You, the Living (2009)

Sex Education is one of the best shows streaming right now for both diversity and depictions of sexual relationships. With every season it gets better and better, and season 3 fleshes out relationships explored in the first two seasons while also introducing brand new diverse characters! While Sex Education does primarily live up to its name (and truly educates!), it also focuses on other kinds of relationships (friendships, parent-child relationships, and romantic relationships) that are treated as equally important. Spoilers ahead for season 3 of Sex Education!

One of the first new relationships introduced this season is the sex with “no strings attached” between Otis (Asa Butterfield) and Ruby (Mimi Keene). This couple has become a fan favorite. Season 3 brings Ruby center stage, developing her beyond the shallow Mean Girl/ Queen Bee archetype she’s been in the past. Luckily, the showrunners didn’t strip her of the traits that some might see as negative to make her more likable. Ruby retains her materialistic nature and her arrogance while also being a responsible daughter who dedicates herself to taking care of her family. She and Otis make a charming couple. 

However, Ruby gets all of this character development only for her to be tossed aside in the narrative as Otis tosses her aside. Once Otis breaks up with her, the show stops focusing on Ruby and only shows her from a distance again. The show tries to make up for it by giving her a badass moment in the finale when she fights Hope off for control of the presentation, but it feels kind of cheap. Justice for Ruby! 

Another new relationship this season is the romance between Maeve (Emma Mackey) and Isaac (George Robinson). They make a good couple. They challenge each other in ways couples should, calling out their flaws and forcing each other to grow. Maeve challenges Isaac to be more selfless and less rude. Isaac tells her: