i dont have much else to add to this post im just genuinely interested because i haven't heard a single person talk about degrassi in at least 15 years (aside from the occasional "remember that show drake was in lol") what drew you to start/continue watching? where should a new watcher start?
I'm a Degrassi the next generation connoisseur so I reccomend starting there. Season 1 episode 1 and getting to at least season 8 is good with to me. Immersion helps too, imagine you're around 13-15 and being introduced to very heavy topics for the first time. It's also between 2001 and 2011 so some of the topics are new for the time.
Each season follows 1 school year starting in 7th grade. You follow an ensemble cast, throught the series, with distinct personalities navigating the fun and nasty parts of growing up. Things don't always end on a good note either but as the theme song says "whatever it takes, I know I can make it through".
Although it's presented as an after-school special for teens, the show does not shy away from questionable characters making questionable choices. You don't watch for oscars level acting, you watch for content.
Topics covered also the content warning:
Self harm,removed, abuse, anorexia, mental illnees, jealousy, overachiecement, stress, eating disorder, cheating
Also I've been a degrassi fan since my teen years and drake is still unimportant to me.