Sex Education was released on Netflix on January 11th, 2019. As I began watching the show, I never wanted it to end. It was obvious from the start that this show was different from anything else right now, and I think that everyone should be watching it. Here are a few reasons why:
Sex Education is technically a dramedy, and I think it balances the show out well. This Netflix Original had me laughing out loud. It’s a quirky show, with many viewers noticing how the actors are English, but the setting is similar to a teen movie in the 80s. There’s been word that the show got inspiration from any Molly Ringwald movie. The show is beautifully filmed and is set in a lovely location.
Characters
Throughout the show, every character develops its own unique story. Every character has a back story that interesting and different in their own way. The balance between character screen time is executed well. Each character is slightly exaggerated to someone in real life, but it is still believable. Asa Butterfield’s Otis is such an interesting and 3D character.
Mother
Most shows about teenage life focus on the point of view of the child. In this show, we also see Otis’ mother’s point of view, as she is dealing with her son growing up and needing more independence. We rarely see narratives about mothers where they are fully realized people, but Sex Education succeeds at doing so.
Sex Education covers a lot of topics, especially those relevant to teens today. For example, they include the topics of abortion and religion. Eric, Otis’ friend, deals with his faith and being gay. He loses faith and later regains it to help him better himself. The show isn’t afraid to explore every aspect of being a teenager, whether it’s the pain, the joy, and the cringe of it all. It also shows how characters learn and grow from these experiences.
Sex Positivity
Important info: this show contains a lot of nudity. The show is focused on teenage life and the exploration of sexuality. Both straight and none straight relationships are covered, as well as things that everyone experiences. The show also talks about this topic without judging but normalizing that it is okay to talk about what you need not just from other people, but from yourself.
Sex Information
This show is jam-packed with information. Through the show, I found interest in what I was watching and learned about things I didn’t know beforehand. High schools often fail when it comes to teaching teenagers about sex and puberty in a constructive way. Many people could learn from this show in order to be safer and happier.