For those of you who don’t know Cook, you’re missing out.

Possibly the best character of the 2nd generation of Skins, and this episode was dedicated entirely to him.

At the start of the episode, we see him in a prison cell after attacking a randomer at the party from last week. After repeatedly being told to plead guilty, he does the complete opposite in true Cookie fashion and pleads not guilty. (Even though we all know, and the judge knows, that he did it.) As a result of his plea, he is fitted with an electronic tag, which means he has to stay home between 7pm and 7am.

Of course, Cook doesn’t have a house. So where will he stay? The policewoman says that he will be staying at his Mother’s house. After initially being annoyed by this – he and his Mother don’t have the best of relationships – he finds out that his Mother is in fact a successful artist and is pretty much minted. (This means ‘ridiculously rich’, if you’re not from the UK and were wondering.)

The next day, Cook takes his little brother Paddy to school. A private school, obviously. Paddy tells his big bro that some of the boys there are bullying him, and Cook scares them into not doing it again.

After safely seeing his brother off to school, Cook returns to Roundview, where we also see the rest of the gang. He asks all of them (except for Freddie and Effy, obviously) if they want to skip college and come out for a drink. JJ is still annoyed about the fact that Cook hit him and Pandora is on JJ’s side. Naomi and Emily obviously have troubles of their own to deal with, so they decline Cook’s offer too.

As if on cue, the poncy arsehole that is Professor Blood comes out of nowhere and explains to Cookie that he has been expelled. Spraying pepper spray in his eyes, Blood calls security to remove him from the building.

On his way out, Cook sees a small remembrance area for the dead girl, Sophia. Is that a hint of apology I see in Cook’s eyes?

Desperate to talk to someone, he visits Naomi’s house, where he meets her as she takes out her rubbish. Naomi tells Cook about the affair she had with Sophia and how shit she now feels. She also explains to Cook that they can talk about Sophia; that she killed herself and they didn’t kill her. Cook denies feeling guilty and staggers away, as Naomi shouts ‘DEAL WITH IT!’

Cook re-visits his lawyer, who basically tells him to grow up. Cook tells Duncan that he’s shit, and storms off like a child. Maybe he does need to grow up a bit…

Bored, Cook visits his Mother at her art gallery. After seeing Freddie’s name on his Mother’s artwork (which is titled: ‘ALL MY COCKS’) Cook asks her if it’s true. She replies ‘Jimmy, art is always true.’ Fair enough. On his way out, Cook trips on the cable for one of his Mum’s pieces, which destroys it and apparently loses her £90,000. She insists that he did it on purpose and Cook proceeds to leave the gallery, vomitting once he is outside. But did he vomit because of the artwork he just ruined? Or is Cookie facing the physical effects of guilt?

Panicking, Cook goes to Shanky’s house (the guy who he hit.) He tries to tell him that he is sorry for what he did, and if he could put in a good word for him in the court. Apparently this was the wrong this to say – Shanky is having none of it and tells him he hopes he gets ‘fucked up the arse in the shower’. Pleasant.

Returning home, Cook is surprised to see Freddie there. His Mother is obviously pissed, and she passes out on the floor.

The pair go upstairs, where Freddie admits that Cook’s Mum gave him a blow job on his 15th birthday. Cook admits in return that he let Freddie have the only girl he ever loved. He gets extremely angry, and Freddie can’t do anything but say sorry. Cook understands that sorry really is the hardest word sometimes. (Props to Elton John for that lyric!) Freddie tells Cook that he and JJ really do love him and all he needs to do is stop.

After Freddie leaves, Cook’s little brother returns home after being escorted by the police. Apparently, Paddy wanted nothing more than to be like his big brother and did a bunch of things that Cook would do. One of these things being that he stole bras from Marks and Spencers. Their Mother flips and Cook steals her Rolls Royce, taking his brother with him.

After teaching Paddy to drive recklessly, Cook smashes up the car and gives his brother a bit of weed. However, Cook sees that he has had an impact on his brother, which freaks him out a bit. So they head over to Naomi’s.

They let Little Cook sleep on the sofa and Cook and Naomi go outside to talk about things. After Naomi tells Cook about how much she admires him because he just lives in the moment, they kiss. Naomily fans need not panic – the kiss is short-lived. They stop kissing and Cook exclaims, cheekily “Jesus, I’m never gonna get to bone you, am I?” Naomi replies “Nope, I love someone.” At which Cook can only say “you and me both, girl.” Aww.

Cook goes back to his lawyer and begins to tell all. Duncan tells his to grow up. Again. And Cook realizes what he needs to do.

Turning over a new leaf, sort of, Cook lies to the police and tells them that he sold the MDMA to Sophia, sparing Naomi from getting the blame. Effy visits him in prison to explain that she loves Freddie. Cook takes it surprisingly well and she leaves.

The last time we see him, Cook has pleaded guilty in court. Effy, Freddie and JJ are there waiting for him. Effy catches Cook’s eye and she nods. I’m guessing this means she understands what’s been said.

Cook is in prison. Let’s hope not for long, because he’s turning out to be one of the most multi-dimensional characters out of the lot.

Next week: It’s Katie’s episode. Spoilers for next week suggest that some sexy times go down between her and Thomas and that she’s having a lot of trouble at home without Emily. Seems she gets into a couple of fights too, but how will she cope without her sister by her side?

That’s right: Skins is back. For you lot in the UK,anyway.

And from the first two episodes alone, you know you’re going to be taken on a whirlwind of emotional train-wrecks and drugs-fuelled partying.

I’ll give you a quick re-cap of where we left the gang at the end of the last series…

Freddie, Cook & Effy – The very last episode saw these 3 in a strange love triangle. But who will Effy choose? And when will we find out?

Naomi & Emily – Series 3 gave the show’s most popular couple a happy ending. But will it be all romance and giggles this time round?

Thomas & Pandora – Again, this couple had a relatively happy ending at the end of last season. But is it destined to be all doom and gloom for this couple?

Katie – By the end of episode 9 last season, Katie had come to grips with the fact that her sister was seeing another girl. But will she remain happy for them, or will she feel alone now she’s had her sister taken away from her?

JJ – JJ was a geek from start to finish last season. How will he fair this year? Will he have grown up? Or will he be the same nerdy magician as before?

So there we have it. But what about this season? Let’s re-cap, shall we?

***Do NOT read on if you don’t want to know what happens in season 4.***

Episode 1: Thomas.

Strange choice for the first episode, right?

Well I still fail to see why Thomas’ episode was the season opener, but maybe more will be revealed.

Right from the get go, there’s drama. The very first scene presents a girl, off her face on MDMA, committing suicide in the middle of a packed out club.

The rest of the gang are there too: Thomas DJs as the girl falls and runs to her side. Most of the other main characters look on in shock; most notably, Naomi and Emily.

However, it’s Thomas who is interrogated. After all, he was working at the time of death. He explains that he knows nothing about the girl or where she found the drugs and is released.

The next day, the police have moved to Roundview College – where the whole crew and the dead girl (Sophia) are educated. Each character is interrogated in turn. Cook, on the other hand, takes a detour to the bathroom before being questioned.

Being the rebel he is, Cook takes out packets of MDMA from his pockets and flushes them down the toilet. Was it Cook who sold the drugs to Sophia?

Thomas catches him in the act and a fight breaks out. Cook is saved though, when Freddie comes to collect him for his interview.

Thomas is convinced Cook caused the suicide, and looks to God for help. While he is there, he meets the lovely Andrea, who happens to be the Pastor’s daughter, and there is chemistry immediately. In a moment of chaos, Thomas goes against one of the 10 commandments: Thou shall not commit adultery.

That’s right, kind hearted Thomas cheats on his loving girlfriend Pandora. Who’d have thought?!

Honestly is the best policy, thinks Thomas, and he tells his girlfriend almost immediately of his unfaithfulness. Things are obviously awkward as JJ sits between them, so Thomas heads off to the pub for a few stiff drinks.

Whilst downing his 7th vodka, he sees Cook and Naomi chatting. Cook goes to speak to Thommo, only to say the wrong thing at the wrong time. Thomas lashes out on Cook as Naomi screams in horror.

In a shock twist, Naomi blurts out that it was her who sold Sophia the MDMA. She claims she got the powder from Cook, but sold it on because she needed the money. Thomas is disgusted and Naomi begs him not to tell Emily. But should she be worried that he’ll tell someone else? I guess we’ll find out…

Thomas storms out in anger and goes to tell Andrea that he has been unfaithful to the girl he loves. Andrea is upset, but she understands.

Meanwhile, Effy tells Pandora that she shouldn’t forgive Thomas; he should have to pay for what he’s done. Pandora agrees and tells Thomas he’s ruined everything.

In a state of sadness, Thomas heads home to his family.

Depressing episode? YES. But the twists were pretty great.

Episode 2: Emily.

Now we’re talking: an interesting character to focus on.

At the beginning of the episode, the greatest couple of the series seem extremely happy: Naomi gives Emily some cute goggles for her moped and they go out together.

Unfortunately, things start to break down. After they get to school, the police as to interview the couple again, as Sophia’s Mother mentions their names.

Naomi lies about how long the pair were at the party, giving Emily questions of her own. Naomi admits that she sold Sophia the substance and Emily chooses to stick by her woman. Obviously.

Emily goes to Sophia’s house under a fake name, and her Mother lets her check out Sophia’s old room. Emily finds sketches everywhere. She also stumbles upon a university prospectus and inside is a key.

Sophia’s brother Matt enters and Emily panics, putting the prospectus along with the key inside her bag. She shows the key to Naomi, and they figure out that it is the key to Sophia’s cadets locker.

The couple venture out, finding an extremely disturbing shrine to Naomi in the locker. Naomi is freaked out and begs Emily to close the locker.

Making things worse, they’re interrupted by the cadet marching band, so they hide in a cupboard.

When Emily goes home, there’s a bust up between her and her Mother. She tries to tell her that she’s gay and to stop setting her up with boys, but her Mother goes on to explain her dislike for her daughter’s girlfriend.

Angrily, Emily threatens to move out. Her twin sister Katie tries to convince her not to, but Emily does anyway. And where does she go? Naomi’s house, clearly.

Naomi invites her in with open arms, and they proceed to having the most fun EVER, dressing up as Mexicans in the kitchen and drinking themselves silly.

They then move on to a house party, where the rest of the gang are. Cook sees Effy and Freddie kissing and lashes out (again) on a random party-goer. Naomily go home, but Emily can’t sleep. She calls Sophia’s brother to meet her in the club where she died.

When she gets there, Emily shows Matt a box she found of Sophia’s. They agree to open it together. Naomi shows up unannounced, begging Emily not to open it.

All three of them run to the rooftop, and Emily opens the box. Inside it, she finds the story of Sophia’s summer, in which she met Naomi at a Uni open day and kissed her back at her house. Emily is obviously devastated and stands on the edge of the building. But will she jump?

Thankfully, she doesn’t. But she leaves Naomi on the rooftop, crying her eyes out.

The next day, Emily goes to Naomi’s house. Naomi has lovingly left Emily a note on the door reading ‘I’ll Do Anything.’ Emily glances at the upstairs window and Naomi is looking out of it with tears in her eyes.

At the end of the episode, we see Emily walking through Naomi’s front door. But will she forgive her?

Next week: It’s Jack the lad Cook’s episode. Cook goes to prison for assaulting the guy at the party. After being let out, he’s electronically tagged and is forced to stay at his Mother’s house. Previews also show him kissing Naomi. Surely she won’t cheat again?! We’ll have to wait and see…

Photos © e4.com/skins