Skins, Sereis 3, Episode 2: THE RANT
**May contain Spoilers for Skins (Series 3) (Especially Episode 2) throughout**
OK, so have been soo excited whilst waiting for the new series of Skins, since buying and watching Skins 1 + 2 which I LOVED.
The first episode was poor, it lacked energy, punch and charm, and did little for making me want to like the new characters. It was entertaining, but because of what the characters were doing, and not the characters them selves. They seem to have replaced the old characters with new ones, and are probably going to do the same story lines.
The similarities I have drawn are:
Cook = Chris, Freddie = Tony, JJ = Sid (Boo! Hiss!)
Effy = Michelle (Queen Bee), Naomi = Maxi (Sexuality), Pandora = Sketch? (The weird one!!), Emily = Jal? The other twin would = Anwar out of process of elimination, but I don't think so. (The twins do look like my cousin though lol)
Th introduction of Effy was brilliant, and Cook and Freddie seem Ok. JJ (Or JJJ) is already annoying me - the stereotypical posh, slightly nerdy group hanger-oner, with opinions on 'fun' has been done, and better than the actor who plays him.
The new cast aren't as great as the old ones. Period.
And they set fire to Sid's locker :( :(
Anyway, Episode 2.
After Episode 1, I said I was going to carry on watching them just so I could see what happened, have something to talk about and show my loyalty to the show. At first I hoped it would be amazing, like 1 and 2, if not better, but it wasn't, so I carried on watching hoping and praying that this episode and the series would get better as it went along. They've only just started, I said, lets give them a chance.
Anyway, I tried to stream Episode 2 many many times, and it is either me and my PC, or a problem for 4oD, but it wasn't working, so eventually I started to download it so I could watch it later. (IT TOOK AGES TO DOWNLOAD - literally at least 8 hours. FAIL). Whether this is just because the episode is in demand, or because my PX has issues or just I was downloading in peak time I don't know).
So, I finally got round to watching it, at around ten past midnight, and I'm hoping it shall be good. I have been keeping up with The E4 site with some previews and trailers etc so knew it was going to be about Cook and his birthday party.
Firstly - he is 17? Actor looks much older. Secondly - He has already had a half a bottle of vodka and then does a million shots of tequilla or whatever - and doesn't show any signs of being drunk at all lol?
The entertainment of the party was fun, but it felt like it wasn't contributing to the story. In fact, the whole episode just felt like a massive party - this would be a good thing for Skins, especially since the trailers feature a 'Skins party', but it just felt empty and not linked to the new cast. The introductory episode of 1 has succeeded in showing us what the character are like, but they have failed in making us actually like or believe the characters.
Anyway, the drama continues along, good scene with getting on the boat for the party with the bouncer, but again it is so stereotypical. Blah blah blah - start creating havoc at the party. Great - the food fight and general mess is good - but we still don't care if Cook gets punched in the face . . .
Anyway, so the gang end up in the tunnel after the fight (Great when Cook just laughs on stage) and Effy turns him down - well done. Oh, Pandora on drugs - not believable at all. The fact that they showed them snorting drugs is barley acceptable - yes this is a teen drama and yes it is an 18 and is post watershed - but come on.
Then it starts getting bad. Yes, the whole brothel experience, done by Skins. What fun. NOT. The thing is, I don't actually want to watch the escapades of these new characters. The handjob - verging on the ewwwww. The girls accents = win, love it lol. The nervous guy at the brothel - well done. The kissing - lol.
The next bit I WAS NOT prepared for, and was not ready for what was presented me in that episode - guest star Mackenzie Crook handcuffed with his nipples attached to the electrocuter etc. This was totatlly uncalled for. Also, the violence of the punching in the face was too far, and I had to look away from the screen. No program should make me do this, unless I am scared. I wasn't scared, I was repulsed. The story did not call for this, especially in the second episode, and surely the writers should have found a better way to entertain (or try to) the viewers.
However, the main problem is that they cant justify the drama and the plot and these scenes, because we dont care about the characters! If we had, then it may have been OK, but so far I just feel like we are watching the lives of people, not friends or people we want to care about.
It was so lame.
The episode ended, and I just thought "that was bad - for all the wrong reasons". It wasn't bad as in evil, but was bad as in a let down for Skins, bad as in inappropriate, and bad as in not entertaining. This ultimately is an EPIC FAIL for a show that is supposed to be entertaining, and problems arise as this show is, yes, post watershed, but meant for teenagers. I am normally quite accepting to things people find offensive, as I can see both sides and see the point of view, but at one point I was nearly tempted to actually register a complaint, as so many other people seem to do, which would be a first for me.
Not impressed Skins. Sort it out.
I shall continue to watch the Series, just to see how it progresses, but now I feel its all downhill from here . . .
EDIT: P.S. Oh, and as an after thought - "I'll meet you in the shed! ;) HAHAHAHA
