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JF21©

THE BEST YEARS OFFICIAL PAGE ON THE N~~THE BEST YEARS OFFICIAL SITE
About:
''The Best Years is a 13-episode new teen drama series that revolves around main character Samantha Best who receives a scholarship to attend the fictional Charles University. There she makes new friends, new rivals, new love, new suprises and faces unexpected tragedy.

The series is from Aaron Martin a producer and writer from Degrassi: The Next Generation. Like Degrassi, the series is filmed in Canada and even features guest appearances from Degrassi cast members. However, unlike Degrassi, The Best Years takes place in the United States with only one character portrayed as Canadian ("Noah").''


Characters:
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Samantha Best(Charity Shea): When Sam was 8 years old, she lost both her parents within months of one another. Her Uncle Patrick quickly abandoned her to the foster system, and she spent the next few years being shuffled from one family to another in Boston's roughest neighborhoods where she had to toughen up or be eaten alive. Samantha found refuge in books and studying and planning for a day when she could be happy again. Now's that day. She's at Charles University on a full scholarship from her benefactor Dorothy O'Sullivan, surrounded by opportunities for friendship and love—if she can learn to trust anybody but herself.
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Devon Sylver(Brandon Jay McLaren): Devon's at Charles U. on a full basketball scholarship, and he's used to being the star. Devon's past is nothing like Samantha's— he grew up in a secure family, proud of himself—but they both worked hard to win a place at school. He's ahead of the game when it comes to friends and romance, but none of that will prepare him for Sam.
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Kathryn Klarner(Jennifer Miller): Samantha's roommate Kathryn is a farm girl from Minnesota, but she's also the richest farm girl you'll find. Since birth her parents have filled her with a sense of superiority. They also guaranteed her a place at school by writing a check, so she's free to pursue her plan: get in with the right crowd and find a guy to fall in love with her. Sam's the first person Kathryn's ever known who can't be bought and who will call her on the crap she usually gets away with.
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Dawn Vargaz(Athena Karkanis): Dawn's lived in the limelight since her first commercial at age two, and now she's the star of the teen soap Bel Air High. Being a young celeb means Dawn's had fame, cash, clubs, and non-stop excitement, but she's never had a real friend, and her first kiss was onscreen. So she's trading it all in to be a student at Charles U., and to try having a "normal" life.
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Trent Hamilton(Niall Matter): Trent was born into one of the wealthiest families in Boston. Since he has no worries about where he's going to end up, Trent has a unique outlook on life and his own moral code. He's in no rush to graduate, and he loves living the student life while his parents pick up the tab. His killer job as head bartender at Colony, Boston's hottest club, is mainly to give him something to do. Women have been under his spell since he was in diapers, but his magic doesn't work on Dawn, who sees through the charm to the real Trent.
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Noah Jensen(Randall Edwards): Sam's business class partner Noah is a slightly neurotic intellectual from Montreal who's smart and completely obsessed with film. He's quirky, yeah, but he's funny enough that he can get away with it. Noah's greatest trauma growing up is that he had no trauma to draw "inspiration" from for the Hollywood career he has planned.
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Cynthia Song(Sui Ta): Sam's floormate and first friend when she arrived at Charles University. She comes off as somewhat shy and nerdy, but considers shedding that image and make a new one for herself. However, when she catches Sam kissing Noah, she begins to act strangely. Is she hiding a dark secret from Sam and the others?
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Shannon Biel(Ashley Morris): Kathryn's cousin and a member of CU's cheerleading squad. Known for her preppy, snobby attitude, She has to compete with Sam for Devon's affection, in early episodes. Although being a blonde and a cheerleader, Shannon proved that she is somewhat smart.
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Sloane McCarthy(Ashley Newbrough): President of Gamma Kappa Nu sorority. Sloane is girlfriend to Beau Beecham, even though she is aware he is cheating on her with Kathryn.
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Beau Beecham(Chris Gallinger): Boyfriend to the Gamma Kappa Nu president, Sloane McCarthy. Beau began another relationship with Kathryn Klarner while she was rushing his girlfriend's sorority.
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Lee Campbell(Alan Van Sprang): Owner of Colony night club. Is friends with Dawn and Trent. Is bi-sexual and is HIV positive.

-- photo creds, THE-N.COM,IMDB. * character summary, show/episode summary creds; Wikipedia and TV.com unless stated otherwise.



Episodes-13 total: CLICK HERE TO WATCH FULL STREAMING EPISODES OF THE BEST YEARS*click ''Best Years'' then scroll click 'Full Episodes', should be the second one down...or if you don't have time, here's the recaps:

1/13:VERTIGO
~Samantha arrives at Charles University and she reveals that she can not afford a meal plan. She meets her new love interest, Devon Sylver, and just as things start to look good for Samantha, it all comes crashing down when something tragic happens. Meanwhile, actress Dawn Vargas arrives at Charles University in search for a normal life but she gets drunk at the local University hotspot, a club named Colony, and Trent, the bartender, decides to help her.
2/13:NOTORIOUS~After Samantha complains to Darryl about the noise from her roommate, Kathryn, in her dorm room, Darryl imposes an eviction bylaw to anyone who makes excessive noise in the dormitory. The other dormitory students blame Samantha for the bylaw despite her protest that she did not mean for this to happen.In hopes of winning back the hearts of the students in the dormitory, Samantha decides to break the rules and plan a party. Meanwhile, Kathryn decides to plan her own party.
3/13:IT SHOULD HAPPEN TO YOU~Samantha attends the club fair with her new friend Dawn and quickly decides she wants to join a sorority. However, there is only one spot available and her competition becomes Kathryn. Kathryn, knowing that Samantha has a better chance of getting in the exclusive sorority than she does, decides to dig up some dirt on Samantha's life.While at Colony, Sam finds Kathryn making out with Beau, the boyfriend of the sorority's leader, Sloane. After Sloane confronts Sam about the dirt dug up by Kathryn, Sam decides to tells Sloane about Kathryn and Beau. However, Sloane is not impressed by Samantha's intentions. Meanwhile, Sam and Devon's relationship begins to blossom, but it does not last long.
4/13:FROM HERE TO ETERNITY~Samantha and Noah's business teacher gives them a huge assignment and the students with the lowest marks from the assignment will be forced to drop the course due to over enrollment. Sam and Noah decide to partner up for their business assignment, only to learn they must sell caldendars plastered with pictures of Devon. With Devon and Sam's relationsip still on the rocks, Sam builds up the courage to ask Devon for help.
5/13:SECRETS AND LIES~Samantha and Devon get back together and when all the pieces seem all to fall in place, a new problem ensues. Devon and Sam decide to go to the Halloween party at Colony dressed as ketchup and mustard. Everything is fine before Cynthia shows up drunk and dressed as relish. Sam becomes torn between spending time with her new boyfriend or Cynthia. When Sam finally confronts Cynthia, she does something shocking.
6/13:GIRL INTERRUPTED~Samantha becomes stressed over her upcoming exams and temporarily moves in with Dorothy to get some quiet study time. Sam visits Cynthia in the hospital and is determined to find out what is wrong with her. Meanwhile, Dawn's diva attitude causes the entire cast and crew of "Macbeth" to quit and Sam discovers Cynthia's secret.
7/13:SHADOW OF A DOUBT~Sam's birthday is coming up and Devon decides to make it the best birthday that Sam has ever had. But the festive mood is put to a halt when a person from Sam's past makes an unwelcomed appearance.
8/13:ALL THAT HEAVEN ALLOWS~Devon and Sam's relationship has become serious and Devon says that he loves Sam,but she is reluctant to say it back to him. The play Macbeth, which stars Dawn; is going to be as planned, the big event on campus. But what's more important to Dawn is Trent..and he has been avoiding her since their mini makeout session. Sam gets a visit from Patrick her MIA uncle who springs on her his need for a kidney transplant and after giving some thought Sam decides to go to the hospital for a blood sample and Trent goes along for support. While there Trent drops hints of his feelings for Sam, and when Devon finds out they went together he gets jealous and they argue. The play is a hit and Dawn decides to make her move on Trent only to end up hurt when she hears his true feelings about her. After she storms out, she storms BACK in to give him a piece of her mind and finds Trent and Sam kissing. Upset she leaves the club with Sam chasing after her...and she ends up getting hit by a car trying to get away from Sam. Sam and Devon 'make up' for their earlier bickering, but how long will it last?[size=1](summary creds: JF21© )

9/13:REALITY BITES~OK, Remember that kiss? Well the drama continues(why wouldn't it?). Sam is totally confused about her feelings over this kiss with Trent and her feelings about her relationship with Devon..plus she hasn't told Devon yet, and it's taking a toll on her sleep. Dawn on the other hand is irate over the situation..what with her being temporarily crippled, Sam and Trent's lip lock, and her getting booted from her starring role in Macbeth...I mean, wouldn't you be?She in turn takes out her anger on any and everybody who crosses her path.All the while Sam's long lost Uncle Pat has some dismal news for Sam and even tho a certain benefactor tries to keep him from telling her, he knows it's time for him to do something right by Sam.Meanwhile Katherine, who's ego and dignity were crushed when her debut amateur porn tape was shown at Colony..and passed around the schools intranet; has decided never to show her face around campus until Sam reaches out to her and coaxes her back to ''life'' and they become friends...somewhat. After her chat with Katherine, Sam decides to tell Devon about the kiss and he's goes coo-coo-bananas (surprise) until Sam lets him know that he's the only one she sees. His trust only last but so long when Dawn, who's pretty much a pinkberry-on-wheels...no wait..crutches, plants in his head the idea of Sam and Trent all nite at Colony getting it on...and when Sam doesn't show up after work, he thinks the worst and HELLO COO-COO-BANANAS! He leaves a disrespectful message on Sam's cell when she doesn't pick up and finally after hours of fuming, Noah makes the bright suggestion that..maybe something is wrong, and they go to find Sam...in the back room of Colony with Trent (no it's not what you think O_< ) Everything seems to end ok...till Sam checks her messages: and when she finds Devon's mean voicemail...she's too thru with him...and ends up @ Colony...[size=1](summary creds: JF21© )
10/13:Cruising~Sooo, after all the drama Sam and Devon are officially over, but what's a breakup without awkward and/or bitter conversations with your ex (enter: Devon) and avoiding your ex like the plague (enter:Sam)! Sam and Katherine Bond furthermore in their room over sucky relationships.Sam seems to have discovered her extreme feminist side and contests her professor when he introduces a controversial assignment (think Girls Gone Wild) and she's hell bent on getting her point across.To anyone who will listen.On the other end, Noah and his teacher-lover are going thru some things and finds out she's married.Back to Sam: while @ Colony, Devon wants to talk, but Sam,no so much. In her attempt to let Devon know they are done for good, she kisses Trent in front of him..out-of-the-blue and decides that she's not Devon's ''old lady'' and on a whim enters the Girls Gone Wild-esque contest with Katherine, her new bff.The pair of them end up going head to head with Alicia (Lauren Collins)and her friend the contest and later on in a catfight over Trent..where they both end up getting arrested and spending the night in jail.After getting bailed out by Mrs. Dymond (dean? dunno) and lectured about their behavior and ungratefulness for the women who've come before them and Sam's hypocrisy they are warned to stay off of her radar for the semester.On their 'walk-of-shame' back to their dorm room, Sam runs into Devon (again) coming out of Dawn's room...half dress (ayo!) and they exchange sharp words..oh yeah it's over for good now..or is it? anywho, the episode ends with Uncle Patty dropping a bomb on Samantha's head on why she isn't a match as a donor..she's not really his niece..she's adopted. after that blow guess what...he leaves..again.[size="1"](summary creds: JF21© )
11/13:Guess Who's Coming to Dinner~After Uncle Pat drops the bomb on Sam that she's adopted, she starts to wonder about her real family. Trent offers to get his father(a lawyer?) to help look for Sam's biological family. At first she refuses the offer, but changes her mind after Trent convinces her it won't hurt. As a show of compassion, Trent's father invites Sam over for dinner, to which Trent tries to talk her out of going..stating that his parents are the worst. Sam doesn't believe him and they go anyway...only to find out that yes, they are indeed, not the greatest parents in the world as they heckle and insult Trent in front of their guest. In the meantime in between time, Dawn and Devon start to get serious..only to keep fighting amongst themselves..Dawn is convinced that Devon is still in love with Sam..and Devon is..well not doing a very good job at hiding it. Noah and his Film Prof's husband (who is also his Business Prof!) get into it because he's found out that Noah is the reason for the strife in his marriage. He confronts Noah who confronts his lover-teacher (Prof. Grant) and tells her it's over. He soon starts to get close to Kathryn..as just friends?..yeah.but very flirty friends. wink.gif (summary creds:JF21©)
12/13:Five Easy Pieces~Remember when Alicia OD'd @ Colony?...well the aftermath of that is the city has shut down Colony (for the drug usage,selling that was going on) for a month's time..leaving Trent and Sam out of work. Sam is stressed because she needs the money for her bills and such so she takes a job as assistant to Ilana Beecham(Beau's mom) and quits because of her tyrannical ways. As a desperate last resort, she then turns to Dorthy O' Sullivan..and instead of giving her work..she offers to let Sam move in...As Sam tries to make sense of this, Alicia appears once again to ''apologize'' and ''help'' Sam...what she tells her is earth-shaking..that Dorthy could actually be Sam's MOTHER! Which would make sense as to why she goes out of her way to help Sam so much. Furious with Dorthy's lies, Sam confronts her (much to the dismay of Alicia..not because Sam is upset..or that this is very serious..but because she misses the chance to see her mother chopped down a notch..gotta love that spiteful pinkberry Alicia [/sarcasm] ) to which D. tells her that she's actually her neice..and goes into the story of Sam's mum..And then later Uncle P. shows up again and tells Sam that Dorthy has canceled his life saving surgery..and Sam really goes off..at Dorthy's Honor Ball (whatever it's called lol ) and lets the whole audience know what type of conniving person Dorthy really is.summary creds:JF21© )
JF21©
does anybody else watch? this is such a good show..

if you're a fan of Degrassi:TNG i think you'd like it. (some of the Degrassi:TNG cast members actually guest star~Lauren Collins aka Paige will be on next weeks show)

x___diamond_eye
I love you I love you I love you.
Finally someone makes a thread on this show.

This is my new obsession. smile.gif
The story line is pretty interesting and the chemistry the actors have is amazing.
Charity Shea is awesome.
suki_*
i want to watch this but the showtime is on Friday night, I usually go out with friends on Fridays sad.gif If the ratings are low it's because of the showtime, they should change it!
JF21©
QUOTE(x___diamond_eye @ Jul 29 2007, 08:02 PM) *
I love you I love you I love you.
Finally someone makes a thread on this show.

This is my new obsession. smile.gif
The story line is pretty interesting and the chemistry the actors have is amazing.
Charity Shea is awesome.

OMG yes i love love love this show. at first i didn't really like it because you know..with Degrassi and all..but i actually watched a full episode and im HOOKED! i like it because the characters aren't all...fake? it's like you know people like them!

i love Charity's acting, she's great with delivering the mood of the scene. <3

QUOTE(suki_* @ Jul 30 2007, 08:37 AM) *
i want to watch this but the showtime is on Friday night, I usually go out with friends on Fridays sad.gif If the ratings are low it's because of the showtime, they should change it!


AW! but don't worry, i think they show re-runs during the week or later on in the night.. just check your listings..also if you have Tivo or DVR you can just record it and watch it when you have time (which is what i normally do) and i think you can actually watch episodes (full or recaps) online @ the n. smile.gif

--the show's ratings are actually pretty good. considering that they're only 6 episodes in, they've got quite an audience.
JF21©
Bump!

*added link for those of you who would like to watch,but cant.

from the official site, you are able to watch full streaming episodes 1-5 (which is the current amount that have aired)

so now you don't have to wait for re-runs or worry if you miss a show! happy.gif
_Jwes
I like this show.

Next episode looks good, Sam's mom is apparently the woman who gave her the scholarship?
Geministar8806
Ok...so i took your advice and watched this....and LOVED IT!!!! I'm getting digital cable as soon as possible lol. I wanted to run Devon over with a car in episode 4, i think b/c he thinks too much like a jock lol...but I love Sam's character...and that shannon girl slapping sam over Devon and then saying she had it coming...oh god i would have put my foot so far in her grill....lol.

Love Noah...totally cute, but way to metrosexual for me...but i have a big crush on that bartender lol....I only watched 3-5 b/c it was on demand....but i hope its online lol...

Oh does anyone else think that Cynthia has a crush on Sam? Is it just me? *raises hand*
JF21©
GLAD U LIKED IT!! it's such a great show! girrr! when Shannon slapped Sam..ooh i was like OH NO SHE DIDN'T! lol Sam woulda laid her out! hahahahaha

and as for Cynthia...i'll just say that it's no crush..you'll just have to see epi 6...it's ohmy.gif

can't wait for epi 7

Geministar8806
QUOTE(JF21© @ Aug 5 2007, 02:14 AM) *
GLAD U LIKED IT!! it's such a great show! girrr! when Shannon slapped Sam..ooh i was like OH NO SHE DIDN'T! lol Sam woulda laid her out! hahahahaha

and as for Cynthia...i'll just say that it's no crush..you'll just have to see epi 6...it's ohmy.gif

can't wait for epi 7




That's funny b/c 30 minutes later, episode 6 came on! lol....Oh I felt so bad for Cynthia...and Kimi..I think this show really hits home and is very real (unlike Degrassi and all their slutty teenagers lol). That episode made me love this show even more. Her mom not doing anything made me want to snap her neck, but a lot of people are like that, you know? They rather have a family together and dysfunctional and tortured, then to show the world that their family is fragile. It sucks...Love this so much more than Degrassi....Degrassi's a little bit to fake for me....
lily-chan
QUOTE(suki_* @ Jul 30 2007, 08:37 AM) *
i want to watch this but the showtime is on Friday night, I usually go out with friends on Fridays sad.gif If the ratings are low it's because of the showtime, they should change it!

really? here in Canada, it's on Tuesdays.

Trent is hot. That girl who's from Degrassi who plays the daughter of the women who gave Sam the scholarship is a bad actress. She was in Degrassi. And still is in the Best Years. But because of the way she acts is so bad that it makes me hate her character more. So kudos. Devon is in no way good looking (maybe just the body). Sam is just so pretty and kinda weird sometimes.
JF21©
i couldn't believe Sam's uncle!! i didn't like him the fist time i saw him..and then when it came out that he was lying!! pfft i knew he wasn't telling her the truth...but the part at the end when he was on the cell....now we know somewhat of the real reason he's back...i just hope Sam doesn't get too attached to him....he's a jerk.

on another note..OMG Sam and Devon are the CUTEST together...
chungy
i love this show too!
they filmed some parts at uofT! (my school!)
JF21©
so did anybody see Friday's episode?

i honestly don't know what to think about Trent..he's been pining for Sam for so long that it's kinda cute, but that kiss was just a jerk move..i mean he knows Sam has a boyfriend...

i feel bad for Dawn..she really likes Trent..but she should have known he wasn't the one for relationships...i mean she said so herself!
also i think Sloan is a jerk..she should just let Beau go.but then again Beau is a jerk too so maybe they're good for each other. rolleyes.gif Kathryn better wake up and smell the coffee..he's playing her BIG TIME.

Noah is adorable..lol @ ''it grows in owl formation..'' ewwww!! i wonder how he and the prof are going to end up...



lily-chan
woah... im like so much further than that. Here in canada, the season has already ended (don't worry, i wont tell you any spoilers).

I'll just say that in the end, I don't know how I feel about each character anymore. Sometimes I love them, sometimes I hate them.

Noah is just cute and dorky. Gotta love him wink.gif!
JF21©
^ lol yeah we're like a few episodes behind. only three left...i really hope they continue with a second season..i'm hooked!


so, i've updated the episode summary for epis 9 &10 for those who've either missed it and/or can't watch online...man i really have a feeling Ms. O'Sullivan is Sam's mom..or she knows who she is....she's acting mighty strange....especially when she was so adamant about not telling Sam she's adopted.

and honestly...i'm kinda glad Sam is done with Devon..i mean they were a cute couple and all...but he was really possessive and stuff..very unpredictable no? or maybe too predictable.

i think she and Trent could make a nice couple...if Trent weren't such a flirt. :T
JF21©
ok sorry for not updating the epi's in a while..buuut i just watched the 12/13 episode..and man..this one was intense...what with Beau and Kat, and Sam's whole situation...dude..this is my FAVORITE show right now..seriously.

anywho, i really think that Dorthy was doing what she thought was best for Sam..but..at the same time yeah, she should have told her from the get go who she was...at least not keep her in the dark for so long...ya' know?

i can't wait for the season finale...*rubs hands together greedily*
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