Series Review: Sex Education (Netflix)

by Tegan Piper

I found this series on Netflix, and in the era of too many options, this series was so refreshing. From the plot to the cast to the style and the issues addressed, I found this series so interesting. It follows a socially awkward high school student Otis who may not have much experience in the lovemaking department but he gets good but sometimes awkward guidance on the topic in his personal sex ed course, living with his mum Jean who is a sex therapist. Being surrounded by manuals, videos and tediously open conversations about sex, Otis has become a reluctant expert on the subject.

When his classmates learn about his home life, Otis decides to use his insider knowledge to improve his status at school, so he teams up with a secretly smart bad girl Maeve to set up an underground sex therapy clinic to deal with their classmates problems. Through his analysis of teenage sexuality, Otis realises that he may need some therapy of his own.

This series is so much deeper than how it appears on the outside: it deals with sexuality, relationship problems, insecurities, sexual assault, parental issues, cultural issues and so much more! The cinematography is excellent and with the perfect balance of predictability and surprise, it's endearing, honest and hilarious. The whole aesthetic of the show is completely inspired by John Hughes and that '80s high school aesthetic that we all know and love, and it's quite universal. I highly recommend this series.