Sex/Life
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Sex/Life is a mature drama about Billie, a suburban mother and wife to a wealthy investment banker, who pines after her ex-boyfriend because of waning sexual passion in her marriage. The stories of her past relationship, as well as the early days of her relationship with her husband, are primarily told through flashback vignettes accompanying a present-day timeline. As the name implies, nudity and graphic sex scenes are constantly present, and characters drink alcohol and use vulgar language ("s--t," "f--k"). The show glamorizes sexual and emotional abuse as well as risky behaviors; in one episode, the main character and her husband break into a mansion and outrun the police during a car chase simply for the excitement of doing so, which is suggested to be beneficial to their marriage. This event sends a confusing message for impressionable viewers who see the characters face no consequences for their actions.
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5 out of 5
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So much promise and such disappointment
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What's the Story?
Eight years ago, Billie made the choice between SEX/LIFE, and she chose a life with Cooper, a straight-laced, rich, and conventionally attractive man. They moved to the suburbs into a multimillion-dollar home and had two beautiful, healthy children. Her husband remains faithful and gainfully employed. Cooper enjoys spending time with Billie's parents and is a caring, thoughtful father. Theoretically, Billie has everything she needs in her life, but she's not happy. What's missing is the heart-pounding rush of sexual chemistry she had with her ex-boyfriend Brad. To express this, she writes out detailed accounts of her sexual past with Brad in a journal on her laptop. When her husband finds the journal, he takes it as a subliminal message to try and give Billie the romance and passion that their marriage is missing. This coincides with Brad suddenly calling and texting Billie after eight years of silence, even though she repeatedly asks him to leave her alone. Whether she wants to be or not, Billie is enthralled by this contact, and must once again choose between the sex she had with Brad or the life she has with Cooper and their children.
Is It Any Good?
This epitomizes trash TV; it's a soapy melodrama could be interpreted either as emotional or hilarious depending on the viewer's interpretation. Many have already compared Sex/Life to the 50 Shades of Grey series, which explores similar themes and also features graphic sex scenes. Sex/Life takes things a step further, though, by involving an additional main character in Billie and Brad's entanglements. Billie isn't the only one hurt by Brad's manipulation -- her husband is too. Billie's husband Cooper is an admittedly boring character, but Billie knew that when she married him. This makes her condemnation of her husband's lack of flaws particularly confusing. Billie repeatedly says that Cooper isn't doing anything wrong, but almost seems upset with him for not giving Billie a reason to be unhappy. In addition, Billie often turns to her friend Sasha to discuss the latest developments of her situation, but she absolutely refuses to make more of an effort to practice open communication in her marriage. It's possible to attribute some of Billie's unhealthy resentment to the lasting effects of a traumatic relationship with Brad, but problems arise Billie starts using her sexual fantasies about another man as a weapon.
The most disturbing part of Sex/Life isn't the graphic sex scenes or nudity so constant it's deeply uncomfortable to watch, it's the fact that nearly every character uses their sexual thoughts or actions as a tool to cause harm to others. Whether engaging in sex acts as a form of revenge or manipulation or as simple as making derogatory comments about another's sexual desires, it's astounding how much of the plot relies on characters using sex as a method of exerting power over someone else. There's an argument for saying these plotlines are so absurd that any harm they could realistically cause is worth downplaying, but there's a difference between a guilty-pleasure, escapist TV show and one that centers on sex as a shameful and hurtful act.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about "trash TV." What does that term mean, and does anyone in your family enjoy "trashy" shows? Which ones? What makes a show "trashy," and do they offer any benefits to viewers?
Talk about communication in relationships. Throughout the season, Billie and Cooper's problems are continually escalated by their inability to talk to each other about their feelings. We see that this behavior hurts both of them, so how can you practice healthy communication skills not only with a romantic partner but also with your friends and family?
TV Details
- Premiere date: June 25, 2021
- Cast: Sarah Shahi, Adam Demos, Mike Vogel
- Network: Netflix
- Genre: Drama
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Last updated: February 28, 2022
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