Degrassi has been with me since 1989. I was living on my own out in Halifax, and discovered it airing on television and was hooked. I recognized myself in these characters. Over the years I’ve been fortunate enough to chat and befriend members of the original Degrassi Juniour High and Degrassi High cast. I was even lucky enough to be one of the MCs for a Degrassi convention alongside my co-host, Sue Maynard. And I live short walk away from the school used as Degrassi High. It’s wild to think that’s where I am, after first meeting the characters back in ’89.

Everyone has a Degrassi story.

Everyone can relate to a Degrassi story.

And over the decades those stories have reached countless Canadians, and beyond.

Lisa Rideout (no relation? We don’t know, but I want to find out) delivers a fun look at the series in ll its incarnations, from it’s beginning with The Kid of Degrassi all the way through to Degrassi: The Next Class. There are check ins with members of the casts of all the series, though some are sadly missing, and Rideout keeps her lens focused on co-creator Linda Schuyler.

The doc touches on iconic storylines (the abortion stories are given some nice attention here – seeing how they developed over the series), and the lasting effect the series has had not only on Canadians, but pop culture. But it also hints at other things that were going on, and it honestly hints at the idea that there needs to be a deeper exploration of the series, good and bad.

Things weren’t good for everyone all the time, and Rideout makes sure to highlight those as well. Which once again begs a deeper examination (maybe a limited series?).

The interviews look great, the subjects, all of who fans will recognize, are open and engaged with the interviews, and the moments used from the series still resonate.

That being said, Degrassi – Whatever It Takes definitely hits the nostalgia button, and will no doubt affect all viewers, no matter who was in your Degrassi class. This one was a lot of fun, and a real joy. But now, I want to know even more.