The Melodramatic Magic of Skins
I have run around the bustling streets of Bristol: dancing at massive house parties, getting lost at wild nightclubs, and even accidentally driving a stolen car into a river — well, vicariously of course. With the help of a fictional group of rebellious British teenagers, I was able to experience all their adventures and adversities right through my television screen. For the first time, I felt that adolescent ache. You know that deep-seated desire to explore the world? That inexplicable yearn to tangle with trouble? You will find it in the melodramatic magic of Skins.
The first episode of Skins aired 2007, a true time-capsule of the late 00s. Each episode focuses on the life of a specific character, providing an intimate look inside their personal life. As the show progresses, we discover that their problems are far worse than trivial love triangles or popularity contests. In fact, the show incorporates topics that most teen dramas tend to avoid such as drug addiction, eating disorders, and teen pregnancy just to name a few. Through the friend group consisting of Tony, Michelle, Sid, Cassie, Chris, Jal, Maxxie, and Anwar, we witness a visceral yet captivating view of their authentic coming-of-age journeys.
These teens manage to retain their relatability despite the outrageous nature of their livelihoods. In between moments skinny-dipping at the beach or tattooing in college dorm rooms, their dirty jokes, swear words, and shag sessions ground the narrative in witty, real-life scenarios. Such instances of realistic humor aim to balance out the serious problems that plague the teens at home. However, the show neither prioritizes realism nor drama but rather blends elements of both to cultivate an elevated world that depicts adolescent imagination as a sensational reality.
Compared to other teen programs now like Riverdale or 13 Reason Why, Skins creates a genuine representation of the teenage experience. Riverdale’s theatrical dialogue, overused sex scenes, and musical-based episodes prevent teens from establishing a connection with the characters. (Especially when those characters are played by bombshell actors and actresses nearing their thirties.) The more Riverdale insists on being taken seriously, the funnier its relentless over-exaggeration gets.
As for 13 Reasons Why, its important message about suicide prevention is often overshadowed by heaps upon heaps of other issues like bullying and sexual assault that the show never really elaborates on. While 13 Reasons Why has good-intentions of raising awareness about such taboo topics, it comes across as a traumatizing soap opera rather than an enlightening teen drama. This desperate attempt to highlight teenage pain leaves viewers feeling unsatiated, craving to better understand the purpose of such a show.
However, HBO’s hit show Euphoria parallels Skins in its ability to add a dazzlingly dramatic overlay to the everyday life of teens without the show coming across as inauthentic. Essentially, Skins pioneered the way for Euphoria’s success today. The British television series proved that to capture the minds of teenagers, you must mix together melodrama with mundanity to preserve the show’s believability. Regardless of this daunting task, the first two seasons of Skins (Generation One), generates this refreshing authenticity with ease.
The cast — who were all teenagers at the time — bring the characters to life, making me forget they are fictional. Somehow, my life began to blend with theirs; I felt Tony’s frustration, Michelle’s confusion, Sid’s desperation. The show never strays away from exposing their flaws. No character could ever be considered “perfect.” Focusing on these human qualities helps to acknowledge nuances in real life. Rather than preach about “right and wrong,” Skins resides in this gray area of moral ambiguity. The characters make mistakes — sometimes learning from them, sometimes not — to emulate the standard reckless and impulsive teen mentality.
These imperfections work towards recentering the show’s realness amidst their chaotic adventures. Maybe not every teen has had the opportunity to party at an insane late night rave or get into trouble with Russian authorities on a school field trip. Yet, we can still relate to their lives. We cling to these glimpses of ideal adolescent experiences while resonating with the common coming-of-age complications. The accuracy of Tony and Michelle’s toxic relationship, Sid’s academic failures, and Cassie’s family issues enable any teenager to find a piece of themselves in Skins.
Additionally, the show’s inclusion of different races, religions, and sexualities provides a source of diverse representation. With Jal being Black, Anwar being Muslim, and Maxxie being gay, Skins embraces these narratives and refuses to avoid discussing controversial topics that arise due to their identities. In essence, the show creates a safe space for eliminating barriers and disproving stereotypes among its characters. They are not defined by their struggles. In contrast, the problems they face create multi-faceted characters with nuances that enrich their realness. Even though all the characters come from different cultural, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds, they refuse to let these factors interfere with their friendships and relationships.
In a way, watching this motley crew of rambunctious British teenagers has inspired me to live my life with more zeal. Skins incorporates just enough melodrama to ignite my teen spirit. Yet, the show prevents this sensationalism from overshadowing reality. In the mundane moments watching these teenagers enjoy grabbing a meal, smoking a spliff, and cutting a class, I admire the unfiltered depiction of their beautifully destructive behaviors. Even though Tony, Michelle, Sid, Cassie, Chris, Jal, Maxxie, and Anwar may not be considered the ideal role models, they do not have to be. They embody teenage angst. Reckless. Unstoppable. Free.