My Honest Thoughts on Heartstopper

[@FredericChen]

Update: I’m reading the comics and they’re 10x better and yes I will be making a video about it

[@snooziesioux]

I was watching this and my mom heard cupcakke-

[@sadiesavanna8369]

YESS thank gosh

[@persistenturge]

YES

[@achild5864]

LETS GOOO

[@bestcabbage]

So I’m fairly sure that Isaac and Aled are supposed to be the same character just with different names (this hasn’t been confirmed yet though so I cant say for sure) and the creator of Heartstopper has a book following Aled’s story and it’s called Radio Silence!!!

[@isabelwilliams233]

British person here: uniform is compulsory in most British schools but sometimes kids will wear their own hoodies or coats over their uniform, which is what I think Darcy is doing. It’s not really allowed but some schools are more relaxed about it, and it shows Darcy’s slightly rebellious streak well

[@joeym6658]

honestly, i remember teachers yelling at us to not do that constantly. the only acceptable time for us was with leaver's hoodies, but idk if that was allowed in other places

[@doorknobq452]

Can confirm lol

[@carronline1]

back when i was at school, not just uniform but even hair my school wouldnt let you have it cut too short or too long

[@sza_lvrrr]

yes its definitely to show how she strays away from the rules and norms of the school. she wouldnt have been allowed to wear the hoodie but wears it anyway

[@tltmaun7461]

I lived in hoodies my last two years of secondary cause I hated the uniform. 17 degrees. Hoodie. 27 degrees. Hoodie. I did get in trouble for it occasionally but nothing really came of it

[@arc7200]

As a 17 year old closeted bisexual, I FELT Nick. he being confused, searching up, crying, everything. I can't tell about others but Nick was just so me.

[@dreamingofthemoon]

Literally me too🙃

[@torimonet8402]

Us bisexuals gotta band together 😌.

[@amairhapokala]

@@torimonet8402 yes we do!

[@hannahwatson4003]

LITERALLY!! i’ve been questioning if i’m bi (i’m already half way out as ace) and i related to him so hard

[@lydialaeke6647]

Yeah and specifically as a bisexual it's kind of like you don't even think about liking the same sex because you already like the opposite sex so why ask? I like how that was kind of how Nick was, though it was only implied I really related to that.

[@ananya.a.]

i wish i had heartstopper when i was little. it’s so nice to see media for teens where it’s not babied or sexualised. sure some of the dialogue can be a little cringe at times but it’s really comforting fr :((

[@ananya.a.]

you know what. i’m kind of glad some of the dialogue was cringey. because teens ARE cringey. none of us are here reciting dramatic monologues like cassie in our school’s restrooms. let teens be messy and annoying and REAL

[@debbydee6633]

Yes I found the dialogue awkward at times but its still an enjoyable experience and it's not fair to dismiss the work as a whole bc it still holds a lot of meaning for people. ( sidenote I found the texting really unrealistic like it was a bit uncanny valley in the sense that nobody I know texts like that lol) I dont think I would watch it again or watch a second season but I still think the project deserves recognition and support. I also think there are some solid scenes that are just stunning and really well done. I havent read the full book series so take my ramblings with a grain of salt lol

[@debbydee6633]

I just think the series is sweet, it's an adorable series just really nice to watch and comforting like you said. I think if I was younger I would enjoy it more

[@marvel_warhead4458]

​@Fucking grass l didn't cringe either. lt was exactly like the webtoon.

[@beatm6948]

Every single one of Harry's lines had me cackling. "the mates know I'm joking" lives in my head rent free

[@payt00n]

Honestly refreshing too see representation that isn't sexualized or in a dark Euphoria show way.

[@jxles01]

For real!! We needed this so badly!

[@fairy_floss]

Fr I needed this so badly after being traumatised from euphoria.

[@SCALIEDIFITY]

I HATE how euphoria sexualized almost everybody that was on screen 😬 do the creators rlly think teenagers act like this in general-💀💀💀

[@ezequielmondada6427]

@@SCALIEDIFITY I mean sadly in my high school it was kinda like euphoria kind of people obviously less dramatic but still...xd But it depends on what group of friends you surround yourself, my friend group was a mix of heartstopper and euphoria xd.

[@BurgerBoi1]

Euphoria was...ok, but not THAT good, however some people aren't ready for that conversation😭

[@persistenturge]

Frederic, Heartstopper is based off of a comic series. It's an adaptation (definitely recommend reading the og) which is why the little 2D animations are there, it's adding Alice Oseman's drawing style in the show.

[@jumplow2665]

i liked the comics better then the show lol the books are more realistic

[@radiosilnce]

@@jumplow2665 same I prefer the webtoon but wym by more realistic lol

[@Ratkingg69_]

I love the webcomics cause that's where I discovered Heartstopper but I love how in the show it shows more of Elle's pov cause I feel that was really important to show, and the comics didn't really portray that. Both are amazing 👏🏼

[@xojuun]

@@jumplow2665 they’re more realistic bc it isn’t as rushed as the show was. they’re almost exactly the same but everything’s more compact so you don’t get as many details as you would reading the og comic yk

[@ilytyuns]

im so happy that they made the books into a show i've been reading it for like 2 years

[@_marsbars_]

Heartstopper is actually an adaptation of a webcomic that was turned into a graphic novel!! the show only portrays the first part of the story, so you should definitely check it out!! Alice (the author) is incredible! i love her art style and they’re really good at portraying queer struggles without them being overshadowing.

[@maddiebee2914]

YESS I've been reading the comic since it came out i was in tears at the end because I was just so pride of her

[@crunkbunny9003]

Yessss I agree. Also the thing I was very heartbroken about is that they didn't put Nellie in that adorable coat when Nick and Charlie are having a moment 🤧

[@eli01653]

@@crunkbunny9003 the fact that Nellie wasn’t in a coat and there was no conservatory scene is a crime

[@jennaturner6784]

Yes I don’t think he knew that while making the vid

[@Aroaceicon11-rz3ep]

The second season is coming in august! I hope it has the Paris trip!

[@patiencekillz]

good news: the show has been renewed for 2 more seasons, and the creator, alice oseman, has said they have “big asexual plans” for isaac (her words lol)

[@Ratman.Not.Batman]

Yas the ace rep I've been needing

[@astrorisks]

YEEEESSS!!! We need more asexual representation!!! We only have a very very small amount of representation so I am so excited to hear that!!!

[@patiencekillz]

@@astrorisks if you’re looking for ace rep, alice has written a book called “loveless” that deals with the protagonist coming to terms with her aroace identity. also in their book “radio silence” one of the main characters is demisexual

[@astrorisks]

@@patiencekillz I found out about that recently! I am definitely going to look into getting the book sometime!

[@chochootrain5979]

Hahahahahaha yes yes yes I can not wait

[@persistenturge]

Isaac was a completely new character. Most of the characters were already established in the comics, except Imogen and Issac. Imogen was added for a bit of drama, bc tv, and to be a friend to Nick that wasn't "one of the boys." Isaac was a replacement for a character who was apart of one of Alice's other books. She decided that she didn't want the other character to be in the show because she couldn't create a satisfying story for him in the show without taking away from his original story line. However, we definitely hope to see more from Isaac in the next two seaons. PARIS TRIP!!

[@anonymousotter664]

While I appreciate her sentiment, issac and aled will always be the same for me💀💀💀

[@beatm6948]

@@anonymousotter664 and they basically are, at this point. Both are the quiet/chill one who sticks around. Imogen is the only character that one could say is completely new, though i have a theory she's a replacement for the girl we meet on the Paris Trip. I will say Isaac is more "quip-y" than Aled, who's a lot more straight forward and serious.

[@anonymousotter664]

@@beatm6948 I HAD THE SAME THEORY that’s why I was so disappointed when they neglected her character until the last episode. It would’ve been nice to see her and nick actually be friends

[@ourbearworld2954]

Oh dang I’m looking forward for the Paris Trip Gang!

[@GaiaisPupz]

And Isaac is aroace!! I love representation :))

[@whoisgianna1793]

actually all of the main actors are still teenagers. most are only 18 and still finishing up school which i find so refreshing in comparison to shows like euphoria where the actors are like 30

[@whoisgianna1793]

@@cyliamart1486 oh yes, i saw kizzy say corinna isn’t a teenager anymore but i couldn’t find her confirmed age anywhere, i’ve seen various places say she’s 21-24 so 23 sounds about right

[@Itz.masonfox]

Why would you have kids in a show like euphoria that was a weird comparison lol. Its realistic to others but we dont want it that realistic to where kids have to do that. That defeats the point of the show.

[@beatm6948]

@@Itz.masonfox if kids can't do it, than is it truly realistic, and should it be on screen? I'd say there's a realm of belief and reasonability, and personally Euphoria crosses it for me. Falls into the "let's overly sexualize teenagers cause they're played by adults". Like, c'mon, when will we stop doing this.

[@Jimin-km9qx]

@@beatm6948 i mean true i feel like euphoria was even in college with adults it would still uncomfortable bc the show is so intense, also i don't angree teens playing teens bc shows like skins got exposed for abuse offscreen

[@niccole3542]

@@Jimin-km9qx it would be more realistic for the show to be set in college considering the sexual scenes.

[@annasim3651]

The director actually wanted to make sure that a lot of the production and staff for this were Queer and they even had an LGBTQ+ advisor on set to help make sure the scenes were being represented well! That's what I really love about this is that the team really went above and beyond to make sure that this was as authentic an experience as possible which REALLY made the world of difference

[@persistenturge]

YES!! i love how the casting worked on this show. Yasmin Finney (Elle) said that Elle's role was casted for someone who was a black trans woman specifically, and William Gao (Tao) said that Tao's role was casted for someone who as east asian or half east asian

[@ampersandcastle1091]

Heartstopper is SO accurate to the British gay experience. It’s actually ridiculous how many scenes were taken exactly from my life lmao. Idk I just can’t emphasise enough HOW targeted it feels as a British bi girl who got outed to her high school at age 14/15. ALSO THE ACTRESS FOR ELLE IS GOING TO BE IN DOCTOR WHO AHHHHH

[@spaced_out6621]

SHE IS OMFG I LIVE YASMIN FINNEY SHES SO AMAZING AND GORGEOUS

[@Some-Bird-Bish]

OMG SHE IS YESSSS

[@daisymemes2168]

OMG YASSS SHE WILL BE SO GOOD

[@catscatsandmorecats3056]

(Not relevant but...) Likes are 666...

[@yllwtoast]

There’s actually a reason that Isaac is more in the background. He is replacing Aled who is another Osemanverse character with their own unique story (Radio Silence). Oseman wanted to respect Aled’s story since they might be getting a separate movie/show? She wanted to ease Isaac into the story to see how her fan base would react. Next season he will get a more fleshed out story!

[@mxyellowo]

PLEASE PLEASE I WILL CRY FROM HAPPINESS IF RADIO SILENCE BECOMES A SHOW/MOVIE BECAUSE I WANT TO BUT CAN'T READ IT RN 😭😭😭

[@isaacw.8075]

@@mxyellowo Alice said they don’t have any type of plan for a show or movie right now.

[@duckmomma7753]

i think one of my favorite parts was specifically at the party and bowling alley when Nick was shown in pink and blue split lighting also called bisexual lighting. during the party scene when Nick was going to find Charlie, there was a moment where Nick was walking through a hallway and it switched between pink and blue lighting which I think was just a beautiful representation of his internal battle at that moment. I think people don't talk about the cinematography of this series enough along with the great stories and representation.

[@ehhdt.3909]

Yesss that was beautiful. I feel like the cinematography isn't appreciated enough.

[@actuallyansel4697]

can i just say. as a trans man in the closet who struggles with feeling masculine in fem clothes,,, it is so comforting seeing a cis man in jewelry and makeup, just makes me feel like wearing fem things doesn’t necessarily invalidate my masculinity :) so thank u fredric

[@decayingorganism]

THIS THIS YES

[@bagelcult3703]

same, it makes me feel like I don't count as a 'real boy' when I like an outfit that's usually considered feminine. So seeing guys like Fredrick wearing similar things makes me feel better and more valid :)

[@actuallyansel4697]

@@bagelcult3703 exactly!!

[@actuallyansel4697]

@@minsungmeow honestly 😭

[@bestcabbage]

perfectly said, i’m the exact same way

[@valxxqina]

heartstopper was such a refreshing and cute show that doesn't oversexualize teens! i love the butterflies i get everytime i watch it! i also agree sm w the fact that British tv is so much better than American tv! ty for the commentary

[@teddybear8791]

I aggree! Also if you haven't read it yet there is books and a webtoon of it, so you can see more of the story!

[@valxxqina]

@@teddybear8791 oo yea i was thinking of saving up for the comics! they seem so cuteeee!

[@hue.main1]

Teenagers have sex and whatever, but a still large amount of us don’t and don’t go through that. With those types of shows, they made me just constantly feel left out and had me unable to relate to anyone about crushes and relationships. And just overall how I lived my teen life. I absolutely related to Tao and how he was feeling forgotten and just wanting to watch movies with friends and chill. That’s another thing! A lot of shows always show teens going out and I’m like “a lot of me and friends don’t actually go out that often. We usually go to each other houses”.

[@teddybear8791]

@@valxxqina They are really cute!

[@valxxqina]

@@hue.main1 I think that now the teenage experience is different and is constantly evolving, but shows like euphoria just give off the vibe of a 40 year old producer who tries too hard to fit into the whole gen z shows industry.. i think many experiences in euphoria can be relatable but they are romanticized to an unhealthy extent. I missed cute shows like this that focus on the realistic aspects of relationships and don’t profit off sexualizing minors. Of course, the characters on the show probably drink and have sex but the show doesn’t romanticize triggering situations and actually helps you feel good!

[@redacted7872]

Bit of a spoiler (going off the webcomic), but I love how Tao is confirmed to also be in love with Elle without having him have a crisis about his sexuality. People and shows like to make a whole storyline where the straight character starts to question their identity because they're attracted to a trans person, but Heartstopper doesn't do that. Elle is unquestionably a girl and Tao is straight. There's no "but what if?" or "what does this mean?". He likes a girl. That's all.

[@harlomints7727]

THIS! it actually had me questioning how i view trans people as a whole. bc it took me a couple episodes to pick up on the fact that elle was trans, so i started wondering "wait but isn't it kinda weird for tao? bc he knew elle as a guy for the longest time so how would his feelings just change whenever she became a girl?" she never became a girl. she always was one. the way heatstopper handled relationships with trans people was so good it literally fixed the way i see them.

[@willsolacemahsaamini8681]

yes yes yes yes that's why we always stan Alice

[@utterlychaotic5814]

that's why the webtoon, and show the entire thing thing is amazing

[@cosmicxani4830]

awww i know! i love when trans people in the media are represented like elle is, tao is straight, he likes a trans girl, he likes a girl, that's it. i know trans people can be confusing to some people when they first hear about them, but if trans people continue to be represented in this heartstopper way then it would really spread some awareness! fixes the way they see trans people! transphobia can be awful, youtube in 2016 and the super straight 'sexuality' can prove it (a made up transphobic sexuality that doesn't accept transgender people as part of the opposite sex)

[@daryissaplayz2312]

THIS! The only scenario where someone should question their sexuality to think they could be gay is if they crush on someone transitioning to their same gender! I lost all romantic interest in my friend when he told me he was a boy. It just goes to show, if you truly respect someone's identity, it only effects your sexuality if you still like them after transition. You can't very well be a lesbian if you like a man, just as you can't be gay and like a woman! If you do still like the person, you are either on the bi spectrum or transphobic! Self reflection is important, everyone.

[@gogreen2496]

I love love love the way Tara responds to Nick telling her she's the first person he's come out to. She doesn't say project happiness on to it ("I'm so happy for you!", "that's amazing", "good for you") she asks him how HE feels about it. The communication in this show is next level it's amazingly good at showing people being empathetic without projection, expressing experiences without judgment. *chef's kiss*

[@caro9390]

I recently saw somewhere that Tara means 'the compassionate one' in some language (I think hindi?) and I think that fits so well🥰

[@umrazubeir3839]

@@caro9390 nah tara i hindi literally translates to star. Maybe a different language.

[@chaotic-multi-fandom]

seeing Tara and Darcy being happy teenage lesbians and ACTUALLY using the word lesbian helped me so much and genuinely gave me hope, I've been a fan of the comics for some time (you should check them out, that's why there's those little animations included, they're from the comics) but actually seeing it on screen was like experiencing it all over again!!

[@huhok4964]

And i love that tara showed fear about saying the word lesbian because of how people will change their views on her and one of my friends (who is a lesbian themselves) cried during that scene because it touches on when they were scared of saying the word lesbian because of the same reason as tara

[@persistenturge]

You overstated, actually! Joe Locke (Charlie Spring) 18 Kit Konnor (Nick Nelson) 18 Yasmin Finney (Elle) 18 William Gao (Tao) 19 Sebastian Croft (Ben) 20 Corinna Brown (Tara Jones) 22 Kizzy Edgell (Darcy) 19 Rhea Norwood (Imogen) 20 Cormac Hyde-Corrin (Harry Greene) 17 Tobie Donoven (Isaac Henderson) 19

[@victoriamelchor9559]

yeah!! not to mention they were all a year younger while filming too

[@javencummins1426]

Yeah!

[@josipjagic]

@@victoriamelchor9559 yes!!!

[@huhok4964]

The oldest is the actor for Tori Spring shes (from what i remembered) 27

[@catbeara]

Kind of hilarious that the bully was the youngest of them all. 😅

[@uglysweater-j3p]

The quote "you don't necessarily find out until you find the right person" made me think of my girlfriend and I, I sort of always knew. She only realized she was gay until I came out to her.

[@Erik_]

I really appreciated that they didn't show transphobia directly in the show. They did mention that Elle experienced transphobia at the old school and that the teachers refused to call her by her name but they didn't show it directly. For me it was honestly a great desicion because we already have to deal with so much right now it was great not having to see it in this show as well.

[@inkubator320]

I mean I don’t see how it’s a problem to represent something like that because it’s real ? I mean y’all need to stop being so sensitive to these kinds of things

[@Erik_]

@@inkubator320 I didn’t say it was a problem to represent it. I said I PERSONALLY appreciated that it wasn’t directly shown in THIS show, because I am tired and I wanted to relax watching a show and feel represented without having to deal with seeing transphobia directly. I think it's important to show transphobia because it's a real issue we deal with, but we've seen that in pretty much every other case when a Trans person actually was in popular media, so this show was a nice change. Also I don’t think sensitity is a bad thing, I think it's good to be sensetive to the world around you, it's brave to show that sensitity openly and usefull for other people to reflect on how they act and see the world as well, isn’t it important to hear different opinions from people with perspectives different from your own? I'm glad that I am a sensitive person even if that means I get hurt easier, I can deal with feeling hurt, that doesn't mean I wouldn’t tell people when I'm hurting or they’ve hurt me and I don’t think that's an issue or something I should stop doing.

[@fairy_gvts]

I totally agree. I'm especially tired of seeing misgendering and deadnaming in showes bc it's so emotional. it hurts so much to have that happen to you. I like that they portray a trans person being genuinely happy with themselves and living their life. it's honestly so refreshing.

[@violetmaritime]

@@inkubator320 why aren’t we allowed to be sensitive to real things?? tv/media is supposed to be fun and goofy and is a way for a lot of kids (especially queer/marginalized people in general) to escape from the troubles of life. so as a trans person i found it refreshing that i could sit back and not have to think about my rights being striped from me every second.

[@violetmaritime]

@@fairy_gvts yes!! like in the bowling alley scene where Nick was like hey i feel like i recognize her and they explained it so well and quick without any deadnaming or even saying shit like oh yeah this is how and when she transitioned. they just said she switched schools :D

[@jagovanderpoten9992]

I actually really liked the fact that Isaac doesn't talk much. I am autistic and low verbal and it made me happy to see a character that doesn't talk much be part of a friend group, have friends and have them not talking not be a problem.

[@juliana8374]

25:59 “someone who produced this is gay” actually, almost everyone in the cast and crew is queer! the directors and producers and the author, alice oseman, all said they did their best to get as many queer people working on the show as possible to make it authentic and provide the community opportunity :) alice themself is aroace ! some of the cast like joe locke (charlie) and tobie donovan (isaac) are gay and have openly stated so, which is almost as comforting to see as the entire show itself.

[@sunsetskye483]

Yasmin Finney(Elle) is also a trans woman, just like Elle herself

[@sunsetskye483]

Also, I had no idea Joe and Tobie were gay, do you know where they said that?

[@imwatchingyou2340]

@@sunsetskye483 In a vlog from Tobie's channel i think

[@violetmaritime]

@@sunsetskye483 i mean it’s pretty obvious..? not like in a stereotype way just like why wouldn’t they be when they’re portraying such specific characters

[@sunsetskye483]

@@violetmaritime A lot of actors portraying queer people are straight. Also Isaac is aroace

[@Mickey_Moon507]

I'm gonna be honest, the heartstopper comic was a lifesaver for me. I found it at a time where I was still having a really hard time with accepting myself and when my family was having a hard time doing the same. In a way, it gave me hope. The show was amazing to me, but I could be biased. I really enjoyed the casting and style of the show, and the fact that it was faithful to the comic so much that I could literally quote some lines as they were said on screen was pretty cool, at least to me. I think, at the very least, heartstopper is good because it's a show where there isn't unnecessary suffering or dark themes. Of course those kinds of shows can be good, but eventually, it is nice to see a show with realistic expectations and good portrayal without so much death and angst.

[@will9784]

as a gay guy in a UK secondary school the comics and the show are SO accurate and in a way it calls out the homophobes lol

[@joshuaadams6565]

I just want to second this!! It’s so accurate to British secondary schools

[@TheFlowingRiverOfGayness]

I also just love how even the things that aren't even a main part of the story are accurate. Like, all the background characters in the school are just doing stuff I see so much of the time.

[@Lyax3180]

I appreciated the WAY they represented the struggle of knowing yourself aka Nick taking the gay buzzfeed quiz, because I remember 6 grade me crying at 2 am taking like 5 different gay quiz because I liked this guy in my class and I was in denial. People laughed at that scene but I honestly felt that, the denial, the quiz and just questioning ur sexuality in general and then the fear of coming out to your friends and family it just hit

[@marvel_warhead4458]

that scene was like looking in a mirror, back when l was 13

[@beatm6948]

It was cry laughing.

[@Rebe8d89AH]

The amount of people who resonated with this scene is wild. I did the same thing, it's like a shared experience of most lgbt gen-z. I was fortunate to not care about the outcome either way but it brought a lot of tears and remembered anguish

[@huhok4964]

I was laughing at the fact on how relatable it truly is

[@sunsetskye483]

Dude the quiz was so accurate, I took a couple just like it

[@StripeyShinans]

I also wanted to see Harry getting a lesson. In the show Ben was the one that Charlie stood up to. However in the comics Harry tried to apologize for being homophobic but it was lousy and Charlie tells him that he isn’t going to be ambushed into forgiving him and it was so refreshing because it’s nice to portray that you aren’t obligated to forgive everyone who wronged you and that just washing your hands of them is enough. Loved the show even though it wasn’t exactly like the comics they are both good for their own reasons. Adios I’m gonna watch the show and read the comics again 💃🏻

[@beatm6948]

We're not there yet tho, as you know. Paris trip, Paris trip, PARIS TRIP, *PARIS TRIP*

[@Sadie-rai]

@@beatm6948 oh good god the paris trip 🥲 (editing to clarify this is because of the wild and violent emotional roller-coaster paris trip onward was for me)

[@eli01653]

but the Harry apology doesn’t happen until the Paris trip which means we may still have it

[@sabeszz]

@@beatm6948 naw because the paris trip completely broke me and if i see joe locke cry on screen for that one certain scene then i will cry with him

[@hannahisadisaster337]

this show made me so happy. nick’s bisexuality is so relatable. i don’t think i’ve ever seen explicit bisexual representation, and it would have been really eye opening to see/read this series a few years ago :)

[@lemonly1055]

As an autistic person, the animations with the leaves really helped me understand what was going on. I am also aroace so it helped me recognize these emotions in the show.

[@axelotl4181]

I'm also aroace and autistic

[@moeshrooms385]

That’s really neat! I enjoyed them for the cute visual effects but it’s cool that’s there’s more to it than just that for other people

[@maloulichterfee9390]

I personally absolutely loved Isaacs character. I can totally relate to him, what maybe seems a bit weird, cause we don't know a lot about him, but that is actually the relatable thing for me. I'm a really introverted person, who is spending most of my time in public (mostly school), reading. Being part of social interactions is pretty intense, that's why I'm most of the time just listening and only saying something when a good joke or something important comes to mind. So yeah, I liked this kind of representation for strongly introverted people

[@mooniedreams]

I started reading heartstopper a few years ago when I was really struggling with telling others my sexuality and I forced my friend to read it just so we could watch the show together so having it get this big and having so many more people know about it now, makes me super happy.

[@milkiiiteaa]

as a black clarinet-playing lesbian, we need more black clarinet-playing lesbian rep

[@screamingbegins4688]

thats so specific and i love it

[@daychild_]

@@screamingbegins4688 same lmao

[@themagicalllama8514]

In reality we need my black lesbians rep.

[@Hopelessdemiromantic]

@@themagicalllama8514 dont forget the clarinet

[@isabelwilliams233]

Best comment, well done

[@potato.pancake]

YES, im so happy you mentioned the color schemes!! as a lighting designer, color and lighting are used SO WELL throughout this entire show. UGH.

[@potato.pancake]

and yes, yellow/orange and blue are FREQUENTLY used in combo. there is such great attention to detail within this show’s technical designs 💙💙

[@dryelene]

@@potato.pancake yes! I kept pointing that out to myself every time lol

[@tokkanna]

As a bisexual that came out at 15 I 100% understand the way Nick felt, it was so nice to see non sexualized bisexual representation!

[@maddyg123_]

I know other people have said this but I totally recommend reading the comics! There’s so much more to the story that’s not in the show and I can’t wait to see it in the other seasons

[@tillie_brn]

I super love how the bullies/homophobes are Nick's own friends. Don't get me wrong obviously it's really sad, but it's so accurate. A lot of the time the people who make you scared of coming out are your own friends, not just random people whose names you don't even know. It happened to me and I was glad to see that representation (among so many other things)

[@digitusmedius8258]

i love how half of the people didn’t even see the first minute of the video and already liked it, including me.

[@o.00o]

FRR

[@knick_knack]

What I love about this show, and you said this, is that it’s just so normal. It feels like a normal high school romance. It feels like normal people living normal lives. And that’s makes it’s special is cause it’s normalizing just normal lgbtq teens doing their thing and this makes being a part of the lgbtq community a normal thing and not some big, rebellious, out there act. I’m gay but I don’t want it to be like this big defining trait about me. It’s part of me and I won’t deny it but I have no desire to make my whole personality revolve around it. I just wanna do me. So many other shows I think over-do being lgbtq and make those characters so shallow and boring and this show does not do that. Especially with Elle. I, nor any of my friends who have watched the show, didn’t catch on that she was trans until way later in the season and I love that. By that point, everyone loves Elle cause she’s amazing and you’re like “oh she’s also trans, ok cool.” And that’s it. She’s just doing her thing, living her life, and acting as if it’s just a normal thing that doesn’t define her and that’s because that’s exactly what it is. The show just normalizes it all and I so appreciate that.

[@jordansedgwick8551]

I was honestly so happy that nick double booked himself with the date and Charlie’s party cause instead of doing that annoying thing where someone goes back and forth between two places and upsets everyone involved, he just canceled the date and said he’d explain later. It was just such a change of pace and I loved it

[@hannahkate18]

i wish i had heartstopper when i was figuring out my sexuality, its, i think one of the few medias that does rep. right and in a way that feels real and happy and not the like "kill your gay" or overly sexualized way.

[@nova_cove]

I’d definitely recommend you to read the webcomic of heartstopper if you haven’t already! It’s still ongoing and can give you context to things that happened in the show :]

[@Boxoboi]

heart stopper does give me flash backs. since i am also british. but having to deal with dating a female when i wasnt out as a trans female to male. so it was a lesbian couple. having to deal with homophobia even by my own teachers and even my head teacher. i remember to this day him calling me into his office and telling me it was unprofessional for me to date a girl. i remember dealing with people calling me the f slur. and instead of being upset over it. i was just so tempted to punch them. so tempted to just be like "look shut the hell up." i always heard the phrase "oh did *blank* turn you lesbian" no i have always been bisexual Stacy. go away. british highschoolers are hell. i wouldnt have my high school years ever again. i wouldnt wanna be age 11-16 ever again. its literally the years i hated my self most. and its because of the people around me.

[@prettyrat.]

"unprofessional" as if ppl out here writing "im straight" on their cv??? ppl are so shit

[@mangoblaze]

As a trans guy I loved how Elle was portrayed - her being played by a trans actress was great and I'm really happy that was the case, I think it ads authenticity to the role. The way she's talked about by the rest of the cast is realistic when it comes to friend group imo cos I'm trans and I have friend groups that have a mix of cis hets and queer folk and yeah we just talk about each other like normal - with my fellow trans friends our transness only comes up if it's actually relevant or if we want to talk about it.

[@derekb4977]

Trans men are women LGB without the T

[@finnmanielle9129]

When I watched the scenes where nick watched the videos about bisexuality I found it funnily unrealistic that he didn’t wear any headphones while watching those videos, like hellooooo? Aren’t you concerned that anyone is listening? Your mom? your dog? A fly in your room?

[@ampersandcastle1091]

Also when he googled ‘best LGBT films’ in front of his mum lol. Not even trying to hide the screen

[@strawberryj3lly]

I didn’t do that either mostly bc my parents didn’t pay attention to me

[@siriloveyou2653]

@@ampersandcastle1091 I thought they were both looking for movies to watch?

[@daychild_]

RIGHT??? And searching the “am I gay” quizzes on incognito mode 😭😭😭

[@babybeastchaeyoung7053]

omg I forgot I used to do that🥺🥺 I did my gay culture researching VERY secretely... poor little me nowadays I blast 'girls like girls' by hayley kiyoko just a liiittle too loudly every now and then💅

[@lyssa4679]

i also love how tao was chinese representation, it’s so nice to see an asian character outside of the nerd stereotype

[@sageeer]

I saw the thumbnail and I was terrified because I thought my literal idol didn't like Heartstopper, but I am overjoyed that you like the show as much as the rest of us!!

[@eazilyo]

To be honest I actually loved all the cringey awkward moments cause as much as they made me cringe they made it more realistic, alot of shows about teenagers act as though it's not awkward to have a crush and act as though teenagers know all about love, but heartstopper doesn't do that as much and I love it for that

[@sunsetskye483]

It’s adorable

[@kryonixx]

frederick did u know heartstopper was originally a webcomic and the show was directed, written, and produced by the author? part of the reason it’s so good

[@friedfishh]

I read heartstopper a year or two ago on webtoon so alice oseman's stuff was always a secret gem to me, especially with how rare it is to see so much diverse representation. I'm proud to say I was one of the OGs and it makes my bi + ace heart very happy to see everyone around the world enjoying it! I recommend you guys check out her other books too :))

[@Leena79]

I loved this show, it's so wonderfully adorable and fluffy. They just announced a second season is coming, and I can't wait to watch it. I believe Isaac will have more of a storyline in that, too.

[@blue.berry.b]

I absolutely love the wlw/mlm solidarity between Tara and Darcy, and nick and Charlie

[@MlpAceSter]

The style and animation and the series was a lovely touch

[@PESKEEBEEE]

I was so happy when I found heartstopper in the public library (the show is based on the graphic novel, I mean obv) but they only had the 1st and 2nd :( that was my introduction to heartstopper and now they have a show! It’s so nice seeing gay people represented as normal and not sexualized like most media. It’s just a sweet romance story

[@Vali.of.Spring.Valleys]

Ther's always the webtoon !

[@ariannafarley4520]

Nick questioning his sexuality was very relatable to me. I’m bi too and I remember questioning it alone at my parents house in the basement. It’s overwhelming and I felt worried about what it means to me and how those I care would take it. And I felt guilty due to religion and didn’t know how to accept it. I’m happy to now say I’m out without guilt or worry

[@linneah8211]

I just hope they stop forgetting Isaac, he's confirmed ace not sure if he's aro too and it's so typical for the ace character to not really have much well character 🙃 Btw there's season 2 and 3 confirmed and I'm so excited for the Paris trip(funny and cute), the shower scene(so cute 🥺) and sex Ed(such a funny scene 😂)

[@huhok4964]

Dont worry, isaac will have his own storyline next season so we will be celebrating

[@StillNotGinger11]

In "Crush", a new Hulu movie, a queer teen rom com, there is no homophobia. It's a first love story between two teenage girls.

[@EpicFred1736]

crush is so good!!

[@chickydo]

I was waiting for this! I had the feeling you were going to review the show. Also, congratulations on graduating!!!

[@joeym6658]

heartstopper is an adaption of a webcomic/graphic novel by alice oseman (who co-directed and wrote the screen-play) that i'd definitely recommend, it's free to read on tapas. also would recommend their other books too, especially radio silence for sure

[@christinakohl6111]

Heartstopper killed me with its utter cuteness, wholesomeness and actual communication! 😍 there is no "i'm bottling all my emotions up, lashing out to everyone who loves me and most definititely can help me and wallow in self pity". Which is so refreshing! Omg i totally cracked up when you put on the beanie😂 totally tao! Also i love your earrings, they're super cute!

[@unleafed5038]

As a brit, darcy would be wearing her uniform under her hoodie. a lot of people in my school wear hoodies over their shirts, just not as bright or frequent as darcy, but it would be the same type of thing

[@datfatrat7135]

i love heartstopper sm. i think im obsessed. ive seen the show like 5 times and read the entire comic 3 times.

[@swededontknow]

the reason why I love this show and why I loved reading the comics in the first place is because seeing the relationships makes me feel like a third wheel in the best way possible

[@teonasbrk]

heartstopper was huge for me- like charlie, i was outed and bullied at a young age like darcy, I'm a lesbian who's out and i feel like i stick out. i also have experiences like tara where i was scared about reprecussions if i was open with my relationship again like charlie, my now-girlfriend didn't realize she was bi until me (oh god that sounds egotistical), and i had a little moment of panic where i was concerned i had pressured her and rushed her finding herself

[@Hopelessdemiromantic]

Ur like all of them combined

[@whoomie]

Heartstopper being a series that helps middleschool - Colledge queer students is so on point! I've loved heart stopper since I started reading in 2019 and honestly it's been/is such a major comfort series for me and it's definitely helped me through alot 💖

[@ashblackie4071]

The main reason for people hating cis actors playing trans roles is it perpetuates the idea that transness is "dressing up" or "playing pretend". Especially when it's a trans femme character. If a cis man is playing a trans woman people will see that character is actually a man dressing up. When the cis male actor goes up and accepts the award for their trans role you see them as a man. Also when it's a cis actor they have to 'Play up' the transness. If you wanna learn more about this and trans representation throughout history, watch the Netflix Documentary Disclosure

[@morganethegreat1208]

bawled my eyes out watching heartstopper like wow it was so relatable in a way that wasn’t too exaggerated

[@rue1376]

i’ve watched this show 12 times and counting. i love that it’s based off of a webtoon and i love that it’s so similar to the webtoon. it’s so refreshing to see actual representation that doesn’t give me the ick with how sexualized the “highschoolers” are. it’s also great that the people who play the highschoolers in this show are actually young and fresh out of school, or still in school. it is so well done and i’m so excited to get new seasons!

[@jikra]

I heard about this show on TikTok, and I'm simply a person who dislikes things when they're hyped up. Ever since I was a child I just automatically disliked things that were popular. So I tried to stay away from heartstopper and told myself maybe I'll watch it after the hype is over. Then, a few days later, my mom and I had watched a movie (I think it was Legally Blonde actually) and heartstopper got recommended at the end and my mom was like "come on, we can watch the first episode and turn it off if you don't like it". So I was like "okay, if you insist", and we started watching the show. I really was skeptic as frick, I didn't *want* to like this show, if it was problematic I would've immediately turned it off, and if the romance got on my nerves I would've also turned it off immediately. But look at me an episode later, I was 100% invested along with my mom, and now after watching the first season till the end it's one of my favorite shows. It's a little fast paced for me personally but other than that, they handled everything so perfectly. Like damn. I cannot say how much I love this show. I've also started reading the webtoon, in which I think the social anx¡ety Charlie has is portrayed a little better, but the show and the webtoon are both amazing in their own way, the decisions they made in the show that changed from the webtoon were very understandable, and as someone who has been reading webtoon for years it was really cool to see a webtoon become something so famous and well made. I didn't think big companies were capable of making shows without promoting sex¡sm or just being problematic. I'm really thankful this show exists and it will hold a place in my heart forever. (Even if the next seasons suck, which I really hope they don't) Oh, also a thing that suprised me in a good way was that the girl who had a crush on Nick didn't end up being an antagonist! I thought that would happen and was so annoyed cause I hate that cliche, but then it didn't! And yeah, I was just really relieved.

[@gab_deltoro]

truthfully watching heart stopper was so enlightening because it was truthfully just a happy show. it’s so so feel good to watch a show that has queer representation without having someone be outed or being disowned. they didn’t shy away from someone not being accepted with charlie still being bullied but it’s just so happy i can’t deal-

[@chans_babycurls]

Lol Charlie was outed a year before the show's time tho Edit: But i loved the happy vibes it gave too! :)

[@sunsetskye483]

They do imply that Charlie was outed, when he meets Ben and says « no one was supposed to know », but yeah, it’s a lovely show

[@anjaliferguson9584]

it's so weird to watch vids like this and listen to ppl who havent read the story lol, i really recommend it! it is different from the show in a few ways, and i loved the show, but i much prefer the storyline in the books/webstory! totally think you should read it frederic!!! (no hate towards the video or show, im glad alice is getting the recognition she deserves)

[@Wayhoo]

This show is literal perfection

[@patiencekillz]

ok now that i’ve watched the whole video, prepare yourself for this comment that has no right being this long: - all the actors who portray the main characters are teenagers, or were at the time of filming. joe locke (charlie) and nick nelson (kit connor) are 18 rn, taking their a levels at the moment. the youngest actor was the guy who played harry, cormac hyde-corrin, who was 16 at the time of filming - all the characters in the show are 14-16, so i’m very glad they didn’t show them having sex! - highly recommend the graphic novels, available for free on tumblr and tapas! alice oseman is currently on a mental health break from uploading pages bc they’ve actually been working nonstop since they were 17 (alice’s pronouns are she/they btw) - the characters nick and charlie actually originated from alice’s first novel (published when she was 19) called “solitaire,” which focuses on charlie’s older sister, tori (the one who pops up in the show with her glass of lemonade. absolute icon, i love her). heartstopper takes place a year before solitaire - alice oseman wrote the scripts for all 8 episodes, and was heavily involved in pretty much every aspect of making the show. she was on set every day during filming, and that’s why this show is such a faithful adaptation - you’re right that a lot of queer people were behind the making of the show! alice identifies as aromantic asexual (they wrote an incredible book called “loveless” featuring a protagonist coming to terms with her aroace identity), and lots of the cast and crew are also part of the lgbtq+ community. not all of them have said specifically what their sexuality is, and kit connor (nick) has stated that he feels uncomfortable when people speculate about it, so let’s not do that (fun fact: kit also portrayed young elton john in rocketman) - there is a thing called the osemanverse, which basically includes all of alice’s books! all of her novels connect in some way or another, so there are always easter eggs. the most closely related books are solitaire and radio silence, with solitaire characters actually making cameos in radio silence - as i’m sure you can imagine, sebastian croft, who plays ben hope, is absolutely nothing like his character. he seems like literally the sweetest guy in the world - kizzy edgell, who plays darcy, goes by they/them pronouns! and that’s all for now lol. the osemanverse has overtaken my life, and i’m so glad it’s reached a wider audience!

[@Boopbop246]

I've never realted to a coming out story more than Nick's.. honestly I still cry when I think back to the time that I though I was broken and how many gay tests I took that told me I was 50/50. The writers really did something with Nick

[@muffim_tv]

i’m so excited for the season two and three renewal!

[@lillyh9886]

As someone who is coming to terms with being bisexual, nicks whole story was just super relatable to me? I found myself empathizing a lot with him idk ig it just made me feel really good that there was that representation of the process of coming out and coming to terms with sexuality :)

[@ohshanana2397]

Omg congratulations on graduating 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾I’m so proud of you🥹👏🏾👏🏾all that hard work 🎁👏🏾👏🏾🎉🎊🥳🎊🎊🎉🍾

[@lemon8283]

Heartstopper is such a lovely show! The little details truly made it remarkable and I'm glad to see so many people talk about it. I can't wait for season 2 bcs this is definitely one of my comfort shows now lol

[@KiSeaKatikka]

I love Issac representing the shy quite types but I do hope we see more of them

[@ohshanana2397]

6:21 I absolutely love her hair it’s so full and luscious ❤️

[@jaehyuncoonce]

I’m so excited for seasons two and three but with the hints towards Charlie’s ED throughout the first season I know it’s gonna hurt to watch 😭😭😭

[@de.llusion1614]

I never watched the show bc at the time I didn’t have Netflix or even knew it was a thing. But I couldn’t be happier that I started it. I haven’t finished your video which I definitely will but this show has given me so much serotonin

[@brooklynnn3351]

ok here me out. what if your blue and orange theory is right, it would be so cute to make darcy and tara green and red and tao and elle purple and yellow 😭

[@farewell.wanderlust]

i have been sososo obsessed with it since i watched it (i have watched it 5 times in just a couple weeks) and i relate to nick so much. even as an unlabeled queer person, i relate to him and his figuring out what exactly he was/identified with so much, and its just so nice to see such an accurate portrayal of current queer teens.

[@amelienguyen253]

No joke, I was just watching the seventh episode of Heartstopper when this video popped up! Perfect!

[@ry3bread35]

I loved this show sm too, also that scene with Imogen saying she's an ally literally make me scream laugh for several minutes and I had to rewind to watch another 2 times bc it was so funny to me

[@oliverszyszka5279]

As someone who came out as gay in middle school as gay, got bullied and got into a spiral of intense grooming it is so refreshing to see such a positive representation of queer life. But it made me cry every episode because I has made me realize how fucked up my childhood actually was

[@elizabetholmos652]

I'm just so happy for the webtoon's author an how she got all the success and support and recognition she got

[@DeMafiaGirl]

I love it when teenagers actually look like teenagers and actually act like teenagers in TV shows

[@raspberryitalia3464]

Heartstopper was a balm to my soul. It will absolutely be something I return to for comfort and hope

[@dustinwilkins9084]

I am a bi man in my early 20s and this show makes me incredibly happy. What I like about it is I can see myself in Nick and Charlie. I relate to Nick very much because I too was crying in bed at 3am in middle school looking at "am i gay" quizzes. I got bullied in elementary school and middle school for being gay. At the time I DIDN'T EVEN COME OUT MYSELF or even realize I was bi. By the time I got to high school I genuinely didn't care who knew and if someone asked I would tell them the truth. I didn't really care about making friends in high school, all I wanted was boyfriend. If I could show 15/16. y/o me this show I think he would cry. Also another thing I like is the slow burn yet fast pace build up to them dating. And I also like the scenes with them texting. It feels like a very accurate portrayal of real life. I can't even say how many times I started a text to a guy I liked and then rewrote it like 50 times before sending "hehe thx

[@Bejeweled0519]

I started this story just reading the chapters on WebToon and absolutely fell in love with it, then I saw the show and was even more enchanted, now watching this I just really want more Heartstopper content

[@Rizzalert69]

24:06 this specific part put a huge smile on my face, thank you frederic ALSO IM 15 AND IM GLAD IM STILL A CHILD :,)

[@woozzo_ammee]

I'm so happy you talked about this show aaaaa😭😭😭💖

[@isisjohnson2275]

OMG FINALLY I LOVE HEARTSTOPPER SO MUCH 💜💜💜

[@CookingInTheJungle]

Loved your review and perspective. Side note -- for the scene in Episode 2 Crush, I came to a perspective on the reason why Charlie fell asleep. My thoughts is that at that point, he accepted that Nick is straight until proven otherwise. With all his friends opinions and him "verbally"saying it is all in his head, he was able to just knock out because he accepted nothing will move forward other than a friendship. With the hug at the end it shook his wig of course along with his sister's comment.

[@persassyjackson1688]

What a fantastic review! I really didn't know if this show was any good, but I can't wait to watch it now. And if you approve, I'm sure it's a brilliant queer show. And there's finally a trans person AND they're played by an ACTUAL trans person!!! How wonderful! Thank you for covering this show, Frederic! Also, your outfit is fucking gorgeous; why tf can't I look like that 😭😂!

[@lonely-lee]

simping over the into istg its so pretty

[@FitsWith_Hani]

I had read all of the novels before this so i was really excited for this

[@sophiasmith6473]

Ok but can we talk about the outfit today?? LITERALLY STRAIGHT UP GORGEOUS ❤️❤️