Flow of Madness

Anonymous asked: It's been a year since Gen 3 wrapped. What's your view of where the characters would be 12 months on. Rich at Cambridge. Franky (moved away from Bristol, according to Dakota's post-finale interview) trying to sort her shit out. Alo and Mini dealing with financial pressures. Matty presumably doing a spell in jail. Liv, Alex, Nick? Even Rider? How do you see all their lives going right now? Love to know your thoughts. :)

Amazing question. 

Liv: I always pictured her doing some soul searching going to school becoming a Nurse. Because she’s the perfect personality for that type of job. Caring, firm, and tough. I also picture her meeting this guy that I like to call Gio. He can keep up with her. She drives him crazy. He is completely hers and she is completely his. They have a great life together cause they are each other’s constants which is what Liv needs. That’s how I see her. :) 

Alex: I see him traveling all over and never really settling down. I think he has a giant wander lust streak that won’t really die. He still keeps in contact with Liv while he works in random social jobs traveling and having fun. 

Nick: I think he goes to school and learns to be his own man. See him doing something in sports. Maybe become a coach or something that has to do with his new leading skills. That was his journey and it would be sweet for him to hone them in life. 

Franky: Moved away from Bristol to sort through things and spend time with her sister. Who I think she needs. I see her going to University as well and majoring in art. I feel like she is going down road. 

Matty: Spend some time in jail for fleeing the accident and hopefully not for the drug deal. After that I kinda see him working the odd job and working on his music.

Rich: Goes to Cambridge gets into writing and is still an opinionated difficult person even though more open minded thanks to Grace. But come on he’s…still Rich. I can also see him falling in love again. I feel like he was made to be a husband and father just like his dad except for 100000000000 times more wit and he would not date an Anita. 

Mini and Alo: I see tons of rough patches. Money wise, baby wise, and life wise. Alo works the farm and Mini gets a job maybe in the fashion world. But they will survive but I can’t imagine life being a peachy as it was at the end of the Finale. They have a lot of growing to do as a couple and have a lot to think about in terms of their kid. 

Rider: Is the creepy dude who hits on guys and women alike as he sells douchey t-shirts from his trunk. 

Anonymous asked: Do you think the characters names in skins were purposely chosen for their personalities and how their storylines will unfold? or somewhat related to them at some point? I find some characters names weirdly contrasting to their characters like katie.

I think the name of the characters are rather thought out. For the most part I feel like they fit completely.

Like James Cook is actually a name of a British explorer and adventurer. Quite brave. The word ‘Cook’ also has a fiery explosive element to it like Cook’s impulsive and reckless personality.

Pandora Moon - An eccentric and looney name for a girl with that same personality. Pandora after Pandora’s box meaning there’s more to her than we think.

Rich Hardbeck - Rich which supplies the idea that he might be full of himself. Hardbeck alludes to his metal music. It also break down to ‘beck’ water. Showing that he does have an emotional side.

Katie Fitch as you were saying how her name doesn’t fit. It’s a girly girl sounding name. I feel like that is what they were going for. Coincidentally though. Katie is derived from Catherine which means pure with Greek roots. Some people think Catherine was derived from the Greek god Hecate. Who is the god of wilderness, (Beaten in the wilderness), childbirth (can’t have kids), and crossroad (she changes quite a bit from Series 3 and Series 4). 

I’ll stop there :)

This post I am declaring what I feel are the main canon ships of ‘Skins.’ One from each Generation. Now I am not picking these ships based on the writers intentions but instead I am using three indicators to choose these pairings. 

1. Popularity: Investment is vital. There’s no point in picking a ship that has little to no support. 
2. Importance to the Plot: Are they vital to the progression of the plot? Is their relationship bigger than just a relationship? Is it used to bring people together? If removed does the story fall apart? 
3. Significant Meaning: Is there a lesson to be learned from the relationship? 

I have picked three pairings. All three of them are quite different and in my opinion represent a different kind of love. Another thing about these pairings is that not all of them were endgame. So let us begin…the main ships of ‘Skins.’ 

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Anonymous asked: what are your top 5 skins moments?

This was the most painful question I have ever had to answer. It was like a three day process to figure out these five moments or six rather. I still after days of deliberations still could not make it to five. But these are my personal 5 ‘Skins’ moments and why I chose them. 

1. Sid Breaking Down in the Night Club with Tony (Sid’s Series 2 Episode): This moment was absolutely heartbreaking. The music was perfect. Sid turning around crying on Tony hitting his back in just absolute grief. It was just a beautiful moment that really sticks out to me. Personally as well I first saw this episode shortly after my Grandmother died and this moment reminded me of my own grief. It is a beautiful moment. 

2. Chris and Jal under the Duvet (Chris’s Series 2 Episode): This moment really touched me. I also feel like it shows the depth of Chris’s character as well and how even though he is fun loving he is also a bit of a philosopher. He was talking about how after his brother died he would sit under his duvet and read this book called the “Hungry Caterpillar” a story about the transformation to a butterfly. But that he often thought to himself that he didn’t want to change but he wanted the world outside to change. I often feel this way and I thought this was a touching moment. An honest moment. 

3. Katie confronting her mum (Katie’s series 4 episode): I was thinking of several moments for Gen 2 but this one screamed at me the loudest. I loved the way in which Katie came clean to her mom not only with her news of not being able to have kids. But telling her mom something she needed to hear but that she also kinda needed to learn as well. I thought this was a solid moment. 

4. Rich finding out Grace Died His “Convo” with Grace and Blood (Rich’s Series 6 Episode): This moment sent me into absolute tears but at the same time gave me strength. It was odd. We as an audience followed Rich fighting with himself, Blood, and the inevitable bad news that was coming his way. It all led to this moment where Rich has his final phone “conversation” with Rich. Where she tells him that life is beautiful and that she loved him. He looks at his phone and he finally has to accept that things are not the way he wants them to be. Then he enters the house and Blood informs him that Grace died. He watches his arch nemesis broken and he becomes strong. He becomes a man and he comforts him. With the confidence that Grace loved him. It is such a beautiful moment. Hardlet fan or not it was such a poetic moment. 

5. Rich, Grace, Franky, and Alo at the Pool (Franky’s Series 5 Episode): I had to include this moment because this was THE moment that I fell in love with Generation 3. Watching what Rich, Grace, and Alo did to make Franky feel better was amazing. The kidnapping, the clown mask, the pool, the alcohol, the nudity, and the companionship. It was like everything that I love about Skins in one moment. Where four people who are obviously misfits inside their groups come together to have a good time. Loved it. 

Honorary Moment
Rich and Liv eating Biscuits (Rich’s Series 6 Episode): I can hear certain people laughing at me for making this my honorary moments. Now besides letting people know exactly how powerful biscuits are there is actually a deeper reason for my choice. I love the Rich and Liv scenes in this episode. Because…Rich gave Liv time, attention, and laughter. Something that Liv needed. He did it in an adorable way and made Liv laugh. Now personally I think what Liv gave Rich was something even more powerful. Liv reminded Rich who he was. That he was metal. That he was strong. That he could handle things, fight for things, and be rational about things. Rich was losing himself in a different way in Series 6. Liv gave him temporary strength by understanding who Rich wants to be and what he could be. I think that is rather incredible. And of course… biscuits. 

Kerouacophy and davidknowssall podcast! 

Summary: 

Generation 3 Cinematography Beautiful Moments 

- NEXT SCENE: Liv at the Bench on Brandon hill then going to the occupation Rally 

- Liv’s loneliness 

- Bench symbolism with Liv

- Rich and Liv friendship love 

- Vision and Grace’s lesson

- NEXT SCENE: Rich’s finding out about Grace passing away scene. 

- Denial throughout the whole episode

- “MAYBE HE JUST HAS A REALLY GOOD SAMSUNG PHONE THAT WORKS BROKEN” 

- Rich watching Grace’s home videos

- Finale of Series 6 

- “Less is more” 

- “Captured my heart in the most consenting way” 

- When I say “halfway through generation 3” i mean Series 3 and when I mean generation 4 i meant series 4 lmao 

Anonymous asked: Okay thanks, lovely response to my Toxic Bob question. So same question - but this time about the horrible, nasty heavy metal girl who devastated Rich in the library in his S5 episode. She didn't just reject him, she totally belittled and humiliated him. The moment was played partly for comedy, but there was an edge of real sadness to it as well. She clearly hurt him deeply. If this ghastly girl met the "New" Rich, how much of an idiot would she feel about having once turned her nose up at him?

To me it felt like Toxic Bob was the mature member of the subculture. You know really loves metal music probably lived in the music scene. However he has lived his life and he knows that there is more to life than the record shop. 

The Angel of Death is the picture of an arrogant and immature person in a sub culture scene. Thinks they know people by what they wear. Has this idea of what they want around them. Can be devastatingly mean and hypocritical. 

Then you have Rich who is trying to figure out what direction he wants to go. 

To me The Angel of Death was a taste of Rich’s own medicine or a wake up call. That there are majorly asshole, stuck up, and superficial people in his own sub group. Which is a blow to his self concept then you have Grace wanting to hang out with him which goes against what he has always believed. Another blow to his self concept. 

I feel like The Angel of Death hopefully matured and she would see Rich with his new found confidence along with everything else and think… I was an idiot. I was an idiot to say that to him. I was an idiot to wear a dog collar. I was an idiot for being so damn closed and hostile. 

Because I use to be in the grunge scene and I was very much like that. Like all teenagers can be. Now I look back and all I think is… “wow I was a bit of an idiot.” Haha

Anonymous asked: Do you think Toxic Bob would even recognise the new Cambridge bound Rich if they bumped into each other in the street? I feel that Bob would be amazed (and pleased) that Rich had evolved from sullen metalhead "ass hat", into self-controlled, quiet, graceful, wise philosopher. I saw Rich's transition - from the beginning of Series 5 to the end of Series 6 - as being like that of caterpillar to butterfly. Toxic Bob saw the very beginning of that process, but how would he percieve the end result?

I think he would be more than proud.

I have this whole back story about Rich and Toxic Bob. To me Rich is a sensitive soul and I think he gets disappointed easily. He has these high ideals that he genuinely believes and hates when the people around him don’t fit those ideals. I also feel like Rich was bullied and his peers never fully understood him. Because I feel like he was 40 at age 5. So when Rich found metal music it empowered him and it was a way for him to channel the disappointment. I also feel like Rich is afraid to be rejected and he rather be the one who casts the judgments. So I think Toxic Bob cared about Rich and talked to him. Because Rich is a black sheep even in the metal world. I think he also knew that Rich was making his life more miserable than it needed to be by being such a closed minded person who believes the worst in people. 

So I think if Toxic Bob saw Rich again he would be proud. 

Can I just say I love this ask and how you worded it. Some people like to focus on the “sell out” part of things or hang onto superficial shit that in the end doesn’t really define you. I don’t give a fuck what you wear or what you listen to it is your actions that count to me. For me Rich’s journey was gorgeous and complete… and it took all those really good characteristics that you saw in the beginning of Series 5 (his independence, his wit, his sense of self, and his stability) and matured them with some newly grown traits as well. 

He didn’t cop out he matured. People need to recognize that otherwise they totally missed the entire point of his story. 

Podcast Character Spotlight: Rich Hardbeck part 4 

Summary: 

- blast off 

- Rich and his fashion changes

- Breaking stereotypes

- Rich’s journey 

- Broadening world 

- Clothes politics 

Anonymous asked: Hi. I've been listening again to the Series 6 DVD commentaries, and co-producer Neil Duncan's analysis of Rich's journey during the second half of the series. Neil uses an interesting metaphor, that Rich by this point - light years ahead of all his friends in terms of emotional maturity and spiritual growth - has crossed a river. He's waiting alone on the other side for his friends to grow up, to cross over this river and to join him. It's the life journey that they all ultimately have to make.

I really enjoy Neil Duncan. I love that metaphor and I am putting up the next part in my Rich Hardbeck podcast today. Where I talk about how Rich is the first true man of Skins. Not saying he is perfect or that there is no room for more maturing. But he is the first character where at the beginning of a series we can see as wiser and more mature than most of his friends. 

Even in Series 5! His main issue in Series 5 was knowing himself so well that he was narrowing his growth. Not that he was off the rails or didn’t know how to express his emotions. It was more accepting a more adult version of a self concept oppose to clinging onto an adolescent version of one’s self concept. 

In Series 6 he owns his maturity in a way that most ‘Skins’ characters avoid like the plague. Some people find this uninteresting or boring, but to me it is fascinating. There is something about Rich that is solid despite his fears of rejection in Series 5 and his moodiness he is a solid person with strong convictions and a dependability that is rare for this age group. 

Personally I love it. 

His progression from Series 5 to Series 6 is rather beautiful and also a complete progression. Rich really was waiting for his friends to mature and he definitely acted like the Dad. 

In Series 5 it was Grace who was the mature one waiting for her friends to figure things out as she learned to become a more visible leader of her own life. Series 6 it is Rich. This is why they are the first non-married married couple of Skins. :) 

Character Podcast Spotlight: Rich Hardbeck pt. 3

Summary:

• The first full fledge man of skins? 
• Rachel mixes for us. 
• Megan didn’t kill anyone 
• Rich was never a child. 
• Rich could OWN adulthood. 
• Never going to be a people person 
• For Rich it seems more natural vs. nurture in terms of how he acts. 
• Shrivelled-wank-claw: How do you think Rich would react to the baby being named after Grace?