'Sex Education' Fans Shocked by Graphic Cat Death Scene

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Sex Education Season 3 is available to stream and download on Netflix now. The third outing branches outside of Maeve (played by Emma Mackey) and Otis's (Asa Butterfield) sex clinic storyline and delves into the lives of some of the show's more unique characters. One couple to feature prominently in Season 3, Episode 3, are Maeve's slightly quirky neighbors, Cynthia (Lisa Palfrey) and Jeffrey (Joe Wilkinson).

The third episode begins by taking audiences for a ride (literally) in Cynthia and Jeffrey's caravan. They are having dinner and decide to spice up their evening with a lot of sex. As things heat up between the pair and the caravan shakes from the sheer force, Cynthia's pet cat Jonathan waltzes into the room.

Most likely horrified watching his human parents and deafened by Cynthia's screams of pleasure, Jonathan freezes in the kitchen area of the caravan. Sadly for Jonathan, he happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. The shaking of the caravan is so forceful, it knocks the microwave off of the wall, squashing Jonathan to death.

The graphic scene was not only mentally scarring for Cynthia, but audiences watching at home.

One Sex Education fan tweeted: "no because who wrote that cat into the sex education storyline was there any need."

that cat scene....unnecessary yikes #sexeducation

— Anna Something (@AnnaTWRelated) September 17, 2021

A second fan said: "that cat scene....unnecessary yikes #sexeducation" and another wrote: "NOT THE CAT. Seriously @netflix ? That was unnecessary. #SexEducation."

Others found it equally as disturbing, but also could not help but laugh, with one viewer joking "Curiosity killed the cat" and another questioning ""Sex just killed a cat?? #SexEducation?"

Palfrey, who plays Cynthia in the series posted an adorable photo of her and Jonathan on her Instagram ahead of the Season 3 release.

Although the death of Cynthia's cat may seem like a random moment amid Sex Education's chaos, the storyline sheds a light on a very important topic: grief.

Cynthia begins using sex as a mechanism to cope with the loss of Jonathan, leaving Jeffrey not only exhausted but feeling used. "I can't have sex again" he cries out to Isaac (George Robinson) as he passes by their caravan.

Jeffrey later gets some advice from Otis, sharing with him that he expected Cynthia to be much more upset about the death of Jonathan as he was like a son to her after they struggled to have kids together. Otis, imparting his usual wisdom, suggested Cynthia may be using sex as a way to "not deal with the sadness" and explained people deal with grief in lots of different ways.

Eventually, Jeffrey had a difficult conversation with Cynthia about the death of Jonathan and suggests she might be using sex as a coping strategy. Turns out Otis was right, and Cynthia eventually breaks down in tears, admitting she cannot talk about Jonathan because it is "too painful."

Who would have thought Jeffrey and Cynthia's sex life and the death of their pet cat could have so much meaning?

Sex Education Season 3 is streaming on Netflix now

Sex Education Season 3
Sex Education Season 3 is streaming on Netflix now. Sam Taylor/Netflix

About the writer

Molli Mitchell is a Senior SEO TV and Film Newsweek Reporter based in London, UK. Her focus is reporting on culture and entertainment. She has covered the world of Film and TV extensively from true-crime dramas to reality TV and blockbuster movies. Molli joined Newsweek in 2021 from the Daily Express. She is a graduate of The University of Glasgow. Languages: English.

You can get in touch with Molli by emailing m.mitchell@newsweek.com.


Molli Mitchell is a Senior SEO TV and Film Newsweek Reporter based in London, UK. Her focus is reporting on ... Read more