Sex Education: Does Ruby Really Love Otis (& Why)?

Warning! Spoilers ahead for Sex Education season 3. 

Nobody saw the aforementioned coupling coming — not even the pair. By the time Sex Education season 3 started, they were already hooking up. Some flashback scenes revealed that they first got together at a party, and since then, they agreed to continue seeing each other, but on the down-low. Otis didn’t even tell Eric (Ncuti Gatwa) until school restarted. Their relationship began as secret and purely sexual – however, once their secret was revealed to the public, however, they decided to date openly. While the two had their initial issues in Sex Education season 3 with regard to how they treat each other at school – mainly because Ruby wanted Otis to fit in with her friends – they would eventually get past this. Their serious problem that resulted in the breakup came after they spent all day together and Otis learned more about his girlfriend’s family.

Every Song In Sex Education Season 3

After this day, Ruby surprisingly told Otis that she loved him; unfortunately, he couldn’t say it back. This broke her spirit and confidence which led to them splitting up. The question is, did Ruby really fall in love with Otis that easily? Based on the progression of their relationship in Sex Education, this is a very big possibility, as Otis was the first person to see the real her. Even the Untouchables were unaware of the life that she lives at home as she opted to preserve the image of a rich and spoiled girl, seemingly being a bit embarrassed about her personal life. And yet, Otis didn’t pass any judgment. He hung out at her house and mingled with her dad; he even helped him get to bed. Otis made Ruby feel safe and comfortable, and allowing her to be herself in a way she never had before could have made her fall in love with him. Indeed, this may have been a process that actually started far before, during their interactions in Sex Education season 2.

If Ruby wasn’t genuinely developing feelings for Otis, it seems unlikely that she would have compromised to keep their relationship. Granted that she tried changing his appearance and manners so he could fit in with the Untouchables, but when Otis would no longer put up with it, she considered his feelings and agreed to simply date him as he is. Ruby initially claimed that the only reason they continued seeing each other was because of their sexual chemistry, but as Moordale Secondary’s most popular girl, she could’ve easily moved on with another guy. Instead, she chose to stay with Otis — until she learned that he doesn’t feel the same way about her. 

While Otis didn’t share her feelings about their relationship, he still did the right thing by coming clean about it. Aside from feeling rejected, this might have also made it more difficult for Ruby as it double downs on the idea that Otis is really a good guy. Unfortunately, he’s meant to be with someone else in Sex Education. 

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