My first article about “Skins” on the site was a denouncement of the attempt to Amercanize this iconic series by the “good” people at MTV and so far, they’ve proven me right on all threats and worries: Skins US ain’t no Skins UK. However, as this perfect series starts off it’s 5th season, I was a bit worried that the UK series itself was losing its touch. I chose to write about the newest episode- the Mini centric- as I felt it was finally a return to the classic and brilliant styling I was use to from the first 4 seasons. This season started off with a perfect choice for a leading protagonist- a young, sexually ambiguous, androgynous but curiously stunning Tilda Swinton lookalike named Frankie (real name Dakota Blue Richards). I know it sounds like I’m making this shit up, but it’s all true and a gold star choice for this show. Starting much like season 3/4, this motley crue bunch does not start off as great friends but rather as disparate, amazing characters just waiting to find each other and bond. Still, it wasn’t until this latest episode that I truly began to fall in love with this year’s bunch.

Call me a sucker for the girl with an eating disorder and a full head of gorgeous blond hair, but this 3rd episode of the season: “Mini” has been my fave thus far. Bouncing between some classic crooners like Eddie Cochran (“Nervous Breakdown”) and some great up-and-comers like Crystal Fighters (“With You”), the music was classic “Skins UK” and a perfect backdrop to this simple but beautiful episode. Basically the story of sad pretty popular girl finds she can’t handle it all- I can hear Tommy‘s eyes rolling at reading this theme in yet another one of my article’s- the show manages an old story with it’s ever-modernizing twist. Mini begins the series as a freckly mean girl who’s antagonistic ways were just begging to be explained and understood. But, unlike an episode of “Saved By The Bell”, “Skins” didn’t offer us a simple, clear-cut AHA moment of realization that this girl is just as tortured as those she preys on, rather a realistic view of a vain, self-conscious teen doing what she thinks is best for herself. Wow, an actually believable representation of today’s bitches! (Don’t worry, I didn’t mean that harshly, I’m one of them ha).

I was a bit “less than” with the season’s second episode following the spoiled metal rocker (maybe my inability to relate), but watching this virginal/slut-wannabe beauty weigh out 4 sesame seeds for breakfast before a 7am step class and then a mid-day breeze through a sex magazine studying sex positions she’s never hear of and will never use I smiled ear to ear this whole episode. Finally doing what they do best, the show had it’s first drug n’ doin’ it session as Mini’s best friend Liv moaned her way through some underage sex much to Mini’s horror. Though it gets constant criticism for being “sensational” (well, by conservative Americans, the UK knows what’s up), this show presents a realistic image of what today’s kids are getting up to when they’re pretty enough and mom’s out of town.

Honestly though, the episode came together perfectly for me as (Spoiler Alert) Mini wakes up alone in her asshole boyfriend’s room and drudges her newly-devirginized way home on a walk of shame in last night’s “prom” dress only to walk into her tear-stained mother doing the exact same thing. Finding each other, stilettos in hand on the street in front of their home the show ends in perfect harmony as Mini gets a terrifying look at her future and we see just how awesome this season is going to be.

Thumbs up all the way Skins UK! Can’t wait for next week.

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