I’ve watched degrassi tng 4 times or so, and i went from adoring every second to drearily comparing it to shows I like better…

It seems like the main difference between degrassi and shows like one tree hill or the o.c is the time spent on an issue or arc, and it’s effect on the remainder of the season/ show.

It’s like something huge will happen like Emma going thru eating disorder, or jt overdosing in attempts of suicide…. And then there is little to know drip down effect to other stories/ the rest of the show.

Compare that to one tree hill, where a single death event led the viewers down 3 seasons of mystery while simultaneously developing characters outside the situation equally.

For degrassi when they choose to put some focus on an event it’s very all or nothing. We either get a time stands still/bittersweet symphony, or we get something as underdone as adams death or Zoe’s rape. Huge plot points that could and should have a lot of drip down effect.

I know the show is in a sense, set up like an after school special, so u can’t ask too much of interconnected plots, etc.

However, with an ensemble cast like degrassi, it’s literally set up to have overarching plots and events that effect everyone in a different way. Seeing that is a part of any show with a ton of main characters, ( see skins from the uk)

So where I do see that a lesser budget and an aim to educate over entertain is the main reason, I don’t see why they could not weave together and expand important plots rather than bolting thru in 2 episodes . The show is literally set up to accommodate such developments.

All in all I made the post to ask, do u think degrassi stands up with the bigger teen shows like the o.c and one tree hill? Or does it stay i it’s own lane like maybe it meant to?