Episode 3 Kiss
Being a teenager is already difficult. Trying to fit in, finding your place in a building full of raging hormones is way too complicated. Throw being Queer in there and it’s damn near impossible.
I love how Heartstopper handles all of that with grace and sensitivity. But also with reality. There is no sugarcoating the struggles of Charlie, Nick, or their friend group.
No spoiler here because the big event is the title of the episode. So if you don’t know a kiss is coming somewhere, you’re not paying attention. That said, this kiss is a huge deal. But so is everything leading up to it. Realizing your sexuality - or lack of - is one thing. Accepting it is a whole other thing. And let’s not even go into coming out - YET. We’ll get there soon enough.
Being a teenager and knowing that you are very different is confusing and scary. Questioning your identity and who you really are and what it all means is terrifying. I knew I was Queer when I was 9 years old, but that was a huge NO NO in the 80’s. I spent over 30 years hiding and denying what was going on inside of me. I can’t tell you how much love and respect I have for kids like Nick and Charlie that come out when they are younger, despite all the negativity. I wish I could have been half as brave.
If only I had had Buzzfeed and their quizes back then.
We all knew someone like Harry. This guy IS the reason we fear coming out. Whether we know him as a schoolmate or family member or society as a whole. There has always been a society of Harry’s judging and hating us. For whatever dumbass reason.
See, I don’t just relate to Isaac as fellow AroAce. This character is like me in so many ways.
Oh how I wish every Queer kids had a parent like Charlie’s dad!
Charlie spends so much of the show looking sad and scared and unsure that when he smiles, it’s such a special thing. And that smile just lights up his face. Joe is so damn talented!
Nick, my love, there is absolutely nothing wrong about loving someone that can make you smile like that!
The fact that Elle and Tao believed Isaac cracks me up. Do you guys not know this kid?!
I may not understand all of the Gen-Z lingo (though I absolutely love that ‘Ohio’ is an insult) but I do understand Cringe. And Harry definitely is it.
Sadly, it’s a fact of life that - as people grow and change and form new relationships - their childhood friendships fall by the wayside. No matter how good your intentions, it happens. Well, not to me because I don’t do relationships. I’m usually the one being left behind lol.
Also, by the look on Tara’s face, I think she suspects his feelings for Charlie.
Change is scary. No doubt about that. But it is also necessary. And can be a very good thing. All you can do is fall into it and let it happen. No use in fighting it.
Sweet Charlie, you are so much stronger than you think you are.
Another great example of the graphics this show uses to emphasize feelings.
You can feel Charlie’s anxiety and hope. You can feel Nick’s confusion and desire. I’m telling you, these kids (Joe and Kit) are phenonmenal.
Sure one of the kids could have told him they saw Nick go up the stairs but they would have seen Charlie, too. And I guarantee that if Harry knew Nick had gone upstairs with the ‘gay’ kid, Harry would have mentioned it.
Don’t feel too bad, Nick. Most of us run away from the knowledge that we are Queer atleast once before we finally accept it. Hell, I got married and had two kids before I finally admitted everything to myself.
I had to get Charlie’s dad in here again. Because he is just so understanding and accepting and concerned about his son. He’s the king of Queer kids Dads.
Hope you enjoyed this little ride through episode 3. Episode 4 will be here before you know it.
