Degrassi Junior High Season 1 Episode 8 Nothing to Fear

The description for the show Degrassi Junior High season 1 episode 8 "Nothing to Fear" is:

The episode "Nothing to Fear" follows the characters of Degrassi Junior High as they navigate fear and anxiety in different aspects of their lives. Wheels, one of the show's main characters, is fearful about the upcoming school dance and asks his crush to go with him. She declines, causing Wheels to feel rejected and even more anxious about attending the dance. Meanwhile, Emma is afraid of spiders and goes to great lengths to avoid them, including skipping school when she finds one in her classroom. Snake, Emma's friend, tries to help her overcome her fear by bringing a spider to their class for show-and-tell. However, this only exacerbates Emma's anxiety and causes her to have a panic attack.

Elsewhere, Joey is nervous about performing in front of his class for a mock trial. His partner, Derek, constantly pressures him to do better and threatens to ruin their chances of winning if Joey messes up. Joey's anxiety manifests in physical symptoms, such as a stomach ache, and he struggles to perform to his full potential. Meanwhile, Lucy has a terrifying encounter with a man who exposes himself while she is walking home from school. She is frozen with fear and doesn't know how to react or tell anyone about the incident.

Throughout the episode, the characters deal with their fears in different ways. Wheels eventually works up the courage to go to the dance alone and has a good time despite his initial nerves. Emma seeks help from a therapist and begins to overcome her fear of spiders. Joey stands up to Derek and performs well in the mock trial. Lucy confides in her friends and tells her mother about the man who exposed himself to her. The episode deals with serious issues such as anxiety, panic attacks, sexual harassment, and fear in a sensitive and educational manner. It shows that it's okay to be afraid, but it's important to seek help and support to overcome those fears.