“Farewell to Sex Education: A Bittersweet Review of Season 4’s Sentimental Finale”

Sex Education, Season 4 Review: The Pitfalls of Sentimentality

A Shift Towards Hollywood

Sex Education, once an indie-feel British take on a US high-school drama, has evolved over four seasons into a show that has embraced a more Hollywood aesthetic. The final season featured appearances from renowned actors such as Dan Levy, Hannah Gadsby, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Hannah Waddingham. The show’s popularity has also garnered attention from the film industry, with several of its leads being cast in major movie productions, including the upcoming film Barbie.

An Innovative Concept with Strengths and Weaknesses

The premise of Sex Education is a clever reworking of the American teen drama, centered around Otis, the son of a sex therapist, who becomes a sex therapist himself. The show brilliantly captures the dynamics of teenage life, revealing the gossip in the corridors, the snarky remarks, and the awkwardness of adolescence. However, by adopting the framework of a US teenage drama, Sex Education exposes its strengths and weaknesses.

Playing with the Strengths

The strengths of the American teen drama format are skillfully played upon in Sex Education. The show portrays the complexities of teenage relationships and challenges traditional notions of sexuality and identity. The superb performances and excellent pairings, particularly the chemistry between Asa Butterfield and Ncuti Gatwa, contribute immensely to the show’s success.

Exposing the Weaknesses

One of the weaknesses inherent in the US teenage drama format is the casting of actors in their 30s to portray teenage characters. While this is a common practice in the genre, it sometimes compromises the credibility of the storytelling. Furthermore, the inevitability of graduation, as college or university approaches, adds a time constraint to the narrative arc. Unfortunately, Sex Education falls into this trap in its final season.

The Downfall of the Fourth Season

A Shift in Setting and Character Dynamics

In its final season, Sex Education commits a cardinal sin by closing the familiar Moordale Secondary school and relocating its characters to Cavendish College. The new setting, with its emphasis on individual truth and new-age philosophies, introduces a cast of characters that are irritating and self-righteous. While this may serve as a vehicle to explore how the original characters adapt, it does little to make the newcomers more likable.

A Tangled Web of Storylines

The fourth season attempts to tie up all loose ends, including Eric’s struggle with his sexuality and the strained relationship between Adam and his father. By the eighth episode, all conflicts are resolved, resulting in an overwhelming sense of sentimentality and easy resolutions. The once sardonic and complex narrative becomes encrusted in schmaltz, detracting from the show’s earlier refusal to indulge in such soppiness.

A Great Show Diminished, but Not Without Merit

Superb Performances and Terrific Pairings

Despite the disappointments of its final season, Sex Education remains engaging and enjoyable due to the outstanding performances and compelling on-screen partnerships. Asa Butterfield and Ncuti Gatwa, in particular, bring an infectious energy and chemistry to their roles, making their scenes a delight to watch.

Fairy-tale Endings that Miss the Mark

However, it cannot be denied that the fairy-tale endings provided for the characters in the fourth season feel forced and contrived. This conscious uncoupling of the original characters from their beloved school and the excessive sentimentality tarnish what could have been a great show.

The Significance of Climactic Failings

It is important to acknowledge that Sex Education, despite its climactic failings, remains a good show. Nevertheless, the flaws of the final season highlight the potential pitfalls of sentimental resolutions and the dangers of departing from the original essence of a series. This serves as a cautionary tale for future shows that may be tempted to follow the same path.

A Plea for Artistic Integrity

As viewers and critics, we must be vigilant in recognizing the consequences of steering a show towards sentimental conclusions. The pursuit of easy resolutions risks diluting the authenticity and complexity that made Sex Education so appealing in the first place. Let this be a reminder that even a good series can fall short of greatness when falling victim to the trappings of sentimentality.