In the last season of Sex Education, Moordale High girls stood up to something they have all dealt with – sexual assault. And of course, there was the deleted voice note that kept the audience waiting for a resolution.
In this season, the entry of a new head teacher, Hope Haddon (Jemima Kirke), initially seemed to cheer the students of Moordale High. The school had been referred to as ‘Sex School’ following a chlamydia outbreak and a sex-musical during the last season and Haddon seemingly came to change the “reputation” of the school in the name of protecting the students.
Otis is not quite himself during the first few episodes as he tries to fit into the mould of someone that Ruby would approve of. Otis shows himself to be a very supportive son during his mother’s pregnancy at her age, seeming very adult about the situation. He realises towards the end that he truly enjoys listening to people and navigating them in the right direction, despite his attempts to stop caring about them and stop listening to their concerns.
The character of Maeve Wiley (Emma Mackey) is one of the strongest in this show, and she keeps her head high even after calling the police on her mother. Looking at Maeve live alone in the caravan and trying to survive it is truly inspiring. She has got a best friend to support her through it all. Aimee (Aimee Lou Wood) has grown the most this season as she attempts to understand herself and her body. Following her sexual assault in the last season, she has difficulty accepting her new identity as well as her new perspective on relationships. In the course of eight episodes, she realises that loving herself comes before loving anybody else.
With Eric, we get to be in Nigeria virtually as he goes there to attend a family wedding. He is asked to wear dull clothes like normal people because he cannot reveal his gender identity to his grandmother in Nigeria. However his relationship with his mother is a delight to watch.
Jean’s (Gillian Anderson) approach towards breaking down patriarchy, abstinence, and surviving pregnancy at an older age is something worth watching. Her relationship with Jakob (Mikael Persbrandt) has some highs and lows but therapy helps them. Through Jakob, we see how therapy is viewed by many as a waste of time and money.
Jackson Marchetti (Kedar William-Stirling), the head boy of Moordale High, has been feeling lost with him not being able to swim anymore. Cal, his new friend, comes to his aid in his time of need and it’s incredible to see how this generation can connect with each other on topics like anxiety, panic attacks, triggers, etc. instead of superficial stuff like brunches, shopping, etc.
Although Lily (Tanya Reynolds) and Ola (Patricia Allison) are still figuring out who they are and how their relationship should proceed, seeing Lily without her usual hairstyle and make-up made me fear for her. Vivian (Chinenye Ezeudu) had a crucial role to play in this season as she was Hope’s right hand in making students abide by the new school rules. Miss Emily and Mr. Hendricks, the old professors, were the most ideally supportive teachers.
Lastly, Adam (Connor Swindells) is a character I had a love-hate relationship with over the last two seasons, but he made me fall in love with him in the third season. While most of us might think that he is acting indifferent, he actually did not know how to talk to people, feel any feelings and express his emotions. This season is a truly maturing period for him.
Sex education Season 3 talks about everything – from penis sizes, binding chest, late pregnancy, pronoun usage, abstinence and its side effects, to topics like love, friendship, family and more. Through this comedy, they not only cover the emotions and life of young and raging hormonal 17-year old kids but the lives of their parents as well. Seeing Mr. Groff (Alistair Petrie) trying to be better with the help of Jean was heartwarming. This show also points out how men are taught not to be vulnerable and cry or express their emotions as it makes them look weak. It has covered the vicious cycle of bullying and its aftermath through Mr. Groff’s story.
From this season, I understand that people of all ages desire to be heard and not be restrained, that they desire empathy from their parents and social groups. They want to talk about sexual issues openly and positively, because as Maeve says, “sex can be beautiful too.” People outgrow their current lives and it is natural to want to fly and experience everything there is. During this process, we might lose some really tight-knit bonds but that cannot stop us from blossoming into beautiful flowers.
This season, like the last two seasons, leaves us at a cliffhanger with the stories for many characters but ‘this isn’t goodbye, it’s see you soon!’
Sex Education Season 3 is now streaming on Netflix.
