A series sure to make your heart stop.
I will admit I am a romance addict. Give me a cheesy rom-com or a trashy romance novel and I am there, in it, and probably loving every second of it. When the trailer for Netflix’s “Heartstopper” popped up on my YouTube feed, I knew it would be love at first sight. Adapted from a webcomic-turned-graphic novel by English author Alice Oseman, you get everything you could ever want in a queer romance. A show with LGBTQ+ representation and romance — literally what more could you want?
SPOILERS AHEAD
The story follows a timid Charlie Spring, the only out gay kid at Truham Grammar School for Boys. Along with his three best friends Elle, Tao, and Issac, we are met with the incomparable Nick Nelson at the beginning of episode one. Nick’s a golden retriever, as Tao would refer to him — he’s a year older than all four friends, a rugby star, and straight. After a rough past year that included being unwillingly outed, Charlie has low expectations going into the new semester at Truham. However, when he sits next to Nick in homeroom, he swoons. But after enduring a rocky past relationship with closeted student Ben, Charlie refuses to go back to the horrible treatment he endured, deciding instead to push his feelings aside, not to mention Charlie firmly believes Nick is straight and is concerned with keeping their friendship alive.
Soon, Nick and Charlie’s friendship begins to blossom. As Nick embraces his new friendship with Charlie by asking him to join the rugby team, he begins to embrace something entirely new as well — his feelings for Charlie. The tension between them is palpable, let me tell you. The longing glances, the constant smiles across the halls, and the hugs Nick continuously gives Charlie when those feelings bubble to the surface, all give the viewer evidence of a budding romance to root for. Despite the awful rugby teammates Charlie and Nick share, and the additional questions about Nick from Elle, Tao, and Issac; their friendship slowly but surely builds into a precious love. But while they remain unsure of their feelings for one another, they continue to spend every moment together as “best friends.”
Through Nicks’s self-discovery and journey in his sexuality, Charlie supports him in a way I’ve never seen before on screen. There is never a rush or pressure from either party, but instead, understanding and patience. Though there are a few bumps in the road, they listen to each other and always do what’s right for their relationship. This story is anything but cheesy; instead, it’s honest and real, bringing the viewer into a special moment between two young individuals finding their way through love, friendships, and the simple moments in between.
After rugby matches, birthday parties with bullies, and milkshakes with friends, Nick decides that he wants to tell all the people that matter in their life about their newfound romantic relationship, after months it seems of pining after each other separately, everything comes together at Harry’s birthday party, a moment that changes everything for them. The hardest part is truly understanding and embracing this part of him. He embraces Charlie wholeheartedly, but at this moment, opening up to everyone he loves feels like the scariest moment in his life. “Heartstopper” does a wonderful job of exploring the complex nature of coming out to your friends and family. The series showcases the love and acceptance many receive, as well as all the fear and worry that too often dominate this stage in a person’s life.
My absolute favorite part of this show is the pure love and acceptance through friendships we see portrayed on the screen. There is something so amazing about seeing a queer relationship on screen, highlighting the moments of pure bliss in a relationship. Through their friendship, Charlie and Nick were able to find confidence and hope in one another, and now all we need is to continue their story. Come on Oseman, it’s been a month — the audience is impatiently waiting for more.