Didn't disappoint, didn't deliver. It's got potential.

gabby-chung13

First of all, I'd like to say that I'm not biased. I've watched the UK Skins from series 1-4. In my opinion, this review will be the fairest for people who have never seen either version yet. --

Alright; like my summary says: Skins MTV didn't disappoint, but it also didn't deliver. It has a lot of potential, as far as plot goes.

My initial reaction to the trailer was "Oh God, this will be terrible!". I had been in love with Skins UK for a few years beforehand, and the thought of a "copy-cat" was very unwelcome.

To be honest, watching Pilot USA for the first time, I was actually impressed. I thought that the introductions of each character was absolutely nailed, especially by Tony who had to use the same script as the original - a script catered to British lingo. Things looked a little less absurd and a little more believable (come on, compare the drug dealers in each version!) than the original. Sure, the characters look completely different - but it is, after all, a different show. Where the USA version lost kudos points for me, is around halfway through Pilot. The acting at some points were good, but at other points were terrible. All in all, though; you can really tell that the show has been 'Americanized', despite having the same script. Job well done, I believe.

As for the controversial gay Maxxie being swapped for a lesbian Tea; I really think that was a good move on the producer's part. Yes, I do believe that it was done to give the male audience something titillating to look at and muse about (lesbianism seems to make more headway with the Hollywood airtime than 'gay-ness'); but what it provided was an opportunity for Skins USA to have some originality, despite being a spin-off. It's the first thing that really allows them to branch off into a different direction than the UK version (obviously, putting Tea's episode as the second episode was strategic as well).

Speaking of the second episode, which I will touch only briefly on: I do think that the acting was much worse than the first episode, but that is up to the actors and director to fix. The plot in the second episode was terrific! It has the typical drug-abuse, alcohol, and sex; reinforcing that theme; yet showed very good character development for only one show. In that episode, focused around Tea, we not only learn much about this new interesting character, but about how the others behave in different environments as well.

Being a long term Skins fan, I believe that Skins USA has great potential. In all honesty, I think that those who are giving bad reviews to the show are just spiteful because they see their favourite show being "commandeered" by Americans. Before you become offended, seriously think about that statement. It holds some truth.

Well done, 8/10.

I can't stress enough - in order for this show's success, the acting really needs to be picked up. (We haven't seen much of Eura yet, but I believe she also needs to work on her character to be as wonderful as Effy was)

score 8/10

gabby-chung13 28 January 2011

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw2378191/