The show Sex Education has reached Indian homes through the medium of Netflix and given its name, it is to invite several critics that shall be quick to an early bias. What is unique about the show is that it is as close to its name as it is far. Through the great direction and writing that has gone into making this show, it is clear that the makers have a point to make. The destigmatization of a discussion of sexual experiences is necessary for our 21stCentury mode of existence and the show does just that but without ever becoming preachy. Modish recommends this UK based drama for a funny, heartfelt depiction of teenage anxieties.
At the cost of birthing stereotypes, the show takes up a wide range of characters and does it quite well. It is clear that the makers have carefully chosen what they what to depict of whom. The show takes up 21st Century academic engagements with Identity Politics one step further by going down the nitty-gritties. Yes, the new woke life gives one the strength to come out of the closet and live on as a homosexual but what happens after that. What happens when you are living in a world that only seems to understand the differences and the burdens of painful pasts without ever having experienced the same? One of the most beautifully drawn out narrative in the story is that of Eric’s, what happens to him when he left alone in public dressed differently, dressed like a part of himself that he is only just begun to explore?
Sex Education is a Bildungsroman, not just of these few kids in a high-school in England but also of the very genre itself. It was high time that we created a show that was wholesome in its representation, beyond the normal heteronormativity of narratives that only see sex as a ten second act done to perfection on screen and off screen with little to no discomfort. Modish recommends this series as not just a voyeuristic act of watching “attractive” people navigate through their sexualities but also as an infomercial of our lives, as we try to navigate past this vast influx of information we witness every moment. The lead characters Otis and Maeve are wise yet twined to anxieties that are unique to them and even to adults, the grip of the story is such that one can’t help but be drawn to these characters. Bound by “weird” parents, an emerging sexual identity and the future of their career, their struggles are unique to the average teenager all over the world and sometimes even to generations older than them all across. We at Modish thoroughly enjoyed the show and are glad to know that there is a sequel season coming up as well. This is a show that is not only diverse in its visual representation but also in the people that have gone into making this project behind the scenes.
