Sex Education 2: A lesson in female camaraderie.
*Warning: Some very minor spoilers and brief mention of sexual assault*
On the 17th of January, screens around the world were graced with the second installment of the no holes barred, Netflix hit, Sex Education. The show that made enormous waves last year, for its honesty and frank conversations around young adults sex and relationships, is back again for another 8 episode stint, with the same light-hearted and hilarious fire as before.
From how to douche to unrequited love, the show offers an accurate depiction of adolescence in a world full of Riverdale’s. The topics don't just span the awkward, funny yet necessary topics, but the serious ones too.
In this season, we're given a lot of extremely culturally relevant material. Not only are we blessed with more of the wonderfully, authentic to himself Eric (Ncuti Gatwa) who reminds us to be bold and true to our selves - in a post 'Meghxit', Donald Trump world trying to intimidate and silence Black and Brown people - but we are also given a chance to see the sad truth that connects us as women and the camaraderie we able to posses
Amongst all the important subject matter covered in season 2, we follow Aimee (Aimee Lou Wood) after she is sexually assaulted on the bus to school, and watch how her day to day life and relationship with Steve unravels as a result. The depiction is heartbreakingly honest, as she is apprehensive at first to speak to Police and acknowledge the situation, and we later watch her emotions go from sad to angry in episode 7.
Image: Netflix
What is powerful about this storyline, is the way it brings the other female protagonists together.
In the penultimate episode (Episode 7), Ola, Maeve, Aimee, Lily, Olivia and new character Viv are sentenced to detention for a 'slut-shaming' vandalism against Miss Sands (this in itself presenting another real-life experience by many women). There, these estranged characters are tasked with creating a presentation on what bonds the 6 of them as women. After much deliberation, an argument ensues between Maeve and Ola over Otis, causing Aimee to burst into tears. It is then she shares her feelings sparking a domino effect amongst the rest of the girls. They rally together over this shared injustice and this sets the scene for arguably one of the most important and beautiful scenes since 'It's my Vagina!'.
In the last quarter of the episode, we see all 6 girls go to the abandoned yard where Adam goes to smash discarded items, and we watch as the girls take bats to an abandoned car to vent their frustrations.
The scene is a cathartic release for all of them and this moment of support, revelations and female friendship is what we all desperately need in our trying times.
This beautiful scene is followed by all five girls joining forces to accompany Aimee on the bus. As they sit side by side, safely in the company of one another, you cannot help but share a smile. These are six girls, with little in common, putting opposing cliques, love triangles and history aside sharing in an act of rebellion and sisterhood. A reminder of how powerful we can be when we join together.
All in all, we loved this new season. Sex education’s ability to tackle the heart wrenching and rib-tickling, seamlessly is unmatched. If you haven’t already check out the series. We hope to see a third season.
Main image: Sex Education. Netflix.
