Sex Ed Season-Premiere Recap: A Gossip-Free Zone Where Education Takes the Spotlight

Sex Education Season-Premiere Recap: Gossip-Free Zone

By Ben Rosenstock, Culture Writer and Critic

Introduction

It’s a universal truth that change is part of growing up. But it’s also true that change is inevitable for any long-running TV show about growing up. Where we last left off in Sex Education — a series that may go down as one of Netflix’s best originals, depending on how this final season goes — everyone was poised on the brink of change.

The Setting Shift

The biggest shift that season four promises, of course, is the setting itself. After Hope Haddon’s reign as headmistress of Moordale Secondary School toppled, our beloved “Sex School” was sold to developers. The new season begins not long after with most (but not all) of the cast relocated to Cavendish Sixth Form College mid-school year.

As far as I’m concerned, season three was the show’s best season yet, especially for how thoroughly it explored the threat of a regressive, conservative bureaucracy hell-bent on shutting down any open discussion of sex. At first glance, Cavendish appears to be the antithesis of Moordale under Hope: progressive, student-led, ultragreen, and extremely queer, complete with gender-neutral restrooms, lunchtime yoga sessions, silent discos, and a slide. Self-expression is encouraged here, epitomized by the Speaker’s Corner, where anyone can speak their truth.

Without an immediate villain to root against in this new setting, this season may lack a strong central “school” arc to unite the student body. The stakes seem different this time around — more individual and personal — and the slightly cartoonish nature of Cavendish’s liberal utopia feels built for satire as much as drama. But the recalibration doesn’t mean losing out on Sex Education‘s signature warmth and complexity.

Eric’s Queer Community

You can see that with Eric, whose storyline I’m particularly interested in. He never got to spread his wings and fly at Moordale, but at Cavendish, he fits right in, quickly befriending the popular trio known as the Coven: Abbi, Roman, and Aisha. Seeing Eric find his queer community could be really rewarding. Really, it just feels great to be back in this world again.

Exploring Insecurities

The premiere’s opening scene returns the focus to Otis’s insecurities about sex. In this case, his long-distance girlfriend, Maeve, sends him a nude picture, but he’s too paralyzed by doubt to respond. Eric reminds Otis that it’s basic etiquette to send something back, but Otis also has something else on his mind: his mission to establish a free sex-therapy clinic in Cavendish.

Otis quickly finds out he has a rival named O, who started out making videos about sex and relationships before building a very popular clinic on campus. O poses a threat to Otis, as she’s great at what she does and almost immediately senses Otis’s stress and issues with Maeve. As the episode unfolds, we see Otis’s jealousy and insecurities come to the forefront, leading to a humiliating moment for him.

Exploration of Relationships

Despite the challenges and insecurities faced by Otis and Maeve, the show is committed to exploring their relationship even though they are geographically separated. Their phone-sex session in the episode is a big moment, and it’s a relief to see that the show is focused on their relationship for the time being. Maeve’s regular communication with both Otis and Aimee keeps her as a central part of the story.

New Characters and Departures

The premiere introduces new characters like Cal, who becomes Otis’s first patient at the clinic. It also showcases the development of minor characters like Aimee, who encounters a classmate named Isaac and potentially new friendship. It’s great to see minor characters stick around and have their narratives expanded upon.

However, the premiere also reveals that some characters from previous seasons, such as Ola, Rahim, Jakob, Lily, Olivia, and Anwar, are nowhere to be seen. It’s unclear whether their absence is due to scheduling conflicts or creative choices. While it’s sad to see some characters depart, the show’s deep bench allows Sex Education to continue with its signature warmth and complexity.

Conclusion

With change comes new challenges and opportunities for growth. As Sex Education enters its final season, the shift in setting and characters provides a fresh perspective on the familiar themes of love, relationships, and sexuality. The show’s commitment to exploring the complexities of its characters and their journeys is evident in the season premiere. As viewers, we can expect to be engaged and entertained as we navigate this new chapter of Sex Education.

Disclaimer

Please note that the information provided in this article is based on the season premiere episode of Sex Education and may contain spoilers for those who have not yet watched it. Viewer discretion is advised.