Episode 64 - Next Class 3&4: The last exit to freedom (Maya, Zig, Esme, and Grace)

The Social Disease - A Degrassi Podcast

We've finally done it! This episode marks the end of our coverage of The Next Generation and Next Class that we started nearly 3 years ago, and how fitting for our longest episode yet! We wrap up the character arcs of Grace, Maya, and Zig, mourn what could have been of Esme's arc, gush over how heartbreaking but poignant Maya's journey has been, relish in the chaos that Esme brings everywhere she goes, try and understand Grace & Jonah, and say goodbye as Maya & Zig drive off into the sunset. Stay tuned for our "modern Degrassi" retrospective coming soon! General TW for discussions of suicide, depression, and death. Follow us on Twitter @DeSocialDisease and on Instagram @thesocialdisease.

0:00 - Intro

2:27 - Grace

6:11 - Struggles with CF

10:13 - Grace and Maya's fallout

17:20 - Gronah & Jonah

25:08 - Grace's character growth

28:35 - Zig & Esme

34:36 - Slut shaming and Esme's backstory

42:24 - Esme's deteriorating mental health

49:01 - Manipulating and abusing Zig

54:28 - Esme finally gets help

1:01:51 - Zig's overall character

1:09:35 - Maya

1:17:14 - All the parallels with Cam

1:24:39 - Maya's depression throughout season 3

1:33:11 - Maya's suicide attempt

1:37:01 - Healing throughout season 4

1:45:06 - Maya's last episode and overall development

1:51:34 - Final thoughts