On Degrassi, Clare Edwards and Eli Goldsworthy always seem to be drawn to each other. Together, they were also drawn to New York City — the original plan was he'd study film at NYU and she'd study journalism at Columbia University. But by the time the Degrassi finale aired Friday night, Clare was unsure about her future and whether or not she wanted to follow Eli to NYC like they had always planned for a very feminist — and very Clare — reason.
Clare had turned down her acceptance to Columbia while she was pregnant with Eli's baby, but later in the season the baby died during the pregnancy. Eli stood by Clare during the devastating loss and the duo seemed to be reunited. Eli even asked Clare to join him in New York, where she could play out her year off perhaps working on a novel in some classy city coffee shops and being in love together. While getting ready for the Degrassi prom, Ali takes a peek at Clare's old diary. It's all funny until Clare comes across a promise she once made to herself: Never to follow a guy and ignore her own dreams. Clare takes a second and wonders if joining Eli in NYC means she's doing exactly that. It causes her to turn down Eli's offer of a key to his apartment before prom.
At graduation, Clare admits to former principal (and Degrassi old schooler) Archie Simpson that she has no idea what's next for her. She could go to New York City, but would that be short-changing her own dreams? Simpson tells her that he was definitely sad after he got let-go from Degrassi, but the job loss also led him to considering new opportunities he wouldn't have through of before — so he's headed to Haiti to open up a school. It's food for thought for Clare, who finally hands her "what's next?" card at graduation — and it's blank. She tells the crowd that she's "opening myself up to everything." After the ceremony, Clare tells Eli, "I know who I am with you, but I don't know who I am on my own anymore."
I think this is hugely mature of Clare and an important journey for her to go on, especially after the crazy year she's had. She spent most of her time at Degrassi being labeled so many different things — Darcy's sister, Eli's girlfriend, a journalist, the pregnant girl, the smart girl, Drew's baby mama, and then Eli's baby mama — so it's time for Clare to simply be Clare and figure out what she wants. Plus, she could always go to NYC once she truly knows herself again and it becomes her dream, too.
Luckily, Eli felt the same way and supported Clare all the way. "I'll miss you, but if I love you now, imagine how much I'll love you you'll become," he tells her right before the kiss.
Aww! Thankfully, Degrassi on Teen Nick had a sweet ending for the couple. But what lies ahead when the series moves to Netlfix, we have yet to find out.
Image: Teen Nick
