Ron Does Stuff

Charlie and Nick finally tell each other “I love you” at the end of the previous episode. What does fate have in store for them to mess it all up now? Let’s find out!

At the start of the episode we get Agent Carter herself, Hayley Atwell! She’s playing Aunt Diane, and I know it’s been a while since I read the books, but I don’t think she’s a book character? I think she may be the one Nick is going to have the beach conversation with since Academy Award winner Olivia Colman seems to be unavailable for this episode.

While Nick is off to Menorca, Charlie is anxiously awaiting a message from him once he lands. Oh, youth! Nick, on the other hand, is also anxious, because he’s wondering if Charlie’s eaten anything yet. Oh, youth!

Over in England, Tori is asking Charlie if he and Nick did it and… I am a monster because I thought Tori was asking about sex, and turns out she was asking if they said their I love yous to each other. I am so sorry. But during this conversation with Tori, Charlie tries to come clean to his sister about his possible eating disorder, but it’s interrupted by Nick calling. A pointless conversation, by the way, because of the crappy cell reception.

One crappy conversation leads to another for Charlie, as his admitted prioritizing of Nick does lead him to having friction with his mom. His mom’s just worried that Nick is taking priority over everything else, and I have to admit that they’ve softened Charlie’s mother a little bit in this adaptation, because what I remember of her from the book is abrasiveness and unpleasantness.

Back at Truham, the two adult homosexuals are preparing the GCSE results, with a lot of yearning glances exchanged and they eventually lean in for a kiss but get interrupted by another teacher. All I can think of is Michelle Williams in Brokeback Mountain.

The kids finally walk in to see their GCSE results, and it looks like it’s only Darcy that’s got subpar results. Actually, let me amend that. Tara’s got great GCSE results, but for some reason, she doesn’t seem as enthused about it as she should be. It’s always drama with the lesbians!

BUT, never let it be said that the gays don’t have their drama, too. Charlie is still sulking and is refusing to eat to avoid interacting with his mother. He’s also getting anxious about his looks because Nick just sent him a shirtless photo in the pool. To be fair, I felt that way as a kid but now that I am an eldritch being, if a hottie sends me a photo like that despite knowing I look like the Swamp Thing, then that’s on them!

As the summer progresses, Nick is starting to get more and more worried about Charlie. All his messages asking about his day are always met with “All good”. Diane notices it and tells him that he must be really in love with Charlie. To which Nick responds with, “Do you ever treat people with eating disorders?” which, damn. Just get right down to it.

Over at Darcy’s grandma’s place, Darcy, Tara, and Elle are having a slumber party, I guess? I don’t know if there’s any significance to Darcy’s grandmother saying that Darcy’s mom has been calling, but the girls’ immediate concern is Tao, specifically how Elle thinks he’s only taking her on daily dates because he’s afraid she’ll abandon him.

Meanwhile, Tori is worried about Charlie but can’t exactly say why. She walks into his room and gives him a hug, tells him she loves him, and I think it’s the one moment where the actress playing Tori is given a chance to show an emotion instead of her usual deadpan delivery? It’s a nice moment for her.

Then we’re at Tao’s place, because I guess it wasn’t a sleepover at Darcy’s? Tao and Elle are making out, but it’s cut short when Elle discovers a camera. For a moment there I thought it was going to be about sex tapes and that definitely wasn’t in the books, but it’s just Tao trying to keep something from his dad. That conversation is cut short by Isaac because apparently it’s movie night for the gang, but Charlie isn’t there and Isaac is definitely the third wheel. I’ve been there, Isaac! I commiserate! You’re giving perfect eye rolls, by the way.

Isaac leaves the heterosexuals and goes to visit Charlie, and asks him directly about what’s going on with him. These teenagers have had it. No beating around the bush, just straight to the point.

Charlie still says he’s fine, and while Isaac doesn’t look like he believes it, he lets it go and just tells Charlie to at least reply to his texts. They then sit down and watch an Emma adaptation. Cute.

Three weeks into the summer and we get more insight to Tori, who appears to be…suicidal? She’s at some Curious Cat-type website — Do kids still use Curious Cat? — and she’s saying she’s waiting for the end. I don’t remember this from the books! She’s also confirmed her worst fears when she snoops on Charlie’s laptop and finds out he’s been researching about anorexia nervosa. Again, this is a great acting moment for here. I do love some restrained eye acting.

While Tori can’t talk to Charlie about what’s going on with him, Elle is straightforward with Tao. Again, these teens are getting straight to the point. She directly addresses his anxiety about her going to a university out of town, and even tells him that she loves him. Once again, the heterosexuals are problem-free. This is homophobia!

Charlie definitely is not having a fun time, once again not eating a plateful of food that actually looks nice despite it being British cooking. Those potatoes look delicious! Even Nick is worried all the way in Menorca, as Tori has messaged him telling him she’s worried about Charlie. The message pushes him to call Charlie and this time around, the connection is sound, and they have an honest conversation about Charlie’s eating disorder.

I know I’ve said this multiple times before, but this show and these actors really shine for me in these quiet moments, when there aren’t animated graphics and no background music, and it’s just them acting. It’s just the emotion and the quiet, and it feels so real and raw.

After that phone call, we then get the beach conversation, but this time it’s with Aunt Diane and not Academy Award winner Olivia Colman. Just like in the book, this scene really moved me. I almost cried. “Love can’t cure a mental illness.” Damn.