Degrassi: The Next Generation

As a new school year begins, Degrassi expands into a high school encompassing seventh through twelfth grades. New ninth-grader Craig becomes quick friends with Sean and attracts Emma and Manny, but his home life is less than perfect as he deals with an abusive father and his own, growing need to be around his stepfather Joey and half-sister Angela.

Emma is drawn to a boy whose father beats him; JT faces humiliation over an older girl.

Emma is drawn to a boy whose father beats him; JT faces humiliation over an older girl.

Meanwhile, J.T. makes desperate attempts to ask Paige out, but she refuses every time. She later changes her mind when she makes a bet with Hazel and Spinner.

Spike tells Emma she's dating her old schoolmate--Emma's teacher, Mr. Simpson. After Spike cancels a girls' night with Emma to be with him, Craig helps Emma and Manny crash the seniors' '80s dance. Meanwhile, Spinner and Jimmy find themselves competing against each other in the break-dancing contest.

Ashley attempts to make amends for her actions at her house party and ends up with fewer friends than she had before when she makes plans to go on a date with Sean. Meanwhile, Toby becomes smitten with the new girl, without realizing she's Spinner's sister.

Emma doesn't want people to know that Mr. Simpson is dating her mother as she hopes to win first place at the Science Fair. Meanwhile, Spinner is having trouble controlling his erections and starts eating fruit after he begins getting more attention from the girls.

Craig thinks Joey's request for him to move a car on his used-car lot gives him free rein to drive and takes his friends on a joyride when Joey goes out of town for the weekend. Meanwhile, Ashley has found a friend in Ellie and considers getting her belly button pierced to impress her.

Paige stands Spinner up, to her regret.

Paige meets Dean, a star soccer player at rival school Bardell, and the two share an instant attraction. When she blows off Spinner to hang out with Dean, she finds herself in a situation even she can't handle. Meanwhile, J.T. and Toby's failure to keep their shared locker clean strains their friendship.

Paige struggles to come to terms with her recent sexual assault after Ashley writes a song about rape for PMS to perform on stage for a contest. Meanwhile, Liberty acts out in an attempt to show J.T. she isn't as boring as he thinks she is.

A band reunion gives Paige courage to confront her problems.

Tired of being known as "the computer geek," Toby decides to join the wrestling team when he sees how popular Sean is. Determined to be accepted, Toby develops dangerous habits in order to lose weight. Meanwhile, Terri attempts to hide her job as a plus-size model from her friends.

After crushing on him for months, Manny finally decides to ask Craig out; the next day, each remembers the evening differently while recapping it for their friends. Ellie writes anonymous love notes to Marco, but he thinks they came from Hazel.

Hazel is the prime suspect when a Muslim girl she taunts is discriminated against on International Day, which forces her to come to terms with her own insecurities. Liberty and J.T. switch sewing projects in home economics to avoid embarrassment.

Secrets; homosexuality; relationships.

Emma prepares for Snake and Spike's wedding. After Snake mentions he doesn't want to have children, Spike is surprised to find out she is pregnant. Meanwhile, Emma is having the worst hair day ever and grows more upset when Manny invites Sean to the wedding.

Emma prepares for Snake and Spike's wedding. After Snake mentions he doesn't want to have children, Spike is surprised to find out she is pregnant. Meanwhile, Emma is having the worst hair day ever and grows more upset when Manny invites Sean to the wedding.

Spike and Mr. Simpson's wedding approaches.

Truth; commitment; communication.

Ellie wants more than just friendship with Marco, but when he can't seem to bring himself to be with her, she realizes why. Meanwhile, Toby wants to spend every second with Kendra, which makes her feel suffocated.

J.T. earns two weeks' detention with Mrs. Hatzilakos, taking care of her pet guinea pigs. While doing his job he develops a bond with her over the class's guinea pigs which leads to a crush. Meanwhile, Jimmy and Spinner agree to an "all honesty" pact but are soon at each other's throats.

Jimmy and Sean decide to bury the hatchet for the basketball team. Meanwhile, Emma and Sean are a couple again, but the latter finds himself unable to handle the pressure at home and jeopardizes their relationship once again. Also, Jimmy hosts a party at his house and develops feelings for Ashley again.

Ashley and Jimmy are back together, but the chemistry between them does not seem the same.

Liberty doesn't make the girls' floor hockey team but gets to be team manager. While doing this job, she pushes her friends away due to her bossy attitude. Meanwhile, Paige uses Terri to her advantage after Terri misinterprets the palm reading she did on her.