Netflix’s smart and spunky new show, Sex Education, is good enough to have you binge watch it in just two days (I may or may not have done that). The show manages to be one of the most authentic TV depictions of sex and relationships among high schoolers made in years.
This clever comedy centers on Otis (Asa Butterfield), a repressed but wise virgin, teams up with a misunderstood, and may I add pretty badass, Maeve (Emma Mackey) to dish out sex advice to their peers, based on everything he’s learned from his sex therapist mother, played by the iconic Gillian Anderson.
The whole affair takes place in a high school that seems American, sounds British, but is actually in Wales. The wardrobe and accents of the show also give off serious 70s and 80s vibes, so it’s almost surprising to see the characters pull out their smartphones. It’s sounds confusing, I know, but I can’t think of a more fitting environment for the content of the show.
With the light-heartedness of a romcom, it explores the awkwardness of sex at all stages, tackles issues relating to LGBTQ teens, virginity, consent, teen pregnancy and abortion, as well as dives into life with and without toxic masculinity. And we can’t forget that all this still comes along with the usual high school nonsense of mean girls, cocky jocks, band geeks, rebels, and stoner bullies.
The characters swing very close to their aforementioned stereotypes and the plot is pretty predictable sometimes, but the young actors and the wit of the writing are so enchanting, you forgive the show of its sins almost immediately. It also wouldn’t be fair to not acknowledge that the story lends itself to the development of these characters, and we are able to see maturity and depth beyond their years as it progresses. Oh, and saddle up for some of curveballs Otis has to face because when they hit you, it’s pretty wild.
Sex Education is not for everyone, but if you don’t mind some explicit scenes and raunchy humor here and there, this show is surprisingly cheery. I give the creators and actors huge props for handling the controversial issues they do with such expertise, while still guaranteeing viewers a laugh. If you’re looking for some relief from this past midterm szn or any other stressors in your life, please please give it a go, and see how much better your high school days would be or would have been if only you had an Otis.