This is the skins episode that contains the most iconic lines out of the entire series. This episode tackles mental health and the issues that come along with pill abuse and tackles it in such a raw and honest way that we end up constantly rooting for JJ Even though we know his story won't end well. One of my favorite episodes of skins!!
3 Reviews
The world through JJ's eyes.
LW-0885428 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
JJ's episode was really beautifully filmed and shot. He's the first character we've seen probably with some kind of disability, it's a story of a boy and how he sees the world slightly differently to his friends, his autism causes him some social problems and he manages this partly through medication. In keeping with adult characters in Skins his doctor his doctor misunderstands him and offers unhelpful advice and tells him to take more pills. Pairing JJ with Emily in this made a nice match, they're both sweet troubled characters who need a friend. JJ's mother also is a nice sympathetic character who is obviously worried about him and that makes a refreshing change for this show. Throughout all of this there's a lot of who's sleeping with who? Cook, Effy, Pandora and Katie. Certain things come to a head, Freddie seems to have moved on from Effy finally and no longer considers Cook a friend. It's a nice progressive step for his character having been so passive throughout so much of episode 5. The music in episode 7 is also quite different to the rest with a lot more piano. The locations take us from homes, to nightclubs and Brandon Hill. You also notice that Emily's style is starting to change, her hair style now being more distinct from her sister. JJ and Effy also get a rare scene along together and a nice heartfelt talk. Effy tells us she's decided she's going off the rails. This can't end well for her we're pretty sure. A nice little touch as well, Cook is living in Chris's former place, and even looks like he might be wearing his borrowed red and white stripped polo shirt which was presumably left behind. There's another nice scene between Effy and Naomi too. Effy certainly doesn't judge people being gay and she doesn't think all that highly of sexism and misogynism. Thomas happy naive attitude gets burst a little too in this one. Freddie also comes through for Cook one last time. JJ's hair gets bigger the more out of control he feels his life is going.
JJ - Psychiatry, In The Middle Between Friends, Losing Virginity
vivianla29 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
JJ wakes up and goes to the psychiatrist who tells him to just don't worry. Just don't do it. He messes up the waiting room but no reaction is given to him by the receptionist or patients.
Out comes one of the twins and they show each other the pills they were given. She admits she likes girls because of their rosy lips, soft thighs, etc. She likes breasts and fanny.
They sit together on a little hill and the twin tries to calm him down. She eventually just lifts up her top to reveal her breasts and this stops him. She mentions he has his hand on her breast and he confirms and then quickly removes his hand. He asks to see again but she says no.
JJ wants to be "normal". He has issues expressing his thoughts and emotions. He has uncontrollable emotions. The twin and JJ go over to Freddie's and his sister Karen answers the door. The three of them go upstairs and knock on Freddie's door. Pounding music is heard and finally one opens the door to reveal the other twin on top of Freddie having sex nude. She screams and covers herself.
JJ is alone in his bedroom and calls Cook. Cook doesn't hang up the phone assuming JJ will. We hear Cook tell the person he is with JJ is a nice friend to have - he won't go having sex with the girls you meet. He won't take what you are having sex with. The girl moans and we find out they are actually having sex...JJ hangs up the phone.
JJ goes over to Effy's and the door is unlocked so he go upstairs himself. He opens Effy's door and she is nude. She screams and covers herself. She calls him a perv and tells him to pass her t-shirt. She stands up in her panty only and is turned around and puts on her top. JJ accidentally reveals Cook is sleeping with someone else. After mango juice (Effy is so cool and calm), he can talk calmly.
JJ goes to Cook's later that evening and he sees Pandora and Cook having last minute sex before she leaves. He hides as Pandora passes him leaving. Cook invites JJ in cheerfully and says he just had sex with someone who cannot resist him. She keeps coming back for more herself despite having a bf. He won't say who it is though. JJ gives his medications to Cook and Cook becomes wild.
Effy and Naomi line up at a club. Naomi asks about Cook and Effy rolls her eyes saying she only has sex (she uses a swear word) with him. A little farther back in the line is Freddie and the twin. Thomas who runs the club invites them to the front. In the club we see Cook feeling up a twin as he dances wildly.
Freddie takes the boys to the side and Cook reveals Effy likes Freddie. Cook has sex with the twin and Pandora to cope with Effy.
The twin thanks JJ for revealing to the group she is gay. She sleeps in his bedroom. In the morning she giggles at his pjs with teddies on them. She instructs him to take off his clothes and she will offer a one-time charity act. He gets on top and they have sex.
They go down the stairs and JJ introduces the twin. Mom watches JJ laugh with the twin over breakfast, looking quite like a normal happy boy.
Out comes one of the twins and they show each other the pills they were given. She admits she likes girls because of their rosy lips, soft thighs, etc. She likes breasts and fanny.
They sit together on a little hill and the twin tries to calm him down. She eventually just lifts up her top to reveal her breasts and this stops him. She mentions he has his hand on her breast and he confirms and then quickly removes his hand. He asks to see again but she says no.
JJ wants to be "normal". He has issues expressing his thoughts and emotions. He has uncontrollable emotions. The twin and JJ go over to Freddie's and his sister Karen answers the door. The three of them go upstairs and knock on Freddie's door. Pounding music is heard and finally one opens the door to reveal the other twin on top of Freddie having sex nude. She screams and covers herself.
JJ is alone in his bedroom and calls Cook. Cook doesn't hang up the phone assuming JJ will. We hear Cook tell the person he is with JJ is a nice friend to have - he won't go having sex with the girls you meet. He won't take what you are having sex with. The girl moans and we find out they are actually having sex...JJ hangs up the phone.
JJ goes over to Effy's and the door is unlocked so he go upstairs himself. He opens Effy's door and she is nude. She screams and covers herself. She calls him a perv and tells him to pass her t-shirt. She stands up in her panty only and is turned around and puts on her top. JJ accidentally reveals Cook is sleeping with someone else. After mango juice (Effy is so cool and calm), he can talk calmly.
JJ goes to Cook's later that evening and he sees Pandora and Cook having last minute sex before she leaves. He hides as Pandora passes him leaving. Cook invites JJ in cheerfully and says he just had sex with someone who cannot resist him. She keeps coming back for more herself despite having a bf. He won't say who it is though. JJ gives his medications to Cook and Cook becomes wild.
Effy and Naomi line up at a club. Naomi asks about Cook and Effy rolls her eyes saying she only has sex (she uses a swear word) with him. A little farther back in the line is Freddie and the twin. Thomas who runs the club invites them to the front. In the club we see Cook feeling up a twin as he dances wildly.
Freddie takes the boys to the side and Cook reveals Effy likes Freddie. Cook has sex with the twin and Pandora to cope with Effy.
The twin thanks JJ for revealing to the group she is gay. She sleeps in his bedroom. In the morning she giggles at his pjs with teddies on them. She instructs him to take off his clothes and she will offer a one-time charity act. He gets on top and they have sex.
They go down the stairs and JJ introduces the twin. Mom watches JJ laugh with the twin over breakfast, looking quite like a normal happy boy.
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