Loveday Writing

Once Em installs the app, she stays up all night reading Sophie’s texts. Things eventually go pear-shaped when Em sees that Ravi and Sophie have been sending each other flirty messages and then sext each other. Ravi sent Sophie a picture of his butt crack, and Sophie a picture of her breasts in a bra that Em bought for her.

Greg and Em plan to ambush Sophie about the sexts, only to be surprised when she brings Ravi home with her after school, hinting that they are together. Em decides to have Greg talk to Ravi, and she’ll talk to Sophie. When Em talks to Sophie, they discuss sexting rationally and in great detail. Em discusses the real-world ramifications of sexting, while Sophie counters that she didn’t show her face and even if she were to face the consequences that Em described, it was her choice to send the sext to begin with. Sophie eventually reveals that she didn’t sext Ravi, rather she sent a picture of her bra on her knees, which look like breasts. Ravi also reveals to Greg that his photo was a picture of his elbow crease. Sophie reveals that both of them did this as she was aware that Em was spying on her, and that even if she had sexted Ravi, Em had no right to invade her privacy.

Ravi and Sophie joke about their plan and actually end up becoming a couple, with Sophie making the first move by kissing him.

Overall I enjoyed this subplot as it explored parental fears around mobile phone technology in a realistic manner, and focused on the issue of sexting in a realistic and thought-out manner, especially through Em and Sophie’s discussion.

The minor subplots of the episode were Chloe’s last-minute costume for Book Week, a clown from a picture book that was shown in an earlier episode, which wins her the “Best Costume Award”. Brad also turns to Marlo for advice on how to spice up his and Nadia’s sex life, which she assists him with by going to a lingerie store. Brad ends up buying underwear with Animal the Muppet on them, which says “Wild Thing.”

Overall I felt these minor subplots added a nice comedic balance to the Sophie subplot. I especially enjoyed the scenes with Marlo and Brad in lingerie store, and Chloe scaring Brad with her clown costume at the end of the episode.

Stray Observations:

-According to the texts Em read on Sophie’s phone, Lindsay and Georgia are on the rocks and Greg didn’t think Georgia was the right person for Lindsay. The fact that Em and Greg can casually have a conversation about Sophie’s gay friend, and actually support the relationship and Lindsay, shows how far television has come in its portrayal of LGBTIQ+ characters and relationships.

Best one liners and interactions:

• “Sergeant Cynical”, “Corporal Clueless” (The names that the host of the cyber-security information night calls Greg)
• “I thought meditation was suppose to help you relax, you look awful.” (Chloe to Em)
• “He’s kind, compassionate, a Star Wars fan.” (Greg describing Ravi’s good qualities to Em)
• “Which culture celebrates the arse crack?” (Greg to Em on Ravi’s sext)
• “For the record, I never thought Sophie would become a drug dealer or anything, Chloe on the other hand should be microchipped.” (Greg to Em)