Unexpected things happened to the first season of Heartstopper. The popular young-adult graphic books by Alice Oseman that served as the basis for the television series were a smash with the youngsters who were meant to watch it, but it also appealed to older viewers' complex emotions. Its depiction of queer childhood touched many LGBTQ+ adults, who said it was an experience they wished they had had. A melancholy undercurrent ran through many people's perceptions of the romantic romance between two teenage lads.
The burden of expectation is on its back when it returns. The first season focused heavily on the will-they-won't-they relationship between artier Charlie (Joe Locke), who was tormented after his peers discovered he was gay, and popular rugby player Nick (Kit Connor). But a big part of its beauty was the way it approached things gently. Charlie had a close-knit circle of artistic friends who helped him through the difficulties of coming out, and his crush on Nick had a happily ever after.
Knowing what to do when a will-they-won't-they ends in a they-did is rarely simple for TV writers. Now that Nick and Charlie are together and deeply in love, they spend all of their time kissing, exchanging "Good morning boyfriend" messages, and celebrating their two-month wedding anniversary. In any other situation, this would be disgusting, but in this one, it is quite charming.
They have found solace in one another, but this is still adolescence, and pressures are still present all around them. These kids occasionally start to show signs of fraying at the edges due to their excessive emotions.
During GCSE time, both males are preoccupied with one another. Nick has other family members to inform, such as a tyrannical older brother and a distant father, while his mother (an imperial Olivia Colman, appearing sporadically, as before), knows. Viewers of The Bear will be happy to find that there are no fish involved in the awkward dinner party that occurs late in the series, which adds to the year's total of awkward TV dinner parties.
Heartstopper typically features a low level of danger and a swift resolution to the conflict. These ideals are due to queer teens. There are intricacies to its storyline, despite the fact that it is soft and somewhat chaste (when one character goes to a bar, they are careful to warn us that it's an under-18s night). Depending on who and when he chooses to inform, Nick's coming out has numerous facets. Since he is bisexual, it is possible to explore biphobia and bi erasure. Some people assume that he is gay but just hasn't realized it. It looks at how being out or not has an impact on the other person in the relationship.
The program also resolves its major romance by broadening its scope and giving the side characters more time and room to create their own plots. Elle and Tao are debating taking their friendship out of the friend zone but are concerned that doing so would jeopardize how close they are. Isaac, who started a wonderful and modest discussion about the value of reading and literature, makes a touching revelation about himself. More about the boundaries of their relationship and what they don't know about one another outside of school is revealed to Tara and Darcy. Even Ben, the season one antagonist, has had his layers exposed.
Heartstopper tends to silently beg for everyone's understanding; here is where its maturity rests. Even the teachers are permitted to have a personal life outside of the classroom.
Teenage norms are covered, including prom, the end-of-term party, and the school vacation to Europe. For a few of the episodes, they travel to Paris, where there are hookups, breakups, and love bites. The topic of sleepovers, room sharing while traveling, and what parents should and shouldn't permit for same-sex couples is discussed.
The show also makes a few allusions to the outside world. Fans will notice how a particular Instagram post's carefully crafted wording references to older viewers who may not have experienced "those beautiful gay teenage experiences"; one adult character makes a regretful reference to older viewers.
I like season two to season one. It gains from casting a larger net because it is wealthier and more confident. It is always kept in mind that it is intended for younger audiences, but it is subtler than it first seems and still a nice and lovely thing.
