GRAPHIC: Monica Ouk
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Read the Charter of Independence here.
Read the Charter of Independence here.
As if the last two seasons hadn’t already singlehandedly embarrassed every school’s sex-ed curriculum, Netflix’s Sex Education blessed our screens once again on September 17 with a third season to serve up some more of its mic-drop goodness.
In 2019, the show introduced us to the lives of an eclectic group of British teenagers as they awkwardly and humorously grappled with newfound realisations about their bodies and sexual health. From continuing to tackle the stigma surrounding sex, to answering the sexual health questions every teenager will probably never ask, this season watches the characters enter adulthood and their senior year whilst also dealing with the complexities of their sexual lives, identities, and relationships.
Non-binary student and new addition to the show, Cal (Dua Saleh), stands up to Hope’s enforcement of gender-specific uniforms and gives non-binary audiences a relatable face and representation. As they develop a situation-ship with Jackson (Kedar Williams Sterling) over the course of the season, their identity is appropriately shown in an air of wholesome teenage normalcy.
Speaking of representation, as Maeve’s (Emma Mackey) relationship with her neighbour Isaac (George Robinson) progresses, audiences witness the young wheelchair-bound man explain to her how he can be sexually intimate despite his handicapped status. This is also a much-needed take on disability representation which has only recently started to surface across the TV industry.
Apart from being a landmark season in terms of representation-done-right, the show also pokes into topics that have often been stigmatised. I mean it’s not every day you see someone bring vulva cupcakes to school, is it?
From pushing the message that vaginas can be all shapes, colours and sizes to helping Aimee move forward from her sexual assault in season two, this season not only feels more mature but also empowering.
After a fair amount of shipping from the audience (or maybe just me), Adam (Connor Swindells) is also finally seen in a relationship with Eric (Ncuti Gwata). As swoon-worthy as their relationship is, Adam’s identity crisis and low self-esteem make the audience question if Adam was even ready for a relationship in the first place. (Spoiler alert ahead! Skip the next paragraph to avoid spoilers)
However, when fan-favourite Eric cheats on Adam on his trip, it still feels like a big betrayal, and the fans are left at a crossroads trying to figure out whether they should hate him or continue to love him.
Overall, season three has not only met audience expectations but exceeded them in every possible way. The show has moved forward from its focus on Otis (Asa Butterfield) and Maeve (season one’s sex clinic mafias) and deep-dived into other diverse characters, giving us a wide range of relatable yet humorous stories.
Now, fans and audiences can only wonder what a potential season four will hold. Will Adam find love? Will we see more genuine representation? Either way, it’s going to be a difficult wait.
