Accidents Will Happen (Degrassi: The Next Generation)
"Accidents Will Happen" is a two-part episode of Degrassi: The Next Generation that aired in the middle of season 3. The first part aired originally on 26 January 2004, and the second part originally aired on 9 February 2004. Due to the content discussed in this episode, it was shelved from United States broadcast for several years. It was aired in the US for the first time on Noggin's teen block, The N, during a marathon of "Cast Picks". Cassie Steele, who plays Manny Santos, the main character of this episode, chose this as her "pick". It was not reran again until a later date, when The N held an "every episode ever" event, before the premiere of the 6th season.
| "Accidents Will Happen" | |
|---|---|
| Degrassi: The Next Generation episode | |
 A devastated Manny, after thinking she is pregnant, runs to visit Emma's mother, Spike, for advice. | |
| Episode no. | Season 3 Episode 14 & 15 |
| Production code | 314 & 315 |
| Original air date | 26 January and 9 February 2004 (Canada) 26 August 2006 (US) |
Synopsis
Part One
Manny lends Hazel a tampon and a concerned Emma asks why Manny has not had her period yet. Manny checks her calendar and discovers that she is late. After receiving advice from Paige, Manny asks Craig if he used a condom when they had sex. When Craig says no, she runs to Emma's mother, Spike, for advice. After a positive result on a pregnancy test, Spike tells Manny to do what is best for her.
Part Two
Manny decides to tell Craig, who is enthusiastic about having the baby. After Craig gives Manny a book of potential names for the baby, Ashley steals it, and announces to the whole school that Manny and Craig are going to have a baby. After hearing several remarks and comments, Manny decides that having a baby at this time in her life would ruin her plans for her future. Manny tells Emma that she is going to have an abortion. When Emma hears this, she becomes furious and says that what Manny is planning to do is wrong. Manny then tells Craig – he tells her no and that the baby is his too. Emma steps in and says that it is Manny's body and therefore Manny’s choice. Manny tearfully confesses to her mother and her mother takes her to the abortion clinic.
Subplot
Part One
When J.T. is invited to go to a concert with Jimmy, Toby feels left out, and tries to impress Jimmy, by hacking the school computer and changing his grade. When they are caught, neither of them can go to the concert because they were given Saturday detention on the day of the concert.
Part Two
J.T.'s finally had enough of Liberty's crush on him and tells her to move on. When she's paired with Sean on a history project, she decides that he's the latest target of her affections. Liberty gets paired up with Sean’s friend, Towerz.
Reactions
Many US Degrassi fans were upset that this episode was aired in Canada and not in the United States.
Jake Epstein, who portrays Craig Manning, stated that condoms were thrown at him after the airing of this episode.[1]
DVD release
The episode was released in the Season 3 DVD box set before it was aired in the United States.