HEARTSTOPPER REACTION // 107 'Bully'

[@ryanwalter9109]

They specifically stated in the first episode that she was trans. Tao just bought Elle's drink again and after saying that she's now at Higgs there's a comment "Mr Reed was still refusing to call her Elle". To which Charlie replies "Yeah. Mr Reed is a massive transphobe."

[@elia_simon]

wow i totally missed that too

[@noahxavier6253]

I'm both surprised and not surprised that a lot of people missed this point. Definitely a comment on modern media and the need for more healthy and well-developed trans storylines.

[@elia_simon]

@@noahxavier6253 I think moreso it was just me dozing and not listening to the full dialogue in ep 1 lol

[@noahxavier6253]

@@elia_simon I mean that is also valid haha!

[@memnochLasher]

Exactly!

[@katiew1490]

No Ben didn’t start kissing Charlie cause he felt bad, he’s just in extreme denial

[@BrownsBacker]

Notice the very slight camera truck done so brilliantly in this episode....when Charlie says Nick isn't his type, the camera, very slightly moves back and slightly upward....making it look like Nick appears smaller in the screen....like hearing Charley say that deflates him and hurts him. It's absolute brilliant and subliminal film making. It's one thing to get a series as wonderful as this one, but to have a director that is brilliant in expressing every possible nuance and emotion is.....wonderful....and emotionally devastating. This show can seem so simplistic and yes, it has every straight rom-com trope....but the nuances you notice in repeated viewings, continue to wow you.

[@tjsingletonjr]

I've had the hardest time trying to tell if the camera moved or if it was Kit Connor dropping his shoulders (maybe both). Either way, it is a powerful scene. I wonder, though, if Nick really feels deflated because of the specific words ("He's not even my type") or that *yet again* Charlie has to deny his feelings for Nick in public (bathroom at the bowling alley, on the track before the St. John's rugby match). At the rugby match, Nick seems like he wishes he could meet Charlie's friends, and he overhears Charlie say they're just friends. (He may also be a little scared that Darcy seems to notice they're "acting all couple-y.") And in the bowling alley, the pain on Nick's face when he hears Charlie say, "He's ... he's my .... my friend" I think reveals how much Nick does not want to be another Ben in Charlie's life. Sure, it's not nice to hear a person you care about say these things, even when you know he's doing it at your request, but Nick doesn't want to hurt Charlie, and asking Charlie to deny their special relationship is hurting Charlie, which hurts Nick.

[@SpookyBibi24]

Part of the reason why Tao is so protective is that he feels guilty for accidentally outing Charlie (people overheard him talking and that's how word got out). It's more specifically said in the graphic novel.

[@MM-fe9mz]

Which novel? That's a big point and explains alot. Definitely a few little things in the first book that added little details that made a few things clearer.

[@ajjennings3745]

@@MM-fe9mz book 3

[@sualajulia7374]

This is just my opinion but I think they didn't state that in the series bc they don't want to give people more reasons to hate Tao

[@dontdeletethexos]

*SPOILER ALERT* I think that they may explore that in later seasons (if it's renewed) because they kind of hinted to it (when Tao was talking to Elle he said something like "he was probably worried I would say something and accidentally out nick") maybe if the Paris trip happens it'll go down then, like in the graphics.

[@bloop1826]

It was never confirmed whether or not Tao outed Charlie if I remember correctly. Just that Aled (a character only in the books) thought it was a possibility since Tao speaks loudly From what I remember/grasp, Tao is very protective over his friend because he stood by his side during all of the bullying and never wants Charlie to have to experience that kind of pain again. In the bathroom scene at the bowling alley, they touch on it in the show but they go much more in depth during the same conversation in the book

[@thom_is_trans]

I'm sure someone's mentioned this in a comment already, and I'm not sure if they're keeping this as "canon" for the show, but in the graphic novels, we learn that Tao is the one who accidentally outed Charlie the year before. It was totally unintentional, just him telling their mutual friend how happy he was that Charlie had come out to them, but someone overheard and that's how the rumors spread about Charlie being gay. So there is definitely a history there of Tao spilling secrets unintentionally, though whether that figured into Charlie's decision to wait to tell him about Nick, we don't know. Personally, I think it was just a case of Tao being so, so negative about Nick that Charlie found it hard to be honest with him about it, but that's just my take on it.

[@1DMapler18]

technically charlie didnt know anything about tao having to do with his coming out, he only found out cause aled told him during the paris trip

[@thom_is_trans]

@@1DMapler18 Of course, but since Aled isn't even in the show, we don't know what Charlie knows at this point, or if they're even keeping in this plot point of Tao accidentally outing Charlie.

[@Tustin2121]

Also, it was never actually confirmed that Tao did do that, it was just speculation on Aled’s part, and really only served to add (frankly unneeded) tension for the next story arc.

[@toms.1417]

In the first episode, when Tao, Charlie, and Isaac are at the picnic table and Tao talks about buying Elle's apple juice out of habit, that's where we find out Elle was formally a student there but moved to the girls school because she is trans. Charlie also mentions that a teacher refused to refer to Elle as Elle.

[@Thisone109]

Nick looked so confused and scared when Charlie was talking at the end. The poor boy looked like he was about to start sobbing I felt so bad for him

[@rararaddee_b7718]

Hahaha..it's actually mentioned in episode 1 that she is trans. Or just implied when Tao said their teacher refused to call her Elle and Charlie said the teacher was transphobic..Maybe you just missed it

[@jamesjackson8292]

Yep 😁

[@afra_omg1033]

Oh i didnt know that

[@JayceMaxwell]

Curse of the reactors. The need to comment and give feedback while an episode is going makes nearly all of them miss things that are clearly stated. I spent that whole rant about "not explicitly stating things in episode one" going Oh, Honey.

[@jaygatz4335]

I missed it, too.

[@finnyc.260]

Yeah my friend missed it too when we watched it....I was like GURL PAY ATTENTION

[@gervaischouinard9809]

Instead of listing to Tao all people knowing about Charlie and Nick, Elle should have tell that was Nick who told to Tara, Darcy and her, and Isaac figure this out by himself. Charlie never told to any of his friend so he didn't betray Tao.

[@BarelyCaitlyn]

Some people have touched on the graphic novels fanon reason why Tao is so protective of Charlie but I also like to think that it’s just got to be hard to witness two of your closest friends be relentlessly bullied and not be able to do anything about it. I think just seeing what has happened to Charlie and Elle in the past would make most people want to prevent it from happening again in the future

[@pinkfish1815]

Another reason Tao is protective of charlie is that charlie went through very intense bullying the year before and Tao was his only friend then (before Issac and Elle). He was always charlie's protector so it's hard for him to let go of those instincts.

[@simsimsiree3439]

I love how much care you give to considering every character's experiences--even the jerks. You're very perceptive & give everyone thought, which is so lovely

[@CoreysCouch88]

Thank you! Everyone has a story right?

[@jenniferbrinks6552]

Nick’s mom totally knows. She just trying to make him feel safe to tell her.

[@tova1412]

eh, I think it's up for interpretation. if she knew 100% she probably wouldn't have made the Kiera Knightley comment in the previous episode and stuff like that, I think she's just trying to be comforting and understanding

[@finnyc.260]

@@tova1412 eeehhhhhhhh I think she's piecing it together....I think she's thinking about it being a possibility.

[@CoreysCouch88]

Putting it together that something is happening for sure. But not 100% knowing. I think I started to say she knows but then thought no she doesn't because she's said a few things that make you think otherwise. She sees the connection between him and Charlie.

[@jenniferbrinks6552]

@@CoreysCouch88 I am a mom of three grown children and I recognized from the moment my children were born that they may not be straight. So I intentionally created an environment where they knew they would be embraced regardless of their sexuality and I made sure they knew from a very young age that same sex relationships were just as beautiful to me as straight reactions ships. I created my home in a way that my kids would never have to come out. They could have just told me casually that they had a crush on someone or that they had a date, the same way it was with the opposite gender. But if they had brought home someone of the same sex that was clearly a ‘special friend’, I would have handled it exactly the way Nick’s mom did. Especially if I was not sure that they understood the way they felt, like Nick clearly didn’t in the beginning. Her first conversation with him about Charlie was her helping him to see that Charlie wasn’t just any friend. And she surely knew Charlie was gay because he was out. If my son brought home an openly gay boy and they had anywhere near the connection that she mentioned, I would have known. I just would have. And she brought up girls in a way that opened it up for him to say something. Like the whole Kiera Knightly comment. That was the perfect opening for him to say ‘well, actually…’. She just kept creating these moments for him to say something. But the thing that convinced me was the look of relief on her face when he finally told her. She was relieved, not surprised. She closes her eyes for a brief moment and to me, she’s clearly thinking ‘thank goodness, he told me’ I know people may disagree and that’s fine but for me, as a mom who attempted to raise her children in a very similarly open and accepting home, I think she knew. I think any mom who is truly open and accepting like Nick’s mom clearly was, would know. Moms always know.

[@sarah4hp]

@@jenniferbrinks6552 I can't completely agree. I would have used language like "the right PERSON will come along", making it clear that I wasn't ASSUMING it would be a girl, and that it wouldn't be UPSETTING or destroy my dreams and hopes for his future if it wasn't. I might even add an "if you want to have a romantic partner" or something along those lines as people like myself exist and are valid as well, which a child deserves to know in case they are on the Ace/Aro spectrum... in Nick's case I think it is clear that he does experience both romantic and sexual attraction, but in general it is always best not to make assumptions and allow your child to tell and show you who they are as they discover those things themselves.

[@tallactordude]

This is definitely the darkest episode of the show, but it’s sort of dramatically necessary to take us into the final episode. And if I remember correctly from reading the next section of the web comic after the events covered by the show, it isn’t until that point that we find out that Tao feels guilty for outing Charlie. So assuming there is a second season, that might be made more explicit then. Anyway, your reactions continue to be perceptive and entertaining.

[@gicsome7997]

My issue with Elle telling Tao about Nick and Charlie is that she also outed Nick to Tao in that moment, and it wasn't her decision to make

[@user57589hkchJgndttydX]

By that logic Charlie also outed Nick to Tori when he told her that the two of them were together?

[@ezequielmondada6427]

Nick was ready to tell Tao, Charlie don't (ep6), so she didn't outed Nick

[@thegabrielhyde]

I think that's true, but Tao also virtually got there by himself, and one of the things about coming out is that the longer you wait to tell people, the likelier that is to happen. So I don't think anyone is really at fault.

[@erinmurray2367]

she was put on the spot, she was literally in an impossible position, tao already knew the answer to his question and would have immediately knew if she was lying?? like there was nothing she could have done

[@tjsingletonjr]

@@ezequielmondada6427 Exactly - Nick had come out to the rest of the friend group, but Tao wasn't present he told Elle. Since Tao is Charlie's best friend, Nick was letting Charlie decide when to tell Tao.

[@aidenrose6113]

Also if you look closely at the part with Charlie breaking it off with Nick, you can see a look of absolute fear in Nick's face cause he really doesn't wanna break up :(

[@jcs1025]

16:23 The way Charlie says ‘Nick’ always breaks my heart.

[@amberwi5861]

Nick touching Charlie’s arm had a lot more meaning than anyone who hasn’t read the novels is aware of. I won’t spoil it for you, but there is a meaning to it. I absolutely cannot wait to watch your reaction to the last episode! It can’t come soon enough!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@LainesPEIWilds]

That music drop at the credits might be one of my favourite moments, even though this episode is such a tough one to watch.

[@noahxavier6253]

I really liked your point about Ben. It was one reason I liked that they put him in the show more than he was in the novels because they really made him more of a real character. The actor did a fantastic job of portraying his insecurities and projecting onto Charlie, while still managing to show it as unhealthy and horrible, so that we see that duality and complexity. I'm really looking forward to seeing what else they do with Ben when (I'm hoping) there's a season 2.

[@sweeperboy]

11:40 I think is BS personally. Ben *is* gay (or bisexual) - with a lot of internalised self-loathing - and did lust after Charlie (I won't call it love). He's just saying what he did to cause Charlie maximum pain. No fully straight boy would kiss another on the lips multiple times just because they feel sorry for them, does not happen. This is rewriting of history by Ben to suit his current need for revenge.

[@bretsnow5058]

Just come accross your reaction vids to HEARTstopper yesterday great to c an aussie reaction the 1st one I've seen as a fellow aussie it's great i love the way u r doing it I'm hooked on this series I've watched through 14 times probably because i can realate to nick exactly and each time i watch it it has bought me out of my shell more and more and i tear up even more at times during the show cheers bro

[@jaygatz4335]

Your final finger snap after saying "Bang on the money!" was perfectly timed. Looking forward to your reaction to episode 8!

[@mattinlondon5970]

They did refer to Elle being trans in Ep 1, where they talked about the transphobic teacher refusing to call her Elle.

[@AG-ix5po]

Ok i’m on a Heartstopper spiral rn rewatching and watching reactions and so far yours is my favorite. Love how insightful your thoughts on everything are and how moved and attached to the characters you are. Thank you and subscribed!

[@Solon_H]

Coming in with the positivity, coming out devastated and angry

[@CoreysCouch88]

Charlie during the cinema experience?

[@saiborg0822]

I really love your reactions. this episode hurts so much. the hurt in their looks and their voices shaking so much. its just hurts and so powerful

[@erinmurray2367]

people who are saying that elle outed nick are being completely unfair, tao had already figured it out, he knew the answer to her question and he would have known if she was lying. she was literally put in an impossible situation and did the best she could. nick didn’t mind so why should you??

[@charlesjohnson253]

Just subscribed. Absolutely enjoyed your reaction!

[@BrownsBacker]

Charlie would've NEVER told Tao until Nick was ready to come out. So forgive Elle....it was an innocent mistake....and Tao was going to feel betrayed regardless. Notice that the only times that Nick and Charlie's relationship was shared, Nick was the revealer...even at the milkshake Cafe....it was Nick who initiated it and when Elle looked to Charlie when she realized it, Charlie looked at Nick in silence, until Nick said yeah....and THEN Charlie confirmed it. Charlie NEVER and would NEVER betray their secret.....it was always up to Nick to reveal it.

[@tjsingletonjr]

Charlie says in front of Nick (milkshake scene) that he's looking for the right time to tell Tao. I think Nick is okay with Charlie making that call because he's out to everyone else in the friend group.

[@昊-g5h]

I think the main reason Nick punch Harry is that he made Charlie said “Nick’s not even my type”.

[@MsMenoz]

Soooo happy ending reaction of the year! See you next season. Woot woot! ❤

[@finnyc.260]

I do understand where Elle was coming from because she doesn't wanna lie to him, HOWEVER it is not her information to give out. She legitimately just outted Nick to Tao. Even if she felt bad lying it is NOT her place to choose when Nick and Charlie feel comfortable telling Tao. It's NEVER okay to out someone. Never.

[@CoreysCouch88]

Wow, she kinda definitely outed Nick omg

[@kelcouch]

This episode hurt so much 😭 Can't wait for your final reaction!! Excited!!

[@AnnekeOosterink]

Ben is such a Nice Guy (tm), you know, the ones who will call you ugly if you say no to them. Like, "no one wants to be with you" uhm, Nick obviously does, and Ben was cool with kissing Charlie, so clearly that's a lie. Everything to make Charlie feel bad. Ugh. Ben does not get to take his pain out on other people. It's sad for him, but his sadness doesn't excuse his cruelty and assault. He keeps following Charlie, calling him desperate. His behaviour is the type that can escalate to stalking. I'm assuming that he won't go there, but still. It's a really toxic and dangerous mindset. I think Nick's mum suspects a little, but she isn't sure. I like how the mums know what's up. Nick's mum suspects a little, Tao's mum definitely knows something's going on between Tao and Elle. :D Also, note how Harry mocks Tao with being friends with Charlie, calls Charlie is boyfriend, and then mocks Tao for possibly having a girlfriend. Like, it doesn't matter what Tao does, Harry will find a way to mock him.

[@tova1412]

I think Tao is just a pretty confrontational and sassy person that won't stand for bullshit, and he was also Charlie's only friend when the bullying was really bad so of course he would be protective. he also doesn't want to lose Charlie, which the bullying could potentially lead to, so he doesn't solely protect Charlie but also his friendship with Charlie which he's started to worry he'll lose

[@scottjohnson1119]

They did say in the first episode that Elle was trans. It was at the picnic table when we first met Isaac and Tao.

[@BrownsBacker]

As you rewatch this series, in the Ben/Charlie scene....watch Ben's face....he is being so cruel, but he is in total desperation.....he does care for Charlie, but hates himself so much that he could never say he's jealous of Nick....As Charlie's dad breaks up the horrid encounter with Charlie....Ben is nearly hyperventilating...panting and his face falls when Charlie walks away. He can't take Charlie's rejection because he was his only lifeline with a part of himself he hates so much, but couldn't accept.... Charlie wasn't just a boy he kissed....but then he realized that he had truly lostTHE boy he liked because he was a dick from hell....it didnt change him, as we'll see in the next episode, but it did present an opportunity to see that Ben is a very tragic figure, not just evil. Harry is totally evil. But when I see his face after Nick races after Charlie when he races out of the cinema.....I don't think Harry has any feelings about Nick, other than losing him in his personality clique....he is mad that he is losing some control of the clique that he needs to be the leader of to feel better about himself.

[@joshuagust9760]

the way i have your vids on notification, please share episode 8 soon!

[@CoreysCouch88]

YAASSSS thank you. You are the best. Episode 8 is right around the corner

[@meganhardy6700]

Honestly I feel so sympathetic towards Tao, because he IS kinda right when he says Charlie "forgot about him". I totally get why and how he got caught up in this new romance with Nick, how worried he was for him and preoccupied, but also busy being in love. But he spent all his time with Nick, whether it's because of rugby, going out, or during lunch. Tao has the right to feel alone and kind of abandoned. Then he was left out of the truth regarding Nick and Charlie, and it's even worse because Tao just made the situation worse and appeared like a fool (fighting back Harry and whatnot every day at school, being angry and suspicious of Nick, etc.). So I'm glad it got resolved in the last episode with Charlie apologizing and making amends + quitting the rugby team (because it was /not/ him)

[@nitsugazemag]

Elle being trans was said during the first episode where Tao accidentally buys two apple juices. Tao says that he can’t believe that some teacher doesn’t want to acknowledge or call her Elle and Charlie tells him that that teacher is a transphobe.

[@wilhelm-z4t]

An interesting observation by you about Harry going easy on Tao in their fight. He was willing to mix it up with Nick, but maybe he doesn't think Nick is gay (ok, bi)? Does Harry think Tao is gay (he kinda sorta is, really) so he's pulling his punches? Why is Harry so obsessed with gays all the time, and always asking rhetorical questions about his mates not bringing girls etc? AFAIK, we've never seen Harry with a girl, but maybe I'm forgetting something? Heck, you even see Ben with a girl! Of course, we know that's all for show on his part to annoy Nick for one. Oh well, I suspect these questions are never going to be answered in the show, but I'd like them to be.

[@janinemhall6922]

I cannot wait to see your reaction to episode 8!!

[@CoreysCouch88]

It is on it's way trust me!

[@WiseGuy19]

0:32 Big drama points to bring awareness to an issue sounds like the entirety of Volume 4. Just you wait.

[@CoreysCouch88]

oh no

[@BARALover96]

Its mentioned pretty early on that Elle is trans. She used to go to the all boy school with Charlie, Tao and Isaac and halfway through year 10 she was moved to the all girl school which is when the show starts. Darcy and Tara ask her about going to the all boy school to. They havnt out right say she is trans but they do mention transphobia like twice Ben is just in denial and takes it out on Charlie.

[@babygirlknightly8174]

I absolutely love your reactions they make my day 💕

[@kacey-leighgirling8743]

The thing that bothers me is that Elle essentially outed Nick to Tao, which isn't cool. But hopefully they address that at some point

[@BrownsBacker]

They did say Elle was trans in the first episode....but....it was just a statement of fact among loving and accepting friends....more than subliminal, but not a huge screaming statement....for a reason....because trans people want to just be seen as themselves, quietly....and with dignity....this series presents the truth, but quietly....and with total acceptance and respect that Elle is never treated as a boy.....never equated, but alluded quietly, to having been a conflicted boy. It's, to me....perfect. I would hope that trans women would comment on whether I am in left field on this as a gay man.

[@jamesjackson8292]

I just now caught after nine times through that tao was the one who outed him on the show too

[@1Alekfan]

I was just so sad for Tao in that final scene…

[@Svtmme73]

I miss the part from the gn when Nick tried to tell Charlie by text after that night. He was feeling so bad and embaressed

[@shayneoshaughnessy2471]

did you say why does the bad boy always have to look really good? 🤣 honestly true sebastian croft is so pretty.

[@shishinonaito]

I mean, in the very first episode, when Tao says he was still buying apple juice for Elle even though she wasn't there anymore, Tao said that this teacher kept refusing to call her Elle, to which Charlie added that that teacher is a huge transphobe. It is never brought up again until chapater 7, but it was made 100% clear right from the beginning why Elle left her school for another one. You just missed it. 😝

[@CoreysCouch88]

Sadly, I did indeed.

[@giuliamoura1340]

can't wait to watch your reaction of the last ep :((((

[@CoreysCouch88]

It's on it's way and it is quite long... hehe

[@BrownsBacker]

Spoiler from the books....Tao made a comment about Charlie that was overheard and used to out Charlie as gay....the series hasn't said this, but Tao feels responsible for outing Charlie and bringing on all the bullying that came about subsequently....so he became overly protective of Charlie out of love...and guilt....and yes, it's why Charlie couldn't trust his best friend to hold onto his secret about Nick. The series gave you a taste of it when Tao admits that Charlie may have that mind frame, but I believe it may be shown and explained in season two....at least I hope so.

[@Cayles764]

Of course it wasn't true when Ben said he isn't gay. It's like you said. He is really hurting. Hurting to the point that he's regressing in his coming out process... he can't even admit it to himself.

[@Daffietjuh00]

Yeah i think the thing that bothers me most about what Tao says at the end is that it's bascially the worst thing he could possibly have said to Charlie. He even says it to Nick in the finale, Charlie is someone who will bascially apologize for existing and he just told him that it's all his fault. I totally get he's upset, but I also completely understand why Charlie didn't tell him. If I was Charlie and my best friend reacts that badly to just the idea of me being friends with Nick, I wouldn't want to tell him that we're dating either.

[@SigoBemCaminhoneira]

it took me till this ep to get that elle was trans too... and i like that her story is not all around that

[@BrownsBacker]

The privilege of being able to pass for straight weighs heavily on Nick's integrity and sense of justice.

[@jmarais]

Tao is protective bc he was the one who kinda outed Charlie (accidentally)

[@puzzlepiece2502]

Harry's intriguing, especially with the weird stare into the camera he gives near the start of the episode when nick goes after charlie. Idk he's also hot so I want a redemption arc

[@CoreysCouch88]

hahaha funny how attractive they are influences our opinions... guilty of this too dw

[@coltonmartin7191]

To be honest I would find it hard to tell Tao. He’s not the biggest fan of Nick, he can be pretty brash and not to mention in the original graphic novel Tao accidentally outs Charlie by talking too loudly about him being gay.

[@AsielFlores]

I’m early😊. Damn 6am for me here in America

[@salemoh9759]

The voice is from Steven Fries...old gay sassy men 😅

[@KirkLinnDeGrassi]

He didn't tell Tao because it's NOT HIS THING TO SAY

[@mythics102]

I know everyone else has pointed out how the mention Elle being trans in episode 1 but I totally understand you thinking that because they didn’t make it very clear at all and I kind of wish they did. I understand what you said about liking it because it’s not necessarily relevant but as a non-binary person I do wish they would have discussed it a bit more!

[@mythics102]

Also wanted to say that I think their fights are very tame because of a rating/vibe thing, like Tao was also only hitting him with his beanie lol. Really enjoying these and can’t wait for the last one!!

[@CoreysCouch88]

Thank you. All these comments are making me feel bad cause I missed it.

[@t-98]

Every time I see one of these reactions I can’t help but wonder if there’s something that’ll make you sound like a bird 😅💀,, my bets are on the fight scene Never mind 😅 5:59 it is 😂

[@CoreysCouch88]

It's become a habit of these reactions haha

[@Solon_H]

Tao has attachment issues and also generally protective

[@floppsymoppsy5969]

I totally feel you about Harry! He acts soooo sus sometimes to me. Thow doth protest to much Harry! THOU DOTH PROTEST TOO MUCH!!!

[@mackenziegauthier7519]

In the first episode the first time they talk about Elle they mention that one of they teachers is a transfobe. That's how your suposed to know haha

[@christinfishback4245]

That Elle is trans is discussed in the first episode when they have lunch together and Charlie says that One teacher still refused to call her Elle because he is transphobic

[@chuckcarson7972]

I think Charlie has huge psych issues: 1) anorexia. “I’m not hungry. Nothing for me.” Opens his lunch box, then closes it back up and puts it away without getting anything out. .. 2) he “mirrors” Nick to become accepted. Repeating whatever Nick says, worded differently. AND the scene at the arcade, he is literally mirroring his actions

[@tjsingletonjr]

The first time I saw the show, I thought, "I've felt like that," remembering a situation so awful that I had no appetite. So that's what I thought at first. But the bullying was really bad the previous year and things seems to be spiralling out of control right now, so it makes sense that he is seeking some control, which is at the root of some eating disorders.

[@babykoala6973]

This episode made me go through every emotion on the span of 30 minutes. I really don’t like Harry and Ben like oh my they piss me off so much

[@JockScrapDraws]

noone needs bullies but i think in a show like this they need them to show how wrong it is and how,possibly, no matter what love always wins

[@BrownsBacker]

Watch the scene in the car park between Charlie and Ben and turn off the volume. Just watch Ben's face....and if you hadn't already heard the vile words he spews, you'd swear it was a scene where Ben expresses his love for Charlie. He is obviously jealous, hurt, and displaying raw emotion as he nearly hyperventilates....panting as Charlie walks away. Ben is vile in his narcissism, but tragic in his emotions.

[@gigiloveyeah]

Harry friends I think are followers they hear Harry don’t do anything or say anything to Harry that he needs to calm down and stop being rude: 🙌🔥 Ben in this got me tight Charlie already feels bad about himself , Ben just wants to add salt to the whom which is fucked is. Charlie and nick were adorable Nick rocked , punched Harry as nick should🥰🥰.

[@evnkas]

I missed it also in the first episode, when they mention how transphobic a teacher was and wouldn't refer to Elle by her chosen name.

[@CoreysCouch88]

I need to rewatch it... glad I'm not the only one...

[@pratfallpratt8998]

Honestly, Tao being so against Nick and upset that Charlie didn't tell him is my least favorite part of the show and the most contrived plot device. First, it's so damn obvious that Nick is completely smitten with Charlie, even if Tao doesn't see it Elle could have pointed it out for him. Second, no wonder charlie didnt tell him given Tao being so aggressively distrustful, Charlie tells him at bowling to just trust him about Nick and Tao basically ignores that immediately. Third, Nick comes out to Tara who he's barely even thought about in years, then he's the one to tell Elle about them, so I don't understand why he couldn't just tell Tao himself right there at the milkshake date since he knows Tao is an ally. Then, it would have been fine to have Tao remain a little skeptical and nick have to do some more work to earn Tao's trust and friendship. Maybe they'll do that in a season 2 tho.

[@finnyc.260]

Agreed....but I think this is more realistic...🤷🏻‍♀️

[@zanechi]

Not only it has been mentioned in the first episode that Elle is Transgirl, but also the actress herself is trans. You just did not pay attention.

[@elia_simon]

I totally missed elle being trans too. I just found out in your reaction lol. I too like that it's not really made into a huge storyline though. BUTTT I do think her story is important to tell. Ben is ridic because he says all that crap but then seeks out Charlie to talk to him??? Like if you never liked him why are you here? Go away! Go Nick standing up to his old friends, not a lot of people have the courage to do that. Harry is getting so OLD! I'm over this character.

[@CoreysCouch88]

I'm glad I wasn't the only clueless one...

[@Handleisstoopididea]

Ben try gaslighting. Not because what he said.

[@CoreysCouch88]

He so was gaslighting!

[@fbbfan9476]

Oh if Only Harry knew that he has two friends who Bi or Gay

[@magicgnome5515]

💖

[@BrownsBacker]

I am extremely anti-violence....but.....if my man hit a nasty homophobe in defense of me.....I would love him so much more.....yeah, I would NEVER forget it.....nor be able to repay it. Just sayin......❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@finnyc.260]

I I'd just like to say you're super incorrect about Elle. In the FIRST episode they are sitting at lunch and talking about how a teacher wouldn't call her by her new name and how he was TRANSPHOBIC. Like they had a whole conversation about it. P.S. not yelling just emphasizing certain words.