If you’ve watched the UK drama Skins starring actors Kaya Scodelario, Nicholas Hoult, Hannah Murphy, and Jack O’Connell, you know who Effy Stonem is. Even if you haven’t seen the actual show, you probably have seen gifs of her character quotes on websites like Tumblr.
I started watching the show in late 2016, after my close friend introduced me and a bunch of others while hanging out one day. I was instantly hooked to the characters that the show offered. However, one character that I felt a kindred spirit with was Effy, the younger sister of Tony Stonem and one of the leading characters in series two.
Looking at Effy’s evolution (Yes, I've finished Series Two), I find myself relating even more to her than I did when she first appeared. Granted, I do not live the hedonistic lifestyle that she does with drugs and nonstop partying; however I can relate to the heart of her so much. Effy’s heart is one of beauty, masked by pain and walls. Effy does not want anyone to see her in her rawest form; because to her, that expresses weakness and vulnerability. Effy is a “femme fatale” as the series loves to bill her, and her "to-hell-with-it-all" attitude is something that was so distinctly hers throughout her run.
I have struggled with depression my entire life. I look at Effy, and part of me wants to shield her like a little sister. I want to hug her and read books to her while trying to keep her demons away. The other half of me wants to talk to her about them, because I know the feeling of trying to get away from the demons that exist in your head. Watching Effy totally deteriorate mentally was something that broke my heart, because I too have felt that deterioration. Even though I have never gone into full-blown psychosis, like she did. It was amazing to watch her go from so seemingly normal to so off-kilter so quickly.
Effy’s character fits the show because she becomes the mystery. Unlike Pandora Moon, who is basically an open book from the start, Effy takes a very long time to peel back and see what she’s hiding. We all know, as viewers, that Effy’s declining. We also know that she’s a genuinely good person who doesn’t seem able to handle the decline. We also know that her drug and alcohol consumption, and casual sex with characters like Cook and Freddie, are to mask the true feelings from coming up and showing themselves. When Anthea, Effy’s mom, says, “she just smiled that Effysmile. That means you don’t know me and you never will,” we confirm that Effy will never fully be explained. She will only be shown in pieces, like we show ourselves.
Honestly, I even think that part of the reason that I, and so many others, are so intrigued by Effy is because of the life she lives. Who doesn’t want to live a life where tomorrow isn’t on your mind? Who doesn’t want to live the moment, feel every bit of electricity that runs through your veins? Take Effy’s illicit activities of the equation, and she still tries to live for the moment. Who doesn’t want the lifestyle of living for today, not worrying about the consequences of tomorrow?
Effy is not inherently bad, or even “psycho” as many view her. She’s a young woman who faces emotions that no person should ever have to handle. She needs help to get through life, like most do. Her character lends itself well to putting a face on psychosis, and in doing so, not glamorizing mental illness. She’s a person. She’s not a menace.
So, as I continue the series, I’ll remember that even though Effy is technically younger than me (I’m 21 as I watch this), the issues that teenagers and adults face (even if the age gap is only a few years) are universal. I am partially Effy Stonem, and Effy Stonem is partially me.
The truth is, I think parts of Effy are in all of us.
