Show: “Sex Education” - Season Two
Distributor: Netflix
Creator: Laurie Nunn
Release Date: Jan. 17
Rating: 8.5/10
After taking “The Birds and the Bees” conversation to a new platform in its first season, “Sex Education” is back in session with new lessons and new students.
The primary focus of the first season of “Sex Education” centered around Otis (Asa Butterfield), self-proclaimed “sexpert” and the makeshift sex clinic he runs in his high school, Moordale Secondary. Accompanied by a team of colorful characters, Otis navigated the obstacle inter-course that is high school.
The first season took bold steps to cover tough topics like coming out, abortion and revenge porn. Initially, there seemed to be few topics left to address for a teen in high school after formulating the first season around Otis and his sex clinic. But the show’s second season addresses even more tough topics regarding puberty and sex.
Otis has transformed from an awkward single virgin into an awkward virgin with a girlfriend, which poses a learning curve for the teen sex therapist. Otis and girlfriend Ola (Patricia Allison) appear to have an ideal relationship, but Otis still struggles with his internal love triangle with Maeve (Emma Mackey). Ola is more than ready to have sex with Otis, but his uncertainty with his feelings toward Maeve only builds walls between the couple.
Covering all their bases, the main plot of the second season explores the nuances of sexuality and the difficulty of coming to terms with one’s own sexuality more deeply. It shows young adults that there is a fluidity to sexuality, which you can be accepted and justified for. With the addition of Ola’s pansexuality within two different relationships over the course of the season, the beauty of experimenting is romanticized but not overwhelming.
Season two carries in a set of new faces, all of whom manage to make an impression on Moordale Secondary. Jackson (Kedar Williams-Stirling) finally makes a friend, Viv (Chinenye Ezeudu), who starts as his tutor but quickly becomes the recipient of Jackson’s affection.
Continuing to integrate well-timed humor and the occasional physical gag, both seasons of “Sex Education”effectively portray serious topics but maintain their entertainment factor.
In one of the most tragic storylines, Aimee (Aimee Lou Wood) is sexually assaulted on the bus, and the show depicts Aimee's stages of acceptance as she musters up the courage to take the necessary actions regarding her assault. From this trauma flows a beautiful scene between six of the show’s young ladies as they build a bond unlike that of any typical depiction of young women in high school. As they individually reveal that they have all experienced a form of sexual assault, they find power in this commonality and conquer their fears together.
Attempting to insert themes of sexual assault into a light-hearted show must be done skillfully to avoid relaying the situation incorrectly and possibly triggering viewers by selecting which aspects are appropriate for the message of the show. But “Sex Education” covers this storyline with care, down to the choice of music set to the conclusive scene for Aimee and her friends.
With beautiful visuals emulating iconic ‘80s romantic comedies, the show carries a perfect coming-of-age aesthetic for the modern teenager. Realistically and delicately depicting high school while giving a nostalgic yet foregin twist on the typical teen drama, “Sex Education” has only gotten more bold and intriguing as the seasons progress and is a show not to be missed.
The show’s sophomore season did not fall short and should give fans a reason to highly anticipate the release of season three in January 2021.
The arts desk can be reached at arts@ubspectrum.com
