Heer Kothari gives her take on the well watched, Sex Education, now streaming on Netflix
Taboo topic
Sex Education is a topic that is largely frowned upon in the Indian subcontinent, yet one will always secretly enjoy the charms of witnessing the act under the blanket in a hush. The name of the Netflix web series in itself has raised many brows…but it’s also winning hearts. According to reports, the sitcom has received reviews of 91% ‘Rotten Tomatoes’ and is fast making a mark as one of the most viewed sitcoms on Netflix today. Sex Education, which started streaming since January 11, 2019, has been at the receiving end of mixed yet rave reviews.
The Secret Life of an American Teenager
The core
After the prim-and-proper take on The Crown, viewers are now in to cherish just another polar opposite from the Brits. They seem to pleasantly surprise viewers by rendering a fresh take on college goers and their views on sex and consent in Sex Education.
“The opening shot will make you want to gag! I found myself checking on the application I had logged on while watching this, but I held my horses, only to later discover, that I was pretty much binging on the first season of this British sitcom, and totally look forward to season two (slated to release this spring),” shares A Shah, a Mumbai based graduate student. The season opens on a raunchy note but gradually begins to explore the labyrinth of complexities that plague the mind of teenagers and young adults on sexuality and their fears concerning the same.
“Ironic but true, but most of these fears stem out of childhood experiences that seem to tail on in adulthood. Moreover, most of us are very influenced and exposed to the media at a very young age. The exposure is part to blame, as there is so much content out there that hasn’t been tabbed, and pretty much leaves an imprint on the minds of the onlookers too. Psychological reactions to certain visuals and happenings could either derail an individual’s persona or add requisite charm, depending on how an individual takes it,” adds Amitt Singh, actor of upcoming series Bahukaal.
The protagonist, Otis (played by Asa Butterfield) is already well versed with the ways of a sex therapist owing to his mother, Jean Milburn, (played by X-files fame, Gillian Anderson). The house is decorated with very sexual object d’art, from numerous parts of the world. Jean Milburn is a well-acclaimed sex therapist hosting workshops and consultation in her own space. Otis isn’t quite oblivious of the same.
One day Otis renders a very useful piece of advice to his friend. The tactic works, and he instantly becomes a hit in class. Meave W, the well-known class rebel (played by Emma Mackey) teams up with Otis and starts a crude consultancy — a school sex therapy clinic. Here Otis gives the advice and Maeve explores the business aspect of this consultancy.
Rare attempt
Said the series creator Laurie Nunn of the lead character, Otis, “He’s definitely a male character who was written by a writers’ room full of women.” She shared that they were “always treading that line of wanting the show to be funny, light-hearted and warm, but also wanting to not shy away from those more difficult conversations.”
The show sees Otis offering his fellow students counsel on everything from erectile dysfunction to body-image issues, unrequited crushes, and how to figure out what you like in bed — in a gentle, non-judgemental way. This is in stark contrast to how stories about teenagers have largely been depicted in films and TV shows.
There is either a focus on the romantic such as in films like Twilight and Endless Love, or the capers of teens desperate to lose their virginity as in American Pie and Blockers, or then cautionary stories told via The Secret Life of an American Teenager or The OC. In a break from the regular, Sex Education ends up being a series that portrays the sweetness inherent even in the awkward and resolutely ignored parts of human sexuality.
The Twilight Saga
The up side
The pluses of this sitcom may sound slightly off, but they are refreshing nonetheless. “The series explores the aesthetics of sex in the pop-culture.”, adds Amitt Singh, which is refreshing indeed. It is a show that can be viewed by anyone over 18 years of age.
However, Sex Education is not exactly a family drama, but it very relatable to people of all ages. The comic timing is bang on, making the sitcom worth watching. The show isn’t quite as raunchy as it seems but taps into the emotions of teenagers and young adults. The emotions are heart-warming, and as the sitcom progresses, we begin to realise the aesthetic value of the same.
End note
Sex Education is something that should not be shied away from by new age parents and counsellors. It delves into important aspects of teen psychology in a rather fun way. Perhaps it could transport you back to nostalgic alleys where you could recall fond memories of jokes of such nature that you may have implicated on your friends. What’s more, a light-hearted comedy is always a welcome break from the mundane routine.