Sex Education - season 2 (netflix)
Jan. 20th, 2020 04:20 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sasha_featherI really loved season two of Netflix's "Sex Education." It's pretty to watch, as the action takes place in some magical part of the UK that is almost always sunny, and there are some lovely outdoor scenes with great lighting. The music is utterly fantastic. There is quite a bit of focus on queer relationships. The serious topics are mostly handled with great compassion. This little show has a giant heart.
It's interesting to me that a show with this much diversity feels the need to put a white, cishet person at the center-- almost like they are insulating themselves somehow. In this season, Otis (the ostensible main character) is probably the most boring and annoying, but luckily it's a large ensemble cast with a lot more going on. There are a lot of queer characters, and *several* of them are played by people of color--at least 5 from what i recall. There are people who self-ID as gay, asexual, pansexual, and bi.
Maeve is largely apart from Otis. Their sex clinic, the focus of the first season, takes a back seat as Maeve deals with her mother dropping back into her life. Maeve goes back to school and joins a trivia team.
Adam is off at military school for a couple of episodes, and his story line was extremely affecting. Jackson begins to buckle under the pressure of being a star athlete. He gains a tutor and friend, Viv, who is the smartest person in school. Ola makes friends with Lily. Aimee is assaulted on a bus, and Maeve helps her through it. Eric gets a boyfriend.
There is a new character, Isaac, who uses a wheelchair, and is actually played by a disabled actor (George Robinson). He's snarky and fun to watch.
Absolutely loved this season and recommend it.
Content notes and a criticism below the cut.
.
.
.
.
Aimee is riding the bus when a man masturbates onto her. Maeve convinces her to go to the police and report it, the police are respectful. Aimee has some flashbacks afterwards.
Jackson self-harms to get out of swimming. This is dealt with seriously and with compassion.
Lots of scenes concerning masturbation and sex.
Some vomiting during and after a party.
Maeve's mother is an addict.
My criticism with Isaac's story is that he wants to go to a party at Otis' house, which is down a set of stairs. Four young men carry him and his chair down the stairs. Now, this may be fine for this particular character, but it shows that audience that carrying a disabled person is an acceptable solution, when it is NOT acceptable.
ETA: There is too much reliance on jealousy and love triangles. I found this actively annoying, especially because no one even mentioned the concept of open relationships / polyamory.
It's interesting to me that a show with this much diversity feels the need to put a white, cishet person at the center-- almost like they are insulating themselves somehow. In this season, Otis (the ostensible main character) is probably the most boring and annoying, but luckily it's a large ensemble cast with a lot more going on. There are a lot of queer characters, and *several* of them are played by people of color--at least 5 from what i recall. There are people who self-ID as gay, asexual, pansexual, and bi.
Maeve is largely apart from Otis. Their sex clinic, the focus of the first season, takes a back seat as Maeve deals with her mother dropping back into her life. Maeve goes back to school and joins a trivia team.
Adam is off at military school for a couple of episodes, and his story line was extremely affecting. Jackson begins to buckle under the pressure of being a star athlete. He gains a tutor and friend, Viv, who is the smartest person in school. Ola makes friends with Lily. Aimee is assaulted on a bus, and Maeve helps her through it. Eric gets a boyfriend.
There is a new character, Isaac, who uses a wheelchair, and is actually played by a disabled actor (George Robinson). He's snarky and fun to watch.
Absolutely loved this season and recommend it.
Content notes and a criticism below the cut.
.
.
.
.
Aimee is riding the bus when a man masturbates onto her. Maeve convinces her to go to the police and report it, the police are respectful. Aimee has some flashbacks afterwards.
Jackson self-harms to get out of swimming. This is dealt with seriously and with compassion.
Lots of scenes concerning masturbation and sex.
Some vomiting during and after a party.
Maeve's mother is an addict.
My criticism with Isaac's story is that he wants to go to a party at Otis' house, which is down a set of stairs. Four young men carry him and his chair down the stairs. Now, this may be fine for this particular character, but it shows that audience that carrying a disabled person is an acceptable solution, when it is NOT acceptable.
ETA: There is too much reliance on jealousy and love triangles. I found this actively annoying, especially because no one even mentioned the concept of open relationships / polyamory.
no subject
Date: 2020-01-20 11:53 pm (UTC)We started last night and I was already, Damn, Otis, you're boring! Glad to hear there's other stuff to anticipate.
(Also, I find looking at Ola exceptionally rewarding. She has a fascinating face!)
no subject
Date: 2020-01-21 02:49 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-01-21 02:50 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-01-21 11:06 am (UTC)