Okay, so the season premiere of Degrassi: The Next Generation was shown on The-N. The title of the episode was "Standing In The Dark" and it was a centered around "Parcy". Well, actually, it was more of a Darcy episode than a Peter episode. While, Manny played a large supporting role. The B-plot of the first part featured Toby and the second part was Marco.

Let me say that before I saw it, I didn't quite understand why they had to have another character be raped. It didn't make sense since they've done so much with Paige going through it. But, it happened very differently to Paige. With her, she knew the guy, she liked him and she wanted him, but not they way he wanted her. She was much younger, also. They also did follow-up episodes for Paige about her running into her rapist again and then taking him to court.

But, while I'm speaking of Paige. I've got to say to the people who think it hit Darcy harder, this: I don't see how it could be harder on Darcy. Sure, she's all about her religion and she didn't want to lose it until she was married, but rape is rape. Plus, Paige was much younger when it happened to her. Sex alone at the age Paige was can affect someone, but then add in that it forced sex? That's even harder. I don't think it affected either of them more or less. Yes, we saw that Darcy ended up cutting herself because of it, but Paige was so scared she couldn't even bring herself to admit what happened. Like I said, rape is rape and it's tough on anyone.

Now, onto what I thought about the episode.

I thought Shenae's acting was amazing. Before, back in season 6 when Darcy was posing for "sexy" pictures with Peter, I didn't think she was all that great. But, now she's showed her talent. In fact, everyone involved in the A-plot was pretty amazing. The way Peter was when he was opening up was so sweet, too. Manny playing the supportive best friend was very touching, also.

I didn't understand why Peter's mom, aka the Degrassi principal, would care so much that Peter was dating Darcy. I mean, if anything, Darcy would be a positive aspect of his demon-like life. So, why would she care that Peter was dating the school Christian? So, I'm glad or whatever that she approve it or whatever. But, then, of course, Darcy's parents didn't accept Peter as Darcy's boyfriend, because of his demon-like ways. But, they seem like total Bible banging crazies who, if you aren't like them, they don't want anything to do with you. Total hypocrites.

I liked the new character Jane. I didn't think I would and that she'd be one of those total freak kind of gothic girls who don't accept anyone else, especially preppy cheerleaders like Manny and Darcy. But, so far, she seemed cool.I hope to see more of her. As of Sav, well, who knows yet.

Speaking of new characters, what's up with Miss Holly J Sinclaire? If she's planning on replacing Paige as the new queen bee, she best pick better subjects. I mean, starting stuff with Darcy and Toby? She must be a **** in training or something, because if she was the stereotypical mean girl, she would go after someone like Manny.

The Parcy interaction was way cute. I actually liked them when they first got together, but kind of thought that maybe they were too perfect for each other, if that makes any sense. But, yes, Parcy is adorable. Except for that odd scene in the bedroom and Peter was pushing himself on Darcy. I'm just glad Peter told Darcy he really did love her, even if she was too out of it to hear what he said.

I knew it wouldn't be Peter who raped her once Darcy walked into the bathroom and left her cup unintended. That was a BIG no-no.

It was creepy how some random person lead her into a bedroom and raped her and then she woke-up next to Peter. It should had been a give away when she woke-up naked and he woke-up wearing clothes. Oh, and can I say, how did they even end-up in bed together? Did the anonymous rapist drag him in there or something? That was kind of weird.

I figured Peter couldn't keep it to himself, though. I mean, he is a guy and a typical one at that. The hidden humor in some of the scenes was really good, too. Like when Danny and Derek were like, "you don't know?"

All of Darcy's emotions after the rape were true to life, too. It was so sad when she was told Manny she had an STD, but she played it very well. Talking about when she was younger was a nice touch to it. The cutting herself was a definite and great twist to it. I also liked how Manny and Peter were right there for her, too. And, how Peter didn't leave her after he found out she was raped.

I can't believe how much of a **** Kim was. Darcy really realized who her true friends were, and sure as hell wasn't her. True friends would stick by you no matter what and that's exactly what Manny and Emma did. Oh, and I liked how Emma and Darcy had more scenes together. (I guess Miriam and Shenae made-up, or are getting along well enough for it not to interfere with their work?)

The best part, to me, was at the end when Manny gave Darcy back her ring and told her what happened didn't count. And, I loved when Manny told her she'd still have her prince and everything. It really made me cry. Manny is an amazing friend to everyone, even though Darcy said she had no self-respect and everything.

Now for the B-plots!

The Toby plot was pretty predictable. I mean, who didn't see him not liking the Lakehurst students there coming? But, it was something that needed to be shown. The scene of him at J.T.'s grave was so heartbreaking. To think, funnyman J.T. Yorke supposed to be buried right there, under all that dirt and snow.

It was kind of weird how Liberty was taking the peacemaker role, but she is right; it wasn't Lakehurst who killed J.T., it was one person.

The Johnny stuff is going to be an on-going theme in the season, that's for sure. First Toby fighting with him and then Spinner? At least he'll be moving up the ladder in terms of people he fights.

Tough Toby was way funny, though, and although it was supposed to be serious since he was talking about J.T., I couldn't help but laugh at him. And, by the way, J.T. was my favorite character, so it's not like I was happy he died or something.

The second part's B-plot was okay, but I think they could had made it better. I love Marco, so I wish they would give him more storylines that didn't revolve around Dylan and his sexuality. Yes, Marco is gay Gay gay gay so very gay See, now everyone knows it, so they can stop with it. And, I'm sorry but Dylan is way cuter than Eric. Isn't Eric supposed to be the guy Dylan cheated on him with back in season 4?

Next week's episode looks great. Paige is my favorite character, so I can't wait for it. I have a feeling it will be Deanna's last episode, because of the whole feel of it. Which means, the end of the complete and total mess of the relationship called Palex. I doubt Paige will have a long distance relationship with her, also, because of what happened last time she did that with Matt. Plus, they fight in it, so most likely they break-up once again. What will that make, the 100th time since season 5 they broke-up?

But, anyway, back to the first two episodes. I give it two thumbs up and five stars. It was an awesome episode and showed that Degrassi still has it, even if it had two disappointing seasons. Degrassi is back, and I'm so glad!