What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that this series makes a habit of tackling big issues without sugar-coating them. From the start, the show has never shied away from depicting real-life teen issues like sex, drugs, school violence, and even mental disorders in a frank, realistic way. Some parents might be wary of this, particularly the episodes depicting teen sex, so they might want to preview the episodes before letting their kids watch them. Some episodes have a far heavier tone than others do, and the amount of controversial material varies widely from episode to episode. However, this series has a moral -- though not preachy -- heart and can ultimately be used as a teaching tool. Overall, it's among the best, most responsible series out there for teens. The content is edgy but both relevant and appropriate for the target audience, which is why we're giving it an "on" rating.

Families who watch might want to discuss what sets it apart from other teen shows. Does that fact that the teens look like regular teens make it more realistic? Manny's ongoing quest to become an actor might offer a good opportunity to discuss the pressures on young women to lose weight and get plastic surgery. Parents might also want to address the dangers of losing one's inhibitions due to alcohol consumption and its potential repercussions, which has happened on the show before. Families who watch will have no shortage of issues to talk about.

Common Sense Media Review
Like its 1980s predecessors, Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High, DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION follows a group of students in grades 8-12 at a Canadian community school. Over the course of its broadcast life, the show has tackled some tough issues as its core characters have matured from childish 7th and 8th graders to almost-adult 11th and 12th graders. Despite its focus on "issues," though, the show is consistently entertaining and thought- provoking rather than preachy and condescending.

Excellently written and boasting a cast that both looks and acts like real kids, Degrassi: The Next Generation provides provocative, engaging, and socially conscious programming that will appeal to teens and their parents; the show even has a sizeable adult fan base as well. Fans of the first Degrassi series will be delighted to see classic characters like Spike, Snake, Caitlin, and Joey in the roles of parents and teachers in this latest incarnation.

Families who enjoy Degrassi: The Next Generation should also check out Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High, both newly available on DVD and also shown on The N. Other series that would be of interest are the excellent Freaks and Geeks and My So-Called Life, both also available on DVD.

Season 5 Notes (Includes spoilers)
Season 5 continues to deal with the consequences of a school shooting in which Rick (Ephraim Ellis) was killed and former athlete Jimmy (Aubrey Graham) was shot and rendered a paraplegic. Jimmy spent most of last season in the hospital, but in this season he must learn to adjust both physically and emotionally to his new situation as he returns to school in a wheelchair. Spinner (Shane Kippel), who was indirectly responsible for the shooting, is subsequently shunned by his friends and expelled from school as a result.

Meanwhile, Manny (Cassie Steele) has set her sights on an acting career and is determined to stop at nothing to achieve her goal. She considers plastic surgery, is kicked out by her parents, and is humiliated after a topless home movie she made while drunk was leaked to the Internet.

Degrassi's queen bee, Paige (Lauren Collins), was devastated to find out that after a summer away, her former-teacher-turned-boyfriend has become a hippie and wants to break up with her. Upset, she gets stoned before a college interview, ruining her chances at getting into her top choice university.

Overachiever Liberty (Sarah Barrable-Tishauer) reveals to her boyfriend, class clown J.T. (Ryan Cooley), that she is three months pregnant and intends to keep the baby. Determined to help, J.T. must learn to balance his new job with the pressures of school.