Okay so here’s a question: Are there any shows that shaped your childhood, ones that you enjoyed and changed your life? Shows that could relate to? I mean childhood like the middle school and high school years.

For me there were 4: Beverly Hills 90210, One Tree Hill, Dawson’s Creek, and most importantly, Degrassi: Next Generation.

While OTH is my favorite, it’s not one I could relate to. I couldn’t even relate to Dawson’s. To me they just had stories but nothing life-altering.

Degrassi: Next Generation was by far the best though. There were kids playing the age they kind of were. They didn’t look older than that. And their stories were so true and relatable. My all-time favorite episodes were: Whisper to a Scream (S3). Ellie’s story mirrored my own. I not related in my own way in that my behaviors were slightly different but still the same. I would use Ellie’s specific behavior later on.

Craig’s storyline in s4, “Voices Carry” parts 1 and 2. While I could not relate to Craig at the time, it was an episode that stuck with me long until I got my own diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

I even loved the Alex and Paige relationship s5, “The Lexicon of Love” parts 1 and 2, and I was long from coming out despite knowing something was off about me.

There were so many amazing storylines. They didn’t need full hours the way other teen dramas did. I’m really glad that I had this show growing up.