Heartstopper Ep 1 Reaction: PROTECT THESE BOYS

Finally doing a reaction and analysis vid of ep 1 of my new favorite wholesome queer show, Heartstopper! Make sure to go watch it on Netflix a thousand times so we can get a season 2!
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[@dfcarvalho]

I have yet to witness any appreciation for Mr. Lange. Without that man’s master sitting plan getting Charlie and Nick to sit together everyday for however long Form lasts, none of the happy tears y’all have been shedding these last few weeks would be possible. Give that underpaid, under-motivated teacher the praise he deserves! XD

[@thom_is_trans]

A very good point! The real MVP of Heartstopper!

[@lattemama]

He is indeed the MVP and needs all the praise available.

[@lynnhettrick7588]

9:57 I saw an interview with Joe talking about one of the running scenes and he said the director had to tell the other runners to slow down because Joe was getting tired and isn't actually all that fast. lol

[@wolfpupinla]

The scene where the colors go gray, where in the graphic novel Charlie's thoughts turn dark, the same is accomplished by the lyrics of "Don't Delete the Kisses": "what if its not meant for me - love." As someone who's let that thought live rent free for too many years in my mind, this scene is heart wrenching.

[@embracediscomfort6154]

“I want to be with you forever.” It makes me laugh too and yet THEY ARE TOGETHER FOREVER!!! 😍😍😍🥰🥰🥰

[@tallactordude]

I’m jumping back watching this after having watched the first two reactions to Skam, and you’re right on the money with everything, especially what you say about Kit Conner at the end. He has the same thing that Tarjei has that makes him so phenomenal: the ability to show you exactly what’s going on in his head without having to say a word. In the midst of a bunch of wonderful performances, the two of them are absolutely standouts in their own shows.

[@KurtAnderson812]

This series warmed my cold dead heart so much. I’m admittedly obsessed with it and I’m not even mad about being so

[@EmonEconomist]

Loved this review! This is the first review I've seen that isn't a "first time watching" and I love the perspective you bring having seen the show multiple times already. The "he does look like a golden retriever" comment is so true!! 😂 Can't wait to see your reactions to the rest of the series!

[@rosiehunter4763]

I only just noticed this on my nth rewatch, but when Ben asks Charlie to meet him in the library, and “apologises”, take a look at the poster above their heads. This above all, to thine own self be true (the quote continues: thou canst not then be false to any man). Good advice, if Ben were able to take it.

[@rosiehunter4763]

Oh! and also, minutes afterwards, his first time at rugby practice, Charlie replies to Nick’s “Where is your can-do attitude?” with “She left, long ago” - I just love him going all out with the camp comment in that moment. Charlie has guts.

[@thom_is_trans]

Re: the poster, yes! I almost commented on that, but it slipped my mind while I was doing the reaction because I was too busy being annoyed at Ben being Ben. :P

[@0FynnFish0]

I've seen about 50 reactions to this and this is my surprise favourite, by FAR! It's a great combination of insightful, entertaining, original and well-spoken and I'm here for it! You should really really do more reactions in the future! Thank you for this. :)

[@snoopy_J]

Happy -Channelversary- Birthday to your first Heartstopper Video, Happy one year of Heartstopper Reactions, Happy something definitely! 🍰🎊

[@jordanolberding7555]

Love your reactions! I watched them all over the weekend and am now going back through them. Like many others have said, it was a nice change of pace to see someone react who's familiar with the series already, and your commentary is so insightful and entertaining. I totally agree with what you said about being surprised how insistent Charlie was about grabbing Nick's pen. Tbh, there were a couple moments (e.g. the pen thing and also when Charlie puts his hand over Nick's mouth in ep2) where the physical flirting(?) didn't quite land for me bc it felt too aggressive. I'm not sure if it was supposed to feel awkward bc teens are like that?? Or if it was meant to land well and just missed the mark for me. Obviously I still love the series, but that's one of my few critiques. Also, totally unrelated, but the first time I saw the hallway scene where Nick & Charlie run into Ben, when Nick says "yeah we hang out sometimes" about him & Ben, I was like "OH NO, he's getting with Ben too" and thought it was going to be a story about Nick & Charlie finding out they're both secretly getting with the same guy and then teaming up to take him down + falling in love in the process lmao. Glad that wasn't the way things went. / I guess Ben wouldn’t have been so friendly to Nick if that were the case.

[@mondoquillmondo6705]

Your reaction was excellent. It was smart, had impeccable timing when pausing and playing, and had comments that really added to the experience, especially by referencing the graphic novel, which I never read. Very observant, too. Hope you continue with the entire series. Subbed.

[@kristipaetznick7522]

I love that you’ve also watched it a dozen times !!!

[@perez0074]

Thank you about talking about Charlie food problem no one picks up on it I swear

[@SabineThinkerbellum]

I just sent a straight friend to your Heartstopper reactions. I guess it’s best for her to listen to your explanations because she probably won’t get the subtle hints otherwise that are spreading throughout the show (like the lighting in some scenes or the significance of Charlie thanking his “straight supportive friend”). Your sense of humor is the icing on the cake. Thumbs up to the soundtrack. It’s outstanding indeed. So glad that Baby Queen is now in my life !!

[@lostsamurai]

Loved watching your reaction. I also rewatched the series multiple times and I just love talking about it lol. Looking forward to hear your thoughts on the other episodes 😂

[@junthebiscuit]

Am I rewatching of all thom's hs analysis videos? Yes Will I stop? Hell nah 😏

[@snoopy_J]

Rewatching these is the only sensible thing to do 😊

[@pisaactor]

This show is so good that it actually kinda hurts XD

[@Spiralobsession]

Oh man, I thought I had found all possible ways to rewatch Heartstopper but watching someone who's also seen it a bunch of times turned out to be so entertaining. I died laughing at you just casually saying Charlie spends the rest of the rugby scenes being knocked down by a literal adult man. Feels like we have inside jokes here because that probably shouldn't be as hilarious as I found it 😂

[@perez0074]

I watch this show like 10 times and it's now 11 since I'm gonna watch you react to it

[@courtneytwing4088]

I really enjoyed seeing your reaction since you’ve already seen it, it’s interesting seeing you point out and also notice things that I’ve also noticed after watching it multiple times. Excited to see the rest of the episodes

[@peterford5644]

Now that you’ve finished reacting to the whole series I’m binge watching today. I’ve also watched a number of other reactions. You mentioned how seamlessly they gave us the information about Elle. I was amazed how many others missed that Elle is a trans person. One reactor didn’t catch on until episode seven and the scene with Tao at the park.

[@gicsome7997]

I don't know how many times I've already watched the whole seasin, but I'm ready to rewatch it with you 💙💛

[@NeroAlexander28]

I agree with all of you observations and yeah i have lost count of how many times i have seen this show already is just beautiful in every way.

[@KnightRaymund]

Great video! Loved the analysis and comparisons since you're not new to it like most reactions I've watched. A refreshing change of pace. The cast is great. Joe is so good for his first professional role. And yeah, the things Kit can do with his expressions are just so fantastic.

[@nessadozier3081]

Really really love your reaction. I think exactly the same about Ben and his feelings

[@retroreceptionist7571]

I’m also obsessed and have read and watched more times than I can count

[@danieloneal7137]

Not taking any time to show the nice rugby lads (mainly Otis, Sai, and Christian) being friendly to Charlie is one of the very few things I’d change about the show if I could. Also, your take on Ben pretty much matches mine. Not many people seem capable of having a nuanced opinion about him. Yes, the things he says and does are deplorable but if he were a real life teenager, simply labeling him an unredeemable villain wouldn’t be at all productive. He needs professional guidance. Unfortunately, I doubt he’d be the kind of person to willingly seek it out.

[@edwardc.patterson9664]

Hi Tom. I really enjoy your reaction videos and the comic book comparison series also (although I have not been able to find the link to Ep6 in the comic series). I have been through about 20 reaction series on KZbin. Yours is the best. I am an Ambassador on the FaceBook groups (2 of them - one with 102,000 members) and the other with 54,0000 members). I post a link to your playlist and the following "Here is the absolute best 8 video reaction series for Heartstopper on the internet. The reactor, Thom, is intimate with both the series and the books and has insights that will enlighten." Hopefully you'll get a boost in watchers.

[@thom_is_trans]

Thanks, I really appreciate the shout-out! ❤

[@edwardc.patterson9664]

Is there a so 6,7 and 8 video for the comic vs series suite? If so, can I get a link. Thanks.

[@thom_is_trans]

@@edwardc.patterson9664 Not as of yet, but I'm working on the next comics vs. show vid as we speak!

[@edwardc.patterson9664]

Hi again. The closed captions are only missing on Reaction series Episode 1. Wen I check the rest, they are all enabled. Thanks. Ed

[@thom_is_trans]

Hi, Ed! I have closed captioning enabled on all the videos, but for some reason the closed captions come up as "unavailable" on that first video, and I'm not sure why. I'm looking into it, but it doesn't seem to be something I can change - the video settings for that video are the same as all my others. I'll keep investigating, though!

[@edwardc.patterson9664]

Thanks, Thom

[@jamesjackson8292]

I just got twelve times through

[@graphiquejack]

I will be curious how they handle Isaac in the show. He does say ‘I want to believe in romance’ and Aled (his counterpart in the comics) confesses that he has romantic feelings for a boy named Daniel. So wouldn’t that make him ace/homoromantic? He isn’t aromantic if he ‘loves’ or at least likes someone else romantically. I’m not sure if Alice said specifically if they’d make Isaac Aro/ace but if they did I’m not sure that’s accurate to what’s already been written both in the comics (which they could deviate from as they are technically not the same character) and the show.

[@thom_is_trans]

In Radio Silence, the book about Aled, we learn that he's actually demisexual, which is on the ace spectrum but involves only being attracted to someone you have a deep emotional connection with. As for Isaac, Alice has confirmed him to be aro/ace, but I think it's important to remember that even if you don't want romance for yourself, you can still enjoy seeing others fall in love. Alice Oseman is aro/ace, for instance, and yet still managed to write a beautiful love story in Heartstopper. :)

[@lisamcarthur3225]

hi i couldnt watch this because there where lines across it i dont know why but i lession to it to the end

[@snoopy_J]

Does this have a new thumbnail or does my brain just hate me?

[@thom_is_trans]

It does have a new thumbnail! I went back and added in captions (since for some reason this was the only reaction vid the auto-captions weren't showing up on), and while I was in there, I figured I'd make a new thumbnail since the original one wasn't great. :P

[@RScottPR]

This is the perfect time to point out Nick not once calls Charlie cute, or sexy or any physical complement. 🥺 Plot flaw?

[@thom_is_trans]

I don't know, I think it's kind of nice that Nick never says anything like that (although it's clear he does think Charlie is pretty adorable). In this first ep, we have Ben saying how "cute" Charlie is, because the physical/surface stuff is all he's interested in. Nick, on the other hand, likes Charlie for who he is, and the things he praises Charlie on are him being kind, thoughtful, caring, amazing, etc. instead of the physical stuff. I think it does a great job of showing how deeply Nick cares for Charlie, that the things he praises about him aren't just what's on the surface.

[@RScottPR]

@@thom_is_trans I don’t disagree at all with what you’re saying. However, Charlie deserves to have his cuteness acknowledged, especially by Nick. Thanks for replying!

[@andre_p]

I’m addicted too and it’s comforting to read that so many others are as well ! I watch the series, then multiple reactions to all the episodes, then read the books (1-4), then go back to the series in French (my first language - many nuances gleaned through the language switch), then back to square one. I’m mentally exhausted but I can’t help it …🫠