It’s time to say goodbye to the high school students of Moordale. This Thursday, Netflix is releasing the 4th and final season of Sex Education, which since 2019 has followed Otis Milburn and his comrades in exploring the infinite possibilities of sexuality and love. An inclusive and particularly addictive series which over the seasons has addressed numerous subjects: masturbation, consent, sexual assault, homophobia and even self-affirmation.
Sex Educationit is also an intertwining of stories between the many characters in the series, romantic or friendly passions, breakups or reconciliations: Otis and his crush for Maeve, then Ruby, then Maeve again… There is also Eric and Adam, Jean and Jakob, Jackson and Cal… Where did season 3 leave us two years ago? 20 minutes offers you a little memory refresher before tackling the big finale.
Moordale to Cavendish
Let’s start with Moordale High School, called the “Sex School” to the great misfortune of the tyrannical former headmaster Hope Haddon (Jemima Kirke). During a resounding happening at the end of last season, the students proclaimed their love for their school (and sex) and denounced the principal’s practices. Result ? A release for high school students but also closure for Moordale, sold to developers. As the synopsis for season 4 reveals, the series will end in a new establishment: Cavendish. A new school which should bring its share of surprises. “Cavendish has a culture shock in store for Moordale alumni who thought they were progressive and discover a truly avant-garde high school,” says Netflix.
Will Otis date Maeve once and for all?
For Otis (Asa Butterfield), season 3 was a bit of an emotional elevator. We first found him in the bed of Ruby (Mimi Keene), THE popular girl at school. An affair initially hidden, then finally revealed in the corridors of Moordale. A romance that Otis had finally decided to put an end to – despite Ruby’s feelings (and her famous “I love you”) -, still and still head over heels in love for Maeve (Emma Mackey), obviously. And yes, this story has been dragging on for three seasons. Otis and Maeve even kissed (finally!) and confessed their feelings. But no luck for the high school student, the brilliant Maeve was accepted into a prestigious school in the United States, once again slowing down a possible relationship. However, will season 4 offer us a new twist and a happy ending ?
A new life for Jean
In the Milburn family, the mother, Jean (Gillian Anderson), is asked to be as tortured as her son. After numerous short-lived relationships, the sexologist finally formed a relationship with Jakob (Mikael Persbrandt), the father of Ola (Patricia Allison), one of Otis’ exes. You follow ? In short, after ups and downs and couples therapy, Jean was expecting a child from Jakob, who had asked him for a paternity test in view of his partner’s infidelities. The last season ended with the birth of his little girl and Jean’s amazement at the results of the test… The last eight episodes should enlighten us on this point and reveal Jean’s new family life.
The loves of Eric and Adam
Between Eric (Ncuti Gatwa), Otis’ best friend, and Adam (Connor Swindells), life is far from being a smooth river. Rejecting his homosexuality, Adam mistreated Eric, his lover, for a long time before finally coming to terms with his feelings. Too late ? Because in the meantime, Eric has blossomed, notably during a meeting in Nigeria where he met Oba, a photographer, who kissed him in a gay nightclub. Season 3 ended with the breakup between the two high school students, at Eric’s initiative. A permanent separation?
And what will happen to Viv (Chinenye Ezeudu), Cal (Dua Saleh), Aimee (Aimee Lou Wood) or even Jackson (Kedar Williams-Stirling)? Netflix gives their news in a very evasive way. “Viv is disconcerted by the lack of competition from this establishment [Cavendish] led by the high school students themselves, as Jackson struggles to get over his breakup with Cal. Aimee tries something new by taking drawing lessons as a specialist course for the baccalaureate, and Adam wonders if he is really cut out for classical studies,” it is written in the synopsis. Nothing very exciting at first glance, hoping that this last season still ends with a beautiful emotional fireworks display!