The versions that aired on BBC America and the DVD releases have been so emasculated by the removal of the original soundtrack and even the final scene of series 1, that I have to wonder why anyone would bother to watch them.

`Skins' is a comedy-drama that follows the adventures and misadventures of a group of community college students.
I classify `Skins' for mature audiences. A mature teen will enjoy the programs. Caution, there is adult language, drug use, and there are sexual situations. Also `Skins' is not a morality play - `bad' behavior does not necessarily have consequences outside the group of `Skins' characters.
The acting is wonderful, as good as entertainment gets.
Outstanding performances: Hannah Murray, playing `Cassie'. Joe Dempsie, playing `Chris'. I hated coming to the end of the second season, because it was so sad.
I cannot try to rank the characters. The performances of all are extraordinary.
My favorite character was `Cassie'...
You will laugh and cry at `Skins'. I recommend it very highly.

OK, so you take your wildest teenage escapades. And then you add them all up. And then times them by a factor of several. At which point you'll be somewhere in the vicinity of one episode of this series about British teenagers growing up in the city of Bristol. Nowhere near as flippant as it may first appear and nowhere near as far off the mark for some people I knew when growing up, this is still a flip out of a show where ridiculous caricatures promenade over the screen in cliched hysterical teenage style while at the same time these self-same characters command your attention as they run smack bang into all sorts of real life dramas such drug use/abuse, sexual awakenings and lessons in love. And that's the lighter bits!

The series revolves around a tight knit group and a few other peripheral members of the crew. The writers of this were certainly spot on regarding the way teenagers clump together for self affirmation and to find a sense of belonging. As the series progresses the characters are fleshed out and the episodes certainly pack a lot into them given how well you feel you know them all by the journeys end.

Of course this sort of stuff isn't going to be everyones cup of tea. These kids certainly can cuss with the best of 'em and the blantant drug use, open homosexuality and narcissistic cod philosophy of some of the characters will all grate with anyone with any puritanical leanings. Or with anyone squeemish about the above topics. Those with more open constitutions or those who can identify with many of the personality types and their motivations will probably get more out of it as will anyone who has known - and perhaps lost - friends and acquantances to the fast lane.

A collection of nicely realised vignettes highlighting a number of social issues all within a madcap not-quite-serious yet not-quite-joking style what won't appeal to all. But some beautifully drawn character and motivation studies of some tragically broken creatures holding it together through collective strength. And if you like this series definitely get series two as well where certain plot threads move ever deeper into the darkness as the solidarity of the group fractures and members get isolated from that group strength and suffer the consequencs. But that's another story.

Skins - Vol. 1Skins, Vol. 2

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.

I've read all the reviews about the sex and the drugs and the nudity, etc. etc....but that is so not what makes this show stand out. It's the intelligence and care that is put into every aspect of the production. I have not seen a tv show about teens handled this well since "My So Called Life" was taken off the air. This show is so beyond the inane drivel that passes for the life of the American teen we get here in The States.

The cast is outstanding. They are not just a bunch of pretty faces cobbled together with hopes that they will create a following on thier good looks and fashion sense. These kids are individually interesting. They act like seasoned pros and are given ample room to shine.

And...I have to say the writing was such a huge surprise to me. As I'm watching each episode, I've come to realize that where an American show would dumb it down, or take one idea or emotional issue and make a full hour of tv out of it, Skins just takes every idea as far as it will go. Just when you think an episode is about to end it takes off in another surprising and intelligent direction. The writing and directing is so emotionally precise and magnetic you are just unable to look away. Each episode is like a mini movie...the level of care on every aspect from character, soundtrack, emotion, writing, directing, cinematography, editing, etc etc is something we just don't get on American television anymore.

My only disappointment is that British tv shows that I love only seem to last about two seasons, which is just so sad. I could have definitely followed this lot into adulthood. I want to continue to laugh and cry with these kids....they're so interesting to watch.