Did Degrassi Forget Emma's Anorexia?

[@dianaweiner9441]

Wished they did more with this storyline.

[@BD-rb5mk]

Diana Weiner yeah same

[@Daisy-ge1ig]

Like what exactly?

[@summertaylor456]

@@Daisy-ge1ig a relapse or maybe showing her in recovery

[@michellesakura1]

I think they could have touched upon her recovery better

[@Daisy-ge1ig]

How?

[@ediesongbird3163]

I think it would have been interesting if they showed her relapsing which would be pretty realistic

[@NotAVampyre]

They did show her stuggle to not relapse as I point out in the video

[@PGOuma]

Fr tho

[@user-es1kk8pd5j]

Even though it’s pointed out how she struggles to not relapse, recovery is filled with many relapses. I think it would’ve been truer to her storyline if they did at least include a relapse

[@L_kid2]

I believe the reason why they continued with the story line was because they didn’t want to trigger her. She did actually struggle with an eating disorder in real life in the first season. So that could be the reason why they didn’t push it any further.

[@NotAVampyre]

Could be, but I'm less inclined to think that's why. They'd talked to her before even the read through if she would be okay enough to go through with such a plot line, and she said she was fine with it.

[@Ælfgifu-1]

@@NotAVampyre That could have changed as the story progressed. There are definitely times when you think you will be okay before you start, but, turn out NOT being okay when you are in the middle of it.

[@NotAVampyre]

It is a possibility true, but at this point we're arguing over hypotheticals while assuming Degrassi didn't tell the story they originally intended.

[@DegrassiCorner]

I love it so much when Degrassi subtly covers/continues topics. I think one of the issues Degrassi fans as a whole have always had is that we're way too reliant on wanting Degrassi to beat us over the head with something so that we know they're covering it, so eally long arcs like Emma's and Maya's (post Cam S13-S14) don't get the credit they deserve. For the longest time I used to be pretty critical of Emma for being "too boring" after Time Stands Still because she didn't have the same in-your-face personality she used to have, but thinking about just how much the shooting truly messed her up completely changed my perspective and everything makes total sense when looking at the big picture.

[@NotAVampyre]

Whose criticisms are you referring to?

[@NotAVampyre]

He said he doesn't think that way now. And why would it hurt you personally?

[@sarahramsey703]

I feel Miriam was able to play the part amazing especially since she actually was anorexic in real life during the 1st few seasons. Love her. She did great. I may actually go watch these 2 episodes soon.

[@NotAVampyre]

+Sarah Ramsey Awe I didn't know that about her :( It makes sense that she was the one to portray this type of story, especially because the writers will often draw from the actors' personal lives.

[@oooh19]

i always thought she was simply thin and tall. some people just are thin

[@alfjgist]

The recovery process was more important to show the conclusion of what her work and therapy produced. I liked that aspect of it. Also, her knitting in season 6 was a nod to the season 3 story about her biological father. It was nice for them to touch on that too, and the fact that while we never see Shane again, or know if Emma visits or talks to him, we know that he’s on her mind, and at least had a small impact on her.

[@NotAVampyre]

I never thought about the knitting in that way. Good point!

[@brittnietruax3963]

I’m so glad I stumbled upon your channel! I’m a big Degrassi geek so I love to hear various points of commentary on these storylines & I definitely agree that Emma’s eating disorder storyline was still fleshed out. Degrassi doesn’t like to be so in your face about lessons & storylines to prevent looking like the cliche after school special but I definitely love their continuity in touching on Emma’s past struggle in the Purple Dragon episode, especially with it holding a powerful lesson. I’m definitely gonna binge watch your videos now lol!

[@NotAVampyre]

+Brittnie Truax Haha thanks! Degrassi really deserves more analysis. It's so much more than kissing.

[@summerlilliex8100]

Was Toby’s Ed one episode, I think it was I would’ve enjoyed it for longer, he go over it really quickly🤷‍♀️

[@NotAVampyre]

It was one episode. I can understand his trist with ED being short, but they need to have another ED story with a guy as many don't talk about how it affects boys.

[@sarahramsey703]

Loved the purple dragon episode because you knew it hurt her and she was about to go back down that road. But she snapped back to reality and didnt. Emma is amazing and I love when she stripped down naked she showed how she truly felt and didn't care. Love her. She is and will always be my favorite. Yea she had her moments where she annoyed you but you know she ment good from those moments. And always will be a semma fan 😍😍😍

[@NotAVampyre]

+Sarah Ramsey I'm sometimes shocked Degrassi was allowed to do that, but then again. "It Goes There."

[@chaseforliberty]

I love that both Emma and her dad used knitting as therapy

[@bcrunch4232]

The reason I always like the knitting thing is due to how it's what Shane did to calm down.

[@NotAVampyre]

Oh that's right! I'd forgotten about that. Great call back!

[@bcrunch4232]

Yeah it is. Plus I still like to imagine that she visits Shane but it’s just never brought up. Some issues though, she doesn’t tell him. But he knows she’s hurting and Shane tries to comfort her.

[@4pplejuicel0ver]

Tbh, after J.T. died, season 7, 8, and 9 went down hill

[@NotAVampyre]

I actually quite liked season 9. Felt like they were returning to form by sticking mainly to the high school cast

[@Samia-2003]

Maya Broòke season 7 was the last good season of TNG

[@jamiepresley9624]

In my opinion, Season 8 was the last good season

[@annabelcrescibene4257]

@@jamiepresley9624 I diagree seasons 10-12 were amazing and next class 3&4 were some of my favorites

[@sparkle7653]

I feel like she should have had a relapse after the purple dragon thing. Like she was looking at herself then suddenly ate dinner like idk I think she should have had a little relapse or something (I have an eating disorder so I kinda relate)

[@NotAVampyre]

If they were going to do a relapse story with Emma, I think it should've been before Purple Dragon. The point of that episode was to show that she's changed for the better, which includes being comfortable in her own skin.

[@monke3898]

Ik this was 2 yrs ago, but, I've never had an ed, but I have purged/starved myself, then gone back to eating without purging, and then the cycle happens again and again. So I didnt find it weird how she was checking her body and then ate

[@hihello1499]

Peaches on a mission yeah same i think it was pretty realistic i like how they portrayed this whole thing

[@Daisy-ge1ig]

It lasted two episodes but the story line continues into the next season.

[@LordJudgement1818]

Rick is important, not for what he did but because of why he did it.

[@CutterHistorical]

I actually have a thought that maybe the school shooting issues upset Emma in season 5 but then it went away

[@NotAVampyre]

Even if they didn't bring it up, it likely did affect her in S5 like with Cam still affecting Maya in NC even though they don't say it out loud

[@brookee6047]

They could’ve done a better job on this storyline. Even Miriam who played Emma recently admitted that they did a bad job with this storyline. Like another commenter said, she struggled with her own ED and also her sister passed away from one. It was difficult for her to do the story while being in the middle of it. I know this is an old video but I think it’s ok to admit the writers could’ve created a safer environment for the actress and had a more fleshed out storyline.

[@Samia-2003]

I loved her storyline very inspiring

[@NotAVampyre]

Quite

[@BD-rb5mk]

Wait degrassi has novels where can I find these lol?

[@NotAVampyre]

There are graphic novels. I think you can still find copies on Amazon (there's 4 volumes, I think). The ones I have I found at a book seller at Anime Midwest.

[@BD-rb5mk]

NotAVampyre ok thank you will look around for them!

[@pikachick222]

B D I think the graphic novels of Degrassi were cool! I wish they continued on with it

[@prescott0913]

I’m late to your videos tbh but YOU REALLY FUCKING GET IT when it comes to this show. I wasn’t her biggest fan and if it were up to me, I would’ve given the storyline to Hazel, but I really felt for Emma and wanted the best for her when it came to this. The writers did a great job keeping this storyline at least subtly present within her character.

[@livh7613]

I wish Sean would have been in the episodes

[@Sidthekid-l1t]

Same

[@pikachick222]

2:14 I took up knitting in January and I'm finding it's a good outlet

[@NotAVampyre]

Seems like it would be!

[@jqhnnyy]

I had no idea degrassi had graphic novels. Thanks for sharing that.

[@NotAVampyre]

No prob!!

[@mrfish5150]

This was a very good video. I’m really curious about what you think of how degrassi covered Toby’s eating Disorder?

[@NotAVampyre]

I very much loved it. Very well explored and while still a bit of a cautionary tale, it was still an exploration of how Toby felt unappreciated because he wasn't a jock. Really hope they do more guys with eating disorders as now men and women are about the same for statistics as to who suffer from them.

[@mrfish5150]

NotAVampyre I completely agree. Not many people seem to remember Toby’s struggle with an eating disorder nor appreciate the fact that Degrassi showed that when not many programs showed eating disorders amoung men. I hope they cover it again as well

[@terranceforeman5116]

Man i forgot this whole plot existed.. One of the blight parts of season 5

[@NotAVampyre]

+Terrance Foreman The trouble with there being so much Degrassi is that it's easy to forget huge events.

[@xloveangel97x]

I like that Emma took up knitting just like her father

[@NotAVampyre]

Agree

[@AriadneMorales1]

What’s the name of this song in the back

[@NotAVampyre]

It's a loop I found on Looperman.com. It's by mildperil and called "synth nylon guitar loop"

[@tank5719]

What are the novels called? Is it extra credit because that’s the only one I found

[@NotAVampyre]

Yeah I think so. There are 4 of them to my knowledge

[@heyitsnoreen]

There were Degrassi graphic novels?!

[@NotAVampyre]

There were! 4 of them I think

[@ediesongbird3163]

The answer is yes they did forget it’s frustrating this always happens in media that isn’t solely focused on eating disorders they’ll give a character an Ed for like one maybe two episodes and send to the hospital or something and forget it ever happened

[@NotAVampyre]

I mean, I explain in the video why this isn't the case...

[@warmac88]

Great video

[@NotAVampyre]

Thank you!!

[@cokebenni]

I disagree about Degrassi not having a bad season, I absolutely hated season14 with a passion, everything was rushed, it made me not care about the senior characters, it made me hate the good characters and I feel like drew got screwed over the most, I was sad to know that that was the conclusion of TNG

[@NotAVampyre]

I can see that. There is something a bit off about 14 that I cant quite identify, but I will walk back my statement and say 13a was just bad. Terrible character writing and the charm of Degrassi is just gone when they're in Paris

[@Saiyagurl]

TIL that there were Degrass graphic novels. Awesome!

[@NotAVampyre]

Yeah they're at least interesting to look into

[@CutterHistorical]

No of course they didnt, they referenced at the end of season 5 that she returned to healthy normal and in season 6 in the premiere Peter talks about getting Emma better after the anorexia

[@NotAVampyre]

Did you even watch my video before commenting?

[@vladimirvilliani6732]

season 4 and 5 are my favorite lol

[@GamingtheOtter]

My favorite line from that episode is, "My thighs are a pandemic and they are taking over the world."

[@NotAVampyre]

Remember when Sav tried to make "pamdemic" a thing to mean cool or awesome? That didn't age well lol

[@vstopbiaswreckingme7194]

@@NotAVampyre what do you mean? Pandemics are SOOOO cool

[@NotAVampyre]

This pandemic is soo pandemic!

[@baguettebtch]

it was epidemic

[@zaniyyahjacobs2499]

I felt bad for Rick and I wish that he would have gotten help before things got any worse. But on the other hand he was abusive and a dick.

[@NotAVampyre]

Like with Diamond Tiara in My Little Pony, it's hard to determine how to feel about him.

[@TheLeah2344]

I found out that actress who played Emma was actually anorexic in real life. You can especially tell that when she was younger.

[@NotAVampyre]

Yeah, Degrassi often takes storylines from the actors' own experiences like how Joey's underage driving episode was inspired by the time his actor attempted to drive the production company's van.

[@luckigrl]

I seriously called this back in 2003 when I first seen degrassi. I was 17 and just started watching it and always thought emma looked so skinny and sickly lookin in the face. Emaciated and undernourished. I remember going online (aol dial up) to research her cause I swore up and down she was.

[@ohshenatural9307]

No season 7,8, and 9 was overall bad only a couple of good episodes

[@NotAVampyre]

I actually think seasons 8 and especially 9 are underrated. 7 is still very off.

[@PGOuma]

I personally didn't enjoy season 3 of D:TNG

[@cupcakequeen0617]

I liked season 6 the best. Season 7 was my least favorite.