TV Drama: Critical Study

Skins, S03, E01

Breif Episode Synopsis:
The episode is based around the first day at Roundview College for eight characters. JJ, Cook and Freddie become mesmerised by the beautiful Effy, who sets the trio a challenge: Whoever breaks all of the college rules first gets to 'know her better'. Meanwhile, dominant twin Katie arrives at college in style, and walks all over her quiet twin, Emily. Naomi faces up to some old rumours about her sexuality from Katie, who claims Naomi came onto her sister. Eccentric Pandora is dead set on losing her virginity, and has trouble settling in. Cook completes Effy's challenge by having sex with her, leaving Freddie disappointed.

COSTUME:
At 14.13 minutes, we see Effy and Pandora entering their college for the first time, and as we watch them walk in, their is a very noticeable difference in the clothing of the two best friends. This moment emphasises Effy's fashionable, cool status and Pandora's childish appearance in comparisson. She is wearing her traditional black beauty outfit for her course - but the trousers are too short for her, exposing ankles and then clumpy, childish yellow trainers. Next to Effy's sleek fishnets and black shoes, Pandora looks pathetic. She is also holding (not sshouldering like Effy) her bag, a very girly pink rucksack, and her pink vanity case, again for the beauty couse, in her left hand. the clash of pink and yellow is very little girly and makes it obvious that Pandora does not care about fashion or looking cool - she may have all her clothes bough for her by her mother. The contrast between Effy and Pandora's hair, too, shoes the naivity of Pandora's character: Effy's is sleek and loose, whilst hers is up in two bunches clasped with fruit bobbles (in manner of an eight year old). We can decipher from this scene between Effy and Pandora that Pandora has probably had these garments since she was a little girl, and is obvlivious to current fashion.