The pilot of Skins' fourth season revolves completely around Thomas, the African boy who is living a new life in Bristol. The atmosphere grows melancholic and gloomy, as in the beginning we see a young girl, Sophia, falling down from a balcony in the club Thomas works for. Her death sets the episode off (and I think the whole season will be about this mysterious happening), as Thomas begins to think about his condition in Bristol, his relationship with the sweet Pandora and his family. As if it weren't enough, the college has a new headmaster and the police is interrogating everyone trying to make clear who sold the drug to Sophia... and we'll receive a not very pleasant surprise.
I read this episode as a deep critique to Western Society and to his values, mainly the young ones' values: the scene where Andrea and his brothers talk about Lady Gaga and other notorious pop stars is very clear about it, and I think the whole juxtaposition between Thomas's family and Bristolians's reactions is a good way to see what the creators think about immigration and values nowadays. That's very brave for a young adult drama, and I admire it for that.
I read this episode as a deep critique to Western Society and to his values, mainly the young ones' values: the scene where Andrea and his brothers talk about Lady Gaga and other notorious pop stars is very clear about it, and I think the whole juxtaposition between Thomas's family and Bristolians's reactions is a good way to see what the creators think about immigration and values nowadays. That's very brave for a young adult drama, and I admire it for that.
