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"We'll ask the crowd at the assembly tomorrow and see what they say; would you rather vote for the freak, or the queer. By the way, I'm the freak."
Alex threatens Marco's campaign

King of Pain is the third episode of Season 4 of the Canadian television series, Degrassi: The Next Generation. It originally aired on September 21, 2004 on CTV Television and on October 8, 2004 on The N. The episode was written by story editors Shelley Scarrow and Sean Reycraft and directed by Stefan Scaini. It shares its title with the song by Sting and The Police.

Summary[]

Marco runs for Student Council President, but he could lose more than just the presidency when he finds out who his opponent is: Alex. Meanwhile, Emma becomes jealous as Liberty gets closer to Chris.

Main Plot[]

Marco reveals his sexuality to his mother but isn't ready to tell his father yet. When he decides to run for class president, his opponent (Alex) decides to play dirty politics by threatening to reveal his sexuality at the election assembly, which his dad is going to attend.

Many of Marco's friends, including Paige, Craig, Spinner and Hazel, are shocked when they learned that Alex is going to run.

On the day of the big debate, Alex reveals her campaign as her being "a freak," but even though she threatened Marco about his sexuality, she decides to keep it a secret, deciding at the last minute that it was wrong to try to use his sexuality against him.

Marco ends up winning the presidential position and in a move of forgiveness, he happily makes Alex his vice-president.

This makes Ellie (who's already friends with Marco) become friends with Alex quickly.

Sub Plot[]

Liberty has a crush on Chris. Emma finds out about Liberty's crush and tries to prevent the two from getting together by telling Chris that she wants to get back together with him.

Although Manny is originally encouraging of her best friend, she decides against it when Emma tells her the real reason why she wants to get back together with Chris: that it would make her look bad if Chris moved on from her and moved on to Liberty. Manny is disturbed by Emma's attitude and decides to tells Liberty about it, thus ending her friendship with Emma.


  • This episode is named after the song "King of Pain" by Sting and The Police.
  • Marco officially came out to his mom in this episode.
  • Marco got 321 votes, while Alex got 209.
  • Shannon Kook-Chun who portrays Zane Park was an extra in this episode (source)
  • This episode marks the end of Marco and Dylan's first relationship.
  • This episode marks the start of Marco and Dylan's second relationship.
  • The original title for this episode was "Don't You Want Me?".

  • Alex (To Marco): "We'll ask the crowd at the assembly tomorrow. Who would they rather vote for: the freak or the queer? By the way, I'm the freak."
  • Paige: "Ice patches, bottomless pits, dog crap and Alex; pedestrian hazards to avoid."
    Alex: "Nice shirt, hate to bloody it."
    Paige: "Nice attitude, hate to deflate it by reminding you that you're a loser."
  • Emma: "I'm just having a hard time letting Chris go."
    Liberty: "Well, I won't have a hard time letting you go... Straight to hell."
  • Liberty (To Emma): "You're dead to me."
  • Marco: "Take this picture and make your dormmates jealous."
    Dylan: "They're straight."
    Marco: "Then make them uncomfortable!"
  • Manny: "When Liberty sees an opportunity. She goes for it. She's like a rabid wolverine."
  • Marco: "Hey, I get to pick my vice president."
    Alex: "And I get to pick my nose."

  • "Sore" by Buck 65


  • v - e - d

    Season Four Episodes

    Ghost in the Machine (1) ā€¢ Ghost in the Machine (2) ā€¢ King of Pain ā€¢ Mercy Street ā€¢ Anywhere I Lay My Head ā€¢ Islands in the Stream ā€¢ Time Stands Still (1) ā€¢ Time Stands Still (2) ā€¢ Back In Black ā€¢ Neutron Dance ā€¢ Voices Carry (1) ā€¢ Voices Carry (2) ā€¢ Bark at the Moon ā€¢ Secret (1) ā€¢ Secret (2) ā€¢ Eye of the Tiger ā€¢ Queen of Hearts ā€¢ Modern Love ā€¢ Moonlight Desires ā€¢ West End Girls ā€¢ Goin' Down the Road (1) ā€¢ Goin' Down the Road (2)

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