Laurie Nunn's hilarious and positive sex education returns for a second season with more drama, more love triangles, and more about the lives and fantasies of a group of British teenagers. A delightful, honest and thought-provoking story. Things were already getting pretty intense by the end of last season, so this Sex Education season 1 recap will help you get up to speed when it comes to watching season 2.
In its first season, Sex Education introduced several nuanced characters, centered around the shy, virginal Otis. Otis, the son of famed sex therapist Dr. Gene Milburn, realizes he can exploit his embarrassing family relationships for personal gain by opening a sex counseling clinic with classmate (and crush) Maeve. Meanwhile, several other characters from Otis' school embark on their own journeys, with heartwarming and heartbreaking consequences.
Otis
As the show's protagonist, a lot happens to Otis, but his core journey is about him overcoming his sexual anxieties and finding love. Although he never fully got over his crush on Maeve, their relationship eventually deepened into a true friendship. In the final episode, Otis realizes that he really likes the virgin Ola, the handyman's daughter (whom Jeanne falls in love with ). Ola and Otis kiss, allowing Otis to successfully masturbate and reach orgasm for the first time without having a panic attack.
It's not all sunshine and roses for Otis, though. A student nearly hurts himself after taking Otis's advice, and Otis tells Maeve he's closing the clinic. After discovering that his mother was writing a book about his sexual issues, Otis was still very upset with her. Although Otis genuinely likes Orla, it's clear that the tension between Otis and Maeve has not yet been resolved.
Maeve
As the season begins, Maeve is dealing with some pretty tough issues. She lives alone in a trailer park; she doesn't have any reliable friends or family; and she maintains a secret relationship with star athlete Jackson.
Over the course of the show, she begins officially dating Jackson while growing closer to Otis and popular girl Amy. Maeve slowly becomes happier, but the return of her drug-dealing brother throws a wrench into the mix. He caused a rift between Maeve and Jackson, and although he disappeared at the end of the season, the damage was done. Maeve broke up with Jackson, took responsibility for her brother's drug discovery at prom, and faced suspension at the end of season one. After the dance, Maeve also realizes that she has feelings for Otis, but sees him making out with Ora.
It's all a bit heartbreaking, but Maeve is still moving in a positive direction. She eventually gained some confidence and proudly told her teacher that she knew she was smart and that she wanted to improve her life. She ends the season with a single, but with a new best friend in Amy.
Eric comes into his own
In season one, Eric grapples with his sexuality and how to present himself to the world. After Eric was beaten in a Hedwig and the Angry Inch costume, Eric gave up all his colorful clothes and makeup and broke off his relationship with Otis, who left him trapped that night With Maeve. However, not expressing himself in any way pained him, which led him to lose his temper with his band teacher and beat up Anwar, an openly gay student. However, after meeting an older, stylish man, Eric realizes that he needs to be himself. Encouraged by his father, Eric struts to the dance in colorful costumes and high heels and reconnects with Otis. Eric also apologizes to his teacher and Anwar, who reluctantly admits that Eric's new look is good.
Eric's relationship with Adam, the bully and principal's son, also comes to a head. Adam always seemed to have a problem with Eric, and by the end of the season, the two were thrown into detention together. A physical altercation turns into Adam kissing Eric and then (impliedly) giving him a blowjob. Adam threatens Eric not to tell anyone, but later he begins a subtle encounter when they are in the lab together. However, Eric's potential romance is interrupted as he watches Adam pack his bags to head off to military academy - the final straw comes when Adam attacks his father at the dance.
let
Jane found her own romance in season one with Jacob, a gruff widow who initially came to her house to fix the bathroom. She eventually becomes truly interested in him and goes to Jacob's house to confess her love. They hook up, but Gene worries that their relationship will upset Otis—a problem since they 're already fighting over her book. Jane admits that writing the book was a mistake, but it looks like she still has a lot of work to do to get back into her son's good graces.
jackson
Jackson is an affable swimmer, but beneath the smiles we learn that he suffers from anxiety and is overwhelmed by the expectations of his principal and parents. Aside from Adam's ending, Jackson's ending may be the most tragic. During the season, he truly fell in love with Maeve, but she broke up with him after he admitted he tipped Otis.
The season ends with Jackson having a single, but no one really cares about his own emotional well-being. Poor Jackson; hopefully in season 2 he'll find someone who cares about him.
lily
By the end of the season, still looking to get laid!
