Subjective Passage of Time in SEX EDUCATION
or, how 'three dots during sexting' demonstrates time dilation
CW: the following video and screengrabs contain some nudity (boobs, butt, pubic hair, and barely-obscured-penis-and-front-bits which pays off a few episodes later)
This sequence from Sex Education 4.01 makes us understand how time feels like it is passing for Otis and Maeve.
Otis’s Events and Shots
Once Maeve sends Otis a photo, he knows he has to reciprocate. So he:
gets undressed
takes several photos
tries different positions
trims with scissors
is unhappy with his trim job
gets out a razor and shaving cream*
shaves
takes more photos
tries more positions
gets dressed again
types
finally, despairingly, gives up
Every cut back to Otis finds him not only in different physical positions, but different places: on his bed, posing in a mirror, in front of his computer, in his bathroom, back on the bed.
He’s doing a lot, and he’s nervous, so we see him in a lot of places and wardrobe changes, all with quick, frenetic movements and edits.
Maeve’s Events and Shots
Meanwhile, Maeve remains in one place: her boring dorm hallway, locked out by her roommate who she can hear having sex offscreen.** The shots of Maeve change angles, but make it clear she isn’t moving, but waiting in anticipation.
The Effects
Juxtaposing changing positions, locations, and activities of Otis with not-changing position, location, and activity of Maeve is where the sequence gets its drama and comedy —
all punctuated with a fun title reveal which manages to be both vertical (if you think about it in relation to the wall) and horizontal.
You know, like sex!
Asides
*Otis using old-school foam with a brush to whip up the lather doesn’t just feel like a character beat, but also gives a ‘beat it’ joke while heightening the “oh my god this is taking FOREVER” comedy
**Maeve hearing the sexual paces of her roommate adds to her sexual frustration as well as the “oh my GOD this is taking forever” horror