JJ (Skins character)
Encyclopedia
Jonah Jeremiah "JJ" Jones is a fictional character
on the E4 television series Skins
and is portrayed by Ollie Barbieri
. He was introduced in the third series as a socially inept teenager who was a long time friend of both Freddie Mclair and James Cook
. JJ is notable for having Asperger Syndrome
and was a virgin when the series started. However, as series three and four progress, JJ becomes more socially confident.
. JJ is very well spoken and articulate and excels academically, particularly in Maths and Science. However, he lacks basic social skills, as he has Asperger's Syndrome. As a result he finds if difficult to make friends outside of his main circle. He has been put on various medications geared towards making him appear more neurotypical. JJ is a capable magician
and uses this to be accepted by other members of the gang, who all view him with a mixture of affection, amusement and mild irritation. Freddie and Cook protect him and help him when he is upset or “locked on”, such as in his self titled episode in series three
and Pandora’s episode
. JJ also has a unique relationship with Emily Fitch
. JJ is the first person she confides to about her closet
homosexuality
. She shows sympathy for his difficulties and, mid way through the third series, has pity sex with JJ, thus he loses his virginity. This is in sharp contrast to the unkindess her sister, Katie, shows him.
JJ often acts as a mediator whenever Freddie and Cook fight. He harbours a dislike of Effy, seeing her as the cause for the break-up of Freddie and Cook’s friendship, although he was attracted to her in the series opener. He forms a close friendship with Thomas Tomone in series four, who proves instrumental in getting JJ his first real girlfriend, Lara.
In “Freddie”, JJ witnesses Effy’s destructive influence over his closest friends. He performs an elaborate fire eating stunt which impresses Effy, Freddie and Cook. He votes against Karen in a reality television program, under Cook’s instructions, as revenge against her stealing Freddie’s shed, a previous popular hang out place for the gang. However, this sparks a violent confrontation between Freddie and Cook. In “Naomi”, JJ uses his intelligence to help Cook’s sixth form President campaign.
In JJ’s centric episode
, his Asperger syndrome and his temperament are made clear. He regularly attends a clinic where he requires heavy medication, here he also expresses his fury at Effy’s manipulation of both Freddie and Cook. At the clinic, he meets Emily who is receiving counselling, and the two discuss their woes outside the clinic. She confides to him about her homosexuality, and he in turn confesses his desire to be “normal,” shocking her with the number of drugs he has been prescribed. He also expresses his fury that the friendship he had shared with Freddie and Cook has been destroyed the love triangle caused by Effy. At Emily’s urging, he stands up to Freddie over his treatment of him, accidentally revealing Emily’s homosexuality to her twin sister Katie in the process. He then confronts Effy about her role in destroying a frienship he prized so much. Effy, seeing the impact she has had on his life, is apologetic and suggests they become friends, and is hurt when he coldly refuses. When he goes to confront Cook, he accidentally discovers that he is continuing his affair with Pandora, though he does not reveal this to anyone else. Seeing that Cook is, like Freddie, indifferent to his own feelings, JJ explodes at him over it. Cook, moved by this, gives him a hug and invites him to buy drugs, which subsequently gets busted. Cook and JJ escape and Cook, desperate for drugs, takes JJ’s new medication on JJ’s suggestion. JJ, however, did this because he knew that the drug is designed to both calm someone down and make them more honest. As a result, at a party Cook settles into a relaxed state, which surprises the gang, and reveals his affair with Pandora, which Pandora’s boyfriend Thomas overhears. Cook also reveals Effy loves Freddie. JJ leaves the party and finds a distraught Emily whom he allows to stay at her place after her argument with Katie. She in turn offers to take his virginity which JJ nervously accepts, and the two have sex. The next morning he introduces Emily to his mother who is relieved to see that her son finally made a good friend.
In “Effy” JJ accompanies the gang (minus Cook) on a camping trip. When Cook invites himself along the gang reveal their true feelings about him, including JJ who states they are no longer friends after the way Cook had been treating him. In “Katie and Emily”, JJ sees Emily through her disguise as her sister in an exam, but does not tell anyone else. Later on, he and Freddie meet the Fitch sisters while buying clothes for the college prom
. Emily is horrified when JJ reveals he told Freddie about their fling. Freddie mentions it to Katie, who is equally shocked. Katie then reveals Emily and JJ’s fling to Naomi, who is upset. This causes a fight between the Fitch sisters.
In the series finale, JJ encounters Effy’s mum, Anthea who reveals her sadness at not having Effy around who has run off with Cook. After Freddie receives a call from Effy, JJ pressures him to find her, accompanying him along the way. Cook challenges Freddie and JJ to a race, the winner is allowed to keep Effy. JJ wins the race using his intelligence, and as a result he forces Effy to admit she is in love with Freddie and not Cook, which upsets the latter. They flee the town on Cook’s dad’s boat.
of Sophia, Effy’s refusal to return to college and Thomas’ strained relationship with Pandora hanging over them. JJ concedes that Effy’s disappearance is affecting the “Three Musketeers”. In “Emily
”, JJ tries to break up a fight between Cook and a fellow party-goer, Shanky Jenkins only for Cook to head butt him in rage, although Cook did not see JJ at the time. This upsets JJ and Freddie, the latter confronting Cook about it.
In subsequent episodes, JJ develops a close friendship with Thomas as Cook is arrested and Freddie spends more time with Effy. This highlights JJ’s developing maturity and his ability to make other friends.
In “JJ”, JJ asks out Lara Lloyd, a fellow co-worker at a confectionary store. Thomas pressures JJ to do this after he concedes he has developed feelings for her. Before the date, Freddie forces a recently escaped Cook onto JJ who is not pleased to see him. JJ allows Cook to stay at his in exchange for some dating tips. JJ discovers Lara is a single mother and her baby, Albert, is fathered by her previous boyfriend Liam. Liam catches JJ with Albert and demonstrates his overly protective attitude for his son. The date does not go well, largely because of Cook’s poor dating advice. However, Lara reciprocates JJ’s feelings and they make love at her house. Liam sees JJ at a clinic receiving his medication.
JJ takes Lara to meet Emily and Naomi. Emily confides to JJ that Lara could be using JJ to get back at Liam; JJ refutes this by stating they have trust in their relationship, something Emily and Naomi lacks. This brings Emily to tears. JJ later takes Lara to meet his parents but this does not go as well. JJ’s mother, via a Freudian slip
, mentions she thinks Lara is a slut
. Lara leaves offended. Liam confronts JJ at the confectionary store, demanding to know about his medication. JJ angrily lashes out at Liam which prompts a watching Lara to break up with him. JJ later apologises to Liam who admits his protectiveness is of his son. He does ask JJ to take care of Lara. JJ, with the help of his friends, manages to win Lara back.
After his centric episode, JJ makes fewer appearances but is usually seen at parties with the gang. Lara makes no more appearances, but JJ is sometimes seen with Albert, suggesting they are still together.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
on the E4 television series Skins
Skins (TV series)
Skins is a BAFTA award-winning British teen drama that follows a group of teenagers in Bristol, South West England, through the two years of college. The controversial plot line explores issues such as dysfunctional families, mental illness , adolescent sexuality, substance abuse and death...
and is portrayed by Ollie Barbieri
Ollie Barbieri
Ollie Barbieri is a British actor, best known for his role as JJ Jones in the hit British TV drama Skins.- Career :In 2008, he was cast as JJ Jones in Skins.He was later cast as Enrique in Anuvahood....
. He was introduced in the third series as a socially inept teenager who was a long time friend of both Freddie Mclair and James Cook
James Cook (Skins character)
James Cook is a fictional character from the British television series Skins. He is portrayed by Jack O'Connell. In the third series he is considered very anti-heroic. His actions often cause trouble and create havoc, affecting those around him...
. JJ is notable for having Asperger Syndrome
Asperger syndrome
Asperger's syndrome that is characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction, alongside restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. It differs from other autism spectrum disorders by its relative preservation of linguistic and cognitive development...
and was a virgin when the series started. However, as series three and four progress, JJ becomes more socially confident.
Characterization
JJ is a friend of Cook and Freddie who dub themselves The Three MusketeersThe Three Musketeers
The Three Musketeers is a novel by Alexandre Dumas, first serialized in March–July 1844. Set in the 17th century, it recounts the adventures of a young man named d'Artagnan after he leaves home to travel to Paris, to join the Musketeers of the Guard...
. JJ is very well spoken and articulate and excels academically, particularly in Maths and Science. However, he lacks basic social skills, as he has Asperger's Syndrome. As a result he finds if difficult to make friends outside of his main circle. He has been put on various medications geared towards making him appear more neurotypical. JJ is a capable magician
Magic (illusion)
Magic is a performing art that entertains audiences by staging tricks or creating illusions of seemingly impossible or supernatural feats using natural means...
and uses this to be accepted by other members of the gang, who all view him with a mixture of affection, amusement and mild irritation. Freddie and Cook protect him and help him when he is upset or “locked on”, such as in his self titled episode in series three
JJ (Skins episode)
"JJ" is the seventh episode of the third series of the English teen drama Skins, which first aired on 5 March 2009 on E4 in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. The episode was written by the series' co-creator, Bryan Elsley, and was directed by Charles Martin...
and Pandora’s episode
Pandora (Skins episode)
"Pandora" is the fourth episode of the third series of the English teen drama Skins, which first aired on 12 February 2009 on E4 in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. The episode was written by Bryan Elsley and Georgia Lester, and was directed by Simon Massey...
. JJ also has a unique relationship with Emily Fitch
Emily Fitch
Emily Fitch is a fictional character in the television series Skins, played by Kathryn Prescott. She is introduced in the third series. Her sister Katie is played by the actress' real-life sister Megan Prescott.-Characterization:...
. JJ is the first person she confides to about her closet
Closeted
Closeted and in the closet are metaphors used to describe lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning and intersex people who have not disclosed their sexual orientation or gender identity and aspects thereof, including sexual identity and sexual behavior.-Background:In late 20th...
homosexuality
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
. She shows sympathy for his difficulties and, mid way through the third series, has pity sex with JJ, thus he loses his virginity. This is in sharp contrast to the unkindess her sister, Katie, shows him.
JJ often acts as a mediator whenever Freddie and Cook fight. He harbours a dislike of Effy, seeing her as the cause for the break-up of Freddie and Cook’s friendship, although he was attracted to her in the series opener. He forms a close friendship with Thomas Tomone in series four, who proves instrumental in getting JJ his first real girlfriend, Lara.
Series 3
JJ first appears in “Everyone” when he meets best friends Freddie and Cook before starting their first day at Roundview College. There he often goes unnoticed despite his magic tricks and articulate speech. In “Cook”, JJ manages to impress the gang with a magic stunt involving a goldfish, which Cook spoils. Cook persuades JJ to accompany him to a brothel where JJ nervously asks for a kiss from a prostitute. In “Pandora”, JJ and Cook attempt to sneak into Pandora’s “girls only” party. After Cook goes in, JJ goes in himself only to find Emily and Naomi kissing. The party turns into a massive house party when Katie’s boyfriend and his football mates come round. JJ calls Freddie to get him out of the party after he gets “locked on”. Freddie arrives and takes him home.In “Freddie”, JJ witnesses Effy’s destructive influence over his closest friends. He performs an elaborate fire eating stunt which impresses Effy, Freddie and Cook. He votes against Karen in a reality television program, under Cook’s instructions, as revenge against her stealing Freddie’s shed, a previous popular hang out place for the gang. However, this sparks a violent confrontation between Freddie and Cook. In “Naomi”, JJ uses his intelligence to help Cook’s sixth form President campaign.
In JJ’s centric episode
JJ (Skins episode)
"JJ" is the seventh episode of the third series of the English teen drama Skins, which first aired on 5 March 2009 on E4 in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. The episode was written by the series' co-creator, Bryan Elsley, and was directed by Charles Martin...
, his Asperger syndrome and his temperament are made clear. He regularly attends a clinic where he requires heavy medication, here he also expresses his fury at Effy’s manipulation of both Freddie and Cook. At the clinic, he meets Emily who is receiving counselling, and the two discuss their woes outside the clinic. She confides to him about her homosexuality, and he in turn confesses his desire to be “normal,” shocking her with the number of drugs he has been prescribed. He also expresses his fury that the friendship he had shared with Freddie and Cook has been destroyed the love triangle caused by Effy. At Emily’s urging, he stands up to Freddie over his treatment of him, accidentally revealing Emily’s homosexuality to her twin sister Katie in the process. He then confronts Effy about her role in destroying a frienship he prized so much. Effy, seeing the impact she has had on his life, is apologetic and suggests they become friends, and is hurt when he coldly refuses. When he goes to confront Cook, he accidentally discovers that he is continuing his affair with Pandora, though he does not reveal this to anyone else. Seeing that Cook is, like Freddie, indifferent to his own feelings, JJ explodes at him over it. Cook, moved by this, gives him a hug and invites him to buy drugs, which subsequently gets busted. Cook and JJ escape and Cook, desperate for drugs, takes JJ’s new medication on JJ’s suggestion. JJ, however, did this because he knew that the drug is designed to both calm someone down and make them more honest. As a result, at a party Cook settles into a relaxed state, which surprises the gang, and reveals his affair with Pandora, which Pandora’s boyfriend Thomas overhears. Cook also reveals Effy loves Freddie. JJ leaves the party and finds a distraught Emily whom he allows to stay at her place after her argument with Katie. She in turn offers to take his virginity which JJ nervously accepts, and the two have sex. The next morning he introduces Emily to his mother who is relieved to see that her son finally made a good friend.
In “Effy” JJ accompanies the gang (minus Cook) on a camping trip. When Cook invites himself along the gang reveal their true feelings about him, including JJ who states they are no longer friends after the way Cook had been treating him. In “Katie and Emily”, JJ sees Emily through her disguise as her sister in an exam, but does not tell anyone else. Later on, he and Freddie meet the Fitch sisters while buying clothes for the college prom
Prom
In the United States and Canada, a prom, short for promenade, is a formal dance, or gathering of high school students. It is typically held near the end of the senior year. It figures greatly in popular culture and is a major event among high school students...
. Emily is horrified when JJ reveals he told Freddie about their fling. Freddie mentions it to Katie, who is equally shocked. Katie then reveals Emily and JJ’s fling to Naomi, who is upset. This causes a fight between the Fitch sisters.
In the series finale, JJ encounters Effy’s mum, Anthea who reveals her sadness at not having Effy around who has run off with Cook. After Freddie receives a call from Effy, JJ pressures him to find her, accompanying him along the way. Cook challenges Freddie and JJ to a race, the winner is allowed to keep Effy. JJ wins the race using his intelligence, and as a result he forces Effy to admit she is in love with Freddie and not Cook, which upsets the latter. They flee the town on Cook’s dad’s boat.
Series 4
In “Thomas”, the series opener, JJ attempts to make the gang seem happier despite the suicideSuicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
of Sophia, Effy’s refusal to return to college and Thomas’ strained relationship with Pandora hanging over them. JJ concedes that Effy’s disappearance is affecting the “Three Musketeers”. In “Emily
Emily (Skins episode)
"Emily" is the second episode of the fourth series of the English teen drama Skins, and 31st overall. It first aired on 4 February 2010 on E4 in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. The episode was written by Ed Hime, and was directed by Philippa Langdale...
”, JJ tries to break up a fight between Cook and a fellow party-goer, Shanky Jenkins only for Cook to head butt him in rage, although Cook did not see JJ at the time. This upsets JJ and Freddie, the latter confronting Cook about it.
In subsequent episodes, JJ develops a close friendship with Thomas as Cook is arrested and Freddie spends more time with Effy. This highlights JJ’s developing maturity and his ability to make other friends.
In “JJ”, JJ asks out Lara Lloyd, a fellow co-worker at a confectionary store. Thomas pressures JJ to do this after he concedes he has developed feelings for her. Before the date, Freddie forces a recently escaped Cook onto JJ who is not pleased to see him. JJ allows Cook to stay at his in exchange for some dating tips. JJ discovers Lara is a single mother and her baby, Albert, is fathered by her previous boyfriend Liam. Liam catches JJ with Albert and demonstrates his overly protective attitude for his son. The date does not go well, largely because of Cook’s poor dating advice. However, Lara reciprocates JJ’s feelings and they make love at her house. Liam sees JJ at a clinic receiving his medication.
JJ takes Lara to meet Emily and Naomi. Emily confides to JJ that Lara could be using JJ to get back at Liam; JJ refutes this by stating they have trust in their relationship, something Emily and Naomi lacks. This brings Emily to tears. JJ later takes Lara to meet his parents but this does not go as well. JJ’s mother, via a Freudian slip
Freudian slip
A Freudian slip, also called parapraxis, is an error in speech, memory, or physical action that is interpreted as occurring due to the interference of some unconscious , subdued, wish, conflict, or train of thought...
, mentions she thinks Lara is a slut
Slut
Slut or slattern is a pejorative term applied to an individual who is considered to have loose sexual morals or who is sexually promiscuous...
. Lara leaves offended. Liam confronts JJ at the confectionary store, demanding to know about his medication. JJ angrily lashes out at Liam which prompts a watching Lara to break up with him. JJ later apologises to Liam who admits his protectiveness is of his son. He does ask JJ to take care of Lara. JJ, with the help of his friends, manages to win Lara back.
After his centric episode, JJ makes fewer appearances but is usually seen at parties with the gang. Lara makes no more appearances, but JJ is sometimes seen with Albert, suggesting they are still together.