Naomi Volcy – Staff Writer
Often times, teen dramas do not accurately capture the teenage lens. Rather, they overdramatize teenage life and leave many shows feeling out of touch, or like a satire.
The Netflix series, Sex Education, does an excellent job at capturing the teenage lens. The plot, characters and their motivations are mostly realistic and can be nostalgic for those it resonates with.
Thus, the series has grown in popularity as it maintains a ninety-six percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It has continued for three seasons, eight episodes each season since its original air date of January 11, 2019. Its third season aired on Netflix September 17, 2021, and has been placed “Top 10 in the U.S. Today” on Netflix since.
The series follows the partnership of Otis Milburn, an awkward wallflower and Maeve Wiley, a misunderstood bad girl, on a for-profit and on-campus sex therapy clinic.
Otis is convinced by Maeve to begin this sex clinic after he helps Adam Groff, the headmaster’s son, and school bully, understand, and overcome his feelings that hindered him from properly performing in his intimate situations.
Otis is also encouraged by Eric, his best friend. At first, Otis is reluctant but eventually agrees as he enjoys giving advice and is the most qualified due to his mother, Jean Milburn, being an established sex therapist who embraced conversations around the topic with him.
Thus, Maeve schedules appointments and collects payments, while Otis provides advice on sexuality, body image, insecurities and more before school hours, or in discreet locations, such as a worn abandoned bathroom.
Throughout the three seasons, Otis finds himself stuck in situations and with issues similar to his peers and has to learn to take his own advice.
The interesting aspect of the show is that the school system seems to be the stem of the students’ issues and is directly responsible for the starting of the sex clinic.
The sex education provided by the school is faulty and vague. In some scenes of the show when sex is discussed, the students are taught through videos, worksheets or awkward conversations that do not hold much substance, especially when compared to the complex questions that Otis is asked. This plot point is maintained from season 1 through season 3.
When asked what it is that resonates with individuals that watch this show, Laurie Nunn, creator of Sex Education, states in her NPR interview that,” I think it’s something about the characters really constantly wanting to work towards self-improvement…And because the show is about therapy, it’s so much about that kind of, like, honesty and communication.”
This journey towards self- improvement, honesty and communication is exactly what makes the show entertaining, teenage- centered and realistic. When in high school or in our teenage years, most are in search of themselves and wanting to become a better version of ourselves; this notion is weaved into many of the characters plots/subplots.
Sex Education is a wonderful series that takes a realistic and often, hilarious approach at discussing sex questions. The series definitely is not just about sex, but it does a great job at discussing the conversation of sex as it affects the students and their self-discovery.
Also, the relatability of the series makes it truly feel like teenagers just being teenagers. It is an enjoyable watch and is something that, when not careful, can have one glued to their TV screen for hours.
