Ron Does Stuff

We saw Elle and Tao’s relationship end before it even began in the previous episode, while Nick and Charlie come to an understanding when it comes to Nick coming out or not. Let’s see how things progress from here!

The kids are headed to Paris in this\ episode, and in an effort to keep things a secret, Charlie suggests not sitting beside each other on the bus to Nick, as well as challenging him to not kiss hom for two days. I would make fun of them being all chaste but it also took me a while to become not chaste so I’ll just shut up.

We see the plot threads of this episode being set up as the bus heads to Paris, Isaac seems like he has a crush, while Elle and Tao keep sneaking glances at each other. Also, did the bus really go in the train? I’ve only ever been to The Netherlands and Germany, I don’t know how things work elsewhere!

Upon arrival in Paris and into their hotel rooms, Isaac and Tao immediately cockblock Nick and Charlie by making them sleep on opposite beds. There’s just cocks blocking cocks in that room! Despite having some tension in the bus, Tara and Darcy seem to be getting along well in the girls’ room and are even trying to lift Elle’s spirits even just a bit.

Over at the adults’ room, tension is thick in the air as the gay teacher and the presumed straight teacher have to maneuver inside a small space. I am well aware of this trope and can already predict where this is going.

The next morning at breakfast, Tao is already trying to make amends with Elle and while I like that they complicated their situation a little compared to the books, I also appreciate that it looks like they’re not going to make this a long, drawn out thing for the rest of the season. Looking forward to how Tao and Elle make up!

The agenda for the rest of the day is exploring Montmartre and tension is thick in the air — tension between the teachers, tension between Elle and Tao, tension between Imogen and Ben. Let’s see at which point in this episode that tension is going to break.

Okay, serious question: What is the deal with the French dad bit? I didn’t get it in the books either. I know the English and the French are ~ancient enemies~ or whatever but aren’t the countries close enough geographically for some intermarriages to occur? At least that’s what I learned from Oversimplified.

ANYWAYS. Charlie and Tara have a heart-to-heart elsewhere in Montmartre and Tara reassures him that his and Nick’s relationship is going to get to the point where they’re going to not care what anyone thinks of them. They just have to be patient until that time comes.

Tao and Elle, who are on their couple trip to the Musée de Montmartre, also get to further mend their relationship. Tao admits to having issues with being alone and being left behind, which has been pretty obvious since the first season. By the end of their visit they’re at least friends again, so we can get back to them building a romantic relationship.

A relationship that looks like it isn’t going to last long is Ben’s and Imogen, since all Ben’s been doing throughout the trip has been pine for Charlie or sulk. I can’t blame Imogen for wanting to just hang out with Nick and the gang. Although the gang might be rethinking hanging out with her because she just complains about Ben which I don’t blame her for. But they’re here to have fun and not exactly play therapist to an LGBTQIA ally!

Once the class comes together at dinner, Ben and Charlie end up sitting beside each other at the table and the tension. And not just between Ben and Charlie but between Charlie and food. The show’s been subtly seeding it throughout the past few episodes and now we get to see Charlie just pick at the food and not actually eat it. But it’s Imogen who breaks first as she very publicly breaks up with Ben. At least she gets to be in a Nick and Charlie sandwich when the two homosexuals comfort her afterwards!

Back at the hotel, we have yet another heart-to-heart, this time around between Nick and Tao. This episode has really done a lot in explaining the way Tao acts in the first season and has given him more depth than the books ever did and I really appreciate that. It also stops the show from being Nick and Charlie with the background dancers, which was sometimes what the books felt like.

Perhaps as a gift for hyping him up during their conversation, Tao leaves Nick and Charlie alone in the room as he takes Isaac with him outside to get drinks from the vending machine, which leads to a little manhandling of Charlie by Nick. Oh to be manhandled by beefy rugby player in bed!

The manhandling has adverse effects the next day though, as Charlie ends up with a very visible hickey. I mean, that’s not bad considering what else could have happened!