“Will they get together? Won’t they? Will they? Won’t they?”
It’s hard to sustain a star-crossed teen romance across three seasons. In theory, it should feel over-flogged by now, with viewers tired of the repetitive see-sawing. And yet, somehow, Netflix’s acclaimed comedy-drama Sex Education still manages to make the concept compelling in its eight-episode third season.
There’s still raw emotion to be mined from the fragile, fraught relationship between Otis (Asa Butterfield) and Maeve (Emma Mackey), brilliant but very different social outsiders – who initially teamed up to run a secret sex ed clinic for their ill-informed classmates at Moordale Secondary School.
New focuses and characters
It helps that Sex Education doesn’t only focus on Otis and Maeve. As the British series has progressed, it’s turned its spotlight on other characters, in the process piercing beyond often clichéd exteriors to find the real people beneath. The cool, confident head boy. The ditsy people-pleaser. The flunky school bully. The uptight principal. Over three seasons, we’ve seen their issues and insecurities laid bare and, as in reality, there’s no quick fix. Their journeys are all ongoing. In Season 3, a few other long-time supporting players join their ranks as well.
Another way that Sex Education keeps things fresh is simply by introducing new pupils and staff to Moordale Secondary. This season’s notable additions include the series’ first non-binary character, Cal Bowman, a defiant student played by non-binary Sudanese-American poet/songwriter Dua Saleh.
Just as significant is new head teacher Hope Haddon, portrayed by Girls’ Jemima Kirke. Young, apparently cool and accessible, Hope brings a tsunami of change to the “Sex School,” shaking up Sex Education Season 3 in much the same way prison privatisation did in the third season of Orange is the New Black. Although Hope’s character is moderately fleshed out, as opposed to being a simple caricature, it’s likely she’ll soon rank alongside Dolores Umbridge as popular culture’s most hated headmistress.
The more things change, the more they stay the (welcome) same
Sex Education Season 3 is an almost direct continuation from Season 2. The Summer months may have passed, and it may be a new school year at Moordale, but it’s definitely not a jumping-on point for new viewers. In fact, the season is so much of a continuation you may want to rewatch the last few episodes of Season 2 in preparation, just to get up to speed with the carry-over drama.
How will Jean (Gillian Anderson) handle her shocking discovery? Will Isaac (George Robinson) tell Maeve the truth about what he did? Is there hope for the burgeoning relationship between out and proud Eric (Ncuti Gatwa) and barely uncloseted Adam (Connor Swindells)? Has Aimee (Aimee Lou Wood) processed her trauma? This isn’t even touching on the complicated relationship between Otis and Maeve, and their respective family issues.
Season 3 tackles all of these questions, and more, in the satisfying way that only Sex Education can. Refreshingly, in what is a signature feature of the series, characters talk. It may require some prodding or coaxing, but ultimately they do lay bare their pent-up feelings. The writing is also smart and confident enough to let secrets come out sooner rather than later. There’s really no need to draw things out for extra drama. There’s enough going on already.
In fact, if you want to complain about anything in regards to Sex Education S3, it’s that it does start to feel a bit rushed and sketched towards the end of the season. The measured pace of earlier episodes is abandoned, while certain characters just fall by the wayside… although, presumably, there are future plans for their arcs. A further gripe is that one episode should really come with a content warning for animal lovers.
Sex Education Season 3 definitely isn’t a stale retread, even if it doesn’t veer far from its successful, established formula. The only exception is how the action leaves the UK for the first time.
Fans of the show’s first two seasons will find loads to love once more. Just like how senior high school students seamlessly fall back into their timetable routine after the holidays, you’ll no doubt become instantly re-invested in the fate of Sex Education’s many characters. Prepare for moments of high anxiety though. As unapologetically raunchy, heartfelt and real as the series remains, at times Season 3 teeters on a very dark edge.
Of course, it’s a mark of a well-written and well-acted show that you’re terrified of anything bad happening to favourite characters – who’ve come to feel as familiar as close friends and family.
Sex Education Season 3 starts streaming on Netflix from next Friday, September 17. We’re already holding thumbs for a fourth season.
| Sex Education Season 3 review | |
The more things change, the more they stay the welcome same in Sex Education Season 3. If you were afraid the show would start to feel stale, put aside those concerns. You’ll laugh, and cry, fret and maybe even get a little flustered, as you fall back in sync – and love – with the relatable cast of characters. |
8.5 |
| Sex Education Season 3 was reviewed on Netflix | |