Saturday, June 14, 2014

Relationship Spotlight: Tony Stonem & Sid Jenkins (Skins (U.K.))

 
For seven seasons, Skins dealt in relationships.  Each generation of the series focused on a different group of friends, and during its run, the show gave us great romances (Emily and Naomi, Rich and Grace,) friendships (Anwar and Maxxie, Alo and Rich,) and sibling relationships (Tony and Effy, or Katie and Emily.)  Perhaps none, though, are more interesting than the dynamic, dysfunctional friendship between Tony and Sid in the first two seasons.
 
I touched on Sid and Tony back when I wrote about Skins during Capaldi Fall, but they’re due for their own post.  Unlike other relationships I’ve highlighted here, I like this duo more for their watchability and dramatic potential than anything else.  While they definitely have strong moments together (like Sid helping Tony when Effy is in trouble, and of course their last scene in series 2,) their relationship is often destructive in a way you don’t see in many TV friendships.
 
With Tony and Sid, there’s a perfect storm of temperaments.  Tony is charismatic, commanding, and manipulative, whereas Sid is insecure, unambitious, and something of a doormat.  As such, they foster a dynamic in which Sid is easily led by Tony into doing stupid stuff, either for Tony’s benefit (buying drugs) or just for his amusement (playing into the drama with Michelle that Tony intentionally stirs up.)  Tony frequently gets Sid into trouble while he skates by unscathed, and he constantly insults Sid, calling him a loser, an idiot, a virgin, and an all-around screw-up.
 
It’s the clearest fictional example I’ve seen of an abusive friendship, or at least the makings of one.  Tony isn’t violent with Sid, but he has all the power in the relationship, often controls Sid’s actions and movements, and interferes in Sid’s other relationships.  Sid isn’t the only one at the mercy of Tony’s whims; Michelle is similarly caught up, and finds herself similarly coming back to Tony even when she knows he’s not good for her, but she has slightly more resolve than Sid.
 
I’m not sure if it was always the writers’ plan, or if they realized mid-season that Tony was simply too unlikeable, but series 2 feels like a course correction when it comes to Tony’s relationships with Sid and others.  The show literally knocks some sense into him and shakes up all the power dynamics.  This is, first of all, rife with drama – Tony no longer knows how he fits anywhere, and Sid doesn’t know how to relate to his friend anymore.  It also allows them to, slowly, develop something a little more equitable.  They argue, sometimes fiercely, rather than a defeated Sid taking all the crap the overpowering Tony dumps on him.  They wrestle with renegotiating their relationship, wishing it could be simpler but knowing it can’t.  They speak honestly about where they’ve been and where they’re going, Tony is forced to acknowledge how much he needs Sid in his life, and he comes through for Sid in ways he often didn’t in series 1.
 
Is this romanticized, the platonic version of a Nice Girl redeeming a Bad Boy?  Would it be more honest to show their relationship spiraling downwards?  Should we root for Sid to get out, because Tony only plays the part of the good friend when he wants to?  I’m not sure.  I generally like redemption arcs to be long and filled with struggles, and even then, I’m wary of other characters falling back into old relationships.  On the other hand, Tony’s circumstances in series 2 are extreme, and though he works to regain his old self, the Tony who ultimately comes out of the rubble is different.  All I know for sure is that I love these two.  They’re fascinating, they’re my favorite part of gen 1, and their final scene together is one of the best in the whole series.

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