Degrassi: The Next Generation, Season 1

Sadly, I must say that I'm probably considered an old guy to most of the reviewers of this "Degrassi: The Next Generation" boxed set. At twenty-eight years of age, I'm probably twice as old as most of these folks. But that doesn't matter because I really love this boxed set. I grew up watching the original Degrassi shows on PBS in Louisiana. Though the cast was roughly two years older than I was, I found myself relating to a lot of them. The new series allows me to catch up with some of my old favorites, as well as introduces me to a new crop of kids going through that great life-changing period we know as junior high and high school.This new DVD set brings us the first season of the new series. Many of the kids are still pre-teens in this season. We are introduced to Emma, J.T., Toby, Manny, Ashley, Paige, etc. We're also introduced to some of their parents. One of the parents is very familiar to us old folks. Emma's mom is Ms. Nelson, or Spike, from the original show. She'll become quite close with Emma's media immersion teacher, Mr. Simpson. Once again, the old folks will probably, recognize Mr. Simpson as Snake from the old show. Another returning favorite is Joey Jeremiah. You'll remember him as the goofy kid that wore a fedorah. Many of the older castmembers show up for a class reunion at the end of episode two.The new cast is fun to watch. It's funny how kids these days still deal with many of the same problems that other teenagers deal with. Everything from sex to drug abuse to first loves is dealt with. There are a few new trials and tribulations these days, however. One such temptation is internet romance, which gets Emma into a sticky situation. Another subject dealt with is Ashley having to come to terms with the fact that her father is gay. Though homosexuals have been around forever, I think that this is the first teen show that deals with this particular situation. Spinner is on behavior-controlling prescription drugs(ritelin, forgive the spelling). Jimmy uses those particular drugs to give him an "edge" at basketball. J.T. and Toby check out a little internet porn and, as usual, those blasted parents catch them. These are just a few of the "newer" problems that are addressed on the show.Some of the problems that have hampered teens since the dawn of time are addressed as well. Toby crushes big-time over Emma, who is captivated by Sean. Sean, meanwhile, comes from a busted, alcoholic family. Paige manipulates her friends to get what she wants. Terry is overweight and thinks that no one will ever like her. Liberty fears failure in the classroom, etc., etc. What you get is a teenage soap-opera that deals with real issues.Granted, some of the "problems" are hokey and 100% cheese, but this helps break the intensity of some of the dramatic moments. The acting isn't superb, but it wasn't with the original show, either. What you end up with is a program that teens and pre-teens can watch without feeling like they are being preached to or lectured. The characters are believable and they deal with their problems in the same way as any average kid would these days.The DVD extras are fun. There is karaoke, where you get to sing the theme song. There's a casting call section where you get to see some of the youngsters try out for roles. A blooper reel is included, and some deleted scenes as well. One of the best deleted scenes for us oldsters is one which catches us up on a lot of the old characters from the original shows.I recommend this boxed set to anyone who wants to relive the old days of their youth. More importantly, I recommend this set to teachers and parents who want to teach their kids without having to hammer a speech down their throats. Kids connect with the characters on this show, and that makes life a little bit easier to deal with once they realize that they aren't the "only one" who has to deal with any of their particular teenage problems.

I had heard about Degrassi The Next Generation a couple of years ago. But never gave the series not much of a thought because I was too busy with American television series at the time. Back when American television still had great television. I watched a few episodes of the series on The-N website and was instantly hooked. One interesting aspect of the series is they actually teenagers playing teenagers. Something that doesn't happened in the U.S. Another thing, that get me hooked was the fact that the series takes some real risk. No disrespect to good Teen Dramas i.e. Season one and Season Two of Dawson's Creek & Everwood. But most teen drama series begin with, the oddity which is the first day of a new school. Degrassi has this but it has something I had never seen anyone dare try in their first episode which is Cyber Predators. What the first episode of this new series does is bridge fans of Degrassi High - The Complete Collection and viewers of this new series. So if you are a new viewer of the Degrassi univirse like I am, you are not completely confused. And if you are a long time viewer of the two previous Degrassi series; it is like meeting up with old friends again. The first season of Degrassi The Next Generation deals with such things as rape, your first date, jealousy, body image, drugs, porn, drinking, peer pressure and all things young kidsdeal with when they are young without all the over the top BS you get on One Tree Hill and Gossip Girl. The first season sets up relationships and friendships that are still on going now in the series 7th season and some that are taken to the 10th level in future seasons. Like friendships such as, Manny Santos & Emma Nielson, Spinner Mason & Jimmy Brooks. And rivals like Paige Michalchuk & Manny Santos. Season One also begins the iconic relationships of Liberty Van Zandt & J.T. York, and Emma Nielson & Sean Cameron a relationship to this day fans of the series' wonder if they will ever be. If you despise teen dramas of all kinds then do not purchase these DVD's. If you don't mind going back and seeing as close to junior high & high school a television series can be. Then please do purchase this series. I will discuss the special features because I don't think they are all that good. Also, do not get these DVD's because of the great picture quality or sound qualilty. Degrassi has never and will never have the budget that series like Gossip Girl or One Tree Hill will have but when it comes to emotion no one beats Degrassi.

I randomly caught this show flipping through the channels when I was 11 back in the early 00's and man was I instantly hooked. This cast is topnotch, no matter what, you will find 1 character you can relate to. The story lines draw you in and the drama is addicting. I can't say enough good things about this show, it helped me make good decisions and have such an open mind throughout middle school and high school. Now at the age of 23, I was feeling nostalgic and wanted to re watch the first few seasons. I couldn't find them anywhere online so I ended up purchasing the seasons from here. I finally got my DVDs yesterday and I forgot how amazing this show really is. I caught myself laughing quite a bit. This isn't just a show for teens, I forced my 25 year old boyfriend to watch the entire first disc with me for the first time. He's addicted and cannot stop watching and he hasn't even hit the intense seasons yet!! This is coming from a guy who falls asleep to every movie! Best purchase ever, so happy I get to relive my childhood with this awesome series! One thing I don't like about the discs is that after an episode ends it goes back to the main menu, I wish it would just play the next episode instead of me choosing it every time. Other than that, this is a good dvd set that you should buy!

Good

all good!!

If you are a fan of Degrassi Junior high or Degrassi High, this is for you! This is the initial season of a long running TV series which lasted 13 seasons if I'm not mistaken. This introduces us to a New breed of students in Degrassi high with a different name. Two or three alumni from the previous Degrassi franchise are in this. one of the characters is actually the daughter of one of the characters back in the previous franchise. You get introduced to these brand new characters who are smart funny and learning the ropes of being teens. It's worth a look believe me!

This is one of the best ones by far ..... It carries on the Degrassi High and Degrassi Jr High , so those of us who grew up on the original show can follow this one easily

it's good