Ep 15. Jagged Little Pill

Jagged Little Pill is the fifteenth episode of the first season of Degrassi: The Next Generation. The episode revolves around Ashley discovering her father's addiction to painkillers and dealing with the repercussions of her trying to intervene.

Ashley has always been a responsible and mature character, but in Jagged Little Pill, she takes on a new level of seriousness as she finds herself in the middle of a family crisis. She becomes increasingly suspicious of her father's behavior, noticing that he is constantly taking pills and acting a little "off." When she confronts him about it, he denies having a problem, telling her that the pills are just painkillers for his back.

Unsatisfied with his answer, Ashley starts doing some research and soon realizes that her father's behavior is consistent with that of someone who is addicted to painkillers. She talks to her mother and tries to convince her to intervene, but her mother is in denial and doesn't want to believe that her husband has a problem. Ashley is left feeling frustrated and alone, with no one to turn to for help.

Meanwhile, at school, Ashley's relationship with Jimmy is starting to deteriorate. She is so preoccupied with her family's problems that she has little time for Jimmy, and he starts to feel neglected. They get into a big argument, and Jimmy even accuses Ashley of being jealous of his growing friendship with Paige.

As Ashley's home life becomes more and more strained, she starts to feel like she's losing control of everything around her. In a desperate attempt to fix things, she decides to take matters into her own hands and confront her father about his addiction. The confrontation is intense, and Ashley's father reacts angrily, leaving her feeling even more helpless and alone than before.

The episode ends with Ashley feeling defeated and unsure of what to do next. She worries that her father's addiction will only get worse, and she doesn't know how she can help him without pushing him away even further. The episode leaves viewers on a cliffhanger of sorts, wondering what the future holds for Ashley and her family.

Overall, Jagged Little Pill is a powerful episode that tackles some very serious issues with grace and sensitivity. It's a reminder that addiction can affect anyone, regardless of their background, and that it's important to seek help and support if you or someone you love struggles with substance abuse. The episode also highlights the importance of communication and the power of family, even in the face of adversity.