Ep 7. Grace

Grace is the seventh episode of the fifth season of the British teen drama series, Skins. The episode revolves around the character of Grace, who is shown to be a popular and ambitious student at Roundview College. Grace is highly dedicated to her studies, especially to her plans of studying medicine at a prestigious university. She is also in a budding romance with Rich, who is her polar opposite and a rebel without a cause.

The episode opens with Grace being rushed to the emergency room after collapsing during an exam. The cause of her sudden collapse remains a mystery as the doctors' run tests on her. Her friends and family, including Rich, her father, and sister, are all worried about her health and try to find out what caused her sudden collapse.

As Grace lies in the hospital bed, the episode takes a deep dive into her psyche, as we are shown several flashbacks from her past. The flashbacks primarily explore her upbringing and her relationship with her religiously conservative parents, who have pushed her to be perfect in every way. We see glimpses of Grace's tumultuous relationship with her parents, who are overly controlling and often pass judgment on everything she does.

Meanwhile, Rich is struggling to cope with the possibility of losing Grace. He spends most of his time waiting at the hospital, trying to gather any information from the doctors and nurses about Grace's condition. He is also tormented by his past decisions and the guilt of having cheated on Grace with another girl.

As the episode progresses, we see Grace's friends and family come together to show their support for her. Her father, who has been distant from her, makes an unexpected appearance at the hospital and shares a tender moment with her. Her best friend, Liv, who is shown to be a party girl, puts aside her wild ways and shows her vulnerable side, revealing how much Grace means to her.

The episode is packed with emotional scenes that explore the depth of Grace's relationships with her family, friends, and Rich. It also delves into the theme of mortality, as Grace confronts the possibility of her own death. Through Grace's struggles, the episode also highlights the pressures and expectations that teenagers face in today's society and the toll it takes on their mental and physical wellbeing.

In conclusion, Grace is a poignant and touching episode of Skins that focuses on the character of Grace and her journey through a health crisis. The episode beautifully captures the emotional turmoil that Grace and her loved ones go through, and leaves viewers with a sense of empathy and compassion for the characters. With strong performances from the cast and a tightly woven script, the episode stands out as one of the most poignant and memorable episodes in the series.