A new academic year has just begun, the packages are ready and we are anxious and jerky as we face the Moordale secondary grade. At the conclusion of the last semester, so much happened: A musical subject of aliens-meets-penis; local bigoted jock Adam Groff came out as homosexual and Otis had finally proclaimed himself —oh so apparent — to the furious and tough Maeve. We all heard Otis’ warm-hearted voice message that Maeve was erased by neighbouring guy Isaac, who also had her hots. The storyline between Otis and Maeve is probably the greatest issue in pop culture circles since Ross and Rachel on Friends. So, sure, in the new semester Otis and Maeve meet, and it is quite uncomfortable. However, we are all glad to go back to school, despite all this. Otis grew up a moustache, Jean got obviously pregnant, and Eric and Adam are a real thing. It’s not everything ha-ha hilarious, but nearly everything pulls at your heart.
Sex education is a salve for our frazzled nerves. Sex education. The last time we saw the group, the world was maskless and there was a pandemic of nightmares. And it’s fortunate that Moordale, the fictional, beautiful, unspoiled city of England, is quarantined from the actual world when we meet them.
Following Moordale Secondary’s false chlamydia epidemic, sex music and Dr. Milburn’s effort to establish a complete sex education curriculum, things have, let’s say, rattled in school. We have a new director, Hope Haddon, who makes an entrance into a very popular track, wears a customised dress, sleek haircut and has a lipstick colour that cool children appreciate. Too excellent, our student atmosphere tells us. And now there are big flashes of Umbridge, because Hope is on a mission to de-sexify the institution. Uniforms are back, so is ‘one-file rule,’ and the safe haven is also pulled down for all things decadent — the old, dead toilet blocks. Abstinence is returning. She has been taught from Harry Potter since Dolores Umbridge’s book is exactly up to her borderline racist, archaic style to teaching which wants pupils to fit into mechanical boxes.
The diktats of Hope soon began to violate personal identity. Maeve’s statement of neck rings and teinted hair are gone, Lily’s stylish alien-inspired hairdos and Cal is pushed to conform into the “girls’ line” and clothes, a new student who identifies as non-binary. Trouble soon begins to boil anew in the school’s sacred walls.
England has nearly always had the schools — and the tales of the young adults — right since Enid Blyton’s time. Whether it’s the Malory Towers of St. Clare or Harry Potter, who wouldn’t want to go to Hogwarts? The excellent trend continues with YA programmes such as Skins, Misfits, The Intermediaries and movies such as History Boys. Sex education simply continues the excellent job and builds on this heritage.
Yet sure, the show is about the anxious 17-year-olds who are preoccupied with ‘w***king off’ and their genitalia and get information from non-trustworthy sources. However, the concerns and problems raised by the programme may be experienced by individuals of all ages. With such warmth, elegance and empathy, we all watch and wish loudly that we had a school for Otis, Maeve, Eric and even Jackson.
Season Three deals with sex, talk about the size of penis and sex as a treatment for sorrow and a reference to self-harm. The repercussions of a sexual assault are given due process. Women’s rights, patriarchy and self-loving, without ever being preaching and pedantic, are highlighted. But that has been the strength of Sex Education from the first season.
In this season, the overall theme is friendship. Stage 3 subversively increases the depiction of male friendships in mainstream culture. It’s a lovely moment when Eric and Otis dance up the stairs after Eric chooses ultimately to ‘go all the way’ with Adam. Male friendships tend to be limited to a few nodes and grunts that subscribe to the ancient saying “man does not speak about his sexual emotions about the others.” But no, Otis and Eric are not hiding their emotions and it’s very exciting. It’s warming our heart. Likewise, Aimee and Maeve conquer their problems too and keep each other in line with their own borders. Season three is likewise a vocal self-love advocate, but everything simply creeps on us.
See Season 3 and fall in love with this lovely sitcom and a sparkling third season. Maybe it can teach our schools one or two things. And one more thing. Oh, and one more thing. There are numerous online memorabilia and images that remind us that we must appreciate individuals and friends who expose us to new music. Since their debut, Sex Education has been that essential companion. The music for the third season, the excellent work continues. They have everything right from Nancy Sinatra to David Bowie, Queen to Duran Duran. Something for everyone, just like school.