Incoming spoiler alerts for the newest season of Sex Education

Two and a half years ago when Sex Education first premiered on Netflix, no one knew that a show about sexually curious British teens would display some of the best character development on the network. Come September 2021 upon the release of the show’s third season. Viewers have fallen in love for these dimensional and emotional characters, especially none other than Adam Groff (Connor Swindells).

Adam was not always the lovable character he became in season three. He was a bully in his introduction and taking interest in tormenting Eric Effiong (Ncuti Gatwa), one of the few openly queer students at Moordale Secondary School. Diving deeper into season one, writers create a motive behind Adam’s inability to control his anger: his father. Adam’s father, Mr. Groff is the Head Teacher at Moordale, and lacks the ability to show love to his son, resulting in Adam’s behavioural problems.

Adam takes steps towards his redemption when he finally admits his feelings for Eric. They start seeing each other in secret. Adam reveals a calmer side to himself, but still isn’t ready to come out at school. Eric calls things off because of the shame Adam holds over himself. Continently around this time, Adam’s mom offers a piece of advice at the end of season two: if you love someone, tell them.

Adam decides to tell Eric and the whole school about his feelings. He interrupts the school musical and tells Eric in front of everyone to show he no longer has shame. This is a milestone in Adam’s redemption story, considering his inability to communicate his feelings and habit of lashing out in season one.

Season three opens with a glimpse into Adam and Eric’s newfound love. The whole school knows about their relationship, but not Adam’s parents. This bothers Eric as audiences get a deeper glimpse into their relationship as they fall in love, begin having sex, and learn about one another. The chemistry is undeniable but there is one lingering element; Adam identity relies on Eric. When coming out to his peers, Eric was and continues to be his support.

On Adam’s trip to Nigeria, he kisses another boy at a gay club. He tells the truth after Adam rejects Eric’s suggestion to go to a gay club. Adam is crushed when Eric ends their relationship because he feels Adam is holding him back. Next is another milestone in Adam’s journey; he confides in his new friend, Rahim and asks for advice for writing poetry. Rahim advises he write a poem from the heart, and Adam does exactly (photo of poem below). This is a full circle from the boy in season one who struggled to communicate, to now writing poetry, a difficult medium of expression.

In addition to taking up poetry and a new friendship with Rahim, Adam enters a dog competition with Madame, his mother’s dog who shows Adam unconditional love, unlike Eric and Mr. Groff. Eric fails to place and tells his mom that his father would be disappointed, despite how proud she is of him. He takes this moment to do what Eric wanted him to do: he tells his mom that Eric was his boyfriend and that they broke up.

Adam has grown from an angry boy with the inability to communicate, to an emotional young man, with feelings and outlets to put them Adam is the perfect example of how good writing can make any dull, unlikable character into a dimensional, and loved character

Sarah Travis

Sarah is a second-year Professional Writing student at Algonquin College. When she’s not in zoom classes, she’s either making coffee for the green siren, or at a thrift store.