College Years: How Do They End?

Warning, spoilers. The following article outlines the main plot of ‘The College Years’ as well as its ending.

In the late 1970s, Linda Schuyler – then a teacher – came up with the idea of ​​making a series centered around a group of college students, a rare genre on Canadian television. After The Kids of Degrassi Street, it creates Degrassi Junior High, which then evolves into Degrassi High when the students go to high school. These are the last two series that make up our college years. Everything is a real success, so after the “franchise” it will be rejected under different names (new generation, new promo…).

One thing is certain, the college of Les Années has never hesitated to address the real, unsolved issues of adolescence, and in doing so, celebrated the countless people around the world who have grown up with it.

The last episode of “One Last Dance” aired on January 28, 1991. However, three years later, the show would be completed by a TV movie called School’s Out. But what happens at the end of the series itself? That’s what I’ll tell you.

In the school halls, Lucy highlights the election of student representatives, while Tabby and Nicky share with Dwayne the latest school rumor: a Degrassi student has AIDS. Dwayne is nervous. Nick and Tabby escalate the situation by voicing their opinion on the matter and hoping to get the man released.

Lucy is chosen to represent the higher schools: everyone comes to congratulate her. In the cafeteria, Caitlin shyly greets Joey and exchanges a few words with him about choosing Lucy. At each table, Maya and Snake play matchmaker with their friends. One tells Kaitlyn that she thinks she still has feelings for Joey, the other asks Joey when he’s going to ask Kaitlyn to his next prom.

Back in the cafeteria, Amy and Alison talk about who they think has AIDS. Dwayne is nervous again. Amy hopes they find out who has the disease soon because she doesn’t want to catch it. Alison points out that no one can keep a secret at this school. Dwayne then suggests that Joey said all that because after all, he’s the only one who knows about his HIV status.

In the boys’ bathroom, Dwayne decides to confront Joey. The latter defends himself and tells him that he is not spreading the rumour.

As the lesson ends, Tabby and Nick continue to argue about the matter: they assume that the gay boy caught it. Joan is nervous and asks them how they can be sure, and ends up teaching them about the nature of the virus. The duo end up taunting him and he leaves without letting go.

After Nick makes more disparaging remarks about people with AIDS, Dwayne finally breaks down and admits to them that he is HIV positive because of the girl. Nick is scared to be around her now.

That’s it: everyone knows and looks at Dwayne strangely. A simple hello to Tabby and there she is freaking out. Then the young man tries to explain that the disease is not caught by touching the head – in vain. He leaves school.

In Mr. Webster’s science class, the students learn that DeGrasse will be closed for the year and that everyone must go to different schools to graduate from high school. They are all shocked.

In his office, Mr. Raditch explains to Lucy and Bronco everything that is wrong with the school closing. Lucy doesn’t understand why she was elected student representative if the high school will soon be gone. The vice-principal tells him that the decision was made that morning and he was affected.

In the halls, Joey confesses to Wills and Snake that he loves Caitlin and that he wants to ask her to the prom, but now he’s worried that he won’t be in the same high school as her next year. A young girl then appears, and this is Joey’s opportunity to invite her: she walks out. The young woman hesitates, then says yes.

After class, Tabby asks Joan if she’s seen Dwayne, but she hasn’t seen Dwayne since that morning. Tabby then asks him about AIDS: he’s worried about whether he could get it from sitting in the same seat as Dwayne. Joan explains to him how she catches the disease when she’s angry: she’s angry at how people like Tabby treat people with AIDS and leaves.

Finally, it’s the big night: everyone at 31 comes to the ball. The party is in full swing when Dwayne arrives. We look at him and avoid him. Another note from Alison to Amy, and the young man ran into the boys’ bathroom.

Joey, Snake, and Michelle take turns arriving. The latter two join the dance floor while Joey waits for Caitlin at the entrance: she’s always late. Increasingly nervous, she begins to think that he will not come and worries about her appearance. She tells Joey that she is going to fix her hair in the bathroom.

There she meets Dwayne, who confides in her. He tells her that he didn’t pass the exams because it doesn’t matter because he will die soon. Joey mentions that one day everyone will die, but this does not convince his interlocutor. Dwayne also tells her that he confessed everything to his parents and of course his father got angry and his mother cried.

Meanwhile, Maya and Caitlin finally arrive at the school, and the latter is surprised not to find Joey at the entrance: he’s starting to think too. Maya doesn’t help matters and tells him that maybe she’s tired of waiting and should go home.

Caitlin looks everywhere for Joey and starts freaking out, saying she’s humiliated by the rabbit she apparently humiliated when she thought they might get back together. Just as she decides to go home, exclaiming “I hate her,” Joey finally comes back from the bathroom. His mood changes instantly.

On the mic, Bronco asks guests to find someone special for the next Nellie. Couples are formed, including Joey and Caitlin, who join the dance floor.

Dwayne gathers his courage in both hands and joins the ballroom. Joan greets him and tells him she’s glad to see him. Nick, who is dancing with Tabby, sees her and tells her they should go, but Tabby refuses. She joins Dwayne and invites him to dance, which he accepts. The duo makes their way down the track, surrounded by Degrassi students who are all dancing. credits roll. The end of the college years, series.