Ep 4. Cadie

Cadie is the fourth episode of the first season of Skins. The episode revolves around a teenage girl named Cadie who is suffering from mental illness and is seemingly unable to handle her emotions. Throughout the episode, she is shown struggling with her medication and dealing with her mother who appears to be neglectful and distant.

The episode begins with Cadie talking to her therapist, Dr. Foster, who prescribes her medication to help her cope with her anxiety and depression. Cadie is hesitant to take her medication but reluctantly agrees to give it a try. She then proceeds to narrate the events of her day, which include seeing her crush, Stanley, and her best friend, Michelle.

Cadie is portrayed as a sensitive and emotional character who is struggling to deal with her inner demons. She makes impulsive decisions and is heavily influenced by the people around her. Her crush, Stanley, shows her some attention and she becomes obsessed with him, ignoring the fact that he is in a committed relationship with Michelle.

Michelle, on the other hand, is portrayed as a carefree and reckless character. She is promiscuous and not afraid to use her sexuality to get what she wants. Cadie's relationship with Michelle is strained as she feels ignored and overshadowed by her friend's larger-than-life personality.

Throughout the episode, Cadie grapples with her mental illness and attempts to navigate her relationship with Stanley and Michelle. She takes her medication and decides to confront Michelle about her feelings of inadequacy in their friendship. The two girls have a heart-to-heart conversation, in which Michelle admits that she often feels jealous of Cadie's intelligence and sensitivity.

As the episode progresses, Cadie's mental state begins to deteriorate. She has a breakdown at school and ends up in the nurse's office. Her mother is called in, but she seems distant and unsympathetic towards her daughter's struggles. Cadie's relationship with her mother is strained, and they are often shown having cold and unemotional conversations.

In the end, Cadie decides to stop taking her medication and throws her pills away. She becomes increasingly agitated and steals a taxi, taking it on a joyride with Michelle and Stanley. The episode ends with Cadie crashing the taxi and running away into the night, leaving her friends behind.

Overall, Cadie is a thought-provoking and emotional episode that explores the issues faced by young people struggling with mental illness. The characters are complex and multidimensional, and the episode is a poignant reminder of the importance of seeking help when dealing with mental health issues.