High Fidelity (2) is the nineteenth episode and second part of the finale of Season 5 of Degrassi: The Next Generation. It is also the 100th episode of the Next Generation series. It aired on March 20, 2006 in Canada and on June 9, 2006 in the United States.
Extended Overview[]
Graduation is approaching, a time for moving on. Ashley and Craig return to Degrassi from London and Vancouver respectively to visit with old friends and perhaps register for classes for the following year.
Jimmy is will not be moving on from Degrassi just yet, as his time away from school (despite his hard work), has left him a few credits short from graduating with his class.
He is still feeling sorry for himself for being in a wheelchair, but encouragement from Ashley may help. Her first words of encouragement fall flat, however.
Jimmy likes Ellie, and Ashley believes that Ellie likes Jimmy based on some comments she's made. Based on this information from Ashley, Jimmy tells Ellie that he wants to take their friendship to the next level. However, it is not Jimmy that Ellie has relationship feelings for, but Craig.
Jimmy is feeling very unattractive in his wheelchair, but a passionate kiss from Ashley boosts his confidence, not only with himself, but with his lot in life. From this, he buries the hatchet with Spinner.
However, Spinner is having relationship issues of his own. The kiss with Paige has left him slightly confused, but Darcy asks him to take her back, which he does.
The return of Darcy, leaves Spinner the task of telling Paige that nothing beyond that kiss can happen, however, before he can do so, another tender moment with Paige leads to them going all the way.
Spinner text messages Marco what happened with Paige, asking for advice. However, he doesn't have to decide as Paige is moving on from Degrassi post-graduation & Darcy sees the text messages, which leads to her dumping Spinner.
His renewed friendship with Jimmy makes Spinner realize that he needs to take what he wants out of life, causing him to run after Darcy before she leaves for Bible camp for the summer.
Although she doesn't trust him, because he broke his purification vows so easily, Darcy glances at him before she gets on the bus, leaving him with some hope.
In this episode, Paige, Ellie, Marco, Hazel, Alex (along with the other season 5 seniors) all graduate with Marco as their valedictorian.
- This episode is named after the song High Fidelity by Elvis Costello.
- The song playing when Darcy gets on the bus after speaking to Spinner is Your Ex-Lover is Dead by Stars.
- Although Jimmy is in the same grade as the Class of 2006, he is forced to stay back a year due to his lack of credits. Spinner was also supposed to graduate with the class of 2006, but he was expelled due to the shooting incident, and came back later, which forced him to graduate with the Class of 2007.
- This is the 100th episode of Degrassi: The Next Generation.
- The Class of 2006 graduates.
- Ellie turns down Jimmy when he asks to take their friendship to the next level.
- This episode marks the beginning of Ashley and Jimmy's third relationship.
- This episode marks the beginning and end of Darcy and Spinner's second relationship.
- This is the first reappearance of Ashley Kerwin since she left for London in Goin' Down the Road (1).
- This marks the final appearance of Hazel.
- This marks the last appearances of Craig Manning and Toby Isaacs as series regulars.
- Jimmy and Spinner become friends again in this episode.
- Spinner's email address is revealed to be spinner@treeemail.com.
- When Spinner and Marco text about the former's hook-up with Paige, the date says 10/31/05, which suggests that the scene was taped on October 31, 2005.
Regular Cast (Ordered Alphabetically)
- Sarah Barrable-Tishauer as Liberty Van Zandt
- Stefan Brogren as Archie Simpson
- Deanna Casaluce as Alex Nuñez
- Lauren Collins as Paige Michalchuk
- Ryan Cooley as J.T. Yorke
- Melissa DiMarco as Daphne Hatzilakos
- Jake Epstein as Craig Manning
- Stacey Farber as Ellie Nash
- Jake Goldsbie as Toby Isaacs
- Aubrey Graham as Jimmy Brooks
- Jamie Johnston as Peter Stone
- Shane Kippel as Spinner Mason
- Andrea Lewis as Hazel Aden
- Miriam McDonald as Emma Nelson
- Adamo Ruggiero as Marco Del Rossi
- Cassie Steele as Manny Santos
- Amanda Stepto as Christine Nelson
Supporting Cast
- Shenae Grimes as Darcy Edwards
- Melissa McIntyre as Ashley Kerwin
- Caroline Park as Kim
Absences
Hazel: "Spinner?! But I just got used to you being a lesbian.
Paige: "This isn't about you, it's about me. Right now, I'm about being free who I want to date: girl or boy."
Toby: "Just so you know, I totally support freedom to date whomever. And BTW, totally available."
Ellie: "What's up?"
Jimmy: "You look great. I mean you always look great, but tonight you look great!"
Ellie: "Oh hey I was just wondering. How do I look? Could it maybe be great?"
(Jimmy laughs nervously)
Jimmy: "Um, look you've become one of my best friends, right and you've opened my eyes to a lot of things. I wanted to know if maybe we could talk about taking it to the next level..."
(Ellie doesn't say anything)
Jimmy: "But you don't."
Ellie: "Jimmy, I'm sorry...I--"
Jimmy: "Don’t be. It’s not completely unexpected. I’m gonna go, okay?"