Sex Education premieres January 11th on Netflix.
[Ed. Note: Being that TV and City is on a bit of a hiatus, this article has not been edited.]
By Ariba Bhuvad
It’s been a while since a series revolved completely around the concept of sex. Sure, sex is a normal staple of any storyline but Netflix’s latest series, Sex Education, is based entirely on it. Starting X-Files Gillian Anderson, this Netflix original series tells the story of a high school student named Otis (Asa Butterfield). His mother, Jean, played by Anderson, is a sex therapist and Otis has come to terms with the fact that sex is not a taboo topic in his household.
When I first started watching the screeners given to critics, I wasn’t entirely sure I’d like it. It’s full of a lot of sexual material, and I was afraid it would take away from the story. But, honestly, that is not the case. Anderson’s Jean and Butterfield’s Otis are the heart and soul of Sex Education. They make it so entertaining and hilarious to watch, and throughout the first season, you start to warm up to the sex-crazed hormonal teen series.
There is more to the story than the relationship between Otis and Jean, however. As time goes on, Otis comes to the realization that he knows a thing or two about sex, even if he’s never had it. This in turns leads to him starting a secret sex therapy clinic at his school. As this part of the plot develops, the series becomes more fun to watch. In fact, one of the best things about Sex Education is how accurately it depicts sexual frustration and desire amongst young adults. Many of you may become nostalgic of your younger days when sex and everything involving it was your biggest problem.
At first glance, you may think Sex Education is a bit offensive and too crude. But at its core, it’s extremely heartfelt and genuine. While Jean treats sex like no big deal, Otis tackles it with his peers in a different way. He digs deeper into why people are having their sexual problems, and this aspect of the series makes it extremely relatable. Quite often it’s not the actual act rather than the mental blocks that come with thinking about it.
Otis stumbles into this business with a classmate of his named Maeve (Emma Mackey), who is a wonderful addition to the hilarity of the story. There is plenty to enjoy about this British dramedy that explores the woes of puberty, awkward sexual encounters, and just the complications of being a young adult.
Keep in mind that the series is quite explicit with many, many sexually graphic scenes. So, if that’s not your cup of tea, then the series may not be for you. I know I personally struggled with that aspect of the series but the series had a deeper story to it which made it worth the watch. All in all, Sex Education is a fun watch and will take you down memory lane as you reminisce what it was like to be a teenager–and to have or know that one parent that was just a bit too over the top.
I give Sex Education a B.
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