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"She's my mom, and if you hurt her, I'll never speak to you again."
— Emma to her blood father

“Father Figure (2)”
Season 3, Episode 2

Information
Can. Airdate	September 17, 2003
U.S. Airdate	October 3, 2003
Prod. Code	302
Director(s)	Bruce McDonald
Episode Guide
Previous	“Father Figure (1)”
Next	“U Got The Look”

"Father Figure (2)" is the second part to the two-parter season premiere of Season 3 of the Canadian television series, Degrassi: The Next Generation. It originally aired on September 17, 2003 on CTV Television and on October 3, 2003 on The N. The episode was directed by Bruce McDonald and it shares its title with a song of the same name by George Michael.

Extended Overview

Emma finds her father, Shane McKay. She discovers him living in an assisted living residence in Stouffville, Ontario. Emma and Craig enter the residence and she sneaks up to Shane's room. She finds him turning a plate several times. She is shocked to find out that Shane is developmentally disabled, specifically Acquired Brain Injury. This was a result of falling off (or jumping off) a bridge after taking acid when he was in grade nine. Emma ends up accepting him, and when she has to leave, Shane becomes agitated and throws his plate across the room in protest. The support worker re-directs Shane to his knitting in a condescending tone of voice. Emma gives Shane her address so they can write each other. Soon after, Shane shows up at Spike's house, and realizes that Spike has married Snake and is pregnant with his child. He becomes angry, and when Spike tries to call for help he destroys the entire room, sending Spike into early labor. Emma comes home and realizes what is going on. She calms down Shane by letting him knit. Luckily, the baby is born safely. Shane gives Emma the hat he knitted, and Emma gives Shane a new picture of them together.

The title of this episode is named after the song "Father Figure" by George Michael.
This episode marks the last appearance of Shane McKay.
This episode marks the birth of Jack Simpson.

Shane has an old promotional picture of Spike and baby Emma in his room at the care facility from Degrassi High.
Emma learns that her father received brain damage by "falling and hitting his head". Snake later reveals to Emma he got this injury by jumping off of a bridge and hitting his head.
When Emma is complaining about her parents, Craig tells her that she is overreacting, and that at least she has two fathers, while his (Albert Manning) is dead.
Spike goes into labor and gives birth to Jack Simpson, Emma's half-brother. Liz helps to deliver him.
While at the Simpson-Nelson household, Shane looks at the wedding picture of Snake and Spike that was taken in White Wedding (2).
Despite Spinner's efforts, Paige remains with her same awful locker.
This is the first time Emma refers to Snake as "her dad", showing that she has finally accepted him as a parental figure in her life.

Character Revelations

This marks the last appearance of Shane McKay in the Degrassi franchise, even though Emma promises to keep in touch.

Goofs

When Emma is having a flashback from when she first met her father, you can see Spike is still a teenager. However, Shane looks exactly as he does in the present.