So I went back and revisited the Skins episodes to refresh my memory and I was left with the same impressions. The series resembles more of an HBO or Showtime type of program in terms of some of the content that is shown – the nudity etc. Skins tries to be edgy and it succeeds. While there weren’t any explicit sex scenes like you may see on HBO, the sexual undertones that are implied throughout these first two episodes of the series seem over exaggerated, and for me personally were just ridiculous. I felt like I was watching a Black Mirror type of show with a seemingly sensational overemphasis of teenage behavior that the program tries to make out as commonplace. I suppose that’s what Channel 4 is looking for though and they would argue it’s educational and providing a public service.
I accept that these events and problems occur for many teenagers, but trying to make them out as nonchalant and everyday seems too much to me. I love how the program approaches tough issues, but wish it weren’t portrayed as being realistic. While the series never expresses that anything is real or that it is a reality show, it seemed to be implied that these are the rebellious natures of teenagers and how all of them act – including the private school students. Nevertheless, what I found amazing is how I actually seemed to enjoy the episodes – enough that I watched them a second time. I expected to be kind of reluctant to want to watch the show, but while watching it I found myself being conflicted between saying something was completely ridiculous and then wanting to know what happens next. I suppose that’s good, entertaining television then, right?
As a series I felt this fit right in line with Channel 4 programming and especially as a part of the E4 network. It has the appropriate feel of a show trying to target the coveted younger demographic. Another thing that I like is how in future seasons the characters change. It then doesn’t become a feeble attempt to continue a series like a Saved By The Bell or something else which relies on age-specific cast members. I’m surprised to say I like the episodes, but thought some things like the drug deal, sex, and parties were too sensational at times. But I guess it makes for engaging television.
I think you nailed it right on the head, Ronnie. Did I enjoy Skins? Sure. Did it handle some tough issues in a way that made you think? Definitely, the Cassie episode was phenomenal at helping educate the populous about how prevalent eating disorders actually are. Was it way over the top? A resounding yes.
Maybe it’s because I’m a “sheltered” farm kid from a town of 700 in southwest Iowa, but I couldn’t really relate to what these kids were doing. That’s not to say my rural town didn’t have issues. With nothing else to do, underage drinking is at a very high rate, plus seven miles down the road from me is the meth capital of the world (per capita). So it’s not to say these issues don’t exist, BUT nothing to the extreme like in Skins. I would love to hear other people share their thoughts on this sensationalism and whether it is just me or not that couldn’t believe the actions taken by these kids.
I agree with you, Chris. It always bothers me when I’m watching a movie or a TV show and high schoolers are constantly inebriated or throwing huge, college caliber parties. None of the popular kids at my school threw parties when their parents were out of town. Sure, some of them drank, but it was always sneaking a beer from the fridge. Some kids did drugs or had eating disorders, but there was not a group I ever encountered that had someone with an eating disorder AND someone with a drug problem AND kids who were sleeping around AND blossoming alcoholics AND….well, you get the idea. I don’t see how, if you did have a problem, you could be friends ONLY with people struggling with issues just as dire as yours. In my experience, friends are people who lean on you and you lean on when one of you is having a life crisis, not someone who tells you about their latest bender while you noticeably don’t eat for days.
I am really glad you posted this about Skins, especially because myself and everyone else was thinking it. When I was watching these episodes, and undeniably hooked on what the kids were up to, I couldn’t help but wonder if this was a good picture of “friendship”. Sure, all my friends and I give each other a hard time about little things, and we all know our limits. But in Skins, it wasn’t just “giving a hard time”, the characters seemed to batter each other about sensitive issues like virginity and drugs. While it created good drama and comedy, I realized, by the end of the episode, I would go through that fictional high school totally friendless. There would be no way I would survive amongst the constant put-downs, not to mention how those friends never seemed to stick up for each other, or help one another out. So, yeah the content on Skins was high school exaggerated to millionth degree, but so were the friendships, which really left a bad taste in my mouth, more than the ridiculous party scenes and sex lives.