Ep 2. Binned

Tracey finds herself in a predicament as she desperately tries to get rid of a bin bag full of condoms and tampons. With no idea as to how to dispose of the bag, Tracey begins to search the estate for a bin that will take it. This quest becomes ever more difficult as she finds herself lost in a sea of different coloured bins with no clue as to which one is for general waste. With time running out, Tracey turns to her next-door neighbour, Cynthia, for help in disposing of the bin bag.

As she begins to calm down, Cynthia tells Tracey about her experience with giving birth to her son and the pain that followed. Tracey is taken aback by this as she never knew that Cynthia had a child and begins to feel more connected to her neighbour. This feeling grows as Cynthia and Tracey sit watching television whilst drinking wine together.

Tracey's thoughts soon turn to Connor, who has just got out of prison and is staying with his sister nearby. Tracey decides to try and make amends with Connor and invites him to the flat for dinner. As the conversation flows between Cynthia, Tracey and Connor, Connor begins to open up about his time in prison and the difficulties he is having trying to adjust to life on the outside. As the evening draws to a close, Tracey invites Connor to stay over, to which he agrees.

The next morning, Cynthia's overbearing and controlling boyfriend, Ronald, arrives at the flat and begins to pick apart everything he sees. As the tension between Cynthia and Ronald reaches boiling point, Ronald turns his attention to Tracey, belittling her for being uneducated and unsuccessful. This prompts Tracey to tell Ronald to leave the flat.

As Tracey watches Ronald and Cynthia's relationship fall apart, she realizes just how lucky she is to be on her own and free to make her own choices. Meanwhile, Connor is struggling with his newfound freedom and begins to feel overwhelmed. As Tracey tries to comfort him, she realizes that perhaps their connection runs deeper than just a shared history.

In the end, Tracey discovers a newfound sense of independence and confidence, allowing her to make her own choices and stand up for herself. And when Connor decides to leave and try to sort his own life out, Tracey accepts that although they may have a connection, they are ultimately better off going their separate ways.

With its sharp writing and a bold and unique visual style, Chewing Gum is a show that is not afraid to tackle sensitive issues head-on. And with its hilarious and relatable characters, it's a show that manages to strike the perfect balance between humour and heart. As Tracey continues to navigate her way through life, Chewing Gum is a must-see for anyone looking for a fresh and original take on the coming-of-age story.