Skins, Vol. 1

Rarely do you see a teen drama (or TV show for that matter) with such strong and instant character development. My friends pushed me into trying this series. I expected what you are probably expecting: shallow characters being pushed into cliche situations to the token theme of drugs, sex, and violence. And while there is certainly a fair amount of drugs, sex, and violence... there's also a riveting plotline and a great balance of comedy and drama.The characters from Skins really come to life, and each one (well Maxxie really gets the short end of the stick in Season 1 but all the others...) get a thorough character examination. You know what they love, what they hate, and you'd be suprised how Skins skirts the predictable checkbox character profile.I begrudgingly watched the first episode, and about 30 minutes in I was hooked. I made it halfway through Season 1 in a single night because it really hooks you on what is going to happen next.I also find myself applauding the writers and directors because they seem bound to follow the story wherever it leads, no matter which characters, come, go, die, live... lead character or not, they are all subject to the will of the plotline.As for it's US appeal... it is going to be a bit shocking to those who aren't familiar with British TV. It's certainly not for kids, and most Americans would consider in inappropriate for teens as well. If it were a movie in the US it would be rated R for sure. That being said the graphic content is organic for the most part and belongs in the plot. For the most part it's got enough mainstream appeal for the target audience on either side of the pond.I'm so glad I listened to my friends and gave it a try! I think you will be too!

This is my favorite show of all time. It will change your life. I only wish we had shows this good in America. :-(Anyway, I just wanted to offer a helpful tip for those of you who purchased Season 1 on DVD but are heartbroken over the deletion of the AMAZING final scene (where Sid and friends sing along to Cat Stevens' "Wild World"). If you buy the season or episode from Amazon's "Video On Demand" instant episodes section, rather than on DVD, that scene remains totally intact. :o) I recommend buying the season that way rather than on DVD - I mean, I honestly can't imagine the final episode having such an impact without that crucial, beautiful scene. For those of you who bought the DVD, I am truly sorry you got robbed! Buy the On Demand episode!! And by the way, the On Demand season is less than one third of the price of the DVD set ... and you can download it to your PC or TiVo!!Cheers,Lucy

Skins is a wild freewheeling party of a show that draws you in with the lurid title and hot actors and keeps you hooked with great, sometimes surreal storytelling. If these are typical British Teens than "God Save The Queen"! Everything in these characters lives revolves around sex, drugs, and partying which surprisingly doesn't instantly make you want to kill most of them. Some are pure evil (Tony) while others are complete angels (Jal), but most are in between young people trying to discover who they are and where they fit. All the adults in "skins" are as messed up as the kids, and the realism and care taken developing all the show's characters is commendable when the show probably could have skated by on its hot cast and been a lame 90210 rip-off. Religion, Metal Health, Body Image, Sexuality, Death. All are covered in Season 1. So sad this show's original cast only hung around for two years. They are two years well worth checking out, however!

only the first 2 volumes of this show are worth watching because only the first 2 have the original cast and no one beats them! this show is like a better, UK version of the US tv show Degrassi.

the first two series of 'skins' are full of creativity, pathos, and wonderful young actors. if you've seen the american version of skins on mtv, DO NOT judge this original version by that craptastic remake.the strides forward this show makes in the teenage dramedy genre can be compared to that of 'freaks and geeks.' it is a very different type of show from 'freaks and geeks', but like that show, it is full of the love and pain that goes along with growing up. in addition, it is truly funny.one caveat- this american dvd release does not include the final scene in the finale because they could not get the rights to the song that plays during the seen. this scene is not required to understand the finale, but it is awesome. look up "wild world skins" on youtube to see this final scene. otherwise, if you have an all-region dvd player, just buy the british release of the dvd.

This is a brilliant series about what it is like to be a teen today. The quality of acting and writing is consistently at the highest level. While the series is not judgmental about lifestyles and sexual preferences, it is very judgmental in well reasoned ways about the fate of the human psyche today. It is entertaining to the point of addictive, beautifully produced, and plotted with many surprises that are never contrived. I admit to a prurient fascination with the Hills, but the Hills is dull and dim witted by comparison. The content is adult and some scenes will push of buttons of puritans. But this is really not to be missed.

This show is REAL. It's scary. It's gritty. It's dirty. It's life.There are no excuses and there is nothing left out. No filler at all like most teen shows. Bravo to the BBC for being this brave and making a show like this one. Oftentimes, TV networks cower at the site of a controversial program and yank them from their time slots for fear of seeming too liberal and un-safe with their chosen line-up.People NEED to see this show.

Watched this when I was in high school. One of the reasons why I love and watch so much british t.v. to this day.Even my neighbor whose well into her 50's enjoyed the series.

Awesome!

One of the best teen dramas out there, and the only on pushing the limits on what can be shown on tv.

when I was 12