Adam Groff is the son of Headmaster Groff, but he certainly doesn't share his father's aptitude for education. Adam is like a boy stuck inside a man's body, often seen smoking, tormenting his peers, or causing infinite pain for his father. Eric is his most regular victim, which makes things complicated when they realize they're attracted to one another.
Adam is the catalyst for everything that happens in Sex Education. In the first episode, he and Otis are partnered up for a school project. Otis learns of his insecurities and helps him. As a witness, Maeve sees the potential for the two of them to set up a sex therapy clinic at Moordale Secondary. Even though he grows a lot throughout the first two seasons, he comes from a past of bullying and shame.
FELT BAD: Aimee Breaks Up With Adam
Adam struggles with sexual performance, which he reveals stems from the pressure he feels. This pressure comes from everyone expecting more from him as the headmaster's son, and also because of the rumors about him.
When Otis helps him feel confident, Adam decides to drop his pants in the cafeteria and express just how proud of himself he is. But Aimee is embarrassed and breaks up with him, even though he "owns his narrative." He doesn't understand why she's broken up with him, and this shame and confusion follow him around even in season 2.
HATED HIM: Doesn't Respect Aimee's Wishes
Adam is confused after Aimee breaks up with him; he doesn't understand what he's done wrong, just as he doesn't understand why Eric stops coming to the window in season 2.
Adam persists in bothering Aimee when she clearly wants him to leave her alone. He even shows up at her party even though she didn't invite him. Outside, he runs into Jean, who advises him to respect Aimee's wishes and give her space. He calls Jean wise, like an old owl, but climbs the fence anyway. This leads to Adam smashing the ashes of Aimee's grandmother over Kyle's head.
FELT BAD: Can't Hold Eric's Hand
In season 2, Eric begins a relationship with Rahim even after his late-night walks with Adam. When Adam sees Rahim and Eric kissing at Otis's party, he leaves, but Eric catches up to him. Adam reveals that he's scared and bisexual.
Eric tries to comfort him by reaching for his hand, but Adam slaps it away. This only heightens his fear and shame, and Eric tells him it's hard to like someone who doesn't like themselves.
HATED HIM: Sends Courgette Video Around
Maeve and Otis share their first positive interaction in Mr. Hendricks' science class, which is interrupted by a video sent around to the students. This video is of Jean using a courgette as a prop for one of her educational videos.
Mortified, Otis flees, only to find Adam in the bathroom, suffering from a painful ailment. He wants Otis to help him even though he embarrassed him by sending that video around to everyone and revealing Jean's occupation. Furthermore, he's rude to both Otis and Maeve and breaks his promise not to bother Eric anymore.
FELT BAD: Kicked Out Of Mountview Military
The circumstances of Adam's expulsion from Mountview Military are grossly unfair, but nobody in Moordale knows the truth, including his father. Adam truly changes at the military school and tries to become a better person.
Unfortunately, his father doesn't see this and perhaps doesn't want to. When Adam is kicked out, he assumes it's for bad behavior, but the reality is that he was protecting his fellow students and, perhaps for the first time, doing the right thing.
HATED HIM: Eats Eric's Curly Wurly
The first time viewers see Adam with Eric, he's tormenting him. Eric's fear is visible and palpable as Adam digs through his bag, demands his lunch, and puts on a rather intimidating display of crushing up a Curly Wurly and swallowing it whole.
He clearly enjoys the authority he has over Eric and pats his cheek affectionately while he trembles. Eric later reveals that Adam's bullying made him feel unsafe for years. In this case, Eric is defenseless, isolated, and left without lunch to eat (for years).
FELT BAD: Washes His Dad's Car
After Adam's return to Moordale following his expulsion, he tries to prove to his parents that he's changed for the better. Unfortunately, luck doesn't seem to be on Adam's side.
He speaks to his father with respect, which Michael ignores and doesn't appreciate. Adam washes his car without being asked, but Michael is irritated because he'd just had it washed. Even worse, Adam forgets to close the windows, so the seats are soaked and Michael is further disappointed in his son.
HATED HIM: Bullies Eric
Adam uses Eric as a means to alleviate his own stress and feelings of insecurity. He feels small in his oppressive home, constantly criticized by his father and everyone else at school, but exercising his pent-up emotions on others is a terrible thing to do, no matter the circumstances.
Eric endures Adam's bullying for years, which results in many internal issues that take him a long time to recover from. Adam's feelings of inadequacy drive him to make Eric feel unsafe. He even tells Adam that because of him, he didn't love himself.
FELT BAD: Loses His Job
Adam seems to be suffering from a streak of bad luck in season 2. His dad organizes for him to get a job at the local store, and after a while, he seems to be doing well; he tames the boss's dog and earns the right to lock up.
Unfortunately, Adam doesn't know that the lock is faulty, and the store is trashed that night. The next day, he's fired, but Ola defends him - only to get fired herself. The circumstances of this are unfair, considering how hard Adam is trying to be a better and more helpful person. Even worse is the reaction fans anticipate his father will have when he finds out.
HATED HIM: Tries To Make Eric Feel Bad
Though this particular attempt to belittle Eric fails, it reveals a weak and unpleasant side to Adam's character. He doesn't care that Eric is feeling pleased with himself, confident and proud for the first time, and he doesn't know what he's been through recently to lead him to this change.
Adam watches resentfully, teary-eyed, as Eric and his father finally come to an agreement outside the dance in season 1. Eric likes the way he's dressed but Adam teases him and says he'll kill him. For the first time, this doesn't bother Eric. Still, it's an awful way for Adam to deal with his problems.