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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