Your Friend Could Be An Esme

Could Zig, Miles, and Frankie really have done more to help Esme? NotAVampyre doesn't think so.
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[@JanuaryLovesSelena]

I always wondered why I felt so strongly about Esme. I knew she probably had BPD but every time I saw her act out, I never thought “oh my gosh how horrible”. If anything, I understood where she was coming from even though I would never do any of those things. I was diagnosed with BPD last year but begun the therapy process years before. If I hadn’t, I’d probably be exactly like Esme. With BPD, it’s not as simple as self-reflection and consciously changing your behavior. You HAVE to get help from a professional.

[@StardustNovaChannel]

My friend could never be an Esme because I have no friends. That's actually really sad now that I think about it.

[@NotAVampyre]

Yeah, I sometimes forget that I only have one friend.

[@imnottheone3911]

I relate so hard to this Iiterally have nobody

[@quack3392]

My name's Esme and I have no friends .

[@bruhify8900]

Honestly, Esme was my favourite character. When she made her first appearance, I fell in love with her character. You can easily tell that something isn't right. She needed help, but no-one noticed. Her friends, and people around her, just ignored her. Called her crazy, shamed her. They didn't notice something was wrong or going on, but what's even worse is that viewers of the show didn't notice. Some hated her, for a lot of things she has done, such as fake an allergy (allergic shock) to a bee, when all she was really doing, was crying for help. It really makes me think, what if I was Esme, or just had BPD (not saying everyone with BPD acts the way Esme does), if anyone would notice, or if they'd just call me crazy. I really wish there was a season 5 so I could find out what else would happen to her character. Did she get the help she so desperately needed?

[@firefairyangel7]

Just finished re-watching the series, and it's too bad there won't be any more episodes (at least not any time soon). I really wanted to see what happens next for Esme.

[@michellesakura1]

Same! At this point they'll probably just end up rebooting the show or something

[@orangexylem]

Esme needs her own spinoff... or at least a KZbin miniseries. Her character's wasted potential is literally a human rights violation.

[@funboisingsorsomething6955]

They treated Esme so bad but when Maya had her mental issues everyone went to bat for her. Yet called Esme every ableist slur in the book. The treatment of woc vs the white girl was super discriminatory. Ive always had an issue with that.

[@NotAVampyre]

This isn't an issue of race or skim color. The difference in how they were treated is entirely in knowing there was a problem. Think of how Grace and Zig treated Maya in season 3 before her attempt. They distanced themselve because she was being a destructive force. They didn't know she needed help, and so didn't offer it. That's the state Esme has been in since starting on the show. Everyone knew she could be shitty, but not that it was because she needed a doctor's help. Zig was the closest to knowing, but didn't really see what Esme needed until Maya stepped in. Race had nothing to do with it

[@funboisingsorsomething6955]

@@NotAVampyre I dont think it is your right to tell me a person of color what is and isn't a race issue. You are allowed to disagree but I notice you like to tell poc what is and isnt racist or what is an isn't a race issue. I don't appreciate your attempts to disprove that there could be a racial bias.

[@funboisingsorsomething6955]

Another example is your Frankie isn't racist video. Who are you to say what is and isn't racist. Racism does not affect you and you don't experience it. I like your videos ans channel and your commentary but there arw some things you need to realize you do not have authority to speak on.

[@funboisingsorsomething6955]

Also there is a big difference between how white people and how poc stories in regards to mental health are portrayed.

[@ZombieBarbieOfficial]

makeupandmusic withTehn I agree but it’s also cuz bpd is stigmatized worse than depression.

[@emilyross964]

I hated Esme, she hurt/manipulated everyone around her and you know, that's bad. But I feel like she's probably one of the most relatable chracters in TNC to me. :/ I'm definitely working on my personality now.

[@uhhswifty]

Actually maya got help for her and told the teacher

[@NotAVampyre]

Agh I can't believe I missed that in my rewatch. I accidently skipped that specific scene /_\

[@NotAVampyre]

At the very end of the season, Maya told Ms. Grell about Esme hurting Zig and calling in the bomb threat, and then Ms. Grell intervened when Esme was destroying the motorcycle, suggesting Esme was about to get help for what plagued her.

[@orangexylem]

Esme was so amazing and I honestly would be content with someone making sock puppet episodes on youtube just to explore what happens to her. Her actress was so amazing and deserved an in depth look at her condition.

[@HarukaLPs]

Esme is a pretty close representation of what someone with BPD is capable of.

[@KisshuKisshuFUSION]

Good News Everyone Not really what they’re capable of but rather the struggles they go through when they go too long without help

[@HarukaLPs]

CCD x Jordyn I have BPD. I’ve been pretty much exactly in Esme’s position, more than once. I can easily see how someone could end up there.

[@HarukaLPs]

CCD x Jordyn it can be scary, even to ourselves. Especially when things calm down and you reflect what you did, it can be truly terrifying.

[@CutterHistorical]

Its strange that Esme saved Maya's life and then turned on her in the next season... my theory is that she wanted to be the hero and when no one gave her the attention, she turned the tables on Maya and wanted Maya gone mostly cause she was worried about losing Zig to Maya Dont forget... Maya wanted Zig to help Esme and Esme thought Maya wanted to steal him Sometimes u dont get the whole picture until its too late

[@clairelally3644]

No, she just resented her because Zig was still in love with her.

[@NotAVampyre]

The show made this pretty clear that this wasn't the case though. Esme helped Maya because she recognized the need to act quickly having experienced the same scenario with her mom and because she's not all a monster. She didn't care about being the hero. What she cared about was how everyone turned their attention to Maya and away from herself. Even Zig who she knew previously dated Maya. Tiny made it worse by mentioning how head over heels in love Zig was with her and that he's never loved anyone as much as Maya. And so by spending time with Maya, Esme feared it would lead him to go back to his ex and ditch her.

[@CutterHistorical]

@@clairelally3644 that too

[@CutterHistorical]

@@NotAVampyre Exactly what i meant but I didnt say it like that... crap!!

[@perlitaa2.0]

Esme saved Maya because she saw in Maya her mother and she was scared to have to had found a dead body once again. It had nothing to do with being a hero

[@caroljeeben7064]

I am rewatching next class and they did SUCH a great job with the writing for each and every character. It's too good.

[@NotAVampyre]

I'm so glad someone else sees it! They cram so much detail into every moment! Some characters do unfortunately get less attention, but I'm sure they would've had more if the seasons or episodes got to be longer

[@devonmunn5728]

I do agree that it's not as easy to see signs as they're happening in real time in real life. It always strikes me as odd when people say "you should have noticed" when something like this happens (it is case by case but still) and it's mostly in hindsight

[@uhhswifty]

hey I wasn't trying to put you on blast I jus wanted to correct my favorite Degrassi youtuber

[@tradbimbo]

I don't think I had a friend like Esme, I think I was an Esme. While I never faked a suicide attempt, untreated BPD definitely lead me to "fly off the handle", and become extremely erratic, in high school, so I was always sympathetic to her.

[@NotAVampyre]

That makes sense. I hope you're doing better now

[@straycat3955]

myles has the biggest forehead

[@jacobbelow4136]

Once again, beautifully-worded! Bravo!

[@NotAVampyre]

Thanks! Discussing this category of life is oddly my forte

[@oooh19]

you saved your friend's life but at the same time some people contribute to other people's lives in a negative way rather than a positive way. Example Zig and Cam. He didnt know Cam would end up killing himself but he certainly pushed him over the edge though. everyone needs to be accountable for their actions.

[@kenym415]

Once again great video!!! Would you be able to do a video over how/ when the really surprising Archie and Mrs. Hatzilakos affair took place?

[@NotAVampyre]

Maybe. I'm not sure if I have anything to say on it, but I know people definitely are still talking about it lol

[@iloveitgirlandR5]

Great videos, love your content. I totally agree that to us as an audience, it’s easy to see that same had REAL problems. But that’s because we saw her whole story, unlike her friends who only saw parts

[@NotAVampyre]

Thank you!

[@EmergentSea]

I've recently started rewatching next class and I come back once in a while to your videos on relevant topics. Watching Esme again is truly difficult because she reminds me of myself, and it feels bad but pretty necessary. That's a thing I love about Degrassi, it touches on wide topics and makes you reflect on yourself and people around you. There's always something to relate to.

[@NotAVampyre]

Sidenote, love you Bella Goth avatar

[@Im_just_tired..]

My name is Esme 😭

[@emanalmehairi1573]

I started watching next gen in season 5 and rick and Esme are kinda the same

[@NotAVampyre]

I wouldn't say the same necessarily, but closer than many think. They're both toxic to those around them

[@samthegoblin8907]

friend? u mean me??

[@NotAVampyre]

We all could be Esme

[@khadraabeeb5007]

Omg Esme was so jealous of zig Will go back together with maya

[@sarahlovee4229]

Never feel bad if you didn't notice. Only few scream out for help. The rest of us just don't want to bother you. BUT if someone you care about is pulling away...you may be feel dumb for it but its better to clarify and look dumb rather than not and lose someone like that. I've sent a message to a few people like that....friends for years and then just silence...some of them we just grew apart but the 2 of them that were suffering made every awkward convo worth it. I said something along the lines of Hey so I'm not trying to be needy or annoying or anything but I'd hate to assume and make a mistake I can't unmake.. If you don't wanna fuck with me anymore thats totally cool..just PLEASE acknowledge this message and move on with your life. If thats not the case qnd there's things inside you can't get it out.. please know you aren't alone. Im always here. If you wanna talk about it or just be distracted from it...I gotchu.

[@sarahlovee4229]

ALSO I have found it very helpful for q lot of people to be the listening ear and things to strangers online. It was done for me and now I do it for others. It's easier to share all the details when it isn't someone involved in your day to day life. I found that out one day when a stranger in a FB group saw some red flags in a post and I was able to tell them shit I was barely willing to admit to myself. She had no way of knowing I was in the middle of trying to sort shit out so I could tap out of life..she just saw someone who was clearly hurting and wanted to help.

[@pikachick222]

It was Maya that told Ms Grell

[@NotAVampyre]

Well........I dun goofed. I can't believe I missed that. /-\

[@xxthatsnotmexx]

I have borderline, pretty severely, I hate it so much.

[@luxlisbon7979]

the way you talk about mental health is so respectful and educated. you're really smart!

[@NotAVampyre]

Thank you very much!

[@assyrianprincess3]

I had an Esme. Glad I stopped being friends with her

[@perlitaa2.0]

Are you really sure?

[@NotAVampyre]

Unfortunately you can't help who doesn't want it. We'd all like to be a Zig and be there when they finally get help, but sometimes we are Miles instead and need to distance ourselves for our own health

[@MsTinkerbelle87]

@@NotAVampyre well said!!

[@PippaPasses]

Friend? You mean my sims.

[@PippaPasses]

Taking this seriously for a second: I wish we had done better by Esme.

[@NotAVampyre]

Half of my Sims desperately need a therapist. Not my fault I tell weird stories with them. Legit, in my game right now I'm about to make a sim into a hikikomori

[@SabbyTabbyCat]

I have no sympathy for Esme, she's a sociopath, I don't even believe her mom oding story, these people tend to make up stories to get sympathy, she also reminds me of my high school bully which triggers emotions in me, but that's just me..

[@KisshuKisshuFUSION]

How is Zig an abuse victim? His mother kicked him out because of his involvement in his gang, but she never abused him. Did I miss something while watching the show?

[@NotAVampyre]

I said Esme abused Zig. Not his mom.

[@NotAVampyre]

You're the one claiming I judge based on race when the only thing you seem to be able to bring up to attempt to counter any of my non race based points is race. We're not playing this game anymore.

[@KisshuKisshuFUSION]

@@NotAVampyre Ohhh, thank you for clarifying! I was confused lol

[@myjumpsuittakesmeshigh2022]

I honestly hate esme but I do relate a lot to her actions.. I’m not diagnosed with bpd or bipolar but I was diagnosed with depression and I believe I do have bpd because I throw tantrums and I have abandonment issues I hav e alot of symptoms.