Best Sex Education Episodes Ranked

Sex Education
Image sorce: Rolling Stone

Introduction

Bad news… Sex Education Season 4 will not be debuting this month. Firstly don’t panic. Netflix’s original show will be back for its potentially final season at some point. What better time is there to look back at the best episodes from Moordale High? Secondly, before, we get into the best Sex Education episodes here is some history about Netflix’s hit TV show.

History

Sex Education was created by Laurie Nunn and debuted in January 2019 to widespread praise. Because of its enormous popularity, Netflix renewed it for another 2 seasons. The show follows Otis Milburn, a student at Moordale High, grappling with being a great sex therapist. After convincing from his crush and ‘mean’ girl Maeve Wiley, she and Otis form a partnership to provide sex therapy to students. Apart from its great characters, Sex Education received praise from its casting and LGBTQIA+ themes and relationships. Given the sheer number of fantastic episodes Sex Education has, this was very difficult. Also, beware SPOILERS will be below so, without further ado, here are the best Sex Education episodes.

10. Season 1 Episode 2

I’d almost forgotten that Sex Education doesn’t have episode titles. Anyway, kicking off the list is the second episode from season 1. So, this episode’s highlights include Eric demonstrating fellatio with a banana, Otis giving therapy to a couple sitting in a bathtub, Aimee and Maeve talking about boys. Oh, this episode continues the development of the sex therapists: Otis and his mother Jean. Like most episodes in the show, there is a wonderful charm to this one.

9. Season 2 Episode 6

Coming up next on the best Sex Education episodes is Season 2 Episode 6 aka the Small Gathering episode. Because of Otis trying to show Eric and his girlfriend Ola that he can be relaxed, he wants to hold a small gathering at this house. Somehow this devolves into Adam insulting both Ola and Maeve. Other highlights include Otis worrying about Adam and Eric’s blooming relationship, Jackson’s injury revelation to Viv and Mr Groff getting revenge on Jean. Oh, and also the fact Otis thinks cooking roast chicken is chill. Never change, Otis.

8. Season 3, Episode 1

Next up on the best Sex Education episodes is the opener for the most recent series. Whilst Series 3 might have been more divisive than previous ones, the opener is still great. So, highlights include Otis trying to hide casual sex with Ruby, Jean driving past Jakob’s house all day as she is scared of telling him about her pregnancy and Jason Isaacs. Just the fact Jason Isaacs is in Sex Education is brilliant. Also, the episode does a great job at building up new head Hope Hadden as the villain.

7. Season 1, Episode 6

Coming in at number 7 on the best Sex Education episodes is Season 1, Episode 6. Why is this episode on the list? Well, amongst other things this episode delves into Otis’s past and why he struggled with sex. The answer? He saw his dad having sex with another woman when he was young. Damn. So, other highlights include Adam ‘winning’ an essay writing competition and the formation of the love triangle between Ola, Otis and Maeve. Also, the fact episodes directed by Kate Herron might be appearing more on this list.  

6. Season 3, Episode 5

Now, your love of this episode will depend on your love of Otis and Maeve’s will they/won’t they relationship. And the answer after 3 seasons is…… they will! Why did it take that long? Probably to annoy the fans. Anyway, to say this episode is only about Otis and Maeve would be doing it a disservice. Other highlights include Jackson and Cal hallucinating after taking magic mushrooms, Aimee and Maeve’s relationship being explored further. Oh, and also the infamous poo sock scene which is both funny and disgusting. There’s a certain expression that comes to mind because of something hitting the fan…….

5. Season 2, Episode 8

Right, this part is going to be fun. So, for those who don’t know, this is the episode where the internet wanted to do bad things to a man in a wheelchair. Basically, this episode sees Otis confess his love to Maeve in a voicemail only for her neighbour, Isaac, to delete it out of jealousy. Needless to say, this stirred up strong feelings. Apart from the voicemail, other highlights include Adam confessing his love to Eric, Otis standing up for his mother and Jackson and Viv. Just Jackson and Viv.

4. Season 2, Episode 7

Narrowly missing out on the top three best Sex Education episodes is Season 2 Episode 7. Obviously, the most important part of this episode is Olivia, Ola, Lily, Viv, Maeve and Aimee bonding over unwanted sexual advances in detention. For instance, this then helps Aimee to get back on the bus after a man masturbated on her leg earlier in the season. This episode also features the aftermath of Otis’s small gathering and finding out he slept with Ruby as well as great character development for Eric and Rahim.

3. Season 1, Episode 5

I did say there would be more Kate Herron episodes on this list? Anyway, this episode sees Otis caught between his friendship with Eric and his friendship with Maeve. So, after promising Eric he’d go and see the musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch, he leaves him to help Maeve clear her name from a private photo that was leaked. This decision alienates Eric from Otis and is wonderful storytelling. Other highlights include Maeve meeting Jackson’s parents and how the episode treats homophobic violence with care.

2. Season 1, Episode 1

So, here is the episode that launched Sex Education as all good season (and show) openers should, this episode hooks you in and gets you invested in the characters. After high school bully Adam finds out Otis’s mum is a sex therapist he tells the entire school causing Otis to flee. Because of the teacher, Maeve then comes after him. They both find Adam struggling to stay calm after taking 3 viagras. DAMN. So, with its engaging characters and narrative, this is easily one of the best Sex Education episodes. 

1. Season 1, Episode 3

And the best Sex Education episode is….. Season 1, Episode 3. So, this has everything you’d want out of a Sex Education episode. Now, this episode sees Maeve going to get an abortion. However, she doesn’t have anyone to pick her up afterwards. She then turns to Otis who, along with Eric, mistakenly believes she is asking him on a date. So, this leads to a funny moment where he turns up in a suit with flowers.

On top of this, the episode manages to be funny without taking anything away from the serious side. Also, this episode features Otis having a wet dream but he doesn’t tell his mother. Furthermore, it features the start of Jackson’s worries about swimming. Truly the best Sex Education episode.

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What are your thoughts on the best Sex Education episodes? Let me know in the comments below!