Sex Education Season 4: Unveiling the Show's Incredible New Heights!

Summary

Sex Education season 4 received lower scores and raised questions about where the series went wrong, with a drop in audience score to 40%.

The season distinguished itself from previous ones through the significant departure of beloved characters and a shift towards more somber and intense storylines.

Fans expressed their disappointment with the absence of humor and romance, along with the separation of the central couple, Otis and Maeve. The ages of the cast members also became more apparent.

Spoilers for Sex Education season 4 ahead. Despite being a popular show on Netflix, the final season of Sex Education received the lowest Rotten Tomatoes score yet, leading to speculation about what went wrong. Sex Education is a comedic drama series that follows the journey of Otis Milburn, a socially awkward teenager who starts a sex therapy business at his high school. The show is loved for its humor and talented cast, but season 4 didn't meet expectations.

While previous seasons of Sex Education received high scores on Rotten Tomatoes, season 4 received mixed reviews. The critics gave it a 91% score, but the audience score was only 40%. This significant drop is surprising considering that previous seasons received audience scores of 94%, 93%, and 88% for seasons 1, 2, and 3 respectively. Although the series has concluded with season 4, the decline in ratings suggests that this season was somehow different or not up to par with its predecessors.

10 Sex Education Season 4 Is Missing Several Of The Best Characters

9 Sex Education Season 4 Is The Last Season

The primary distinction seen in Sex Education season 4 in comparison to previous seasons lies within its cast and characters. Following season 3, several actors opted not to return for season 4, thereby excluding their characters from the storyline. Notable absences include Tanya Reynolds' portrayal of Lily, Patricia Allison's portrayal of Ola, Simone Ashley's portrayal of Olivia, Chaneil Kular's portrayal of Anwar, and Sami Outalbali's portrayal of Rahim. Given the ensemble nature of Sex Education, the departure of these characters had already incurred significant loss even prior to the release of season 4. Subsequently, upon its premiere, many viewers distinctly felt their absence, particularly mourning the loss of Lily and Ola. As a result, this undoubtedly may have influenced the overall performance of season 4.

Sex Education, a popular television series, abruptly ended at season 4, unlike many shows that can continue for multiple seasons. At the peak of its success, rumors began circulating about the show's impending conclusion due to various reasons. While the decision to end the series was logical considering the actors' ages and growing success, it left many fans disappointed. Moreover, the expectations for the final season were considerably higher compared to the first. As a result, audiences would scrutinize every aspect of Sex Education season 4 more closely.

8 Sex Education Season 4 Loses Some Of The Show's Humor

7 Sex Education Season 4 Has Less Romance

Sex Education season 4 deviated from its usual comedic tone and took a more dramatic approach. Unlike previous seasons, the final one explored darker storylines, such as the painful loss of Maeve's mother, Jean's battle with postpartum depression, and Eric's internal struggle with his religious beliefs. In contrast to its usual balance between seriousness and humor, this season leaned heavily towards the dramatic side, leaving some viewers feeling let down. Season 4 of Sex Education, though not objectively flawed, may have failed to live up to the expectations of its comedy genre, leaving its audience feeling deceived.

Aside from the diminished humor, Sex Education season 4 also lacked in the romance department. Considering the show's focus on sex and relationships, it's logical to expect a healthy dose of romance. However, this season fell short in that aspect. In particular, Otis and Maeve's long distance relationship felt more contentious than affectionate throughout the series. Additionally, the introduction of new couples like Abbi and Roman didn't allow the audience enough time to emotionally invest in their relationships. This disappointment was accentuated by the absence of love blooming between characters such as Jackson and Eric.

6 The Sex Education Cast Is Too Old To Play Teenagers

A recurring issue that plagues both Hollywood and the show Sex Education is the discrepancy between the ages of the actors and the ages of the characters they portray. In season 4, the majority of the characters are meant to be in the 16 to 18-year-old range, yet almost all of the actors are 30 or older. This significant age gap is difficult to ignore, especially in the show's final season. Notably, a comparison of Asa Butterfield's appearance in season 1 and season 4 highlights just how much older the actors are in relation to their fictional counterparts. Although seemingly a minor detail, it has likely affected the enjoyment of the show for many viewers.

5 Sex Education Season 4 Breaks Up Its Biggest Couple

The ending between the main couple, Otis and Maeve, in Sex Education season 4 is one of the most significant issues. Since season 1, there has been a growing connection between them, igniting passionate support from the audience. However, in season 4, their hopes of being together were shattered as they chose to part ways and pursue their own individual journeys. While this bittersweet conclusion may not be objectively negative, it likely caused disappointment for many Sex Education fans, ultimately spoiling the entire season for them.

4 Sex Education Season 4 Has Too Many Storylines

Thaddea Graham in Sex Education season 4

3 The Sex Education Cast Have Already Moved On To Different Projects

Additionally, Sex Education season 4 faced a potential structural issue in terms of its numerous storylines. Despite the departure of several cast members, the show introduced new characters and expanded certain character arcs. As a result, season 4 followed the journeys of various characters such as Otis, Eric, Maeve, Aimee, Adam, Michael, Jean, Jackson, Ruby, and Cal, in addition to exploring smaller perspectives. This extensive range of viewpoints may have led some viewers to believe that the series spread itself too thin in season 4. With such a multitude of perspectives, it becomes easy to lose track or, worse, become less invested in certain characters due to the overwhelming number of storylines intertwining.

Although Sex Education's ending was initially seen as abrupt, it became evident that the series had to conclude to benefit the cast. Not only are the actors in Sex Education too mature to portray high school students, but many of them have achieved notable fame that is holding them back from fully committing to the show. For instance, both Emma Mackey and Ncuti Gatwa have appeared in Barbie, while Gatwa is set to star in Doctor Who. Consequently, the news surrounding the series made it feel prematurely terminated, as the cast moved on to more significant opportunities. Undoubtedly, this unfortunate setback affected the overall quality of the show.

2 Sex Education Season 3 Was Already The Show's Best Ending

In terms of certain aspects, season 4 may be considered inferior to previous seasons due to the perception that Sex Education season 3 already concluded strongly. In the season 3 finale, Otis and Maeve were separated due to external circumstances, specifically Maeve's acceptance at Wallace and the closure of Moordale, which dispersed all the students. This could have served as a natural endpoint, avoiding the need to continue the series without vital cast members. However, not everyone shares this viewpoint, as season 3 also concluded on a slightly negative note that would have felt inappropriate for the generally positive tone of the series.

1 Sex Education Season 4 Is Not What Fans Expected

Sex Education season 4, featuring Asa Butterfield

Sex Education season 4 received a lukewarm response from fans, possibly due to their divergent expectations. Over the course of three seasons, the show garnered praise for its witty and educational content, as well as its exceptional cast. However, in the fourth season, numerous changes were introduced. Some beloved characters vanished mysteriously, while the overall tone took on a more serious and intense feel, deviating from its usual comedic nature. Additionally, the lack of the show's signature romantic plotlines rendered the previous build-up seemingly futile. Consequently, the unforeseen alterations in Sex Education season 4 resulted in a diminished appeal to audiences.