Category: English Webseries Reviews

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Adolescence: A haunting cautionary tale particularly for parents

Behind the scenes third episode of Adolescence web series

Adolescence directed by Philip Barantini is a thought provoking tale on the modern pressures faced by parents in this rapidly changing world thanks to the massive technological developments. The director does a fantastic job in exploring the issues of societal pressures and online radicalization among others.

Starcast: Stephen Graham, Owen Cooper, Ashley Walters, Faye Marsay and others

Direction: Philip Barantini

Creator and writer: Stephen Graham

Additional writer: Jack Thorne

Music: Aaron May and David Ridley

Producer: Jo Johnson

Production Companies: Its All Made Up Productions, One Shoe Films etc.

Cinematographer: Matthew Lewis

No of episodes: 4

Streaming site: Netflix

Raising a child successfully is easily one of the most difficult tasks for any parent more so in today’s digital age. The influences from outside specifically the online culture comes with its share of both positives and negatives. Additionally giving your child sufficient time isn’t easy for those who have hectic working schedules. The latest Netflix show Adolescence has been the talk of the town ever since its release. The series has struck a huge chord with not just the western audiences but it has also broken language barriers. A prime reason for that is the shows central theme which has a universal resonance.

The central plot of Adolescence is the arrest of James Miller (an outstanding Owen Cooper). James is arrested for the murder of his fellow female classmate in the nearby woods. Stephen Graham and Christine Tremarco play James Miller’s parents Eddie Miller and Manda Miller respectively. Naturally both of them are heartbroken at this revelation. Their life undergoes a 360 degrees turn struggling to comprehend on how their seemingly good son can be capable of a crime like this. Adolescence doesn’t play out like a traditional whodunit because after a point it is firmly established that James is indeed the killer. The focus is more on the psychological and emotional trauma faced by the family.

A major strength of Adolescence web series is how Philip Barantini along with Stephan Graham present a realistic picture on the issues faced by modern parents. On many occasions Adolescence holds a mirror to today’s society hitting a raw nerve. By the end of the show many parents or going to be ones will definitely think about how much are they really present in the lives of their children.

The show also does a very good job in portraying the hidden struggles which youngsters face unknown to the parents and how a huge divide is coming between the parents and children. Adolescence also presents a disturbing picture on the dangers of online bullying and incel culture. Incel culture refers to a community of men who are frustrated with their inability to attract women sexually. They often blame the women for their failures.

Another big strength of Adolescence is the characterization of the central character coupled with Owen Cooper’s outstanding act. The series doesn’t entirely demonize James Miller, instead the show treats him as a victim of an ecosystem which fosters alienation. The perfect example of this is the scene between James and clinical psychologist Briony Ariston (Erin Doherty).

Erin Doherty as the clinical psychologist

In this portion a psychological insight is given into the actions of James with specific focus on the culture of incel and online bullying. There is a dignity and sensitivity in the way these portions have been filmed. The entire track reminds the viewers of James not being a complete adult yet. The fact that James is still a growing boy makes the situation even more tragic.

Mention must also be made of Ashley Walters as DI Bascombe. There is a nuanced approach in the way the role has been written and performed. At no point DI Bascombe comes across as overly aggressive or antagonistic.

Ashley Walter as DI Bascombe

As James Miller Owen Cooper expertly handles a complex role way above his age. A particular mention must be made of his performance in the third episode. The unhinged manner in which he plays the series most crucial portion firmly establishes him as a talent to look out.

Stephen Graham is another actor who stands out with his heartfelt portrayal of an emotionally charged father. The way he portrays the feelings of guilt, grief and self doubt is a sheer delight to watch. The actor specifically stands out in the scene where he questions his entire existence of being a parent. One of the most stand out scenes belong to Stephen Graham and Manda Miller. There is a very poignant conversation between them when Stephen Graham’s Eddie says the following dialogue.

Stephen Graham is another actor who stands out with his heartfelt portrayal of an emotionally charged father

“I used to play with him, then work picked up and I started coming home late. Maybe I didn’t give him the time I should have”. This dialogue very aptly sums up the importance of an emotional presence in the life of a child.

Another very striking aspect of Adolescence web series is the way the show has been shot. Cinematographer Matthew Lewis has filmed each episode as continuous shots with no visible cuts. This adds to the immersive nature of the show.

The one slight flaw in Adolescence is the lack of complete perspective from the side of girl’s family. Obviously the girl’s parents would also be going through major emotional upheavals. But this isn’t touched upon in the slightest.

Final word: Adolescence is a spine chilling drama very much worth your time. The show is truly a banger.

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Sex Education Season 3: A Super Follow-up To The First Two Seasons

There is a major reason why Sex Education is a popular web series and is awaited by many. It is a series which juggled many delicate issues like teen sexuality, gender identity etc, and these things are dealt in such a way that you never feel like being lectured. Season 3 not only builds on the aspects of the first two ones but it goes even further. In a nutshell Sex Education 3 is a stimulating season that will meet the expectations of all the fans.

For those who haven’t seen season 1 and 2 the series primarily followed the journey of Otis Milburn (Asa Butterfield). He is a student at Moordale Secondary school. Otis is slightly ambivalent towards sex. The major reason for that is his divorced mother Jean (Gillian Anderson). She is a sex therapist who has frequent affairs but is unable to maintain relationships. Otis best friend is Eric (Ncuti Gatwa). Eric is a gay son of Ghanaian- Nigerian immigrants. Over the course of the first season Otis becomes close with Maeve Wiley (Emma Mackey). She is a confidence student but her high intelligence is overshadowed by her troubled past.

Other important characters at Moordale include Adam Groff (Connor Swindells). He is the headmaster’s son who develops a bullying nature out of his own insecurity. Other important ones are a widowed plumber (Mikeal Persbrandt). Jakob and Jean start dating and that creates tensions in Otis life. Otis sets up a sex therapy business with Maeve in order to help their fellow students who have sexual problems. Their business becomes a success but conflict arises when Otis starts getting attracted to Maeve.

Apart from the romance aspect the second season had a number of new students at Moordale that challenged the status quo. You also had an outbreak called Chlamydia that caused students to question and struggle with topical issues. Also jean became pregnant with Jakob’s baby. Another important thing which happens in the second season was the Eric and Adam relationship.

Season 3 begins off with Adam Groff’s father Micheal Groff being replaced. The reason being Moordale has developed the reputation of being a sex school under his leadership. There is a new person leading the school and she is Hope Haddon. Hope Haddon is someone who takes the approach of Dolores Umbrige from book five of Harry Potter. She is someone who believes in lecturing and those who question her are punished. She enforces strict regulations. Some of these regulations are endorsing abstinence as a deterrent for unwanted pregnancies. Through all these methods Haddon is dismantling the social order of the school. The biggest highlight of Season 3 just like the first two seasons is how it deals with the female characters. There are written with lot of insight. This insight can be particularly seen with the characters of Maeve and also the pregnancy of Otis mother Jean Melbourn. The process of Jean and Jakob staying in one house and trying to make things work has been delicately handled by creator Laurie Nunn. There is also a book that Jean Melbourn is writing on sex education but at no point it comes across as uncomfortable. The journey of Maeve is another strong point. Maeve is someone who is battling issues both romantically and also otherwise. But at no point we see her complaining, there is a grace with which she handles things that is missing in Otis. Lastly the arc of Hope Haddon is also something that engages you. The character could have easily become a uni- dimensional antagonist but it isn’t. You get a sense of her battling her own demons. Through her character we see how success at her age comes with its own share of setbacks particularly if you are a woman.

With these three female characters points are made about women’s rights, patriarchy and loving oneself. An overreaching theme of Season 3 is the theme of friendship. This can be majorly seen in the bond between Otis and Erick, Aimee and Maeve. Through the bond of Eric and Otis the creators give a different spin on how male friendships are viewed in pop culture. There is a saying about how men don’t generally talk about their sexual feelings about their significant ones but here both Otis and Eric never hide their feelings from each other and that is super endearing. Similarly the way Aimee and Maeve overcome their issues and hold each other is also nice to watch. The performances of the major characters are spot on as usual but my favourite ones are Emma Mackey, Gillian Anderson and Ncuti Gatwa.