'Sex Education': As Funny as it is Informative

To attempt to sum up Sex Education in one single review would be almost as difficult as it is to place the show’s specific time period or place. It exists in something of an independent bubble universe, with brightly-coloured John Hughes inspired aesthetics, and eighties style music and fashion, coupled with modern ideas and tech. This only serves to support the show's unique style and strong sense of identity.

The series is a perfect start to 2019 binging. It encapsulates a new generation that is open-minded, accepting, and not afraid to start a conversation about the difficult areas, and often confusing nature of sex. Or, for the protagonist Otis, the lack thereof.

The best thing Sex Education achieves is that it never feels preachy or contrived. It explores ideas such as homophobia, masturbation, cross-dressing, anxiety disorders, and anything else in-between in a completely natural and engaging way. The characters are as vibrant as the set designs, and although the series features a wide, varied cast, Asa Butterfield and Ncuti Gatwa serve as the emotional core of the show. They play two best friends, Otis and Eric, with very different ideas about sex, who are entering their final two years at school. Emma Mackey completes the triangle as the seemingly tough-as-nails Maeve, who manages to convince Otis to set up a sex clinic for the students in their school.

The series is incredibly sharp, its comedy never missing a beat. Gillian Anderson is particularly hilarious as Otis’ sex therapist mother, who has not yet learned how to give her son his own space. 

Although the series is not without its more emotional and affecting moments, the perfect balance is struck between humour and heartfelt. And despite the overtly-sexual tones to the show, particularly with the focus on teenagers, it never results to vulgarity or bad taste. Inevitably, the show is not really about the sex – it’s about the people, and the relationships they maintain, helping each other to get through the good, and the bad of life.