Ron Does Stuff

So, I finally started watching Heartstopper a week ago and I ended up liking the first episode more than what I’ve read of the books so far! So here I am, continuing the rest of the season. Let’s go!

In the previous episode, Nick did the hottest thing someone could possibly do and saves Charlie from being assaulted by Ben. At the start of this episode, Nick spoils his own good mood when he scrolls through Charlie’s Instagram and is reminded of the horrible year of bullying Charlie endured when he first came out as gay. This is why I’m trying to cut back on social media, Nick!

Okay, can I digress for a second? How big is Charlie’s house and is it soundproofed? The drumming sounds good and all but if I was living in the same house hearing that everyday? I’d lose my mind.

Anyways, the rest of Charlie’s housemates get a respite from his drumming after Nick messages him on Instagram, and I think the way they have their online conversation is one of the more realistic portrayals I’ve seen? Seeing that “Typing…” and then watching it disappear and reappear? The anxiety you feel if it’s an important conversation? Very well done.

We get a flashback to when Ben and Charlie first meet and that knee thing? The times that has been done to me? I can’t fault you for falling for it Charlie! I really don’t! Nick consoles him and tells him that he’ll kick Ben’s ass if he ever comes near Charlie again.

While Charlie and Nick are figuring each other out over Instagram, Elle is trying to figure out her place in her new school. She doesn’t want to be a bother, but the thing is, she’s going to stand out whether she likes it or not. Not only is she a new transfer, she’s also a trans woman. I don’t know how much the trans situation in the United Kingdom is reflected in the show, but I think most of us now that the trans community has been targeted quite a lot over there.

Back at the boy’s school, Tao is telling Charlie to get over his crush on Nick since he’s a “massive heterosexual” and yeah I think Kit Connor is pretty massive too. I get where Tao’s coming from but you guys are in high school! Enjoy that misguided straight crush for just a bit longer!

Can I just reiterate how great it is that Charlie has a bitchy gay mentor in the form of his art teacher? That’s what every young gay boy needs, honestly. Someone to help guide them through the whole messy experience of being a gay teenager. The teacher tells him to distance himself from the straight boy to save himself the heartbreak but I honestly would have told him to enjoy it while it’s still good. I don’t know if that makes me a good mentor or not!

Charlie gets invited to Nick’s house to meet his dog Nellie and they start out playing video games but once snow starts falling outside they decide to play in the snow instead. Academy Award winner Olivia Coleman as Nick’s mom also gets to do more in this episode, telling Nick that he seems more himself when he’s with Charlie. I just wanted to type out Academy Award winner Olivia Coleman.

The next day, Nick is trying to ask Charlie if he wants to hang out again next weekend but a character that I think isn’t the books — I’m only on Volume 2 — manages to scare him off from doing so. Don’t let them do this to you Nick!

Nick isn’t the only who’s getting scared off either. Tao’s done a little digging and found out that Nick likes someone named Tara, and this I remember from the books! Charlie’s a little down about it, but you did say yourself that you’re not getting your hopes up with the straight boy!

Charlie’s friend group has an emergency meeting to help Charlie get over the straight boy as well as to find out if Tara Jones likes Nick Nelson back. They’re trying to enlist Elle on a fact-finding mission and even Elle has to tell Charlie that Nick is the straightest person there is. But, okay, she’ll find out if she can. And during French class she kinda figures out that Tara is a lesbian who’s with Darcy.

Rather than ask Nick if he likes him in a non-friend way, Charlie invites him over to his house and we get that drum scene from the books. Considering how big Kit Connor is it’s a wonder they even fit on that drum seat. At the end of their time together, Nick can’t stop himself from hugging Charlie which just confuses Charlie even more.

And to be fair to Nick, he’s confused too! Confused enough to ask Google if he’s gay!