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'Skins': MTV gives us the full moon with 'Chris'
It seems like MTV didn't totally back off (pun intended) in its episode focusing on Chris (played by Jesse Carere) in "Skins."
After reports that executives were asking producers for edits to a scene of Chris naked from behind, the network went forward on showing the backside nudity. We can't be sure, but the shot was a medium one from a distance. So, maybe, the close-up shots were edited out in a compromise? Again, we can't be sure.
After skewing from the original series in Episode 2 when it focused on Tea (Sofia Black D'Elia), the lesbian character who replaced the U.K.'s gay Maxxie, "Skins" returned to basically following the original for the "Chris" episode. If Tea's heavy-handed, bi-curious storyline is an indication of what the New York writers come up with when they're in charge, it was probably best that the series returned to the original's framework.
Chris is the tragic story of the group. He's the moral message that no matter what a kid does, he doesn't deserve to be abandoned by his parents. While we watched the original series, it was at this point that we were hooked. It was after Chris' episode when we knew we wouldn't be happy if we stopped watching.
In MTV's version, Chris' mother disappears leaving a wad of money in her place. Chris and the gang party it off until he realizes that his mother isn't returning. His father, apparently, isn't an option. He has pretty much disowned Chris (who we found out has a brother who died) and started a new family. He then turns to his crush at school, Tina - his love-challenged and lonely teacher! We end with her taking him in for a few days, but standing at the door with lust in her eyes! Judging by the way we still track Mary Kay Letourneau, we're sure this plot turn will ruffle some feathers.
But, honestly we can now say that we gave MTV's version a chance and that this episode wasn't bad (the Tea episode wasn't that horrible, just really contrived). The thing is we don't pride ourselves on watching series that we don't believe are great. And if it weren't for the fact that it's our job, we wouldn't feel bad leaving the series at this point.
We may be the only ones. Did Chris draw you in?
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Photo/Video credit: MTV
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bryan elsley wrote tea's episode, not any of the new york writers. it's not until next week's episode (cadie's) that we see a 100% original american screenplay for the series.
US series seriously its just UK with different people playing the same characters... Since the comment before this says the next ep is original i may tune in but really do they think ppl will tune in to see pretty much the exact same story but worse.
When I first heard about this US remake, I was like, I'm going to hate this. I really tried to watch this show. The first ep. was crap. The second was okay. But this episode is just complete sh*t, I had to pause because it just felt so incredibly wrong. I can't help but compare the two and the UK version is just the real 'right' version. For this particular ep I think Joseph Dempsie should get the credit, he was an awesome Chris.
What were they thinking remaking a great show like this? I am so glad I can stop watching this show, and continue with the UK version, season 5.
Just watch series 5 on youtube. First episode was great! Look up the promo/trailer as well and see what the real 'Skins' is like.
The series might be awful but I think it's because a myriad of people are comparing it to the original- even though they can't help it. The truth is the series plot might be identical to the UK version but weak, the characters might be fallible and the show might be dubbed dreadful. But we'll never enjoy it or see the little glimpses of brilliance, if people perpetually compare it to the UK version.
It's
like having a potentially awesome partner but never realising it because they're are being compared with an ex.
The crew and executives of Skins need to get the main star James Newman into acting classes immediately. And I know what I'm talking about. Pretty much every other actor adds life to their scripted lined but it sounds like James just reads them verbatim in his dull monotone voice and adds nothing and no emotion and no subtlety to his lines. And he tries way way too hard to be cool. Truly cool characters will not have to try so hard -- it would be a confidence below the surface. He seems to be always trying to look cool. Take many intensive acting courses, my friend. Acting is not at all about getting through your lines of dialogue. Your character has no emotional subtlety or nuances. You sound like a real douche trying to keep your access to the popular click when you speak. Listen closer to your fellow actors and try to pick up tricks from how they turn their character into a real 3 dimensional human being.