effy stonem (+freddy) | then there's you

Funny how you can listen for the same song for years, and then one day you see it differently. I now see it as someone who is battling depression and who falls in love. So of course, I thought of Effy. Explanations below for those who are not familiar with the show. ↓↓↓ -------------- ▬ SKINS ▬ : Skins was a British teen drama that followed the lives of a group of teenagers in Bristol, South West England, through the two years of sixth form. Its controversial storylines have explored issues such as dysfunctional families, mental illness (such as eating disorders and bipolar disorder), adolescent sexuality, substance abuse, death and bullying. ▬ EFFY STONEM ▬ : In the third series, for which Effy became a central character, she developed into something of a femme fatale, and the rebel of Roundview College. Despite Effy's usual composure, she soon becomes "off the rails" after her parents' split, and the love triangle created by herself between classmates Freddie McClair and James Cook, once close friends before their rivalry over Effy pushed them apart. Of the two, she loves Freddie more, but is afraid of dealing with real love, so she instead goes after Cook. Her mother justifies Effy's behavior to by saying that "showing her cards scares her to death". Effy's state is also exacerbated by Tony's absence, as he had proved to be a stabilizing force in her life. In her eponymous episode in season three, Effy is depicted at her most fragile state: she appears completely withdrawn from the world, participates in mindless sex with Cook and takes uncharacteristically little care in her appearance, appearing tired and fatigued. These factors hint at the development of Effy's depression, which will descend into full-blown psychosis in the next series. In the fourth series, she returns to Bristol after being away in Venice for the summer. She and Freddie begin their relationship again deciding that she loves him, thus letting go of Cook for good. She begins to have manic episodes and delusional symptoms and Freddie realizes that Effy has developed psychotic depression.