Posts tonen met het label Sex Education. Alle posts tonen
Posts tonen met het label Sex Education. Alle posts tonen

woensdag 29 september 2021

TV Show Review - Sex Education (Season 3)

Season:
3
Genre: Comedy/ Drama
Number of episodes: 8
Year: 2021
Starring: Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson, Ncuti Gatwa, Emma Mackey, Connor Swindells, Kedar Williams-Stirling, Aimee Lou Wood, Tanya Reynolds, Patricia Allison

Description: Teenager Otis (Asa Butterfield), with a sex therapist mother (Gillian Anderson), teams up with high school classmate Maeve (Emma Mackey) to set up an underground sex therapy clinic at school.

Review: To the sounds of “I Think We’re Alone Now”, we look inside a dozen or so bedrooms where people are, with great pleasure, having sex. In every conceivable way, in every possible combination and physically viable position. Straight, gay, solo, all genders, colors and preferences pass by. This sets the tone immediately and it’s clear “Sex Education” is back.
Yet again the sexual awakenings of the students of Moordale Secondary School offer more than enough to enjoy. Especially when their newfound freedoms and carefree self-expression come under pressure with the arrival of a new principal: Hope Haddon. She must restore the neat reputation of the so-called ‘sex-school’ and reassure concerned parents. She does this by a far-reaching restriction of freedoms, with a fascist tenor: discipline, censorship, self-control and uniformity are paramount. Students must wear school uniforms, and expressions of personal taste or preferences are prohibited. Violation is punished with humiliation. The creators bring a fine contrast with the introduction of two non-binary characters, with whom the question of school uniforms is immediately an impossible one.
It's a simple scenario, with urgent underlying themes, at a time when conservative forces are sometimes frighteningly easy to dismiss progressive values and achievement. Season 3 is a long ode to those values. And yes, it’s still needed.
In addition to this sympathetic social agenda, this time the creators also manage well to further deepen the characters’ storylines.
In the process, the writers cleverly manage to debunk every stereotype or prejudice. Mean girls turn out to be vulnerable, angry boys are actually sweet, and the friendship between Otis and Eric who talk very candidly about their emotional lives. This is a rarity on TV. I love the heartwarming transition of Adam, who went from a complete jerk to a love-struck kindhearted young man.
“Sex Education” is still daring and the writers don’t shy away from any complicated subjects. I loved season 3, it didn’t disappoint one bit.

zondag 5 april 2020

TV Characters Everyone Loves

Each TV show has a character you dislike, you relate to, that makes you laugh the hardest. And there is always a character that you like the most. But there are also those characters that everybody just loves, and you simply can’t hate him or her. Here is a lost of those we all love and we can’t help it.

Joey Tribbiani (“Friends”)
Joey might not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but he’s not just a pretty actor that knows how to get girls. Somehow his love for sandwiches is relatable, he is reliable since he is probably the only one on “Friends” that can actually keep a secret, he is sentimental, selfless and he would do anything for his friends.

Dean Winchester (“Supernatural”)
Aside from him being an absolute perfection of a man with endless charm, there are many other reasons why we all love Dean Winchester. He is incredibly caring, has a great taste in music, he’s a badass and can I mention his love for his brother Sam. Isn’t that just every woman’s dream?

Tyrion Lannister (“Game of Thrones”)
Even though Tyrion is only 4’5, he could easily kick your ass. He even embraces the fact that he is an imp. As Tyrion states himself: he drinks and he knows things. In fact, he would drink you under the table. And even when people think he is just a drunk, he can make one hell of speech to charm a lady or to cheat death. With that, Tyrion is without a doubt the smartest person on the show and he doesn’t need dragons. Because his weapon is wit and intelligence.

Daryl Dixon (“The Walking Dead”)
Aside from Daryl being the most badass person you will ever meet, I would definitely stick with him during a zombie outbreak. He has some serious survival skills. And although Daryl is super badass, he is a very chill person. Laid back, even a bit of an introvert you might say. Daryl is also very loyal and would do anything to keep the ones he loves save. In the groups he often functions as the voice of reason. He doesn’t want unnecessary deaths and he believes in saving everyone he can. Oh, and he knows how to work a crossbow.

Dustin Henderson (“Stranger Things”)
While at first sight, Dustin might look like the geeky outsider, he is definitely the smartest one of the bunch. Dustin is nothing if not whip-smart: while other fumble around for explanations, he draws on his scientific knowledge to point our crucial details. When you thought Dustin is only the goofy sidekick, think again. He is the most important member of the gang, their emotional glue as well as the only one who knows how a compass actually works. And yes, he is a nerd, and proud of it. Dustin is sensitive, but never weak and simply an amazing kid.

Jake Peralta (“Brooklyn Nine-Nine”)
Jake Peralta has a great sense of humor, which is obvious. But he can also kick some serious ass, is romantic, kind-hearted and basically the moral compass of the Nine-Nine.

Marshall Eriksen (“How I Met Your Mother”)
He has quite a unique relationship with Lily and he is the best friend. Definitely the best of the bunch. Let’s face it: we all want a friend like Marshall. And I know he is a lawyer, whom are mostly douchebags, but Marshall is the exception on this rule. Because he actually cares about the causes he fights for. His imagination can get crazy at times and he is a die hard “Star Wars” fan, but those things make me love Marshall even more.

Kimmy Schmidt (“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”)
Kimmy is first and foremost a loveable, cute and enthusiast young woman. Half the stuff that come out of her mouth make no sense, and the other half is 15 years out of date. But her endless optimism and self-confidence makes up for all that.

Jesse Pinkman (“Breaking Bad”)
Sure he cooks meth, but it’s not hard to like Jesse despite of this. And it’s also not very hard to miss those gorgeous eyes. Jesse shows flashes of genius and makes the team with his partner Walter White complete this way. He is unpredictable, sensitive and even though he deals drugs Jesse often wants to do what’s right. Jesse feels like a real person.

Abed Nadir (“Community”)
If I wanted one of the characters on this list to be my roommate, I want it to be Abed. I know, he is different and a bit weird, but he knows it. And that alone is what makes Abed such a great person. He is who he is and is never ashamed of it. He is incredibly patient, he constantly quotes and refers to movies and TV shows, he is an optimist, he turns into a child during Christmas and he is a great friend. And I just realized I’m all of the above….

Cosmo Kramer (“Seinfeld”)
His friends refer to him as just Kramer. Kramer is generally caring, friendly and kind-hearted. He often goes out of his way to help total strangers, and tries to get his friends to also help others and to do the right thing even when they don’t want to. He is confident in his own unique way. Kramer can also be neurotic, but overall is a quirky guy with strange ideas.

Sophia Petrillo (“The Golden Girls”)
Sophia is best known for her wisecracks. Often commenting on Dorothy’s unmarried state, Blanche’s promiscuity and Rose’s cluelessness. However despite her sharp criticism of her daughter and roommates, she loves and cares for them deeply.

Sheldon Cooper (“Big Bang Theory”)
Okay, he is self-centered, annoying and rude. But still we all love Sheldon so much. Well, first, he is honest. He says what’s on his mind and lying clearly makes him uncomfortable. He doesn’t understand sarcasm, is always polite enough to knock on a door instead of barging in and he always stands by his believes no matter what anyone says.

Eric Effiong (“Sex Education”)
Eric is an openly gay black guy in a small English town. I think a lot of people can relate to Eric in some way. He always wants to try and be friends with everyone he meets, he is charming and funny and is hardly ever ashamed of who he really is. And definitely not afraid to show it. Eric is a very inspiring character.

Christina Yang (“Grey’s Anatomy”)
Christina is a brilliant mind and not afraid to let everyone know about it. She knows what her priorities are, she will beat you at your own game, she thinks ahead, gives the best advice and is a very loyal friend. Although it sometimes feels like Christina has no emotions, she does, but she never lets them get in the way of what she wants.

Leslie Knope (“Parks & Recreation”)
Leslie has a range of loveable traits. First of all, she founded Galentine’s Day, which is perfect for those women who hate Valentine’s Day and just want to celebrate friendships. Lesie is a supporter of local businesses, she is half of a great power couple, a role model, a feminist and she believes in herself. But most of all Leslie is an optimist and a fantastic friend.

Jim Halpert (“The Office”)
Jim is your ‘everyman’, the charming guy working a mediocre job. Most importantly, Jim plays the straight man to comical unknowingly politically incorrect but well-meaning and loveable boss Michael Scott. We all love Jim’s pranks (which are really good btw), he is a romantic (probably the perfect husband) and we all have a little bit of Jim Halpert in us.

Hugo “Hurley” Reyes (“Lost”)
First of all, everyone on the show loved Hurley, so I am not wrong. He looks like your standard comical relief and the most unlikely hero. Hurley is a loveable, kind-hearted man who just wants to help everyone.

zondag 2 februari 2020

TV Show Review - Sex Education (Season 2)

Season: 2
Genre: Comedy/ Drama
Number of episodes: 8
Year: 2020
Starring: Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson, Ncuti Gatwa, Emma Mackey, Connor Swindells, Kedar Williams-Stirling, Aimee Lou Wood, Tanya Reynolds, Patricia Allison

Description: Teenager Otis (Asa Butterfield), with a sex therapist mother (Gillian Anderson), teams up with high school classmate Maeve (Emma Mackey) to set up an underground sex therapy clinic at school.

Review: The first season of “Sex Education” was one of Netflix’ biggest surprises and a huge success overall. Although not for the faint-hearted, “Sex Education” season 2 is again e hit and I am longing for more.
The second season of the series starts with a somewhat explicit. Otis finally got comfortable with masturbation and in the opening scene we see him ‘enjoying himself’ in bed, the shower, the woods and in the car. The tone is set for season 2. Which starts with a chlamydia outbreak. A lot of naming and shaming and most of all hysteria at school. That last is what Otis claims it is. After he broke with friend Maeve, he is no longer consulting students about their sexual problems. But not for long, because this ‘outbreak’ brings them back together. But there is competition, in the form of his own mother, who is providing sex education at their school.
Season 2 is nothing new, but it has all the ingredients that make “Sex Education” great. Themes like love, friendship, violation, honesty, family, boundaries and being yourself are talked about in a light-hearted and heartfelt matter. The series is very outspoken and relatable and they makers don’t shy away to touch up on difficult themes.
I couldn’t recommend “Sex Education” enough, it’s a definite must-see. And season 2 lives up to the hype of the first season. I can’t wait for another season of Otis and his friends dealing with all these problems.

TV Show Review - Sex Education (Season 1)

Season: 1
Genre: Comedy/ Drama
Number of episodes: 8
Year: 2019
Starring: Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson, Ncuti Gatwa, Emma Mackey, Connor Swindells, Kedar Williams-Stirling, Aimee Lou Wood, Tanya Reynolds, Patricia Allison

Description: Teenager Otis (Asa Butterfield), with a sex therapist mother (Gillian Anderson), teams up with high school classmate Maeve (Emma Mackey) to set up an underground sex therapy clinic at school.

Review: People who are prudish can better ignore “Sex Education”. In this fantastic drama by Netflix, sexuality in the broadest sense of the word is examined and portrayed in a humorous, warm and sincere way. Less than a month after the release date, on February 1, 2019, Netflix announced that “Sex Education” would return for a second season. That's not surprising when you consider that within four weeks, an estimated 40 million households have watched the series.
“Sex Education” tells the story of Otis Milburn and his environment. Otis is sixteen, a virgin, a tad shy and struggling to masturbate. His mother Jean is a sex therapist, doesn’t do relationships and always over-analyzes her son. Together they live in a beautiful house in the English country side, which is covered with pornographic images, sex toys and erotic art. Jean works from home and advices clients about their sex lives. Even though Otis is unexperienced himself, he has a lot of psychological knowledge.
The series starts on the first day after the summer break. Otis and his best friend Eric ride their bikes to school. Eric tells Otis that all their classmates had sex this summer. Otis gives sex advice to Adam, the bully in school. And Maeve witnesses this and sees an opportunity. She convinces Otis to start a sec therapy clinic at school. And they discover that many kids in their school have issues with their sexuality. The way the story is told around Otis and his mates growing to adulthood is very refreshing.
Unlike other coming of age stories, “Sex Education” tackles the subject of sexuality in a more authentic way. Instead of just pure underpants fun, glorifying alcohol and drug use and romancing sex, there is more stratification and ambiguity in the way these subjects are dealt with in ”Sex Education”. In a light-hearted way, various sides of issues that are generally in the taboo area are addressed. For example racism, abortion, erection problems, panic attacks, feminism, homophobia, masturbation and revenge pornography. It is clever of the makers that they cover these subjects without the series turning into one big valley of tears. As far as I am concerned, that is the great strength of the series.
The acting lifts the series to a higher level. Asa Butterfield portrays Otis in a very special and sincere way. Gillian Anderson is brilliant as his free-spirited yet concerned mother with razor-sharp remarks. The rest of the cast consists mainly of newcomers who play excellently. For instance, Emma Mackey convinces as a rebellious teenager, Connor Swindells is a perfect bully and Aimee Lou Wood and Tanya Reynolds provide the necessary laughs as teenage girls on a voyage of discovery. Ncuti Gatwa deserves a special mention as Eric. It's amazing how he manages to play a dark, flamboyant, gay boy who effortlessly switches between comic, tragic and combative without going completely over the top. As far as I'm concerned, Ncuti is the great discovery of the series.
The series is also great visually. The use of color, the surroundings and the decoration are a feast for the eyes. Thanks to the clothing and choice of music, the series seems to take place in the 80s. Yet the characters all have smartphones and watch porn on computers. Several decades seem to merge into “Sex Education”. According to maker Laurie Nunn, the series is a tribute to 1980s films such as “The Breakfast Club” and “Pretty in Pink” by the king of teen comedy, John Hughes. The themes covered turn out to be universal and timeless. All in all, “Sex Education” is a more than successful, surprising series in the genre. A new favorite series for me!