8 / 10. Not quite as quick paced and funny as season one, but still a beautifully quirky and endearing show

Netflix’s S*x Education Season two still focuses on Otis (Asa Butterfield) and his s*x education / therapy business at school / 6th form, starting with a slapstick stair fall and we’re back to it. Everyone fits seamlessly back into their characters, but new love triangles and relationships affect the dynamics (Maeve – Otis – Ola, Rahim - Eric - Adam).

Season one was one my favourite shows over the last couple of years, it’s so sweet, funny and cringey. Season two didn’t fail to disappoint – it’s not quite as quick paced and funny as season one, but still a beautifully quirky and endearing show with the same retro 1980s / modern feel, and a great soundtrack with well-chosen tracks that tell the story of the scenes they’re played in.

It’s Team Maeve (Emma Mackey) and Team Adam for me, I know Adam was a bully, but Connor Swindells plays him so well. There’s a real evolution of Adam’s character and his acting is very subtle, tough yet vulnerable.

Despite it mainly being Otis’s show, all the characters are well developed, likeable and flawed in their own unique ways. Even though the season is a relatively short 8 episodes, all characters have a focused part of an episode to cover their story and personal adolescent trials and tribulations.

There is a good balance between funny and serious issues and the show is sometimes sad, but reassuring, such as Maeve’s clinic experience and her relationship with her mam (Anne-Marie Duff) and sister. Aimee’s (Aimee Lou Wood) experience with the bus highlights some important points in conversation with the girls in the detention scene.

“It’s just a stupid bus”.

It features a carry-on camping - in espadrilles - caper with Otis, Eric and his “colossal t*at” dad (James Purefoy) and a massively cringeworthy yet predictable outburst and actions from Otis at the incredible house party at the amazing lakeside home of Jean and Otis.

There’s a great dynamic between Jean and Jakob (Mikael Persbrandt), and some funny scenes - the drills and pan screws debacle is excellent.

Isaac (George Robinson) is a great addition to the cast and Viv (Chinenye Ezeudu) is the unsung hero of this season. I wish I’d had a Lily at school to draw cartoons of me - as Captain Marvel, obviously.

Eric (Ncuti Gatwa) is still my favourite though, he has the BEST lines. “Detty, detty pig”.

There’s an effective inclusion of classic literature in the proceedings which illustrates its relevance still to this day, from Shakespeare to Pablo Neruda – “As if you were on fire from within. The moon lives in the lining of your skin”. That’s beautiful.

The end of school Romeo and Juliet / tentacle manga play must be seen to be believed, magnificently orchestrated by Lily (played brilliantly once again by Tanya Reynolds).

The Quiz Master at the NSQC championship is a great cameo.

Season two has a strong ending, but still left open, hopefully for season 3.

“He jests at scars that never felt a wound”.