#SpoilerAlert: Here's what happens to our favourite 'Sex Education' characters at the end of the final season

We binge-watched the fourth and final season of Sex Education on Netflix this weekend and wondered if the series got the climax it deserved. After all, we have closely followed the lives of the Moordale Secondary School students—Otis, Maeve, Eric, Adam, Ruby, and the rest of the gang—and seen them pour their hearts out as they explored and experienced love, life and sex. 

At the end of season three, we were wondering if these characters would have anything to do in the upcoming season because there was already so much that had happened. With the fourth season done and dusted we’ve finally got the answers to many questions and here’s what we think about it. 

Do Otis and Maeve end up together?

 

The short and not-so-sweet answer is, no. But we certainly feel that what happened between the two is for the best. Towards the end of the season finale, we see that Maeve is conflicted about returning to the USA for studies after her mother’s death, but Jean encourages her to follow her dreams. Knowing that she must go back, she proposes the long-distance relationship idea to Otis. However, Otis is not keen on it and the duo part ways on a good note—they sleep together for the very first time. 

But, after reading the heartfelt note that she leaves for Otis, we wish things didn't end this way. 

"When we first met, I didn't trust anyone. I thought if I kept everybody out, I'd stop myself from being hurt or let down, which is what I was used to. Then we set the clinic up together and I realised that most of the people who came to us for help just really needed connection. And maybe I wasn't so different.

You have the rare ability to make people feel truly seen and you did the same for me. It was this and your relentless optimism about human beings that gave me the confidence to start opening myself up to others. For the first time in my life, I didn't feel alone, which allowed me to imagine something bigger for myself.

I want you to know that however much it f**king hurts that we can't be together, I won't ever close myself off again. Meeting you cracked my heart open and now it's forever changed. And because of that, I will carry a part of you with me wherever I go. I think what I'm trying to say is, thanks for everything. Dickhead."

As they say, not every college love story has a future. It may not have been the ending we wanted, but the fact that it’s real and relatable gives us a bitter-sweet closure. 

Who is Joy’s father? We now know

One of the biggest reveals of the fourth season was knowing who Joy’s father is. It’s Dan, Jean Milburn’s motorcycle rider fling from the first season. Jakob left Jean towards the end of the third season when he learned he wasn't the father. 

We’re sad because we loved Jakob and because this revelation destroyed the relationship they once had. The very fact that the baby wasn’t his was something that neither of them could handle in the relationship. However, when one door closes, the other opens, and we wish the very best for Jean in this new journey.

A very woke ending for Eric

 

While most people's favourite characters are Otis and Maeve, it’s always been Eric for me. And the fourth season made me love him even more. It was refreshing to watch him connect with God after his relationship with his church worsened due to their not-so-liberal views on the LGBTQIA community. In one conversation with God, he learns of his destiny to "let everyone know that I (god) love them for who they are".

Watching his baptism is one of the most emotional scenes in the show as we see the pastor have a change of heart and make a promise to make the church more welcoming and inclusive. Eric then decides to become an inclusive pastor for the community. 

The rest of the gang's happy-ish ending

In addition to the the main characters, we also hoped the rest of the gang finds peace and happiness as well. And that’s what we got to see in the fourth season. Adam Groff fosters the relationship with his father and finds his true calling in teaching people horse riding. Aimee, over time, learns how to process and channel her trauma through art and photography, and goes on to have a romantic relationship with Issac, thus breaking her walls. On the other hand, Ruby moves on from Otis and confronts her childhood bully. 

What we aren’t happy about

 

One of the main reasons why we loved Sex Education was the abundance of humour and romance they showcased. Sadly, there’s very little of it in the fourth season; most of the scenes are intense with very few moments where you’d be laughing. Also, there are no romantic tracks going on, hinting that Otis and Maeve were never destined to be together. Though they show new romances in this season, they are a tad too new for anyone to get invested in. Even with the old characters, such as Eric, Adam, and Ruby, the show disappoints audiences by not having them part of any love stories.