Ep 7. Effy

Effy Stonem is the focus of this episode of Skins, as she experiences a difficult period in her life. Effy is struggling with her parents' divorce and their newfound happiness with new partners. She also begins to feel isolated from her friends, feeling as though they have all moved on without her.

At school, Effy is paired with a new student, JJ, for a school project. JJ is immediately smitten with Effy, but she rebuffs him at every turn, still mourning her previous crush on Freddie, who is now dating her best friend, Pandora.

Effy's struggles continue at home, where her mother is planning a wedding with her new partner, John Foster. Effy feels like an outsider in her own home, unable to connect with her mother or John and feeling like she doesn't belong.

As the episode progresses, it becomes clear that Effy is suffering from depression and that her behavior is becoming increasingly erratic. She begins to skip school and spend her days lying in bed, lost in thought. She also begins to engage in risky behavior, like stealing and running away from home.

JJ, who has been trying to connect with Effy throughout the episode, finally breaks through to her when he confesses his own struggles with mental illness. He tells her that he has obsessive-compulsive disorder, and that he understands what it's like to feel like an outsider. Effy is moved by JJ's vulnerability and the two share a brief moment of intimacy.

However, Effy's condition continues to deteriorate and she eventually suffers a breakdown, ending up in the hospital. Her family and friends are shaken by the severity of her illness, and they rally around her to offer their support.

The episode ends with Effy in the hospital, receiving treatment for her depression. She is surrounded by her loved ones and seems to be on the path to recovery, although it's clear that she has a long road ahead of her.

Overall, "Effy" is a powerful and deeply emotional episode of Skins that explores the often-overlooked issue of mental illness in young people. It's a testament to the show's ability to tackle difficult subjects in a thoughtful and nuanced way, and to the powerful performances of Kaya Scodelario and Daniel Kaluuya, who play Effy and JJ, respectively.