What We're Watching: Study Break, November 2021
Happy November everyone!
What makes you look back on your school days and smile? Are there people that made your time as a student special? Or maybe there’s a specific place on campus that still feels safe and comforting? This month, ‘What We’re Watching’ is taking a Study Break to explore the films and TV shows that make us wish we could go back to school and relive those moments. The experience of school-aged youths is not one-size-fits-all, but we hope you’re able to take a break - from school, work, whatever - and find a moment on screen that sparks a joyful memory.
Sex Education (2019, created by Laurie Nunn) TV-MA
Sex Education is a show I wish I had in high school! I grew up in Oklahoma, so comprehensive sex-ed was definintely not in the curriculum. Thankfully, this series has given me so many great starting points to further my education and fill in the gaps left by abstinence first education.
One of my favorite things about Sex Education, is that it shows how important communication is, not just in sexual relationships, but all relationships. When Moordale Secondary School students Otis (Asa Butterfield) and Maeve (Emma Mackey) decide to open a sex advice clinic for their peers to combat misinformation (and make a little extra $$), there are questions about how ethical their side project is considering how harmful misinformation around sex and relationships can be, but given that Otis grew up with sex therapist parents (his mom, Jean, is played by the iconic Gillian Anderson) I trust them, and so do a lot of their classmates. As more students share their concerns, it’s clear that what a lot of people need is someone who cares enough to listen and not dismiss their problems.
Sex Education shows sex and relationships in an honest, candid way. For example, in Season 2 Episode 3, Olivia (Simone Ashley) is self-conscious about the face she makes during orgasm and really wants to stop covering her boyfriend’s face with a pillow to hide it. And in Season 1 Episode 8, they show a realistic storyline where Lily (Tanya Reynolds) discovers she has vaginismus, a condition that makes penetration painful, after having sex for the first time. As someone who also struggles with pain during penetrative sex due to other chronic pain conditions, I almost cried when the series showed this character choose to use vaginal dilators in a later episode. I feel so seen and understood by this character arc, which is a luxury that not many people with chronic illnesses have. I hope that this series continues to spark important conversations both on-screen and off about sex and relationships, especially among teens. - Brynna A, Editorial Lead
Read what intimacy coordinator and guest contributor Mx. Chelsey Morgan had to say about the series and erotophobia in media here.
Genera+ion (2021, created by Zelda Barnz and Daniel Barnz) TV-MA
Set in dusty Orange County, LA, Genera+ion follows the lives of several highschoolers all dealing with the usual mix of teen angst, difficult parents and confusing crushes. Chester, arguably the main character, is immature and bored of the world around him, choosing to fixate on a new guidance counselor as an escape from reality. Riley is dealing with a really awkward parental separation at home, while juggling the fact that she might be falling in love with her friend, the quiet and soft-spoken Greta. Greta just so happens to be afraid of coming out and revealing her true self to her own family. Plus, she isn’t the greatest at picking up whether Riley actually likes her or not. Rounding out the group is Nathan, a closeted bisexual who is in love with Chester but too nervous to admit it, so instead he sleeps with his twin sister’s boyfriend. And of course, several other amazing characters come into rotation in this hilarious, feel-good coming of age series.
As crazy as their individual lives are, the gang’s adventures are really not that far off from what normal high school life was like, which is why I have such a fond appreciation for the show. It doesn’t give you an overly sexed up, glammed up version of high school that’s borderline terrifying (I’m looking at you, Euphoria), but instead delivers a lot of hilarious moments that remind me of what I always wanted the most as a teenager- the chance to just go out with my friends and do dumb stuff. Especially if it pissed off my parents! If Genera+ion has taught me anything, it’s that there are so many beautiful things about having a normal everyday life. It’s the small joys like spontaneous drives with friends or X-Files rerun watch parties that truly make an ordinary life extraordinary.
I will also say that the iconic first date scene at the roller rink for Justice Smith’s character, Chester, will forever go down in history as one of my favorite TV scenes ever. Warms my little queer heart to be able to see queer representation in everyday situations that isn’t propped as a life lesson. It’s a nice reminder that we exist and we deserve normal stories too. - Dani E, TLL Content & Partnerships
The Edge of Seventeen (2016 written and directed by Kelly Fremon Craig) R
CW: mentions suicide
The Edge of Seventeen is such a good glimpse into the psyche of an awkward, depressed, anxious teen girl and I wish more people talked about it! My struggles with anxiety and depression started around the time I was seventeen, so I relate a little too much to how Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld) deals with conflict in this movie. When she finds out that her best friend and brother are dating, she avoids them rather than dealing with her feelings of abandonment (where are my fellow anxious-avoidants at??). She spends lunch with one of her teachers rather than face the chaos and social ostracization of her high school cafeteria. Not sure about you, but everyone I went to school with knew that the 4th hour leadership classroom was the coolest place to be during lunch. Whether it’s the ‘pep talk’ Nadine gives herself in the bathroom during a house party or how she immediately catastrophizes after accidentally sending a spicy message to her crush, this is exactly how my anxieties sometimes turn into chaotic actions.
Nadine is the kind of protagonist I wish I saw more of growing up. She’s not perfect or ridiculously skilled or whatever. She just is. She does a lot of things that are chaotic and messy, but sometimes that’s the reality of living with anxiety and depression at that age, especially when you don’t quite have the tools to manage it. - Brynna A, Editorial Lead
All American (2018, Created by April Blair) TV-14
Sport drama inspired by the true life story of NFL Superbowl Champion, Spencer Paysinger.Spencer James (Daniel Ezra) is a star high school football player and a student at South Crenshaw High and is recruited by Beverly Hills football coach, Billy Baker (Taye Diggs). This opportunity allows Spencer to navigate two worlds — his home in Compton and the privileged world of Beverly Hills. All American explores the culture shifts that Spencer James explores while dealing with the drama that comes with high school. Spencer deals with the responsibilities of saving his community, leading his football team, and caring for his family and friends, all of which takes its toll on the rising star.
All American explores different themes from race with Olivia Baker (Samantha Logan) who also learning the battle her demons with drugs and alcohol to struggles living up to a parent’s expectations while dealing being Biracial and feeling like he doesn’t belong in the Black world or White world with Jordan Baker (Michael Evans Behling) to seeking parental acceptance when it comes with sexuality with Tamia "Coop" Cooper (Bre-Z).
Two things I love about All American:
The series shows life in high school while dealing with societal expectations while being Black in America and. The show highlights the Black Lives Matter movement, where Spencer took a stance to kneel during the National Anthem before a football game while making a sacrifice for not only for but his team as well.
The authentic conversation that surrounds mental health through the character Layla Keating (Greta Onieogou). Layla strives for perfection but while dealing with depression and dealing with her mom’s death. Her story is not only inspiring and relatable.
— Shamira B, Design Lead + Social Media Strategist
DC’s Stargirl (2020, created by Geoff Johns and Greg Berlanti) TV-PG
What I love about DC’s Stargirl is that it shows how different and diverse superheroes can be compared to what we’ve seen so far! After discovering her step-dad’s secret stash of superhero costumes and gadgets from the past, high school student Courtney Whitmore (Brec Bassinger) decides to recruit fellow social outcasts Yolanda Montez (Yvette Monreal) and Beth Chapel (Angelika Washington) to reform the Justice Society of America or “JSA” and take down not only the bullies that run their school, but also the supervillains that call their hometown of Blue Valley, Nebraska home too. Think of the JSA as an incredibly badass...after-school community service club.
These young women take on secret identities that were held exclusively by men before them and make them their own. Courtney becomes Stargirl, the leader of the JSA, wielding a cosmic staff that has a mind of its own and was dormant before Courtney’s desire to help others reawakened its energy. Yolanda becomes Wildcat, gaining strength and agility with the help of an enhanced supersuit, while Beth becomes Dr. Midnite, with intelligence and logic as her superpower. Even though it takes some time for them to get used to using their skills and powers effectively as a team, they are still teens after all, the new and improved JSA is a force to be reckoned with. - Brynna A, Editorial Lead
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
What We’re Watching is our guide on tv and films from our team at the Light Leaks. Finding new things to watch shouldn’t feel intimidating- too many of us have been bombarded by bro-y film culture telling us what’s good. This column is our way of introducing you to new (and maybe some familiar) favs to watch. Happy viewing!