This photo was chosen by me because of the topical phrase on a t-shirt. The show has enough of such moments. Did you catch them?

By all indications, this post is written by me not quite timely, but as the phrase goes “better late than never.” So..

I live in Ukraine and news about something worthy reaches us with long delay. I remember the time when I (in school age) lived in a small urban settlement, where I managed to catch only one radio station (still I was glad for having this possibility) and a few more or less good channels on TV, which mostly spoiled audience by Mexican soap operas and, at the best, serials such as Beverly Hills. In general, it was a sad situation and now I more than understand it.

Of course, the 18-year-old actors of the show that will be discussed below have no idea what I’m talking about. I ask only to put up with my outpourings, I promise, everything will be clear soon.

The matter is in a recent godsend. The fact, that it’s hard to find something zestful in an endless stream of information, is not a great discovery. In addition, many things that are found in the retrieval route, simply offend my taste. I should say that I haven’t any problems with my taste, I have other problems, but not with my taste. So, the value of the godsend increases automatically.

Now I need you to listen to my words more attentively because I go up closer to the point. I was lucky enough to pay attention to the American TV series “Skins” a couple of weeks ago. I’ve heard about the British original, but there was no desire to become familiar with it. I can’t give any specific reasons because everything is based on my intuitive level.

Because of all the negativity that the creators and participants of the show have had to endure, I thought it necessary to express my own opinion.

What attracted me in this TV series? First of all these are the leading characters. More importantly, remarkable characters, that aren’t yet adults but are no longer children. They’re still able to think not only about themselves. They are not fairy pseudo teenagers – they are real, as every of their story. They are that sort of people that they should be: sometimes lazy and sometimes restless, somewhere loyal and somewhere honest, ready to go at night to rescue a friend and keep all doubting, distrustful and stupid, distracted and infinitely kind.

To go further, a musical accompaniment is a second thing that attached my attention. Especially, a big thank for a song “shout” in the last episode, it turned out very sensual! Next, I’ve made special mention of some very particular relationships between Stanley and Cadie. Also I like the way how it is shown that to be a villain is not as fun as it might seem at first blush and unpleasant consequences will be for sure. I enjoyed observing relations between a schoolboy and his teacher due to the fact that a boy may behave more courageously and honorably with respect to women than elder representative of the stronger sex. And of course humor, which is interwoven with the complex situations and worthy actions, which are interwoven with humor. Skins are living in difficult conditions, but they still look with eyes wide opened at the world, which only begins to amaze them.

There are things that people like me see in this project, because to make the right emphasis is as important as a comma in the right place in the sentence. Think about it! And the biggest disappointment for me was the news that the thing which is clearly worthy of attention, according to my opinion, hasn’t a right to exist anymore. After all, this theme will always be urgent, because the awkward age – is a “crusade” of everyone: advice doesn’t help and nobody can protect against mistakes – everyone makes his own choice and personal conclusions. In fact, no one knows what is true and what is false.

I’m outraged at all the claims against the show. It’s like when you are looking at a picture of a famous artist, some distant era, and see only a crack. It’s just an example and I don’t want to compare Skins with a great work of art and please do not throw slippers at me, I’m trying to say that behind their smiles and looks something more is hiding than most of you could see.

It would be foolish to ignore the writers’ work. The TV series is not without reasonable dialogues and it’s easy to admit it only if less to compare. Basically, every episode deserves such separate post. But more often it’s difficult to find the right words, you either understand it or not. I understand so I give a few examples:

~ “It’s hard to take you seriously when it looks like you come from the future..”

~ “What does every bastard who has ever lived have in common? His father is a bastard and he never broke the cycle. Break the cycle, Stanley.”

~ “I got to get an A, okay? If I don’t get an A, then I fail the semester. If I fail the semester, then I fail the year. If I fail the year, then my dad looks bad. If my dad looks bad, then my mom is gonna keep doing her fitness instructor over at Dimension Makeover and then my dad will go all introspective and hang himself from a beam in the garage.”

For sure, there are many things more worthy the time I spent on this scribble, but my hands, flying over the keyboard, and restless thoughts are in the power of emotions that were awakened by Skins.

Instead of conclusion. Beyond America not many people know about this show and if I had the foresight I would be able to consider that the number of fans of the show will be growing in the foreseeable future. And there is a probability that the point was put in this story too early.

 P.S. MTV definitely has a lot of reasons to be proud of the created project. I don’t know the whole history of their struggle, but, gosh, they had to bite and fight for the existence of Skins, because this show has a heart and not one…

P.P.S. I have no idea why the verdict was so categorical as well as I can’t imagine how I could affect the decision. Most likely – in no way. So I say now, and I hope “loud” enough that I will always smile while remembering that or another episode of Skins.