The Relationship
They were the first couple to live together. They often responded to any problems, quickly and compassionately. They remain one of the only couples to say "I love you" more than once. For all of this, Sean and Ellie are rightfully (and consistently) called one of the most mature relationships that has been on Degrassi: The Next Generation. The two rebels, one with fiery red hair, the other with a skull cap, only knew of each other in passing. Perhaps that made it all the easier for them to reconnect so naturally and believably, two strangers that didn't think of each other as strange. Meeting in the infamous Saturday detention, Sean shared his history of theft, and Ellie displayed the marks on her arm to him. As he tenderly traced her cuts, we knew there was a connection in that silent gesture. Always patient with her, Sean forgave Ellie for taping his secret regarding the stolen equipment; found time to drop by her job; understood that she didn't know how the whole boyfriend thing worked. The writers maintained their tender gestures throughout their two-season run: falling asleep together on the couch while watching bad movies; Sean making guacamole for Ellie; Ellie helping Sean with his homework. Luckily, for the viewers, the gestures were a reflection of a hard-won relationship.
After their initial interest in each other, the relationship faced problems immediately. Finding greener pastures elsewhere, Tracker elected to move and wanted Sean to come with him. Sean, risking losing his year and leaving Ellie, chose to stay. This lead Ellie to run at first from sadness, come back with the proposal of a long-distance relationship, and ultimately, perform the infamous jump-in-your arms moment when Sean announces his intentions to stay. A new adventure of Sean having student welfare resulted in some good things for him, including better grades and a stable relationship with Ellie. His friendship with Jay also ended due to the excessive partying that could've cost him his welfare. Sean made the right decision, focusing on his academics, and later repairing his friendships. We also noticed a change in Ellie, who we saw grooving at one of Sean's first house parties, another moment we won't soon forget. Smiles became less foreign on her pretty face. The verbal smackdown of Avril-loving Amy and the final season 3 Sellie hug were additional treats.
Season 4 only caused more growth for our rebellious romantics. Ms. Nash, still struggling with her drinking, met Sean at Back to School Night, shining a light on issues Ellie had been dealing with the past year. Sensing her need to get away, Sean proposed living together, with Ellie moving in with "someone who loves" her. Hesitant to leave her mother, she doesn't until Ms. Nash accidentally burns down the Nash's kitchen. Sean withstands Ms. Nash's cold comments to stick up for Ellie's well-being, so much so that her mother must agree. Ellie and Sean shacked up, and delighted themselves in the joys of domesticity, including buying beloved ferret Bueller, a rodent who can't seem to stay still. Unfortunately, tragedy struck, and Sellie had to cope as best they could. Confronted by personal demons post-shooting, Sean goes to face the parents he believed gave up on him, Ellie along for the ride. Along the way, Ellie consistently stood by him, but the depth of the situation prevented them from being together. Trading their last, poignant "I love you"s, Ellie tearfully ducked into Jay's car, with Sean staying in Wasaga.
--written by Nikki