"
7-6-1
12. Spinner Gets Cancer
Spinner found himself involved with a lot of different girls characters throughout the series, but his standout moment was when he shaved his head after being diagnosed with testicular cancer and had to learn to deal with his life-changing news. (spoiler alert: getting into fights with Lakehurst students is never the answer.)
Ravine
11. Emma and Jay Go to the Ravine
When Jay decided to start trading bracelets for oral sex at the Ravine, an inevitable gonorrhea outbreak ensued — just in time to put JT and Liberty's Dracula play in jeopardy. (If Twitter was around in 2004, #YouGaveMeASocialDisease would have been a top trend.)
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10. Craig Trashes a Hotel Room
Craig Manning had already been through a lot — an abusive father and a cocaine addiction, to name a few — but the hotel meltdown that led to his bipolar diagnosis was a pivotal turn in his storyline.
EClare
9. Eclare Is Born
Sure, we could talk about Eli crashing Morty or Clare having a miscarriage — but let's instead turn our attention to a more positive moment in Eclare's complicated history. "You have pretty eyes" is Degrassi's "You had me at hello."
ZoeBecky
8. Zoe and Becky Confront Luke
I'm not sure what was harder to watch: Zoe exposing Luke as one of the guys who raped her at a party, or Becky (Luke's sister!) discovering videos on his phone of the night in question.
PaigeCar
7. Paige Crashes Spinner's Car into Dean's
After Paige lost her rape trial, Degrassi's OG queen bee took matters into her own hands, crashing Spinner's love mobile into her rapist's car.
(Also worth mentioning: Paige Michalchuk and the Sex Kittens' performance of "Poor Thing," directed at Dean.
marcospinner
6. Marco Tells Spinner He's Gay
Marco's coming out storyline had plenty of moments that pulled at our heart strings, but perhaps the most memorable was when he first said the words out loud — but to say that Spinner didn't take it well would be a bit of an understatement.
Mannypregnant
5. Manny Gets an Abortion
In a two-part episode so real it didn't even air in the US until years after its Canadian premiere, 14-year-old Manny (the same age Spike was when she got pregnant with Emma in Degrassi Junior High) discovered she was pregnant from her affair with Craig — and decided to have an abortion.
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4. Cam Commits Suicide
"Chills" doesn't even begin to describe Eli finding Cam after he killed himself in the school's greenhouse, and his death (Degrassi's first suicide) left an impact on every student.
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3. JT Gets Stabbed
After watching James Tiberius York grow up for six seasons (penis pump, anyone?), watching him get stabbed by Drake from Lakehurst was truly heartbreaking — especially after he realized he was still in love with Liberty. She was JT's oatmeal, and he will always be our favorite mascot.
Adam
2. Meet Adam!
Degrassi made history (once again) by introducing Adam, the first series-regular teen transgender character on TV.
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1. Rick Shoots Jimmy
When Terri's abusive ex-boyfriend Rick returned to Degrassi, the entire gang began bullying him — especially Spinner and Jay, who took it too far when they blamed Jimmy for their tar-and-feather prank. As a result, Rick brought a gun to school and shot Jimmy, leaving him wheelchair-bound.