WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Sex Education.
The cast of Sex Education shot an alternate ending for season 2. Netflix’s teen comedy drama debuted in 2019 and became one of the streaming giant’s most watched shows for that year. Now, it’s back for its second year, reuniting fans with Otis (Asa Butterfield), Maeve’s (Emma Mackey), Eric (Ncuti Gatwa), and the rest of Moordale High. The eight-episode sophomore season ended on another cliffhanger which could understandably frustrating for some. Apparently, the cast and crew also filmed a different version of the show’s latest parting sequence.
In the winding moments of Sex Education season 2, Otis seeks out Maeve in the hopes of finally getting together. His boldness stems from sending the voice message beforehand, professing his love for her. However, in the classic case of bad timing, he arrives at the campsite minutes after Maeve left. Instead of waiting for her, Otis reached out Isaac (George Robinson) and asked him to tell Maeve that he came by and to check her voice messages. Despite Isaac assuring Otis that he’ll do just that, he went behind both of their backs, listened to the said message and deleted it right after. The season ended with a shot of Otis and Maeve walking to opposite directions – both of them smiling.
Ending Sex Education season 2 with a cliffhanger reminiscent of season 1’s finale may be annoying to some. Creator and writer Laurie Nunn tells BT that this was always the ending they intended for the show’s sophomore year, but director Ben Taylor reveals that they filmed an alternate version just for fun. While it would’ve still featured the main show leads walking in different directions, “it finishes on a single slow-mo tracking shot of each of them. Even with no dialogue Asa and Emma are incredible.” Apparently, this version would’ve given the impression that the pair’s paths have just crossed and they are looking at each other which isn’t really the case. Taylor acknowledges this (even the actors were pissed about this as well), but explains why they didn’t have the pair come together in the finale.
“I think about it all the time, because you want [the show] to be satisfying and nourishing and all the right things. They don’t get it [in the ending], but five minutes before on screen, Eric gets a moment with Adam which for me is one of the greatest romantic gestures. [Eric and Adam] get it. They get their moment. But if you go around and give everyone their moment it may get a bit sugary.”
Using this alternate ending would’ve presumably drawn more ire from the audience, who’s already frustrated that Otis and Maeve continue to miss each other as this gives the false hope coming into season 3. Unlike season 1, Sex Education season 2 kept the pair mostly apart as they tackled with their respective issues – Otis was busy sorting out his relationship with Ola (Patricia Allison), while Maeve dealt with the return of her problematic mother. Even when they decided to restart their sex therapy business, not much came out of it. Other than their short encounters in school, there were really only two big moments that only involved them: when Otis handed Maeve her birthday present and when they came clean about their feelings for each other.
Who knows if Sex Education season 3 will finally bring Otis and Maeve together? The show is executing the classic will-they/won’t-they approach. Couple that with the betrayal of Isaac in the finale, and fans can expect a more complicated dynamic next season. It’s clear that the pair is the show’s endgame, but viewers might have to endure a few more snafus before things finally align in their favor.
