From this picture, you can probably guess that this show is a shallow one about rebellious teens who drink, do drugs, and have sex 24/7. It isn’t. Well, you are partially right, there is drinking, drugs, and sex. But less of the drinking part. Underlying this theme of defiant teenagers who are bent on going against all rules of society, are characters who have emotions and compassion.
This show is hugely popular in England, often being referred to as a British Gossip Girl. I don’t find that it relates to Gossip Girl. Sure, they are both about teenagers, but Skins would never be featured on CW, especially since it is rated MA (shush don’t tell). There is a lot of mature themes, but the characters are very complex and ever developing, which is a major reason in why I highly view this television show. Another factor is that this show takes risks, which is something I deeply respect. I was wondering if there is a place where I could buy this on DVD, because while watching it online is fine, I would prefer a higher quality to watch. And I don’t like buying movies on Itunes.
I will give a short overview on seasons 1 and 2. The main character is Tony Stonem, a character who has an on and off relationship with another eminent character, Michelle. He wasn’t the most fascinating character though. There was this girl named Cassie, who was my favorite character in the first two seasons. She is an anorexic girl who has the sweetest heart, but cannot cause herself to eat and also harms herself sometimes. When her half-boyfriend doesn’t spend any time with and blows her off, she attempts suicide. She lives though. I just found her the most interesting character because of her many extremes. Another character I liked was Maxxie. He’s gay, and even though he doesn’t have a large role, it’s interesting to see a character on television, because not many Tv shows take that risk. He struggles with keeping his friendship with his Muslim friend, Anwar. Anwar is a devout Muslim, or is forced by his father into being one. He goes against his morals and loses his virginity though. Even though he has always accepted and knows that his best friend is gay, he doesn’t fully realize that meaning until they are made to sleep in the same room on a class trip. At the end of the first season though, they manage to resolve any lasting conflict, and become even better friends. Did I mention that Anwar is played by Dev Patel? The end of the second season comes to a close, with one of their friends, who is a good character, dies of a drug overdose. His name is Chris, and he was unfailingly nice, but he struggled with his drug problems, and eventually died from its consequences. At the end, they all attend his funeral from afar, and go off to college. Anwar and Maxxie go off to London, and everyone leaves. Thus concludes the second season.
What ties the second season from the third season is Tony’s little sister, Effy. She barely talks during the first two seasons, but in one episode, is given the opportunity to show her character. Her personality is finally revealed and is shown to be a wild druggy and party-animal. She goes out at night and parties, though her parents don’t know that. Her wild personality is made known when she says, “Sometimes I think I was born backwards… you know, come out of my mum the wrong way.” However, sooner or later her parents find out, and send her off to a school for the extreme rebellions. And that is who ties the second season to the third season.
The third season starts off with Freddie skateboarding down a road and causing a big ruckus with his entrance. When he comes to his destination, two more characters are introduced; Cook and JJ. They see Effy walking past them, and immediately have the hots for her. Freddie wants her in the first ten minutes of the show and approaches her, wondering if he can “get to know [her]“. She says only if he does a list of things that breaks the school agenda. Specifically, she says, “’cause I want to fuck a G.” This is the starting point for the main conflict of the third season. Cook and JJ like her too, but Cook fills out the list of things she wants before Freddie, and gets to know her. Other characters include Emily and Katie, who are identical twins. There is also Naomi, Panda, and Thomas.
Effy is the standout star of the show. She is quiet, but can get all of the boys without saying much. However, she has conflicts with her love interest, because she can’t decide whether she likes Freddie or Cook. She is my favorite character.
Freddie is not very interesting. He is just an angst filled teenager who has girl troubles because he can’t land the girl he wants, Effy.
Cook is just the person you love to hate. He is obnoxious, arrogant, full of himself, and just an all around awful person.
The most intriguing character to me was Naomi. Her orientation is a little confused, which is questioned by many. For this reason, she is not very popular. She gets into a relationship with Emily. Who convinces her to be in a relationship.
Other characters are in the story, but aren’t really interesting, but simply add to the story.
Viewing this show from a critical eye, I would say that the themes do not encourage positive habits. For example, they do drugs, but make it seem like everything in the world is normal. When they do, do drugs, the effects from it are only positive. There are other examples which are present, but have similar conclusions and are again expressed positively, when some of them really shouldn’t. As long as you don’t take these values to heart and make them your bible, this show is flawlessly executed.
Overall, this show is one of the best I’ve seen. From their problems to their many different lives, I can find a way to relate in each of them, which is unique. I don’t usually find that in a Tv show. They cover all the different personalities of a teenager, which is what differs this show from others. It is fully complete in everything, and I’m just expressing this as a personal opinion, but everyone should see this show, because it is worth it.
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