God, I miss the early 90's
This was such a special time to me, even though I was a few years younger than the target audience.
Back in the day, Degrassi was the best show on TV for younger people. Its realism, engaging stories, and everyday-looking actors and actresses captivated audiences. When the gang graduated and the show came to an end, I think most people were very disappointed that we were going to be deprived of our dear TV show.
When the news broke that a final, 2-hour TV movie would come out and wrap up the show, I was ecstatic, and I know I wasn't the only one. I lived through these characters a lot of the time. Who didn't like Joey? Which red-blooded boy didn't have a massive crush on Caitlin? I remember the Jonovision reunion; one of the audience members related that, growing up without many friends, he related to Degrassi in that he took the show's characters as his friends and coped with life that way. I didn't go quite that far, but I understood exactly what this guy was saying.
1991 was a special era. Times were simpler then; there were no cell phones, there was no Internet, no crappy TV, movies were good, and things were just slower.
When this movie came out, so much care and interest was invested into the Degrassi characters that all eyes were on it. If I'm not mistaken, it was the highest rated event on Canadian TV history to that point, grossing 2 million or so viewers. That's almost 10% of the entire country.
Am I the only one who yearns for those days every time I watch Caitlin and Joey have their confrontation at Bronco's cottage? Every time I hear "Moonlight Desires" and watch Joey and Tessa go at it for the first time?
I feel sad when I look back on it now and see how much time has passed. The show is over. Neil Hope has passed away, tragically, in my opinion. We'll never have such a high quality TV show again, etc.
This show is anchored to my childhood, which is why, I believe, everyone loves Degrassi so much. It is an extension of their lives in that way.