Adolescence
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What do you think of when you hear the wordmasculine?
Thats the big question in episode three ofAdolescence, which occurs seven months after Katies death.
This episode takes place entirely inside a childrens mental-health facility, which seems both intentionally cheery and notably depressing.
What becomes quickly clear is that Jamies been convicted of killing Katie.
Shes on her fifth visit with him and seems to have developed a rapport.
Things really do seem to be going great between Jamie and Briony at the beginning.
They talk about granddads and being posh.
But as Briony puts the pressure on and turns her questions toward Jamie, he instantly gets defensive.
Like his mom, Jamie seems to think hes bad at everything.
People, he says, think hes ugly.
Take, for instance, when Briony starts asking him questions about girls and romantic situations.
Hes initially panicked, repeatedly asking her, Are we allowed to be talking about this?
Instantly, Briony asks if one of the girls is Katie.
Jamie seems astounded by her guess and says that, yes, one was.
Enter another Jamie freak-out, which seems to come out of nowhere.
This time, instead of flinging his cup, he hurls his chair.
And hes got Briony on edge.
), its what comes next that cements Brionys assessment of Jamie.
But then he calls Katie a bitch and says, I should have killed her, but I didnt.
All hopeful like Im going to say something important.
I just thought that she might be weak, he says.
I thought when she was that weak, she might like me.
Still, Jamie doesnt understand or find fault in anything hes done.
Most boys would have touched her, Jamie says, but I didnt.
So that makes me better, dont you think?
And with a crash, right there, the session ends.
Briony has enough to make her assessment and tells Jamie she wont visit him again.
It seems unnecessarily harsh, and Jamie calls her out on what he thinks isnt a proper good-bye.
Like, Tell him you like him, Briony!
Hes just a boy!
What does it matter!
or Be nicer to him, cops!
Im not defending Jamie.
