Teaching the birds and the bees, but funny
Sex Education Netflix, streaming now
Despite your prudish Auntie Jemima’s protestations, there’s probably not enough sex on telly.
Not in the UK, at least. Visit the continent and graphic adult channels broadcast the German equivalent of Debbie Does Dallas (Dieter Does Dusseldorf?) over breakfast telly. Euro youngsters haven’t turned into degenerates as a result either; they have low teen pregnancy rates and tend to lose their virginities later than in the UK.
Perhaps making sex seem forbidden and mysterious here in Blighty isn’t helping, who knows.
Sex Education is perhaps revolutionary when it comes to British telly; it’s not often teenagers are allowed to have complex relationships and sex lives, which is strange because, if we’re honest, that’s precisely what is happening in the world.
The third series of what is possibly Netflix’s most accomplished work shows the young people grappling once more with school, friendships and of course each other in this their final year at Moordale.
As ever its strength (oddly for a show so steeped in the aesthetic of US teen movies from the ’80s) is in its attitude to sex: refreshingly European. Sex Education though is also, crucially, funny.
I’m only on episode five though and flamboyant Eric’s trip to Nigeria is worrying me a bit. Hurry home, Eric...