Sexuality: why you absolutely have to watch episode 2 of the series “Normal People”

Connell struggles to remove Marianne's tight bra that covers her chest.

They both laugh about it in this teenager's room full of posters.

These two high school students are about to make love together for the first time.

For Marianne, it's the very first time.

" Are you OK ?

Is that really what you want?

We don't have to do it if you... You can say stop.

Gently questioning his partner, amid caresses and kisses, Connell doesn't take his eyes off Marianne.

He wants to see in it the guarantee that there is not the slightest sign of constraint, of pressure.

A verbalized consent, shown and of an incredible sensuality

She reassures, smiles: “I wouldn't want to stop”.

The couple are naked now, Connell smiles too but warns: "If it's painful or unpleasant, tell me and we stop straight away."

The “thank you” that she replies then launches the carnal side of their love story.

Discreetly but surely, episode 2 of the hit series "Normal People" participates in the writing of a new page in terms of the representation of intimacy on the screen: sexual consent is verbalized, shown and explained. an incredible sensuality.

Read also“We told you yes?

»: soon messages relating to sexual consent on the packaging of condoms?

Rarely have desire and pleasure been filmed so well.

Currently broadcast on Monday evenings on France 5 (and on the France TV Slash platform with all 12 episodes online), this adaptation of the eponymous novel published in 2018 by the Irish Sally Rooney is a slap in the face of caricatural representations of sexuality , on the big and small screen.

No, sexuality is not necessarily understanding each other without speaking, having the same desires at the same time, as if by magic.

Especially when it comes to a budding relationship.

Nothing cuter... than nudes exchanged with consent ❤️

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— france.tv (@francetv) February 17, 2022

“Normal People” is, in this, part of this new generation of post-MeToo series which integrates the notion of consent, which has been at the center of public debate in recent years.

She figures there through the ravages of her absence (with the “I May Destroy You” series, in particular) as through her benevolent apprenticeship (with the “Sex Education” series).

Another point in common between these three productions: they have all been a public success and hailed by critics.

1 in 6 women enter into sexuality through non-consensual intercourse according to #NousToutes

Of course, consent doesn't have to be “sensual” or “sexy,” as in “Normal People,” to be respected.

It is obvious.

Especially since, according to a survey by the feminist collective #NousToutes, dating from March 2020, “the entry of one in six women into sexuality is through a non-consented and desired relationship.

For 36% of these respondents, this report took place before they were 15 years old, ”specifies the document.

It is therefore a major issue, especially among adolescents: knowing how to express this consent and above all knowing how to hear it.

Because as the feminist associations say, “to give in is not to consent”.

And Marianne does not give in to Connell, she consents.

As for the sorrowful spirits lamenting that ensuring the free and enlightened adherence of his or her partner, before and during sexual intercourse, is as cold as the signing of a contract, let them watch these thirty minutes of l episode in question (if it is not the whole series recommended by our newspaper).

Will they dare to maintain this argument after watching the scene where the couple formed by Marianne Sheridan (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and Connell Waldron (Paul Mescal) make love for the first time?

Isn't that the perfect example of what all first times should be like?

Seconds, thirds and so on too…

I started Normal People and thank you for showing teens who clearly ask for consent when they have sex and/or when they do something during sex or preli (based on 'how are you?' 'do you like it? ' etc.)

— 🧹Witchy Penny🧙🏻‍♀️ (@satanpenny666) February 18, 2022

If the sex scenes are particularly successful, we owe it in particular to Ita O'Brien.

A Briton in her fifties who exercises a still recent profession: intimacy coordinator.

She worked on this series, but also on “Sex Education”.

His mission, on a set: to supervise these scenes of love and sexuality by having noted beforehand, thanks to the script, the passages where his intervention is necessary.

She must also ensure the consent of the actresses and actors.

They communicate to him their limits, which parts of their bodies can be touched or shown... Which plays, undeniably, on the quality and the great accuracy that emerges from "Normal People".

That's why you absolutely have to watch this episode 2 of the series, and show it to your teenagers.