“Sex (Re) Education: Season One” TV Series Review

Season One of the French comedy series “Sex (Re)Education” (originally titled “Septieme Ciel”) hits the sweet spot for relatable, engaging character comedy. The premise of playful sex and budding romance at a senior living home could easily have veered into a couple of extremes – cloying sentimentality, or raunchy wisecracking akin to “The Golden Girls”.  I feared the former; might have enjoyed the latter, and was completely satisfied with this relatively low-key middle ground.

The series opens with cranky old Jacques (Feodor Atkine) being shunted to private care for her house by his daughter (Irene Jacob), largely because he can’t stand her husband of 20 years, and his wife’s death two years earlier ramped up deployment of his curmudgeonly side. He wanted no part of senior living, despite the upscale look and amenities of the facility until approached by coquettish Rose (Sylvie Granotier), who arouses an attitudinal 180… among other things. So he stays.

Though Jacques and Rose anchor the ten half-hour episodes, we meet quite an array of odd characters and situations among residents and staff to share the entertainment load. The place is run by a hapless fellow (Jean-Louis Garcon) who’d rather be an entertainer than an administrator, seemingly incapable of noticing that his perky assistant (Peggy Martineau) has the hots for him. Another worthy story arc comes from the slacker of an intern (Justine Lacroix) who gradually grows into her position. Jacques’ daughter is almost as fed up with hubby as her dad, and finds a possible upgrade in the facility’s awkwardly shy, handsome doctor.

A number of secondary characters make solid contributions, with considerable tension coming from the loutish regional boss (Hubert Delattre) to whom several homes must report. There’s also meat on the bones of the scripts, covering real-life issues from understaffing, to infantilizing the patients, to acknowledging they still have sexual desires making such homes hotbeds for STDs. They also do a nice job with the uncomfortable adjustments to this stage of life for both the parents and their progeny. One highlight lies in Episode Six, during which two nurses struggle to teach their charges about safe sex. You’ll like where that leads.

We see portions of sex stuff, but no nudity and not much profanity in the mix. Season One ends with some unresolved issues, but not to worry. Season Two aired in France last November and will surely follow this excellent addition to our streaming options sooner, rather than later.

3.5 out of 4 stars

“Sex (Re) Education: Season One”, mostly in French with subtitles, streams on MHz Choice on February 11, 2025.

https://mhzchoice.com/portfolio/february-11-sex-re-education