That was painful. Really really painful to watch, and completely unexpected.
And it was fantastic watching.
Despite my opinions in the past, Mike Bailey (Sid) was just brilliant, he can be so emotionless yet emotional at the same time.
I’m going to leave it here. I don’t think anymore really needs to be said.
If you haven’t watched it yet then catch it again NOW on E4+1, or at 10.35pm on Channel 4.
My god they just keep getting better and better! That was simply brilliant television!
Aimee-Ffion Edwards as Sketch was fantastic. What a difficult and complex character. I personally thought they were going to play up more that she was so split between college and caring for her mum but what they did show worked well enough.
Mitch did another good job of playing Maxxie. His voice wasn’t too bad, but he looked so odd in a suit when the musical began.
April (Michelle) also had a surprisingly lovely voice. I hope we see a bit more of her doing other stuff as apposed to just being the emotional character.
Chris. Hilarious.
Anwar. Just brilliant.
Tony had another interesting episode. It was nice to see him not tarting around so much though presumably as he get’s back to his old self this’ll change, Nick has already confirmed that there is a sex scene.
Sid needs a haircut. I never really liked him but any sex appeal that may have been there is rapidly going.
Posh Kenneth needs his own episode!
Shane Ritchie was pretty funny, seemed a bit odd being at the party though.
Bring on episode three.
Alex: To sum the article below up, “the opening of Skins is genuinely brilliant - and confident - piece of contemporary dance”
The second series of Skins - a cultish TV drama that’s been described as This Life for teenagers - starts tonight on E4 (It is repeated Thursday on Channel 4). Like This Life, it’s got friendship and family, sex and soul-searching. Plus, it’s got school. The Guardian’s Charlie Brooker was initially a sceptic, but is now a convert. What’s more, he singled out the opening contemporary dance sequence as a sign that the programme “oozes confidence”.
Contemporary dance as a reason why telly is good? I’m impressed. Dance on screen - especially contemporary dance - doesn’t exactly have a reputation for pulling in the viewers (the single exception being Strictly Come Dancing). And while I’m a contemporary dance lover, I seem to spend much more time than I’d like defending it. The back foot has become my default position. So Brooker’s words made me pretty happy. And he wasn’t the only one that the dance sequence impressed. Here are some comments from young viewers on the E4 website:
“That dance was badd!!”
“totally awesome moves rocked”
“dat is so deadly!!!”
“saaaaaafe man.. dance was sikkkkkkkk”
That’s not hip-hop they’re talking about, it’s contemporary dance. In E4 web lingo: yay!
There are a few good reasons for this particular piece of dance on screen being a hit with viewers. First, there’s the choreographer, Israeli-born Hofesh Shechter, who’s currently on a bit of a roll. His choreography is raw and packs a terrific amount of energy. Second, the dance is not just decoration or filler; it actually does some work for the programme. In time-honoured backstage musical fashion (think Ruby Keeler in 42nd Street, Moira Shearer in The Red Shoes, or Leroy in Fame), young Maxxie from Skins is dreaming of becoming a dancer, so has to put in the work and overcome the obstacles if he wants to make it. The choreography indicates his energy and motivation much more directly than any dialogue.
Finally there’s Maxxie himself, played by actor Mitch Hewer, who looks a pretty fine dancer himself, especially given that he’s not professionally trained. But can you tell the dancer from the dance? Oh yes - just look at the following comments from the website:
“maxxie is god damn sexy love him and wot a fit body ohhhhhhhhhhhh”
“I M FALL IN LOVE IN MAXXIE!!!HE SO SWEETY!”
“how class is he at dancing 
and his hair is awesome”
Yes, a great number of comments on the dance are variations on Maxxie is hot, or Maxxie is cool - which is presumably why Channel 4 have used a blond and shirtless Maxxie on their Skins poster. Still, look at the clip, I think it’s not just Maxxie but the dancing itself that’s hot and cool.
And what Brooker says of the drama also goes for the dance: it achieves this by oozing confidence, not by pandering to an imaginary youth audience. Or staying on the back foot. Or, worst of all, actually trying to be hot, or hip, or cool.
SOURCE: http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/theatre/2008/02/dancing_out_of_their_skins.html
Wow. I guess I’ve no longer got a reason to spend Monday nights glued to Live messenger now.
I thought it started strongly, however personally I didn’t think much of the dance at the beginning, it was a bit too stretched out I felt - not in length but the moves didn’t seem that complex and it was a touch repetitive. But hey, I’ve got two left feet so I’ll leave the dance critic outside.
I think Nicholas Hoult’s (Tony) acting is brilliant. You just feel so many emotions as a result of seeing him in this “broken” frame of mind compared to his cocky attitude we experienced in series one. Around the dinner table at his house and learning to write his name were simply fantastic scenes, it just summed up his situation perfectly. He also looks good with his hair shorter.
Maxxie. I’m not sure here; he’s my favourite character and Mitch’s acting is on par with Nich’s, however I’m not too sure about the relationship between Maxxie and Tony now. Obviously Maxxie as the gay character is the sensitive member of the group, but it seems wrong if he “pulls” Tony out of the closet over the series. I enjoyed his second dance on the roof however. We learn about the mysterious stalker in the next episode for those wondering. Also is it me or does anyone else think he had a touch too much fake tan on (or so it seemed).
The girls on the car, and the chavs teasing Maxxie were hilarious. Dale, hmm, I wouldn’t but then Maxxie is a tart.
Jackie and Walter (Maxxie’s parents) played by Fiona Allen and Bill Bailey are strong parts. We learn that Jackie used to clean at the Stonem’s (Tony’s family) house hence the friendship between the two families. The relationship between Maxxie and his father is brilliant, the argument scene and the “make up” scenes were really powerful. I really hope we see more of his parents throughout the series.
Chris looks even more like a stoner that before with his fringe swept to the side exposing his pale, emotionless face.
Jal. I know something you don’t know, though I’m not sure how it’ll work yet.
Anwar. Just laughing my arse off at him.
Sid and Michelle are both emotionally unstable and I thought the acting by April and Mike was strong. Sid’s breakdown in the nightclub was brilliantly filmed and my god doesn’t he look even more geeky and baby faced than ever - I thought he’d have grown up a bit more now that he’s lost his cherry. The forest scene was another powerful scene which I believe is the final piece needed to set up the tone for this series.
I’m not sure what the situation is with Posh Kenneth, is he a sub character or a main character? He didn’t get his own episode in series one, however we did see him on a few occasions. He also got his own ‘Lost Weeks’ video. He’s also doing the Skinscast adverts.
I’m so glad that Effy has finally got some decent lines. I wasn’t too sure of her character last series, but now she seems to have matured. A lot.
Abigail was another welcome return. I just laughed the whole way through her scene. Kudos to the actress (can’t remember her name off the top of my head).
Other notes:
Having just passed my driving test I quite like these new BSM adverts.
Staying with adverts, I know this is prime telly and the ratings are going to be ridiculously (but deservingly) high, but 5 minute advert breaks are something I’m used to on Channel Five, not Four. Please cut down on them C4!!!
Overall I genuinely think this is one of the best Skins episode we’ve seen to date (yeah I know it’s only the first episode) but everything has just been turned up a notch and this can only get stronger as the new series progresses.
Rating: 8/10
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