Skins: Complete Series 2 [DVD]

really enjoyed watching series I when I stayed in the UK for half a year; now I almost finished watching series II on dvd;

acting and story line improved compared to series I, but it also became much darker and sadder - so don't expect a feel good tv show - series II really can bring you down if you're in a bad mood.

don't get me wrong, it's absolutely worth watching and brilliantly done but I think it would have been even more fun to watch
with a stronger focus on the friendship with a bit less drama (People dying) and more funny stuff.

looking forward for series III although I don't know what to expect as they're about to swap the whole cast (which I don't think is a good idea as the old one is really really likeable and made Skins).

hopefully series III it will be less sadden :-)

for the meantime i'll continue with Shameless which is great too;

(sorry about my English but as I'm from Germany I can't do any better :-))

I thought both series 1 and series 2 were excellent. At 50, I am not a teenager and wonder why this was classified as a 'teen drama'. Well acted, a little surreal at times. It showed me that teens today and are no different to when I was a teen-we got up to the same things. The series shows how life is not the doddle for teens that many older people seem to think.
From the end of series 2 it seems there might not be a season 3? Quite why anyone would follow my opinion I don't know but I would recommend this series to teens and elders alike. Great stuff.

After the groundbreaking controversy of the first series the teenage drama reprised in 2008 to bring yet more heartfelt drama to the programme.

The dramatic impact of the final stages of series 1 epitomised what the first series denoted, delivering the unexpected which is why it was so well received by viewers and critics. This series picks up a more soap styled vibe, concentrating on more character issues rather than the particular issues, which has its advantages and disadvantages.

The disadvantages are hardly huge in context. There is less humour, less dark controversy when we shouldn't be laughing. Perhaps because the issues this time around are more serious, which didn't seem possible given what happened a year before.

There is more focus on underage sex, drugs and drinking. This year there is an added incentive to these issues, including unexpected pregnancy, psychological illnesses and dealing with loss.

The power to which all of these are decoded is staggering. The weighing up of options for the pregnancy is hugely important and whilst in society it is happening more frequently than any of us would like to admit, the importance of the pregnancy is hugely significant in relevance to the story and characters.

The series one cast returned and what would turn out to be their final series. Appropriately so in many ways.
Jal (Larissa Wilson) is the stand out of this series, beautifully charismatic in the approach to her character's needs and decisions.

Sadly we see less of Dev Patel as Anwar but more of Maxxie (Mitch Hewer) and the intro to the first episode with his break dancing sequence is great. Performances and acting as it turns out play a big undertone in this series which has a feeling of adding more drama in justifying the stages of growing up and thinking of uni choices.

This series boasts more elaborate stunts and action. The mini sequence in the final episode is the series highlight. The swimming scene at the university day is funny and male viewers will never be more jealous of Nicholas Holt. The story at the beach boasts some great directional mastery, the lighting is perfectly executed, cleverly divulging character mood with appropriate moment.

Series 3 would cast new recruits bar Effy and has yet to match the first series. It was a great series 3 if lacking that refreshing uniqueness of series 1.

A bit like this as well. Whilst I absolutely love this series I perhaps felt a bit sad with more drama and less comedy. Plus the change in one of my favourite characters Cassie was a shame.

The extras on this DVD are well worth checking out. The montages from behind the scenes are particularly excellent.
In conclusion this second outing for the skins team has some challenging issues that once again reflect the troublesome youth of Britain, encoding some dark but realistic home truths. Also boasting a fine array of youthful acting talent the future looks bright.

It is one of those shows that if you watch one episode you will immediately watch the next.
Again I was disappointed with the backstep in comedy and if you're looking for raw humour like the first series you may be slightly put out. It has its moments but the general mood is different, less springy spontaneous party mood to dramatic hitting the real world.

I must also mention that this has a brilliant soundtrack, just like the first and third

There is no disguising the fact this is brilliant dramatic television that is certainly worth keeping an eye on.

8.5/10