Flow of Madness

This is reflection about Generation 3. It is an explanation of what set Generation 3 apart from the rest and how important Generation 3 was in my and others lives. Hope you take this journey with me.

This is written like a speech…so I put together an audio of me reading it if you would like to listen to it while you read. Or you can just read it yourself your choice. 

Audio is here.

When I found Generation 3 I was in Washington State after my last year of AmeriCorps. I was so scared about what to do next in my life. So many decisions were being thrown at me and whenever I thought things were moving forward more obstacles would arise. It felt like I was being beaten and for every step I took I was being pushed back four steps. My mind was getting pessimistic and I was starting to talk in a defeatist tone. I did not want to make decisions anymore. Of course by not making a decision you are essentially making a decision though it never feels like it at the time. Then I heard that the new generation of Skins was beginning and I was skeptical at first. I watched the first episode on my computer expecting to be disappointed only to find myself intrigued by the characters. Franky was a new kind of character for television and I immediately related to her fear of taking chances due to her bullying experiences. Then we were introduced to the other characters. A jock guy named Nick, a Scottish mean girl named Mini, an optimistic free spirit named Grace, a sulky metalhead named Rich, a fun-loving guy named Alo, and a mysterious one with no name. I knew immediately that these characters had more to them than meets the eye. It is Skins after all and I was hooked.

The thing about this generation is that Series 5 was filled with humor and moments of growth. Each of these characters were facing individual issues of identity. Everyone is trying to find out who they really are and learning to be honest with themselves—honest  with the world. Except that Metalhead guy he seemed to know who he was too well that is world was stubborn and narrow. While everyone else is trying to figure out who they are…he was learning to allow others into his metal world…he was working on becoming more than a label. These are issues that we can all relate to. This series was about forming friendships, forming bonds, finding a home, and starting a new. All of the episodes lead to the conclusion where they are able to dance and laugh in the name of love and hope. They were filled with life. They gave me life.

They gave me the foundation to do the brave thing like Franky did…she took a chance to open herself up to a new group of people…why couldn’t I be brave? Rich whose world was so narrow and safe put his shield down and surrendered to love…why couldn’t I take a risk? Nick who stood up to his father who has acted like a cunt for years…why couldn’t I speak my own truth? Alo fighting like hell to not take on responsibility finally made a concession…why couldn’t I stop running? Grace who has been playing roles that others were directing for years finally took control of her own destiny…why couldn’t I be a pilot of my own life? The truth is I can and Generation 3 taught me to be brave…they taught me to take chances…they taught me to trust.

Series 6 began and I was worried that all the lessons this generation taught me were being quickly taken from me. I began to worry. Though two characters in particular kept speaking to me and talking me through these changes to our carefree generation: Rich and Grace. Grace kept popping up and speaking words of wisdom…of hope. Grace telling Rich “everything is so beautiful” filled my heart with hope despite knowing that Grace would never be whole again or be alive again. Everything that came out of Grace’s mouth throughout this entire series gave the characters strength, but it also gave me strength. Rich who has gone through absolute hell now has this quiet strength. He is living, he is smiling, he is caring, and he is strong. I have always admired Rich, but in this series my admiration turned to a devoted awe at how amazing he truly is. His love for Grace is legendary, true, and devoted. With that love and his own integrity he became a soldier of love. These two characters brought perspective and moved the characters forward toward home…toward hope. Eventually they end up where they belong…with their lives ahead of them.

Generation 3 is a special generation, because you can learn from it. You learn that blaming people for things that no one can control is pointless and petty. You learn that even in the face of heartbreak you can still find reasons to smile by holding onto the good that has happened to you. You learn that happiness is possible if you are honest about what you want and you ask for help. You learn that everything is fragile and it can change in a second, but if you know who you are and you know who your friends are everything will be alright. Generation 3 is music, dancing, laughing, fighting, and crying. It is passion, it is love, it is action over inaction, it is honesty, it is reality, and it is responsibility. Generation 3 ended the running…it is the only generation to have all the characters stop running. Generation 1—Anwar and Cassie were left running and escaping. Generation 2—Cook ends the generation still self-pitying and destructive as ever.  Generation 3…they all stop running…they found hope…they take responsibility.

As I was talking to people in the fandom I realize that I am not the only one who feels the same way about this Generation. Here are some of the words used to describe this generation: hopeful, it feels like hope again, stop being a crazy bitch, love, tears, real, fun, whimsical, love, depressing, the most hopeful one yet, magical, phenomenal, funny, hopeful, intense, heartbreaking, beautiful, introspective, and hopeful. As you can see hopeful is mentioned a million times.

Generation 3 is special because it gives you hope to face the bastards that try to drag you down and life who likes to throw curve balls. It is special because this generation has never been about escapism it has always been about facing reality and taking the director’s seat in your life. You may fuck up, you may be scared, you may run, and you may scream but at the end of the day you need to live your life the best you can…because there is always something to hang onto…something to smile about. Grace taught me that. No matter what anyone says about what you wear, what you do, or who you are there is a strength in you that is just waiting to come out. Rich taught me that. Love doesn’t always have to be a scary, co-dependent, and a mind fucked experience it can be about equality, devotion, and honesty. Rich and Grace taught me that. That the selfish can become selfless. The lost can be found. The superficial can have depth. The bitchy can be vulnerable. The playful can be responsible. We are all something unique yet we are all the same. These are the things that Generation 3 taught me.

Generation 3 is special…because generation 3 is me…it’s you…it’s that guy. Generation 3 is unique because it means something to me…it’s real to me.