Gay Jock Riley is "Still Fighting It" on "Degrassi"

Before we begin the recap of this week's dramatic Degrassi: The Boiling Point, let me reiterate my love for "Canadian acting."

People never believe me when I say I can spot a Canadian actor on any TV show or movie, but trust me, my Canuck-dar is never wrong. And I think I've finally discovered why. .

Sure, Canadian actors say adorable things like "aboot" and "sore-ey" but there's more to it than that. The fact is, they're just so much more sincere than their American counterparts. For instance, they can take subpar material (i.e. Luke MacFarlane in Brothers & Sisters) and make it work.

Degrassi is another example of that. At the end of this week's story arc, Riley (Argiris Karras) and Zane (Shannon Kook-Chun) have to work through one of the hoariest old chestnuts, but the actors make it work ... because we want them to make it work.

We start where we left off, with Riley (whose hair inexplicably seems to get bigger as the week goes on) asking Zane if he wants to hang out, and Zane telling him that they can't be together until "gay Riley" and "football Riley" merge into "gay football Riley."

Just before this, future outed Republican Senator Owen saunters through the halls with his posse of non-speaking jock extras, and sarcastically tells Zane "big game today, Rockette!" Riley says "Rockette?" and Zane explains that it's a gay joke, and asks why it doesn't bother him. Riley responds "Well, I didn't even get it."

Oh Riley.

Riley asks Anya (who's one of the few students who know he's gay) if she wants to hang out, but unfortunately her mother has this whole cancer thing going on, and she has to be there when her mom gets tests done. Riley offers to go with her to keep her company, because "that's what friends do." Awww!

Anya asks why Riley doesn't want to hang out with the team, or Zane, and he explains that he doesn't fit in anywhere at the school. Anya tells him that maybe he needs to look outside of the school, and Riley says "Maybe I'll find an openly gay football player at the cancer ward!"

Oh Riley.

While waiting at the hospital, Riley and Anya meet her mother's physician, the gorgeous Dr. Chris, with whom Riley is instantly smitten. When Dr. Chris walks away, Riley has a look as though he's picturing him "snapping a pigskin," or some other football reference I'm unsure of.

Unfortunately, it turns out Dr, Chris is keeping it for the ladies, which crushes poor Riley.

Anya tries to cheer him up by asking who his dream guy is, and Riley answers "He's smart, funny, and kind." Oh stop Riley, I'm blushing! "And he's got to love sports."

Damn!

Anya says "that sounds like somebody we know," but Riley shakes his head and sadly says "Zane's not going to give me another chance."

Anya, like every BFF before her, tries to work her meddling magic. She calls Zane over to help Riley with his algebra, and at first reluctant, Zane is soon all up in Riley's variables.

Anya insists that Riley move onto plan B, which involves lots of flirting. Just when it appears that Riley is making progress, future outed Baptist minister Owen starts taunting Zane in the lockerroom with a pink shirt and gay jokes ... as Riley laughs along. Zane walks out, disgusted and hurt by Riley's betrayal.