Eric Effiong (Ncuti Gatwa), Maeve Wiley (Emma Mackey), and Otis Milburn (Asa Butterfield) (left to right) star in “Sex Education,” a Netflix Original Series released Jan. 11. High schooler Otis Milburn acts as a sex therapist for his surprisingly dysfunctional peers. Photo fair use of What’s on Netflix
Sex Education, a raunchy Netflix original released Jan. 11, negotiates social issues through the eyes of high schooler Otis Milburn, the unofficial sex therapist of his peers.
Racy encounters and teenage awkwardness are combined in the saucy new Netflix Original series “Sex Education,” created by writer Laurie Nunn.
“Sex Education” follows Otis Milburn (Asa Butterfield) as he traverses high school. Already-awkward interactions are further complicated by Otis’s mother Jean (Gillian Anderson), a sex therapist and helicopter parent. Otis shares his mother’s therapeutic skills, and when the rebellious Maeve Wiley (Emma Mackey) discovers this, she suggests opening an underground sex therapy clinic for their peers.
As the business takes off, Otis and Maeve are hired by their classmates to sort through their social and sexual faux pas. Their work breeds a bit more than camaraderie between them, much to the chagrin of Otis’s eccentrically endearing best friend, Eric Effiong (Ncuti Gatwa).
Overall, the series is impactful and concise. Each episode tackles a different societal issue, from LGBT relationships to mental health to abortion, and clearly aims to impart advice to its audience in a frank and impartial manner. “Sex Education” ditches the cumbersome taboo that comes with discussing sex, and shares enduring and important values.
One of the most standout aspects of the series is a departure from the stereotypical gay best friend. In the past, many GBFs have been portrayed two-dimensionally, providing little to no character development and relying heavily on stereotypes. Eric Effiong, Otis’s best friend, contrasts these tropes through a well-developed character.
Despite its shining attributes, “Sex Education” is not perfect — while Eric escapes some harmful stereotypes, some are not so lucky.
The character of Maeve Wiley is unique, but she overlaps dangerously with the “Manic pixie dream girl” cliche. These female characters, prevalent in John Green books, such as Paper Towns and Looking for Alaska, are primarily there to aid the story arch of a male main character. They are frequently rebellious characters, portrayed as mysterious and intriguing. Maeve shares many of these attributes, but is lent depth by her backstory.
“Sex Education” features catchy tunes and in-depth characters, though only narrowly avoiding overdone traits. Still, the storyline is refreshing and flexible, leaving options open for a second season’s production.
