‘Sex Education’ Is Ending: Here Are the Most Heartfelt Moments So Far
After the long-awaited return of Sex Education, Netflix announced that the heartfelt and hilarious series will end after airing its fourth season at the end of this year. The show endured a long hiatus after the announcement that Ola (Patricia Allison) and Lily (Tanya Reynolds) would not be returning for the fourth season. With the news of the change in character dynamics due to parting cast members and the ending of the series as a whole, the anticipation is high for the final season of watching our favorite British teenagers navigate sexuality, relationships and, of course, high school.
Sex Education hit the ground running in its initial premiere. Like many teen dramas, and if it wasn’t clear from the title, Sex Education focuses on the lust and love present in the lives of high schoolers. However, what captured the hearts of millions worldwide is their shamelessness towards promoting inclusivity and bringing light to complex issues not normally depicted on television.
Otis (Asa Butterfield) leads the show as the awkward son of a sex therapist (Gillian Anderson), who uses the knowledge he’s accumulated from his mother’s career to help, or at least attempt to help, his classmates in navigating their confusing and complicated lives. However, this series proves itself to be an ensemble show with brilliant performances coming from all of the characters on their paths to self-discovery. Whether we are watching the quiet and stoic Adam (Connor Swindells) discover his passions, to Eric’s father (Deobia Oparei) earnestly talking to his son, this show is bound to warm your heart.
Read below to see our top pics for the most heartfelt moments so far as we wait for the final season.
Sex Education, Fourth and Final Season Premiere, September 21, Netflix
The dog show (Season 3 Episode 8)
From the start, we all know that Adam’s calling is not in the world of academia. Although in his process of self-growth, he decides to commit more to his schoolwork in the third season, it doesn’t seem like university is in his future. Adam constantly struggles with his identity. He’s been kicked out of school, the military academy and has openly come out as gay. When Eric breaks up with him, it feels like he has lost a major part of his life, leaving him alone to search for his purpose and meaning. This is when he identifies his strength in dog training. He enters a dog show with his beloved dog, Madam. With his mother (Samantha Spiro) and teacher (Rakhee Thakrar) cheering him on in the audience, Adam gets an honorable mention for one of the best debut performances. The bashful smile on his face, in the end, is nothing but priceless.
Otis recites the voicemail (Season 2 Episode 5)
Otis and Maeve (Emma Mackey) have had a rocky relationship from the very beginning. They perfectly embody the classic “will-they-won’t-they” trope. From Otis confessing his love to Maeve over voicemail only for it to be jealously deleted by Isaac (George Robinson) to Maeve realizing her feelings for Otis when he just started his relationship with Ola, expressing how they felt towards each other never came easy. That is why our hearts melted when Maeve finally learns about the deleted voicemail and asks Otis to say what was on it. Adorably, he recites the message from memory which leads to their first kiss. Now that is a slow burn.
"I want to hold your hand" (Season 2 Episode 8)
Adam has endured a whirlwind of a high school experience, which ultimately is part of why he becomes so lovable. Coming to terms with his sexuality and being open about his feelings marks a major part of his journey. Adam has always been a man of few words. Not knowing how to cope with his frustration, he commonly relied on actions of violence and aggression to express himself which caused him to harass people like Eric, who were openly gay. In a moment of innocence, Adam decides to publicly display his affection towards Eric (Ncuti Gatwa) on stage during the school play. The beautifully simple declaration that he wants to hold Eric’s hand, makes the audience swoon.
Lily and Ola's first kiss (Season 2 Episode 7)
After Ola confesses her feelings for Lily, their friendship becomes strained. In an attempt to fix their friendship, Lily asks Ola to walk her home from school which results in Lily spewing out a string of consciousness to Ola. She comes to terms with her feelings and tells Ola that she doesn’t want to be friends anymore because she smells so much better than a boy. Immediately Lily goes in for a passionate kiss between the two. Who knew that talking about how a person smells could end up being so romantic?
Aimee and the girls ride the bus (Season 2 Episode 7)
During a detention Aimee (Aimee Lou Wood) makes the realization that all of the girls are connected through their shared experiences as victims of different forms of sexual assault. Aimee opens up about her experience with assault on her bus ride to school which has traumatized her. Despite trying to ignore the issues and move forward, Aimee cannot fight the fact that she has been impacted by this event, so much so that she cannot ride the bus anymore. To show their support for Aimee, the girls from detention, ride the bus with Aimee. This act of solidarity provides a powerful moment shared between women.
Ola tells Adam she loves him as a friend (Season 2 Episode 8)
The unlikely duo is brought together through their employment at Browns Village Stores, a local convenience store. After Adam gets fired from Browns due to a robbery, Ola stands up for Adam which results in her also getting fired. Outside of the store, Adam is confused about why Ola stood up for him. She tells him that he is her friend and that she loves him. In an already adorable moment, Adam softly reveals that no one has ever called him a friend before and immediately picks her up for a hug.
"I am learning from my brace son" (Season 1 Episode 7)
After being the victim of a hate crime in season one, Eric struggles with his identity. Although he had already come out to his family, he hides his true colors in an attempt to shield himself from further violence. By the end of the season, Eric gains his confidence back. Although his family cannot fully grapple with how he expresses himself, he decides to wear an extravagant, colorful outfit to the school dance. Before Eric enters the dance, his father stops and questions why he wears such elaborate outfits. His dad emotionally tells him that he just doesn’t want him to get hurt. Eric explains to his father that if he is going to feel pain either way, he’d at least rather be himself. His father looks back at his son fondly and expresses the pride he feels towards Eric for his ability to unapologetically be himself.
Asa Butterfield
Gillian Anderson
Ncuti Gatwa
Aimee Lou Wood
Emma Mackey
Connor Swindells
Kedar Williams-Stirling
Mimi Keene
George Robinson
Samantha Spiro
Jim Howick
Rakhee Thakrar
Daniel Ings
Dan Levy
Thaddea Graham
Lisa McGrillis
Marie Reuther
Jodie Turner-Smith
Eshaan Akbar
Alexandra James
Reda Elazouar
Bella Maclean
Chinenye Ezeudu
Hannah Gadsby
Felix Mufti
Anthony Lexa
Imani Yahshua
Dua Saleh
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