Obligatory Tuesday US!Skins Post

[botherd]

... is it just me, or is this show getting better? This episode really felt like Skins to me, without feeling like a copy of the original. I think it's starting to come into its own. Obviously there are still problems with some of the actors, but I thought Britne Oldford was really good at making Cadie feel like a completely different character to Cassie. (Actually, even while some of the actors aren't great I think most of the characters feel distinct from the characters they're based on.)

Here's what I love about US Skins, which is something that UK Skins hasn't had for a couple of series now: it still feels like an ensemble, even with the focus on one character each episode. Each episode feels like that one character's perspective on events that affect the group as a whole. And okay, some of the characters haven't been very effectively woven in yet - it pretty much feels like the Tony/Tea/Michelle/Stan/Cadie show - but they still feel like part of the group.

The Tony/Tea stuff... I'm trying to keep an open mind. I don't hate the storyline on principle, because sexuality can be complicated and confusing even when you think you've got it figured out, but it could VERY easily veer into offensive territory. We'll see how it plays out.

(Eura is still the worst. It would be fine if they wanted to take her in a completely different direction, but right now she just feels like a pale imitation of Effy. DNW.)

Comments

[lazarus-girl.livejournal.com]

Totally agree on the quality, and Britne just being so good at Cadie's Cadieness. I was impressed. Seriously.

I'm saying nothing extra on T/T for now, because I still think the actual nature of the connection she feels is up for debate (and I don't think it's the same as what he does). As you said, it'll be interesting to see where it goes.

I can deal with my dislike of Tony because there are moments when he really clicks with me so I like him, but Eura? Hell no. It just feels off, like they've amped up her strangeness to the point that it's ridiculous, but what's worse is they even seem to know that e.g. Chris' line when he saw them both in the kitchen. I bought that Effy was silent for a reason, that she was quiet and introspective. Eura just looks like she's doing it to be antagonistic. Also, given the sleaze undercurrent in this ep (Stan, Michelle's mom's bf etc), the whole pigtails thing was really creepy.

[botherd.livejournal.com]

I still think the actual nature of the connection she feels is up for debate (and I don't think it's the same as what he does)

I agree - I think that while they do have some sort of connection it'll probably end up being a platonic one, just because she's so not into the sex. (Or she wasn't in her episode, anyway.) I hope that's how it'll turn out, but who knows, it could end up being awful. I'm still kind of optimistic.

[lazarus-girl.livejournal.com]

I remain cautiously optimistic. There's still a lot of time left. That, and the fact he had his tongue down Tabitha's throat in Stan's preview.

[immortality.livejournal.com]

As usual, I totally agree.

Well, mostly anyway. I don't think Eleanor is trying to pull a Kaya at all, really. Did you see the video diary she did? It's less dark than Effy's was in S1. I think Eura is sort of just as knowledgeable but less innocent than Effy was. Also I think Eura is genuinely weird where as Effy, at least at first, had a ~master plan~ sort of thing going on.

I hate TT. With a passion. It needs to end already.

[botherd.livejournal.com]

I think my thing with Eura is that... I just don't get it. I don't understand what they're trying to do with the character. She's got Effy's basic storyline, i.e. not talking, but with none of Effy's Effyness, so it just doesn't work for me. Maybe once she's actually given something to do she'll click for me, but right now I just wish she wasn't there.

I probably should've said that obviously I don't ship Tony/Tea and don't want them to end up together. It could be an interesting story about the complexities of sexuality, but then it could be an awful "Tony's dick is so magical it turns her straight" thing. I'm very wary of it, but I don't want to judge before it's all played out.

[lizardwriter.livejournal.com]

Seriously agree with absolutely everything you said. Especailly about the ensemble thing which I was just thinking after watching Rich's ep of UK and then Cadie's ep of US. That really stood out to me.

Also: Eura, please just go away.