Flow of Madness

This is my review/thoughts on Series 6 Episode 6 “Nick” of Skins. :) 

Rating: 7/10

I want to begin this review by saying that Sean Teale did amazing. Truly amazing. This was such a hard episode to be responsible for and carry from beginning to end. Most of the plot lied within the character of Nick and there were so many explosive emotions throughout the entire episode. He blew me away.

I am going to do this review differently than I have in the past. Instead of breaking it down by scene I am instead breaking it down by characters and dynamics. This episode was such an internal episode that it seems only fair to talk about the internal circumstances that happened in this episode.

Nick:
He is literally a mess of nerves and emotions. He is falling for Franky which is something that is scary and new to him. Not to mention with the added complication that Franky is loved by his brother. He misses his brother and feels an obligation to him. At the same time he also feels abandoned by his brother and has his own batch of complicated questions for him. He knows that if Matty comes home that all hell will break loose and the reality of him liking Franky will become too real. While all this is going on inside Nick’s mind…Matty calls and adds more to his already overloaded mind. Matty is pressuring Nick to get him back and to get involved with shady people in order to sneak him into the country. Nick being the loyal guy that he is tries to make it right. As things spiral out of control we see Nick trying to escape his problems; however, the more he tries to escape the more the feelings begin to rise to the surface. Until he confronts Franky with his feelings and confronts the group about his need for some support when it comes to Matty. Finally he makes a decision that changes everything he chooses to leave Matty in Morrocco and at the end of the episode he gets something he wanted—Franky.

Franky:
She is also a character that has conflicting emotions. She is not sure about starting something with Nick and something in her seems to be fighting it. Probably because she just got out of two strange entanglements with boys and is scared of starting another. Another reason could also be that Nick is Matty’s brother. In the beginning of the episode we see her push Nick away and then come back to him a couple of times. I do feel like Nick feels much more than Franky does for Nick. Something about how that sex scene happened makes me wonder a couple things despite it being one of the sweetest sex scenes. I also wanted to point out that Franky bringing the money to Nick proves that she is not a “bitch” and she is in fact one of the most caring characters on the show. Even though at the end of the episode she decides to answer Matty’s internet call wearing Nick’s shirt revealing to Matty that their relationship is officially over and that Nick has also lost faith in him.

Matty:

Matty in this episode comes across as desperate, scared, and demented. Like he has been running for so long that he has forgotten how to be civilized or even how to see things in a realistic manner. His quiet strength has been broken and in many ways he has become an animal. He is so isolated from the events and feelings of the rest of the gang that he does not seem to understand what his returning would mean for everyone and what all of this is doing to Nick. Or maybe he does and he is just a selfish character.

Rich:

Rich was in the episode for literally twenty seconds; however, those twenty seconds told me so much. Nick goes to the club to ask for help in regards to bringing Matty back thinking his mates would back him up. The truth is many of the characters are still hurt and angry that the idea of helping Nick to bring Matty back seems ridiculous.  I can understand that point. I can also understand Nick’s frustration toward the group for leaving him high and dry. I do not think one side is right or wrong I think at the end of the day you have a messed up situation. Obviously Mini and the rest of them should have been more sensitive to Nick’s needs. Like Franky later showed she was and I think that maybe Nick wouldn’t have gotten as mad as he did if Mini kept quiet and Rich did the talking. Rich had this sad, quiet, calm, and mature tone to him in this scene. He told Mini to stop being twisted and mean. Then he looked Nick in the eye and said “I don’t care” what you do about Matty. This may not have been the reaction Nick was looking for; however, it was a silent acknowledgment that Nick can make the choice he wants to make. While the others were visibly upset and telling him he was an idiot to bring back Matty. Two very different styles. Daddy Hardbeck is in the house.  

Alex:

Alex being the outsider and not emotionally attached to the tragic situation tries to help Nick. He encourages Nick to get laid and then offers his help to get Matty back. Nick at first pushes him away, because Alex is the one he did not expect to help so he pushes him away at first. Then of course Nick gives Alex a bit of an apology kiss. Alex liked it too.

With all these emotions, all of these different points of view, and all these different ways of coping with their common tragedy we can see that the gang is fractured. This is where my criticism comes in. This was a beautiful emotional journey that exposes the vulnerability of Nick. However as a fan I crave for togetherness. I crave for group moments. As much as the personal journeys intrigue me…I need my band of misfits back.

This episode made me sad for two reasons:

1.     The actual plot of the story made me emotional. Due to Sean Teale’s awesome performance.

2.     I am grieving for Grace as well and part of my grieving is to desire more Rich, more Franky, more Liv, more Nick, more Alex, more Alo, and more Mini together and interacting with one another. I need that.

I do like that this episode ended on a slightly hopeful note and slightly daunting note at the same time. We know that Franky and Nick are enjoying one another and they are living in the moment. However we also know that Frank answered that phone call and eventually Matty will come back. What that means? We will just have to wait and see.

Solid episode and way to go Sean Teale.