Sex Education made its return to Netflix on Friday with its third season, so we thought this would be the perfect time to look back on some of our favorite moments from the first two seasons!
Sex Education is a fictional show that explores the nuances of teenage sexuality. Taking place in the British countryside, the show is centered around socially awkward yet extremely wise Otis Milburn, played by Asa Butterfield. His mother, Jean, expertly portrayed by Gillian Anderson, is a sex therapist who shares an inspiringly open relationship with her son. While this can sometimes cause tension between the two, we see the important role that open dialogue plays in a child-parent relationship.
Recaps
Season 1: In the first season, we’re introduced to our main characters: Otis, Maeve Wiley (Emma Mackey), and Eric Effiong (Ncuti Gatwa). With the start of a new school year, the three become friends after Otis and Maeve help school bully Adam Groff (Connor Swindells) with a sexual performance problem he was encountering. Upon helping him solve his problem, Maeve suggests to Otis that they establish a business providing sexual therapy to their peers. While the business starts a little shaky, Otis eventually finds his stride, following in his mother’s footsteps. By helping his clients throughout the season, Otis learns how to better improve his relationships with friends, family, and, most importantly, himself.
Season 2: Season two picks up where the story left off, and unfortunately, Maeve and Otis have stopped running the clinic. They eventually settle their differences, but the business faces some competition after the school board brings on Jean to help improve the school’s sexual education curriculum. This season focuses on creating safe spaces and teachable moments about how differences can bring a community together. With Jean as a new resource for the students, she helps to destigmatize further the taboo surrounding sex.
The Lovebirds (S1E4)
After attempting to explore a relationship beyond sex to no avail, Jackson turned to Otis to help him court Maeve. Otis does not want to help Jackson but unintentionally gives him all the details on what Maeve enjoys doing in her free time. In an attempt to throw him off track, he tells Jackson to make a grand gesture when telling Maeve how he feels, something she told Otis makes her skin crawl. However, the plan backfires when Jackson performs a musical number in front of the entire grade and wins Maeve over. This may have been a loss for Otis, but it was a cute scene straight out of an 80s movie.
“It’s My Vagina” (S1E5)
In this episode, popular queen Ruby (Mimi Keene) is faced with a dilemma when someone circulates a nude photo of herself around the school as a form of blackmail. Otis and Maeve end up discovering who it was, but the school is called into an assembly the next day to discuss the severity of the issue. During the assembly, students start joking about the fact that they know who the nude belonged to. In an act of feminist unity, the culprit stood up, exclaiming, “It’s my vagina.” This then triggered a wave of other students standing up and showing their support, shedding light on the fact that the objectification of women’s bodies is too normalized in our society.
Let’s Take Things Slow (S1E8)
After attempting to have sex when they both were not ready, Otis and Lily have a conversation on a hill, where Otis suggests they get over their fears by riding down the hill on their bikes. Though this was not the safest idea, it led them to realize that there was no rush. While the fears of not being as experienced as their peers are real, they recognize that their opinion is the only one that matters when it comes to their sexuality. This is a story that many teenagers can relate to, and the show does a great job reminding us that going at your own pace is most important.
The First Date (S2E3)
There was tension between these two from the start of the season, and they finally went on a proper date this episode. This scene was charming and embodied the nervousness and excitement that comes with a first date. After all that Eric has been through, it’s refreshing to see him with someone who respects him, and Rahim isn’t afraid to let everyone know how he feels about him.
Girl Power (S2E7)
While the girls are all in detention, they are tasked with creating a presentation that describes what connects them as women. They were having difficulty seeing past their differences until Aimee (Aimee Lou Wood) had an outburst, frustrated that her peers were arguing over a boy. After being assaulted on the bus on her way to school, Aimee had been experiencing anxiety, unable to take the bus since. The girls realize that, unfortunately, they had all experienced some form of sexual assault in their lives. However, their experiences brought them all together, and the next day they all take the bus with Aimee.
Best Friends (S2E8)
In an attempt to get Adam his job back, Ola (Patricia Allison) tells her boss that she was just as much at fault for the shop getting broken into, resulting in them losing their jobs. When leaving, Adam asks why she was helping him. Ola responds that he’s her friend and she loves him, to which Adam says no one has ever called him their friend before. Despite Adam’s dark past, this was a very sweet moment. He is actively seeking to right his wrongs to become a better person, and in turn, a better friend.
This group has been on a wild ride, and we can’t wait to see what they get into this season!
