The British TV show, "Skins," a brutally realistic show about Bristol, UK teenagers, began its second season on BBC America on Oct. 11, and in an interesting twist, the leader of the teens, Tony, played by Nicholas Hoult, (pictured) was struck by a car at the end of last season and is now trying to reconnect with his friends amidst memory loss, a limp and inability to use his hands very well anymore.I call it an interesting twist because the Tony character was more than just the leader. He is smart, good-looking, always got the girl (or boy) kid, who cooked up many parties and other schemes for the other teens, while being seen as a wunderkind by the adults in the show (mostly parents and teachers).
Sunday's episode did a good job, I think, of not sugarcoating what faces someone who's experienced a major head injury. He obviously isn't going to make a miraculous recovery, soap opera style. In fact, it's unclear if he will be able to return to school because of his cognitive impairments. I hope the show doesn't go for a quick recovery or even any recovery because the show appears to trying to deal with his disability in a realistic way. Something that TV needs more of.
You can read a NY Times article about the first season of "Skins" here.
