Skins Season 5, 'Rich'
Season Six of the brilliant UK series skins is about to begin this month. Those of us in the US are just scraping up season five. We have watched 2 group of teens enter and exit Roundview College and the new cast is supposedly much more 'real'. I beg to differ. There will never be antoher season one- no Tony, no Cassie, No Sid.. but a new crew that we should become friends with. I can try.
Episode one revolves around the androgynous 'Franky' and her two fathers Geof and Jeff. How cheeky. She was tormented at her old school and has moved to Bristol to 'start again'. At this point shes pretty week. Episode two is 'Rich' a tiny Tim hairdo metal head who has shut out the world so as not to 'sell out'. Blaming his typical teenaged awkwardness on his metal loyalty. As he attempts to score a date with a metal girl dubbed "the angel of death". Shes a bitch, but of course the ballerina nice popular girl shows an interest and is shot down by the rocker.
Its stereotype to the top degree. With guest appearance by Napalm Death and 'Toxic Bob' the record store owner played by Huey Morgan of New Yorks , Fun Loving Criminals. I actually thought Toxi Bob was a former metal star- didnt realize he was just a regular joe from NYC.
This brings up a good topic though. Do kids today hide behind their genre to avoid social situations? Of course. I certainly did in the punk days. See be as fringe as you can and no one will bother you. Be as unattractive as possible and you cant be called unattractive. Its a mask of music. Just as rappers hide behind shades grills and sags, goths hide behind cloaks and hoods. Nifty huh?
The episode is not in any way earth shattering but it is enjoyable enough. Do I love the cast? Nope- not yet but its only the second episode, maybe they'll grow on me.
As for Napalm Death.. well it's nice to see them make some TV time but really, how about a legit tour outside of Europe instead?
