"Michelle" (Episode 2.04)

"Michelle" is the fourth episode of Series 2 and the 13th episode of the show overall.

This episode primarily focuses on Michelle Richardson and her relationships with her mother and her new stepfather and stepsister, along with her growing romantic feelings for Sid Jenkins.

Plot
Michelle once again asks Tony how much he remembers, however he doesn't remember much of anything about their relationship at all. When Michelle tries to seduce Tony, Tony has developed an erectile dysfunction, which frustrates Michelle and prompts her to slap him, blaming him for his accident and subsequent condition. Although she apologises, she tells Tony she cannot wait for him and the two officially end their relationship. Before leaving Tony gives her an early birthday gift, and Michelle invites him along on her birthday camping trip, to which he declines.

Meanwhile, we learn that her mother has ended her relationship with Malcolm, and has recently married one of her clients, Ted. They have also moved in with him into his newly renovated upscale home, which Michelle dislikes greatly. To make matters worse, Ted has a spoiled daughter named Scarlett -- who are alarmingly too close for comfort for Michelle—who decides she'd move in as well.

At school, Scarlett wins Michelle's friends over with her charm and sex appeal. When she invites herself on the camping trip, offering the use of her car, Michelle feels annoyed. On the trip she feels alone and irritated with Scarlett's presence there, and finds comfort from both Sid and Maxxie. Later that night she catches Scarlett trying to seduce Sid, and finally decides to confront her. However she learns that Scarlett isn't as much of a bad person as she pretends to be, and goes after Sid instead.

In an intense moment, Sid expresses his grief to Michelle over his recently deceased father, and the two of them kiss and make love for the first time with each other on the beach. They decide to keep their relationship private, feeling that they're not ready to tell their friends, and preferring to spend more time with each other. However after returning to Sid's home where they passionately attempt to have sex in Sid's bedroom, they're interrupted by Sid's girlfriend Cassie, who has been watching the entire time from Sid's bed.

There is also a subplot about Maxxie, Anwar and Sketch. Maxxie finds out that Anwar and Sketch have been having sex, and gets into an argument. Sketch apologises to the gang for the events in "Sketch" and she stays with them, but it is clear the others are uneasy about her. She later sings a song with Scarlett, implying she still likes Maxxie.

Music Featured in "Michelle"
Note: The music tracks listed below only refer to the music featured in the episode's initial airing. Many of the music tracks featured in this episode have been substituted for alternative tracks either for the BBC America airing or for both the US and UK home media release of Series 2.

Spektrum – Kinda New

Tony sings Mousse T's ‘Horny’

Sigur Ros - Untitled

Gravenhurst – Hollow Man

Klezma Villanova - Dancing Bear

Electrelane - At Sea

Beach House – Auburn and Ivory

Henry Mancini – Lujon

Pavement – Rope and Carrot

Electrelane - In Berlin

Arcade Fire – Keep The Car Running

Animal Collective – Fireworks

Beach House - House on the Hill

Battles – Atlas

Scarlett and Sketch – If you’re not the one

Beach House - Childhood

Sigur Ros - Untitled

XTC – Stupidly Happy

The Stranglers – Skins Deep