It is fascinating to see how different cultures approach the production of television. American shows, while certainly interesting, fun and visually appealing are rarely artful. I've recently begun watching a British television show called "Skins." This show centers around a group of teenagers living in Wales and coping with school, each other, and family. While on the surface this sounds like a bland baby sitter's club type show, the execution of this show brings so much more to the table.

To begin with, the challenges these kids face are far more intense and life-altering than most, however they are portrayed in a gritty, realistic way that manages to avoid cliche. For example, one of the characters is hit by a bus in the first season finale. This particular character (Tony) has been belittling and cruel to every other character in the show for the whole season, yet he is so clever it is hard not to be fascinated by him. In season two, though he is not horribly disfigured by the accident, his mental acuity and motor skills are greatly impacted, and he is left to the care of his remaining friends and overbearing parents. This is an excellent example of the general arc of the show: Season 1 is playful (for the most part), steamy and at times gritty. The characters seem like the kinds of people you would want to hang out with on the weekends. However, as the series progresses to its second season, the stories of each character get darker. In addition to Tony's accident, one of the principal characters dies and almost everybody's parents are going through marital trouble. Sid (Tony's best friend)'s father even commits suicide after he and his wife split up. These story points are all the more disturbing since you don't see any of them coming, and they are totally believable (unlike much American television twists and finales).

The structure of each individual season is extremely effective in the development of each character. The seasons are only as long as the number of principal characters involved. Each episode in the season is named after one of the characters and that particular episode focuses, more or less, on them. The audience sees relationships as the character does, becomes aquainted with their families, and troubles. Even the cinematography reflects the ways characters see the world. I haven't ever seen an American television show go nearly so in-depth with character development and camera work. Each episode truly feels like a quirky indie film with its own individual tone and depth. It's a truly beautiful representation of life that I feel is lacking in American television. It's a great shame.