We review the latest season of Sex Education, vulvas and all.
Rating: 5/5
I can’t be the only one who counted down the seconds for the release of season 3 of Sex Education, then watched it in its entirety in one sitting.
The latest season continues to bring important and often unrepresented narratives to the screen. While constantly making us laugh, the show has an incredible ability to educate us as well as celebrate each and every individual, no matter who they are, what they like or what their opinion on aliens are. So, what can we take from season 3?
You don’t break after a breakup:
Despite my love for all the couples in the show I weirdly didn’t mind when some of them broke up. For example, even though there were of course initial tears when Eric broke up with Adam, tears being an understatement of the sadness I felt, I ultimately was happy with how both characters ended the season.
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On reflection, the relationship was always going to be fleeting. They both gave each other something during the relationship but ultimately outgrew each other. Eric taught Adam about empathy and embracing who he was, while Adam made Eric realise how comfortable he had become with himself and gave him the confidence to move on and thrive in the most glittery way possible.
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The show, therefore, didn’t present breakups as catastrophic and relationships as stable and eternal. This was refreshing from other shows where relationships between 16-year-olds are represented as secure and everlasting. It shows the beauty of interacting with new people and learning from others, encouraging us not to feel like we can’t move on when we feel the time is right. Each character has evolved because of the relationship they were in and is now ready for the next new and exciting chapter. Whether that be baking, moving abroad, or training dogs.
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Inclusive representation:
One of my favourite scenes from the show was Maeve and Isaac’s caravan moment. The representation of sex and relationships of disabled characters is something rarely seen in popular culture. But here the show gives us an honest and beautiful depiction of sex and intimacy centred around a disabled character. This is something that we need to see more of.
Additionally, throughout seasons 2 and 3 Isaac isn’t always presented in a positive light, which is something the actor who plays him, George Robinson, revels in. He told the BBC that this is because “he believes people in the disabled community just want the opportunity to be seen with all their flaws”. Robinson highlights that often disabled characters are presented as either “inspirational or tragic” when he just wants to be represented as normal, faults and all.This season also created a platform for the discussion around queer relationships and gender identity. Once more the show presented these narratives head-on with honest dialogue about the difficulties people may face. For example in the final episode, we see Cal giving Layla a binder to replace the bandages she has been using previously. Without this open conversation, Layla would continue to injure herself with the restrictive and uncomfortable bandages she used before.
The long term affects of sexual assault:
Not only does Amy teach us the difficulties of having a goat for a pet, but she also brings to light a lot of important topics. Firstly, she normalises talking about vulvas and their unique individuality. If they don’t introduce vulva week to Bake Off I will be bitterly disappointed. She also shows the difficultly of breaking up with a partner by demonstrating how we can very easily stay with someone out of politeness.
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What stuck with me the most though was her openness with Maeve and Gene about her sexual assault. We see that despite time passing the pain and trauma of sexual assault can remain. Even though a person may be disguising their grief on the outside, the remnants of the trauma are still ever-present – making each day harder and harder. However, while the trauma will never go away, through her conversation the pain does ease and she can heal.
Iconic Moments:
Adam talking about Keeping Up with the Kardashians
– Eric shouting at the man at the vending machine
– Michael’s salad – need I say more?
– Adam’s dog show debut
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Sex Education has been renewed for a 4th season.
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