Tonight marks the end of another era for E4’s teen drama Skins, as the second generation of cast say goodbye to Bristol, moving onto pastures new. They have given us plenty of memories and moments to remember, so they shall not be forgotten. Their acting skills have shone through, particularly in this darker series, where the storylines have sadly, not matched up to the required standard.
It has been a brave move by the writers and creators of Skins to opt down the consequential and deeper route, but they may want to take the fans views into consideration, abandon the idea and head back to the traditional stereotype that Skins has set itself up, since it burst onto our UK TV screens in 2007. For example, the lack of group scenes between the gang this series has been startling. It is these types of scenes that make Skins what it is, and therefore, that’s why I think Series four has been the weakest so far. True, in a character’s episode, they need to take the main focus and understandably so, but without the rest of the gang, it’s not the same. By choosing the dark and deeper route, it means the storylines have had to be darker than ever before, and this has simply not worked. Some episodes have left many, including myself feeling far-fetched and confused. They have tried hard to make things work, but when an experiment fails; the best solution is to go back to basics.
Also, I struggle to believe that with just eight episodes this series, some actors haven’t had enough screen time. Naomi (Lily Loveless) and Pandora (Lisa Blackwell) did not get an individual episode, whilst Pandora and Katie (Megan Prescott) have been so under-used this series, and have not had the time they have required to show their real talent. I just hope this particular cast are not remembered for blunders and mistakes from the writers, because this cast I believe have more talent than Generation I. When you think of Dev Patel’s rousing success in ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ and Nicholas Hoult’s Hollywood breakthrough, then surely that bodes well for Generation II.
The curtain-closer tonight brings all of Series four’s storylines to a rapid conclusion. The main focus will be on the mysterious disappearance of Freddie (Luke Pasqualino) from the gang. As we all know, Freddie was battered to death last week; rather gruesomely it must be said by Effy’s mad psychiatrist Dr. John Foster, with a baseball bat! Freddie’s sister, Karen is hunting around for answers, and she believes that Cook (Jack O’Connell) has something to do with it. Elsewhere, Pandora announces that she is leaving Bristol, but what does that mean for Thomas? Thomas (Merveille Lukaba) cheated on Pandora in the very first episode this series, proving that there is some use for hospital laundry rooms after all! Since then, this storyline has faded into oblivion, and the Congo lad’s growing feelings for Katie are intensifying, so he has a big choice to make; Katie or Pandora.
Also, Naomi will put her feelings on the line tonight, in the final act to win over Emily’s heart. Like Thomas, Naomi played away, when Emily (Kathryn Prescott) found out about her fling with Sophia, who killed herself ninety seconds into the series. Since then, Emily can’t even stand to look at Naomi, and is determined to get revenge on her idealistic girlfriend. However, when Naomi makes one final emotional and moving speech, will Emily finally be able to forgive and forget? Also, Effy (Kaya Scodelario) is back in the mad world, she has gone fully loop-de-loop, but is she going to find out what happened to Freddie, or is the evil John Foster going to finish the job…
So many questions still to be answered, fingers crossed that these and more will be answered in a dramatic finale that promises a lot of emotion, conflict, confession and trauma. Skins series four has been a letdown, but hopefully tonight, we are treated to a brilliant final spectacle. Watch it on E4 at 10pm to find out.
Finally, the best of luck to Lisa Blackwell, Ollie Barberi, Kaya Scodelario, Jack O’Connell, Lily Loveless, Luke Pasqualino, Kathryn Prescott, Merveille Lukaba and Megan Prescott. All nine of you have incredible talent as actors, we will miss you massively, thank you for making Skins watchable over the past two years, and I wish you all the best for the future. FAREWELL GENERATION II.
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