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That’s it, it’s back to school. Can you hear the Cavendish College bell? Our favorite high school students have left the schools of Moordale to join a new school which brings an undisputed breath of fresh air to this fourth and final season of Sex Education.
Launched in 2019, the series which stood out thanks to its inclusiveness, its positivity and its good vibes comes to an end with this final burst of episodes. If this is heartbreaking, remember that all good things must come to an end. This season 4 is therefore of capital importance since it must allow us to say goodbye to its extremely endearing characters without leaving us with a touch of bitterness and a taste of unfinished business.
For those at the back of the class who haven't followed, Sex Educationfollows Otis, son of a renowned sexologist played by Gillian Anderson, who acts as the sex therapist at his high school. Trained by Maeve, the young man finds a gift for getting his classmates to talk about their problems and helping them as best as possible in this troubled period that is puberty. The series advocates positive sexuality in a funny and colorful universe. Many current issues are addressed there, sometimes with humor, sometimes with seriousness. Sometimes, both.
For the last 8 episodes of Sex Education, the series has not changed its magic recipe. We give you our opinion on season 4 of Sex Education in our review. We promise, it's guaranteed to be spoiler-free!
What a joy to find Sex Education! This fourth season is faithful to the series as a whole. We delight in seeing our favorite characters grow and evolve. As previous vintages have already shown us, Sex Education, it's more than a series for teenagers that talks about sex. The quest for identity, which was already at the heart of season 3, is more present than ever. Moordale high school students now find themselves at Cavendish College, a school that would make the “reacs” jump. The establishment is managed by the students, who are all open-minded. The wheel turns for our characters: Ruby loses her crown as prom queen while Eric is now the protege of the popular people at school, with whom he is a perfect match.
In this season 4 , the series has lost none of its humor. Otis and his comrades always find themselves in particularly funny situations. But behind the good humor that emanates from Sex Education, the series tackles much more serious subjects with remarkable accuracy. If Otis and Maeve are the central links of the series, the secondary characters continue to delight us. Eric, in particular, takes all the spotlight and we're not going to complain about it. The young man's existential questions during this final season touch us more than ever. As for Aimee and Adam, they continue to be our real favorites.
If teenagers are the main characters of Sex Education, the series never forgets to give an important place to more mature protagonists. Like Jean, Otis' mother, overwhelmed by her new motherhood and the trauma of her childbirth still hovers over her, or Adam Groff's father, who seeks to improve himself after the cold shower of past episodes .
So it’s obvious: if you liked the first seasons of Sex Education, it is impossible to miss this season 4. Finally, Netflix invites us to a warm reunion with characters who have, over time, become like friends. Yes, our hearts sink when we say goodbye, but, we know, it's for the best.
Also read – Sex Education review: what to think of season 3?
It is not without a certain pleasure that we find Otis, Eric, Maeve, Ruby and the whole gang of Sex Educationfor a new season where “sex” leaves room for broader, more societal themes. If questions about sexuality are always part of the adventure, this fourth season places the emphasis on identity. Between their sexual orientations, their gender, the place of religion in their lives, their toxic relationships, the fourth season of Sex Education casts a wide net on current societal issues. Sometimes with finesse, sometimes by clumsily putting one's foot in the dish.
What emerges from this season is a desire to answer too many questions, even if it means botching up the subjects a little. That of disability, for example, so important, falls like a hair in the soup among other strong subjects.
As a common thread, the relationship between Maeve and Otis (disturbed by the incomparable Ruby) seems almost secondary and sometimes even falls into a bit of an annoying teen romance. You know, the ones where the two transit lovers never really manage to blossom? The screenwriters roll out the ball to prolong a suspense which ends up boring.
Fortunately, other arcs enrich this purring season. Eric's questions (always so sunny) about his identity, the place of religion in his life, his friendship with Otis give more substance to the whole. The difficulties encountered by Otis' mother, now a single mother of a teenager and an infant, will resonate with young parents struggling to find the right work/life balance. Fathers will probably be touched by Adam's dad who, after having failed almost everything with his son, is trying to become a better man.
To say that we are bored in front of this season 4 would be a lie. We laugh frankly at certain situations, others always bring a few tears. But by trying too hard to address all social issues, the whole thing seems confusing to us. So much so that we no longer really remember the highlights of this season.
Fortunately, the actors, always impeccable, and the soundtrack always so neat, keep us going through the episodes. Special mention, again and again, to Gillian Anderson (Otis' mother) and Ncuti Gatwa (Eric), who take us from laughter to tears in a flash.
14.3 M reviews