Skins - Series 3, Episode 4

Continuing its march through teenage adolescence, gang violence, bad language and an immense mixed cauldron of drugs and sex season 3 of Skins is still managing to hold my attention. I spent the first half hour of this episode, featuring one of my favourite comedians, Sally Phillips as Pandora’s very straight mother, with a huge beam on my face, such that the story was so funny and acted out so fantastically.

With Pandora’s birthday looming, she and Effie hold host to the scene of yet more cameo roles with Harry Enfield, Effie’s father, finally finding out about his wife’s affair as her lover, David Badiel, arrives at their house to express his undying love. With Effie at breaking point she questions’ why she and Pandora are friends to which the loopy lass replies “Because I’m stupid and will do anything you say.”

 Pandora’s birthday is just what they need, though Effie along with Naomi, Katie & Emily when they arrive at her house, are rather aghast to find out that it’s a pyjama party, they have to play twister and Pandora’s mum has actually made them all customised evening wear. There is a hysterical scene where the party goers are made to bake brownies in the kitchen whereupon Pandora’s mother starts singing “London’s burning” in canon, insisting the other’s all join in. Katie soon realises they need something drastic to spice the party up and before you know it she’s spiked the brownies with MDMA and Effie along with Pandora’s mother are soon in a world of their own (try watching Pandora’s mum gazing into a bowl of wobbling jelly without smiling).

Everyone except Pandora is far from impressed

 It doesn’t stay this way for long, as Pandora’s mum passes out, Pandora locks herself in the toilet in tears and Cook’s climbed through the window much to JJ’s horror. Creeping through the house to drag out a vodka filled Cook he see’s Emily and Naomi kissing in the living room and gets thoroughly frightened, especially when Katie’s footballer boyfriend and friends gatecrash the party, taking over and soon descending the quiet suburban pyjama party into complete chaos.

Emily manages to catch another kiss with Naomi

 Emerging from her safe house in the early hours of the morning Pandora’s met with a scene of destruction. Freddie has saved JJ, the party goers have all but vanished and only Cook remains, rummaging through the revellers trash in an attempt to find more to drink. A saddened Pandora is cheered up immensely after he agrees to a game of twister to complete her night and the pair, driven by Cook’s “brain” and Pandora’s desperation at losing her first love Thomas, end up sealing their friendship with some sunrise nuptials on the living room floor. Horrendously, as Pandora says goodbye to Cook, who should come running up the street shouting “mother let me back” but a jubilant Thomas, straight back into the arms of his devoted Pandora.

With Thomas a seemingly not one hit wonder I wonder if Pandora, or Effie who only too well knows the secret, will let on or try and hide the complexity of the situation. Only time will tell!

 E4 - Thursdays at 10pm