Hello, and welcome to Big Gay Energy. I'm Bree, I'm Theora. And I'm Caitlin. Come along with us while we dive into the fun and nuances of queer media. Representation matters. And we're here to talk about it. If you need to stop it, I'll just let me know, OK? That's fine. Cheers, queers. What's on the big a agenda tonight? Theora Yeah. Tonight we are going to continue our heart Stopper Season 2 discussion by shooting on over to episode 3 called Promise. I promise this is a great episode.
Because aren't they all I was going to? I was trying to figure out what they say. I promise with I love you. Well, how could it be bad? Because, you know, in the last episode. Isaac or not? Isaac Tao asked Isaac and Charlie to help him with L and it starts off with said help. And this is one of the cutest scenes in the show where they're like in The Art Room and they're sitting in front of an easel and I think it says like L date ideas and they're just trying to
help him figure out like like. What to propose as a date to L But I love that they're in The Art Room and it's an easel on a canvas. Like it's so perfect. They're like 5th anniversary gift to L Is that easel? Yes. Or not the easel? The canvas, right? Oh my God, that would be so cute. I hope they saved this. I feel like Towel's pretty sentimental, so it's probably like in the back of his closet. Right. Oh, I'm sorry, I misspoke. It says Ultimate L Date, which is so fucking cute. OK?
And so they're trying to spit ball ideas. And so naturally, Isaac suggests this book swap date and like, the way his face lights up when he's talking about it is the cutest thing. So cute. But of course Charlie's like, that's your ideal date. I think Tao says That is this thing, the towel? Like, I think that's your. Ideal first right? This is ultimate L date help Tao with but I just I love seeing that and then we we do get he gets kind of a book date later
but. He does, but I mean, books are art. L might be into it. It's not too far off, but it is super. That is, Isaac's Perfect Date is a book. Book swap date. Somebody suggests a book to him which I love and they should have done painting with A twist or something. Yeah, honestly, there's so see you just needed. Us there. I know. Can we be your friends to help you? Yeah, painting was supposed to be good because we've seen Tao's drawing skills.
He needs paint with A twist so that equals the playing field between the two of them and would have been better than what they actually did. But we're jumping ahead so. They were. The idea was there, just the execution was bad. So I do, so Charlie and Nick do. Charlie and Nick are just basic bitches, because that's. What Towels Energy was like after he hears what they do, he's like, you guys hang out, play bar cart and go to the beach. Boring.
I mean, Mario Kart's not boring. No, it's not. But for Tao, in this moment, he's like first date ever with L It needs to be epic. It needs to be the ultimate date. And so his thoughts are just like in the clouds. He's like amusement park, recreating 500 days of summer like he's just thinking big go on a hot air balloon. Yeah, I'm surprised he didn't suggest that because like that's the level of just like idea he's at. So like beach.
He's like, no, no, no, knock that up like 500 points like what are you doing, Charlie? Not helpful. But it's sad though, because if Tao would just sit and think about like him and L kind of like you did when you're like. Paying with A twist like that combines both of your interest. Tao is really just thinking about L and how to impress her, and in a sense, he's kind of erasing himself from the equation and just making it all about L, which is the problem
with the first date. But it's better than just thinking about himself. That would be a Ben Misery date, yes. You know, like he would invite you to a movie that ever you hated and he'd be like, whatever. We're watching this. Yeah. He'd invite you to a closet. Yeah. A dark alley it. Would not be good is what we're saying. It would be terrible. You'd be reenacting a horror movie, but then. But yeah, so it's already off the bat. Like Tao is just conforming.
And not being himself. And so it's just, I go bad for Tao. He's just really scared of losing L and it's just clouding his judgment. I kind of wanna see them all go on IKEA date. I mean, I wanna see the entire cast. In an IKEA? I think that would be fun. Like, screw Paris. Like let Art Stopper go to go to IKEA. That would be hilarious. You could see all their personalities there like it would. He's so funny. Yeah, OK. What do you see when you
envision this? Uh, she just don't see playing with everything. Everything. There's, there's a kids section there. So I feel like Darcy would like, go there and just be like playing with everything. Isaac would probably just be looking at, like, the designs of things and just like, really contemplating. Charlie would be staring at Nick the whole time. Yeah, and Nick would just be like a puppy dog, just like going around to everyone, seeing
how everyone's doing. Let's see, what would Tal be doing? Tal would be misusing things. Yep. I'm trying to jump, try to jump, scare L somewhere in the kitchen area or something. Or like, do that. There's. I know in mine at least, there's like this whole bin of stuffed animals. Maybe he's just hiding in there. Yeah. And he, like, pops up. Yep. And then someone. Definitely throws meatballs and someone else is catching them in their mouth. That's that sounds like Tara
Darcy, My gosh. And then someone's trying to get into the kid area, but they're not allowed because they're not children. Like the play area that parents leave their kids at, which is separate from the kids section of the. Toy area like the toy toys for sale versus. Yes, if you're tots here while you go shopping, as long as they're potty trained. I want to say this If this fan fiction exists, send it to us. That's really does it. Somebody write it.
Oh. My God. So unfortunately you have to leave fictional IKEA and go to back to truom to follow Nick and Charlie because in the last episode Charlie or the 1st. The pilot back, whatever. Two episodes ago Charlie rejoined the rugby team, so that's been happening. But now at this point it's the end of rugby season. It's already over. But before it ends, Nick does manage to find some time to gay stare at Charlie on the field and there's some leaves happening so I'm glad that happened.
But the key of the scene is that Nick, at this point still hasn't made peace with the rugby lads. Like he wanted to because excluding Harry, they've they're good guys and they're his friends and so they on their own, like the non-toxic guys try to reconnect with Nick independently at the end of this practice. And here they apologize for what happened at the movies where Harry was, you know, Harry going off on Hurley about being gay. And they apologize.
And they then they basically say like they're sorry that they didn't do anything. Which is a really good lesson. Like, I'm glad they have this scene in here because, you know, you don't always know how you're going to act in moments like that, even if you understand what's happening is wrong. Like Harry's their friend, they had seen, they they mentioned they, you know, they've noticed that behavior in him, but they never really made anything of it.
But when the thing went down with Charlie, it was really apparent that, like, Harry was in the wrong and like, he has this toxic behavior. And so these guys have recognized that and they're like, we want to do better going forward. We can't change the past, but we. We recognize we were in the wrong. We want to do better. And so I love that lesson of like that they're trying to stay with these guys here. I think that's really important.
I am also like kind of proud of them because this is, I don't believe this is the first time that they like try to talk to him again or but like they try multiple times throughout the show, Yeah, definitely. And they keep trying to get him back because they do. They like Nick and want him as a friend. Yeah. And they're like trying to prove that they have changed. Exactly. They're learning to be good
allies, okay. So also the kid in the front definitely knows that Nick and Charlie are dating because when the tall one says we know you are really good mates and you get that whole montage. But my God, the other kid just looks at him like, Are you kidding me? Yeah, ohh, yeah. No, this is straight up from the book too. It's like the good mates montage is one of the fucking funniest things ever.
The heroes out there have already gifted because it's so fucking funny, but it's like good mates and it's like them making out and stuff because OK, this is such a a relatable thing. Like when you're.
Dating in the closet and you can't get and like it's just annoying because it's like oh you guys are such good friends or whatever and you like can't be like, no you just have to take it And it's just it's the worst And I feel like Nick was feeling all those things when the good mates thing came up but OK so then they OK so the. At the end of this too, they invite Nick and his good mate Charlie to the ends of exams party that one of them is hosting in the woods by his
house. And if you say that out of context, it sounds really weird. Yeah, like, they're just like, this could be a horror movie. It could be, but the goal is to just like burn all of your GCSE stuff and just like Cleanse from that big exam, they've really needed the fire department there. Oh my God, that was a big fire. We. Will get to that when we get to that episode. But good Lord, that fire wasn't necessarily humongous. I think that's in this episode,
isn't this episode. Yeah, we'll see. No, it is this episode. It's later in this episode. Sorry, but the fire. Yeah, it's necessary. So after that, Nick and Charlie, this part's, this part's there. They can Charlie meet up in the storage room like they're putting away all the rugby stuff cuz end of practice. We gotta put everything away and they're alone initially. And Nick expresses his frustration with people thinking
they're best pros. And he promises that, like, look, I'm going to come out to the lads, like, I'll do it at the party because they'll all be there. What a great time to do it Because he's pretty certain they're going to find out sooner or later. And probably because they keep making out in public at school, because, like, which is exactly what they do right here in this scene, they need to stop. They need to stop. So what? Happens when they make out in
this scene. Well, the rugby lads don't find out about them, but the coach does. Luckily it's okay. It's totally fine because she's an out and proud lesbian with a whole asswife. So she's like listen, I understand description with a whole asswife, but also look at the photo when they show it because it's so cute. It's so cute. They met playing sports together, so she's probably like history repeating itself with these boys. It makes my little gay heart so happy.
And this scene is really cute too. I love it because, you know, in the last episode it was very much about family. And for Nick, he has his mom. He's been really, really supportive. But here's another like. Role model kind of figure like your coach, like somebody you you look up to, somebody who like is watching out for you, is trying to make you better and to have your coach in this situation support you like.
She's amazingly supportive and tells Nick like if any of the other lads are like bullying you, making fun of you like you come, you come straight to me like I'll sort that shit out. So that is so huge, especially with like boys. Or like men's sports, like being queer in that environment must be extremely difficult. So to have the coach on your side automatically is really huge.
And that's what she talks about when she's like, I had a rough time and I was in the girls rugby team where there's. A lot of lesbians, yeah, go watch the World Cup. They're everywhere and so and that was hard. So I can't even imagine for Nick what you and Charlie may may go through, but. Yeah, so I love that she's automatically really supportive. Oh dear. Last thing about the scene that I think we can both agree on is okay, the setup of this room. So coach has got a desk, kind of
like in the middle. Nick's on the opposite side of the desk. There's like a window, the door, and then there's all these basketballs and they're all sitting on their own individual like resting place. It looks like they put the egg on to like dye the eggs what it? Looks like in this little like piece of metal with like a hole in it and it just sits and it's every single basketball has their own individual one like to me that.
Seems really weird unless you're never going to use those basketballs because it's also really high. They're really high up and it's there's not an efficient way to put those basketballs back. Like if you had like like. So the way they were cleaning up the rugby stuff and putting it away, like there's no efficient way to. Just like you have to individually put them back, Like who thought that? Maybe. OK, so all right, I have a theory now.
So each basketball each year, is she the basketball. Coach too. I don't know. Like now I'm trying to figure this out. Or does she just coach? For all the certificates, is she like the P/E? She might be the P like she might run physical education and also be the rugby coach like after school. But I'm just going to say that she is the basketball coach too. Sure. OK cuz this is from my theory. Got it.
I think each year she picks one of like the most promising student and has them sign a basketball and then those are the display. They're trophies, yeah. Yeah, OK. I like that. That makes way more. It makes way more sense for those to be display basketballs, not play basketballs. But also it's a very weird and cuz like when you get her closeups, it's really weird because the basketballs aren't directly behind her and they're like slightly above. This is a very small, I mean they make.
A lot of it, but it's just kind of weird. Yeah, I just, I I just can't get over it because like aesthetically I can understand why you would do that because it's obviously it's a cool shot and you're like, yes, she is in charge of sports, but practically it's really weird. One says sports. Basketball, Actually it. Would have made more sense. Nope. Nope. Let's not go there. Okay. We're moving on. Let's go to study hall. So. So, OK, so then we can just like, study hall.
Period. Nobody's in the gym, but everybody's in Truro is in different places in the library doing different things. Tao is doing my favorite thing, which is Googling how to ask your friend out without being weird. It's such a. Tao Google search if I ever heard one. But when he's Googling you see that another question is how to ask out a friend over text. The answer is you don't, Yeah. I'm glad he didn't click that one. I'd have been ashamed of you, Tao.
You do not do that, especially. When you know that. Your ultimate date cannot start with texting. You said date like just how that works. I mean Charlie and Nick would do that and then just text the whole date. Oh my God, That's what they like to do when they're next to each other, Yeah. See. It's too basic for Tao. But Speaking of Nick, he, him, and Charlie are in their own section of the library. Nick is moaning on about like studying for his last exam. So we're two exams out for Nick,
one to go, and it's chemistry. And Charlie decides to help him prep for this chemistry test rather than write his history paper. That's due in a few hours, like the history paper he's been ignoring since Parents Day, which is how long. Since parents day like that that exam, that paper has been due. Since then, I don't know how much time has actually elapsed because in my head it's months. Yeah, I know. I don't think it's been months,
but I'm not sure. Regardless though, the most ridiculous part of this entire episode is the fact that Charlie writes that paper in five like the next like hour, and then it turns it in like, if that's all it took to finish this this paper, why didn't you do this weeks ago? And then the band with Nick would have been gone. See, in my in my head it took him all day.
And then I was trying to figure out how the hell he has time during that whole school day to write an essay because I was like, are they just like, not in classes today? It might just be like a study. That they have, I do not know. We have established very firmly that we don't understand the UK school exist. We don't. We're trying so hard but we don't understand it. You guys, we're sorry. We don't.
So yeah, Charlie is conveniently not in classes this day and has time to write the paper and turn it in 5 minutes before it's due. And then the bad part about this too is when he's making this deal with Nick, he's like I'll help you study for chemistry, IANA compounds, all this stuff Nick's like what about your history paper? And Charlie straight up lies to Nick and says I already did it. Yeah, that was. That was wrong to me. That was the worst part of this.
Like. He could have been like, oh, I can write that really quickly. Like I have time to help you. Like do that instead of oh, it's already done. Yeah, but I think that Charlie's knee jerk reflex and why he did it was that like, he's like if I said all those things to Nick, Nick would then stress out about me finishing my paper and not focus on this exam. He's just trying to do everything in his power to make sure that Nick has no extra stress coming from him. That he, like, straight up lied
to him here. It's kind of fucked up. It is, yeah. I just also don't understand why he waited so long to. Get his stuff done. That's what I if you had, if you could complete the exam in like the paper in like a school half of the school day because you were helping Nick most of that time, you could have done this weeks. Ago and there'd be no more Nick Ban. I don't get it. Yeah. I mean, I really don't. I don't. Get it? I I I assume the explanation is he's in such a dark place
mentally. He didn't have the mental space to write the paper, but he managed. To do it 5 minutes before it was due conveniently in this episode. So I mean I get I get procrastination and stuff because I do that as well. But I feel like this is just he had other things like where he wasn't allowed to see Nick. So I feel like that would have been motivation enough to finish the freaking paper. Yeah, that clearly wasn't that hard. But anyway, it is what it is during that whole conversation.
I don't know if it was the whole thing, but at some point Nick puts his head on Charlie's shoulder. Oh, he does In school. In the public? Yep. But no homo. No. No, homo, they're not. They're they're good mates. They're just good mates, the best of mates, the. Best. Speaking of best, Bates, that one of the other cute part of
course in the library. Isaacs in there because it's the library, so he is bonding with James, who was mentioned at some point prior to this is James is the only other out gay guy at truom, so they're adorably bonding over putting together a read with Pride book display. In the library, and they're like setting up all these books and like decorating it with like, all the flags. It's the freaking cutest thing I've ever seen. There's Isaac's dream book date.
Like creating a display like this, like Isaac's face is just filled with so much joy, so happy. So happy for him, but I also love that they're allowed to have a display like this in their school. I don't think we are in America anymore. We're not allowed to have books in America but. Especially this display, because it's not just like books with
career characters. Like the books they specifically have on display are ones addressing and explaining sexuality like they have the ace book that comes up again later. They have ones about bisexuality, like that would definitely not fly at an American public school, yes. But I love that for them. So they're not studying, but they're making a fabulous use of their time. So Nick takes his chemistry exam. Gcse's are over. All the lads run out of the room, throw their shit up in the air.
We are ready for Paris. Mr. Farooq is like, enough of this shit. Get out of my sight. Unless you're here from Paris, because we got to talk about it immediately after, you're getting ahead of ourselves. Because when they're just finished the test, there's this overhead shot and it's a little Askew. I don't really. I didn't read too much into that one, but the colors are very contrasty and everything is very uniform, just like how the test is.
You mean the one in the gym? Dang, I like that. Is it supposed to give you anxiety like you're about to take a test? I don't know. I just liked it. I also love. I think that's here. At the end of this, one of my favorite things too, when the exam is over, the coach, because for some it's in the gym, so she's in charge of the exam cuz that's her domain. When it's done, she's like, put your pens down. Nobody in the room has a. Pen They all have pencils for this exam, so I forgot about
that, yeah. Maybe laugh so hard because it's one of those standardized tests. Like, part of the instructions are you have to have a specific instrument, like a specific kind of writing instrument. Wait, they're universal, right? They're what? Number 2 pencils are universal, right? Yeah. Like, yeah, Like, that's what I mean. Like, if it's a pencil, they'll specify a pencil versus pen. And then if it's a pencil, what kind of pen? Like a #2A number three like side question, Yes, we always
say #2 pencil. Is there a #1 pencil? I think it has to do with the diameter of the lead maybe, but like if you sharpen it, it's different and maybe for like. There's a number in the UK. If you use #1 pencil, can you please let us know? We obviously don't know a goddamn thing. So we should put ourselves out of our misery and just shoot out over to Paris, since we can't with the school. So of course we're going to have the joint Paris trip meeting in true, because everything always
happens in true. But Higgs is going to, which is amazing. I know you keep bringing up that everything happens in true, so my theory is boys always get a bigger budget, so maybe they have better facilities and are able to bribe the teachers to do extra things. I think you are absolutely correct, because Patriarchy Caitlin, you're correct. So Higgs has to get over to Truman on the way Tara and Darcy are having this really cute banter with each other because that's just who they are.
And Tara gets so caught up in the moment of how cute and adorable this is. And she says, I love you, basically to Darcy for the very first time. Because you're annoying. Yeah, because. She was being her annoying self and she's likes that about her.
And the conversation itself is really cute because it's just Darcy being playful and she's like, we're gonna spend so much time together on this trip and you're gonna get so annoyed with me. And I think that language is really indicative of Darcy's fear. Because Darcy has this default where basically she uses humor to kind of keep things surface level and to deflect her own
feelings. But although she's being humorous in this conversation with Tara, her insecurities really creep into it when she's saying that. And the I Love You comes out because Tara is trying to assure her, like, I love you because you're annoying, which to me translates into I love you for exactly who you are.
And I don't think, I'm not sure that that really dawns on Darcy fully because the Darcy and we'll get into this as the season goes on. Darcy doesn't feel like she's always being herself at all times. So like this was like. Huge. Not just the I love you, but the implications of like, I love you for you, I think are too much for Darcy to really process because she's also still hearing because you're annoying, yeah. That's true, which is her school persona, right?
That's who she is at. School versus her home life is a totally different story. Yeah, so poor Darcy and Tara can, like, see the way Darcy's face just completely changes. Yeah, so like Tara starts like backtracking, cuz like Darcy can't process this. And I think that while Tara was doing that to kind of like get Darcy off the hook. Because of the way she's like, oh, that was too much, too soon kind of thing. She's freaking out. I don't want you to freak out. Don't worry about it.
I don't really mean it like that. It was just a casual. It was casual, you know? I'm just kidding, you know, so casual. So. Capable. This is like, we're gal pals, you know? I think Darcy unfortunately takes that as confirmation that like, nobody can ever love me kind of thing. Because. And what we know from her home life, like it's not a loving environment And so I I highly doubt she's really heard those words genuinely spoken to her.
And so to have her say it and then immediately backtrack, I think that, like, was a little triggering for for Darcy, you know? And yeah, yeah. And then so Darcy, just like basically like OK, walks away and then tries the humor to cope with it by telling Sahar Prom should be vampire themed. Yep, she really. She really wants this vampire theme because it comes back again. She wants vampire themes.
She throws out pirate themes like she wants Going to five year old boy's birthday party, Yeah. So that's. I'm surprised she wasn't like Marvel themed at one point. She does bring up Mario and Peach. So like, yeah, you're right. It's like a boy's birthday. And it starts me in a nutshell, to be honest. And Tara is understandably completely confused by this. What what just happened? Because like none of us planned and then the reaction was just
wow. But I think Tara, in this moment, it's kind of maybe starts to become more apparent to her that the two of them don't really have meaningful conversations with each other or it's rare that it happens, particularly ones that are about their feelings and how they're feeling in in the moments. Support her. She also I feel like doesn't know what to do with this, but instead of like jumping into like clown mode, she just looks really crushed after this happens, which is really sad.
And she looks like a lot this season. But. Of course they did. Yeah, I know she does. She just looks really crushed this whole season and this makes me real sad. And, and I think Darcy is too, but just doesn't show it. Yeah, you know, I I want more for them next season.
Me too. But during the meeting, I don't know if someone might have asked Isaac what he's reading, but the book Isaac is reading at the meeting is called Book Lovers by Emily Henry, and the rights were sold to make it into a film soon. So. You can look forward to that. I hope he's in it. That'd be cool. Netta. All right, so at this meeting, another cute thing that happens when they finally get inside and sit down, James comes over to invite Isaac to the big bonfire party that's happening.
And he's like, yeah, you should come And all your other friends that are staring at us having this conversation. Oh my gosh, I I love that I it always makes me laugh when someone realizes there's more people and like, oh, OK. Gotta love that tunnel vision. It is a really fucking funny. But something that people don't miss is the fact that Tao is not with them. And everybody's like where the what? Where's Tao? And so this whole meeting goes through where Mr. Farooq and the
art teacher whose names. I forgot the name I forgot. I apologize the art teacher, I can't remember his name. I'm sorry, I wouldn't call him Ben for some reason. So my notes are always like the teachers or Farooq gives the art teacher so bad. I love them though, to be clear, but I just can never. Yeah, his name doesn't stick for me. I am so apologize. It's cuz everybody keeps saying Mr. Farooq over and over again
so his name is more in my brain. But at the meeting, basically they're like, OK guys, well when we're in Paris you guys are gonna have to be roommates and girls with girls, boys with boys. There will be no cross gender sharing. No, no. Oh no. Which cries and lesbian cries and lesbian. So the girls all decide to sit
to guide the room together. So it's going to be L, Tara, Darcy and Sahara. And then for the boys, Nick, Charlie, Tao and Isaac. And the saddest part of all of this is when the teachers are like, OK, break and find four people to room with. We shoot on over to poor Imogen, who gets ditched immediately by Ben, who she's sitting with. And she's just like sitting by herself and like looking around, like she's like, I don't even know who to ask.
And girl, I've been there so many times with this. I would just, like, assign us roommates. Like, don't let us pick. Yeah. So this is something like we were talking about how she doesn't really have friends. So like, I've been in her place where you see it feels like you have friends. And then, But the minute their actual friends are around, you're ditched. So, like, this is kind of what that's like. That is exactly what she's with Ben. I mean, like what would happen
if she was at that table? There'd be 5 girls. Like what? Like that would be really left out. Yeah, I feel like though, if she was near them and like hanging out with them more. Those girls would have tried to find somebody for her cuz like to room with because that's who they are. But that's not what Ben does. Ben just like whatever. It completely blocks that image in and is trying to find himself something. Yeah, it just her loneliness.
I've been there, girl. It makes it breaks my heart. Somebody hug her. I wanna hug her. I hug everybody. I know I wanna hug all these people. They're all so great. All right. And then once the Paris meeting concludes, we all have our roommates. We never learned who imaging rooms with, but I assume she has roommates. Maybe she got a single. That would honestly, I'd be down for that. But anyway, when that ends, everybody leaves wherever they
were. And finally we see Tal and the reason why he was missing because he has to ask Del L out on the ultimate date and I have to point out. Very public. It's the ultimate date. So he shows up Spiffy a F with sunglasses on and it's after, so this meeting happened after school, so it has to be night time logically or getting close to night time. He's got sunglasses on, he's got this like these nice clothes on.
He looks all spiffy. He cut his hair, he has a dozen red roses and he's just standing there. So it's like the most out of character Tao we've ever seen. And this is the first time Sar has ever seen how this is what she's seeing. So this is her intro to. I mean she I feel like she's kind of used to the the rest of the group on this point. She's like this is normal. I mean, if you're friends with Darcy, this is super normal. Darcy's like trying to convince you to make the prom vampire
themed. This is normal and so Tao. Is accepting that vampire theme. Yeah, well, I think, OK, I think she's not. She's more on board with the pirate theme because the swords, vampires, unheld swords. Come on, Tartsy, know your audience. I mean, they could. If they were vampire pirates, maybe. Anyway, so Tao asks L out and he's like, do you want to go on a date with me tonight? Which? It's really short notice, but also. Al says yes, I need three business days to make plans at least.
Yeah, cuz like Tao is like dressed for the date. He's like, I'm ready to go, Let's go right now. And I was like, I just got out of school. I wanted this meet. I'm still in my uniform. She's like, at first she's like, what is happening? I'd be like, can I have a nap? First yeah, like like Saturday. Let's go tomorrow. But also, L takes forever to respond and just like kind of stares at towel. And I feel bad for Towel because he's probably regretting everything in that moment. Oh, probably.
Because clearly, he put so much thought into just asking her out. And like, he cut his hair, he got new clothes, like he got the flowers, he did all the things like, he's just like, Oh no, where did I go wrong already? We're not even on the date, which makes the date even sadder. So that's yes, and they just and Tao picked a cinema date because they both like movies. So good. Thought good thought.
And Tao meets Elle in front of the theater and they go in together and the butterflies follow Elle inside. So like, it's showing that like she's really happy and in her towel feels about this date and. But the date begins with Tao buying tickets essentially to Elle's favorite movie, Moonrise Kingdom, which is a film that she knows that Tao hates. But again, just like everything else, when, you know since the
beginning episode. Like, Tao's really focused on making this L's perfect date, like taking himself out of the equation, and he's just, he's just trying way too hard to impress her. To a point where he's behaving like a completely different person. And L, because she knows him so well, picks up on that immediately and it sours the date for her.
And I think that the fact that she sees Tau changing kind of like because of her in a way, almost reinforces to L throughout the state that like this crossing the line from friends things probably is definitely a bad idea if it's going to completely change. Cow into somebody I can't
recognize, You know? Yeah. Have you ever seen a movie with someone where you liked it, but the person you were with hated it so much and wouldn't stop complaining about it and you had to just listen to them complain about it? But you actually like the movie and you're just getting really pissed off because that's what I
feel like feels like right now. Yeah, and I feel like she has already gone through this with this movie because she's like, I already know you hate this and now they're reliving it. You know what I mean, Because she's probably just thinking about all the things he hates about it while watching it. Yeah, well, probably. And then what happens right after the date ends? Exactly what you says. Tao's just like, word vomiting everything he hates, you know?
And I was like, I just watched my favorite movie. She's clearly smiling, enjoying the movie, and then is brought down by Tao's rant at the end. During the date, though, there's a lot of like cute, awkward stuff because it's like they're both their first dates, period, I I think. And so like the thing happens where they're like trying to hold hands and and things like that. And I think this whole plotline is really important with the two of them because it's it's a human thing.
It's like this, this trap we fall into when we're trying to impress somebody else so badly. That we're just willing to, like be chameleons and conform to, like whatever it is we think the other person wants us to be. And for like Ellen Tal. Like the irony of that really is the fact that they are drawn to each other because of exactly who they are and not when they're performing in social circles and things like that.
Because anytime you see them, like remember like when they were getting the milkshakes and they were doing that like fish hook dance with each other just naturally, that's just how they are with each other and they're just giggling and having fun. Like like they're into each other for who they are when they're not performing, You know what I mean? Yeah. And so like the and and the two of them I think are the characters that are most secure
with who they are. Like at this point where we are in the story because they're constantly just unabashedly themselves in public. And that's an admirable quality, like to have that kind of confidence. And I think that's something that they both like, like in each other. So yeah, this this date was doomed to fall apart by the fact that Tao just was not being
himself at all. And just so the date, despite the hand holding and the cutesy stuff that that did happen, it just it falls apart because of that principle. And L does call out Tao for just centering the data around her when she's like we should do something we both want to do, not just me, because it's not fun. If you're just centering in this on one person, like, they're not the type of people that like that.
I feel like if Imogen was making a date for Ben and like was like, let's do something together, he would hate that versus like centering the date around him because he's an egomaniac. But these two are not. And so just. They should have went to a brand new movie so they could get dinner afterwards and analyze it together. Because we've seen them do that together. Yeah, that's what they love. But, and I guess Tao would have thought of that if he wasn't trying so hard. I know, he just.
Also, something that really confuses me is that he cuts his hair, but earlier Elle said that she likes his hair long. Yeah. So, like, he wasn't. He thought that's what she wanted, but she literally told him that she didn't want him to cut his hair. Yeah, I think it's one of those things where he was just so in his head that he just like blocked everything out and that that was that that he went on a Google rabbit, the.
Internet told him to cut his hair and he cut the Internet told him and he's just like, this is what girls like. I can't mess this up. Cut hair. Also, I love the comically large food they have. I like. I feel like the only thing they could do is to. Signify how outrageous the food is at movie theaters. But their drinks are so small in comparison to like this large Nacho thing. It was a normal sized drink with like a triple X popcorn and a triple X nachos. And they.
ATE like all of it, so kudos to them at. Least the food was good, I guess. Yeah, I guess they really don't need dinner now. No. All right. So they. So even though the date went poorly, at the end of it, they still decide to go to the the bonfire party together. So we kind of cut over it to see what everybody else is doing at the bonfire before they get there and we have James and Isaac immediately or just like
go off and do their own thing. And I love when they run away and Isaac is like, oh, we're running. That's one of my favorite. Moments. That's adorable. So adorable, Josh. It's so adorable. But even if they are just friends, they're still adorable together. But Isaac needs a friend who shares his love of books, because it is really tiring to only have friends who don't like what you are most passionate about.
Because, like, I've always, like been obsessed with TV and stuff, and I would want to talk about it nonstop, but I had no one around me who wanted to talk about it, so. I think that's why, especially in the beginning of this podcast, I cried a lot in these things because I was just so happy to have people in my life who wanted to talk about the same things that I did. And it's you.
You need it? Yeah, I totally agree with that because I've seen stuff online when people kind of talking about the friend group because, OK, let's think about their friend group for a second. So Tao and Charlie became friends, like when they were little because they were paired together in school and they bonded over a shared interest of Radiohead. So it's established that Tao and
Charlie have things in common. We never learn about how they became friends with Elle or Isaac, but it seems like Elle and Tao have that art thing in common, and movies in common because we've seen them independently by themselves, sitting down watching movies. Where does Isaac really fit in? I feel like they got partnered up with Isaac when they're like, older than when Tao and Charlie became friends. But it was still like that age group where you, like, get
paired up with someone. You're like, OK, we're best friends now. Yeah, but I'm just thinking on like an interest level. Like it? Do the other friends share his interests, you know? It really doesn't seem like it. I gotta read that book. But about Allred who's who? What is Isaac is based off of.
But yeah, I. And so I'm really glad you brought that up about James. Like if James came into the fold in the, like, queer friend group, that would be perfect, because like you said, him and Isaac actually share, you know, the love of books together. And like, I think that's probably why. When now that we know what we know about Isaac, I think that's probably why he lit up with the
like, date idea. Cuz he's like you pick up books for each other and then you exchange and then read it and then talk about it. Like, yeah, he probably needs a friend to talk about books with. I do love them as friends. I really do. Yeah, no matter what. He just, he needs James. He does Okay. But we have to talk about Tori now. Yes, we have to talk about Tori. So Tori shows up with Nick and Charlie. And, OK, now we have to get into the straw theory, because I was always like, why is she?
She always has a straw and a drink. And now I know from reading solitaire that her favorite drink is diet lemonade, and she's always drinking it. And she does drink it with straws. But there's a theory that YouTube friend. Oh, my God, I'm gonna butcher this. I'm sorry. I can try to say it for you if you want to do it. Annika Osterink, Yes, love you,
love you. And love you for all the comments you left on our videos about the hard stopper stuff because she pointed out this I don't actually didn't mean to presume. They pointed out the Tori straw hypothesis, which is that when Tori has her drink and her straw, she is an even tempered human being. When she does not have her drink in her straw, she's murderous and has murder on her mind. Because in this scene she does not have said drink and no straw.
And what happens in this scene she basically threatens Nick and she's like take care of my brother, I'll fucking kill you. And later in the bonfire party, when Nick is looking for Charlie after he lost him, she has her little drink and she's much less murderous with Nick, even though he broke his promise and lost Charlie. I think that theory tracks what? It does, and it and there's another scene where it tracks as well without the drink. Yeah, without the drink.
Oh yes, because it's with David at that scene. You're so great. That was when she was at her most murderous. Because he's a Dick. Yes. Yeah, he deserved it. I almost wish she had the drink and she could have poured it on him. But Tori loves her diet lemonade so much she would have wasted. So it kind of made that OK. So Nick and Charlie, so they're there together. And from the beginning, Nick doesn't seem OK. He says he has like, a headache, which is not something Nick.
He's not somebody who gets chronic headaches from what we can tell. And immediately Charlie's like, cool. Do you want to leave? And next thing, no, I, you know, we're going to have fun. I'm here, I'm going to tell the rugby lads everything's going to be great, but it does not seem like everything is going to be great. It's like off to a bad start,
like already. And so they kind of like wander into the into the party and they of course find like a secluded area in the woods, not by the bonfire, where they're kind of like doing their own thing and being cutesy. And near them is Sahar and Tara. And Tara's on the phone with Darcy. Like, obviously asking like, where are you? You're not here. And we find out from their conversation that basically, like, Darcy couldn't get a ride out to the woods.
And I assume it's because her mom refused to take her, because we know we know about her mom now. But Tara's like, I don't understand. Like, if you couldn't get a ride, why don't you just tell me like ask for help? Like I It also seems like through a lot of these conversations, too, that Darcy's not somebody who asked for help. Very independent. Yeah. And I think maybe she she had to be because of her home life. Is her mom really taking care of her? I does not seem like it at all.
Like, it seems like Darcy's very much on her own, a lot more than she should be. And Tara obviously doesn't know any of this about Darcy's homeless because she won't talk about it. And so she's just like, frustrated. And she's expressing that it's hard. And she's like, I don't understand, like, why she wouldn't just let me help her. Like, I would. I would have brought her here. We would have fun and stuff. And Sahar says, well, maybe
she's just embarrassed. And so, like, it's it's interesting that, like, Sahar can kind of see, like, a little bit of what's going on with Darcy and her doesn't really see it. And yeah, and what I find interesting about Darcy's situation, it's like the opposite of what's going on with Tao and L because Darcy is somebody who performs to conform at home, to, like, appease her mother, who's like homophobic and terrible, but while she's at school, she's unabashedly herself.
And. And that's the thing that, like, Tara loves about her. And I think what's what really happens with her this season and what's starting to happen now, is that she's struggling with that separation of like who I am at home and who I am not at home. Basically, the closer she gets with Tara, because Tara generally wants to know every aspect of Darcy and she wants to spend a lot of time with her. And that's kind of why she wanted her, the bonfire and all that stuff.
And it's pretty clear from this conversation with Sahar when Sahar says Darcy might just be embarrassed. And the way Tara kind of lights up that she's super attracted to Darcy's confidence because she says she's the most confident person I know. Nothing embarrasses her. And she's, like, beaming when she says this.
So, like, I can kind of see, like, why Darcy would kind of be scared to, like, confess all of these things because it's very evident that Tara does like that about Darcy like a lot. Yeah. Tara talks about it a lot.
Yeah, exactly. So it kind of like, adds to the complexity of, like, Darcy's situation and like, why she's just like, I'm not going to tell you everything and I'm just, I'd rather just not go to the party at all than like, have all this home life shit come out to Tara by accident, you know? Yeah, so it's like she's not at the party, but like, I can see why she would elect not to go then, like, bring Tara into her home life, BS. I feel really bad for Darcy.
I know, it's awful. She deserves to have an Olivia Coleman. Oh my God. Olivia Coleman should just adopt Darcy and get rid of David. Yes, Darcy can have David's room. Yeah, for real. I would love that. I like that idea. Darcy and Nellie would get along too. Hello. You mentioned family dinners too. Oh my God, that'd be so cute. Darcy just trying to feed Nellie under the table. Oh my God, she absolutely would.
Speaking of cuteness, So like 5 feet over from where Sahara and Tara are, Nick and Charlie are being the cutest thing on the planet and just like giggling and taking pictures and stuff. And while this is happening, Charlie brings up Paris. And so Paris has been this goal for them for like, we're going to come out where we'll be out by the time we get to Paris because it's like the city of love and we'll be out in public.
And it's going to be great. Like, exams are over, new year, new US out and proud kind of thing. And it's really clear by watching Nick that, like, the Paris deadline is like stressing him out, you know, And so, you know, he Oh dear, I lost myself. It's. OK, OK, so he's like, he's got a lot of pressure on him and he's, he's all the more determined to like tell the rugby lads at this Bonfire party so that, like, Paris can be a reality.
So he finds them at some point during this party and is like trying to tell them. He's like, hey, I got something to tell you guys, but it's like they're in the middle of a party. Like this is a bad idea. Like everybody's like screaming. There's like a giant fire the size of my house, like this is a bad. Setting the size of my house. Where have they got all this wood? So, like, are they burning tables and chairs as well? Don't. No. It's like straight up plywood
creating this like bonfire. It's like burn a witch at the steak type of bonfire. It's. Insane. It's insane. How did the fire department not show up at all? They must be deep in those woods. Which is even danger more dangerous because of the trees around them. I don't this is a terrible idea and clearly not sanctioned by like a forest Ranger And so
anyway. So he's like they're in front of this drive fire and like, Nick's trying to psych himself up to tell the rugby lads and Harry shows up And so like, Nick keeps getting in this pattern when he's like getting really close. But then like here, here comes in another reason for me not to do this. And so like it's it's really, really clearly difficult for Nick to like just do. It's not something you can just do. It's not a rip the Band-Aid off thing.
Like it's it's really harder for Nick than he anticipated and it's like stressing him out to the point where he's like sick which is sad and like coming out shouldn't shouldn't be like that. We shouldn't have to do it at all. But you know, I feel so bad for Nick, but at some point how and L make an appearance and actually let's just finish the Nick and Charlie thing. I didn't mean to. I didn't mean to do that anyway.
While they're doing that though, and Harry shows up, Charlie shows up because they got separated for hot minute and Charlie is the one who, like he couldn't do with David. He sticks up for Nick against Harry and tells him to fuck off or whatever. He says, which I'm gonna hydrate for Charlie. That was really big of him to do that. I think he told him to piss off.
I know means the same thing. But trying to figure out the right words, Theora. But I think that's like Charlie redeeming himself for like what happened with David when he couldn't, like, save him. And another thing I really like about that scene too is like when Nick is having that like, internal montage of like basically all the biphobia like going through his brain where he's like he has a picture of of Tori being like, oh, you're biased, you're going to cheat on
my brother. That's what that means. And like Imogen being like you're not just gay brother pick a side. And then it ends with Charlie being like, well, you promised me you were going to come out. And I think that's really the crux of it all. Like it's not just the bad reactions, it's the the biphobia. I think it's getting to him.
And then the pressure from you know, the the not the pressure, but the Nick feels like he's letting Charlie down because this is so hard and he he hasn't accomplished what he was he said he would accomplish by the Paris trip. You know and Nick clearly cares so much about Charlie and he would never let him down if he, you know, if he could help it. And I think that's really what's upsetting him the most. It's not the coming out, it's the letting Charlie down part.
Which is what Charlie's been trying to avoid, I know, and it's just like there's something you can't avoid. You just. It's a difficult situation, it really is. But before that bonfire, I forgot to mention this part. There's a moment where Isaac and James are just like talking to each other and like having fun. And then Isaac glances at this couple making out nearby and the quickly looks away again. So like Isaac's journey
highlight. But also I feel like he's thinking, can people just keep their hands off each other for like 5 minutes? Because these people, they can't just be, they have to be with someone. Yeah, it's just teenagers, just teenagers, okay and so backtracking just a little bit or I guess at that to end that scene. So at this point, Carly's like Nick does not look okay and Nick is like, I feel ill. I can't do this. And so Charlie goes to like, take Nick away and they kind of leave.
But before we get to that point, there's we have to talk about the Elm Tao stuff because they do eventually make their appearance at the party. Like it's already like full swing. This is when the bonfire gets lit. And it must have been an awkward car ride there. Oh my God, it must have been. I hope Tao wasn't ranting about that movie anymore. It. Was probably dead silent. Yeah, unfortunately, I think that's exactly what it was.
And who is there at the party, But it's Naomi and Felix, and Tau immediately is just immediately insecure because to him, they threaten, they're like they're the new life that Elle is leaving him for. So that's the that's the breaking point. And they get into the argument about this. And ultimately, Elle's like, look, this is too much if I'm tired of feeling like crap about this. The state was a disaster.
Romance ruins friends. Let's just end this now before this goes any further and she just storms away to hang out with her art friends. Meanwhile, Tao is kind of just standing there, kind of lost in himself. And at this point, Charlie is looking for Nick and happens to find Tao first. And I love their moment together because Tao just is fully insecure about himself and has a bit of a breakdown. And it basically is just like expressing things like I'm not worthy, who could ever love me
kind of stuff. And Charlie just hugs him and reminds him you're amazing. And I love you. And I love that scene between the two of them because romantic love is not everything, like love between friends. Sometimes it's more important. And so to have Charlie, who's known him for so long, be like like, remember who you are. Tal, you're awesome. I love you. Like, I love that scene kind of before towel leaves, like with
those. Two, I mean, I know Towel is like worried that all is changing, but I mean, she is because they're growing up, they're all going to change. But she's finally starting to find her place and a place in the world, basically with the help of this new school which is shown with the friends being there. Like I love seeing her with them. Because you can just tell like that's where she clicks.
Elle is changing and Tao once things stay the same, so he is stifling Elle by not allowing her to find her place and grow into herself. Like, I know it's really hard to be like happy when there's like new friends around because like, I would feel the same. I'd be like, oh, they're taking her away from me, but. I think he needs to look back and see how happy she is and take that with how she's not going to just leave him. But it's it's hard to say when
you have those issues. Yeah, and I think he gets there eventually. But coming off of that disaster date, yeah, it's so awesome. I feel like he would have reacted slightly differently had that day not been a disaster. You know, he's already feeling insecure. And this just like, was the bomb on the ship kind of thing. But yeah, and you're right. This is like that point in their lives where everybody is changing.
And like, you know, sometimes change is good, sometimes it's bad, sometimes it hurts, sometimes it's happy. Like it's growing pains. So, all right, let's. Go to jump to Olivia Coleman, okay. So Nick and Charlie go to Nick's house and Charlie. This is the date with the three teak, varying sizes, very expensive. And the first time we watched this, Caitlin was like, Are those all for Olivia Cole? I don't know why, That's why what I thought, I really
thought, I don't know. I really don't know what was going in my head. I love that though. She's with a tea fiend. Why would I think that all three of them are for Olivia Coleman? Because she's the best, OK and because she's the best OK. So this scene that happens with Charlie and Olivia Coleman where he gives her the tea and then he goes to they have a little chat and then he goes to bring the
tea upstairs. The only reason this scene even exists is because Joe, half kidding but not kidding was like I I I need a scene with Olivia Coleman, like I need one. And so this is the scene. They literally wrote it because he asked for a scene with her and so that's why the scene exists. That's amazing. I mean, technically he has with the one scene with her, but like one-on-one scene. OK, yeah. It's like I want to see you amazing. I know. So I love that so much.
This little tiny scene is so thank. Thank you, Joe. Next season it's going to be everyone has a one-on-one with Olivia Cole. Is she becomes like the therapist or something? She's just runs in the Isaac in a bookstore. I can't think. It's OK to question yourself. It's OK to not feel like everybody else. You will find your place. I really want that scene now, Caitlin, God damn it. Or she's the therapist that intervenes between Sahar and imaging when they're trying to
figure their shit out. And she's like, it's clearly obvious between the two of you the way you look at each other. Just give give each other a chance. Here's some teeth. Look at each other. Look at the eyes, That eyes. You see. You see that twinkle? Don't don't forget about your tea. Your tea is getting cold. It's getting cold. Oh my God, I love her. So, unfortunately, we have to leave Olivia Coleman. I mean, no. Olivia Coleman is such a supportive queen. That's yes to everybody, even
character. She hasn't met yet, apparently, according to our fan fiction. We raised so much fan fiction in these episodes. It's just fan fiction makes everything better, so we can't help it. So Charlie takes the T, goes upstairs and Nick's like feeling terrible. So he's just like in bed, like, I need some rest. And they have a chat and they finally, like, come clean about what they've been feeling and what we've been perceiving, what they're feeling.
And essentially, Nick does confirm that coming out by the Paris trip has been stressing him out. And because coming out to everybody except his mom has been a lot harder than he thought it was going to be, which totally understandable. And to this, Charlie drops my favorite line from Heart Stopper, which was originally said by Allred, who is the character that is basically Isaac. And he says there's this idea that if you're not straight, you have to tell all your family and
friends immediately. Like, you owe it to them, but you don't. You don't have to do anything until you're ready. And in the book, he basically said that to Charlie when Charlie was, like, really stressed out about, like, telling Tao, because like, in the books, Charlie didn't tell Tao he was dating Nick. And so I think it came out about that time. But I just love that line. Because yes, like, unfortunately coming out is a thing queer people do for straight people.
I feel like because straight is the default in everybody's brain. So you almost have to explain like no, like I'm not the default. Because you don't want someone saying like, oh, do you have a boyfriend yet? Yes, exactly. So you have to be like, I'm not that. So you have to correct them essentially by doing this.
So it's like, but but The thing is be like, I love this line because like you you can like, I understand that feeling that pressure to like you have to tell everybody immediately when you meet them or like when something comes up and like it's almost like you can't do it on your own terms kind of thing. So you constantly have to do it. Coming out is a forever thing. I mean, I feel like it's easier if you have a wife though, right? They you just be like here's my
wife. That does make it easier, yes. Our marriage is to so we don't have to come out anymore. Or is it just a gal pal that your roommates with? We have gotten sisters a few chance, which I don't understand. We look totally different. I'm like, how, how? But anyway, key message don't come out until you're ready. You don't owe anybody anything.
I love that. So in this in this talk that they have together, like Charlie officially takes the Paris deadline off the table because Charlie wants to alleviate all stress from Nick. And Nick's happy about this and kind of cuddles and like kind of goes to sleep. And we get this shot of Charlie's face, like kind of
processing that reality. And it's very clear that, like, Nick not being out is stressing out Charlie, which it must suck to be. I understand Charlie's like, why he's so stressed out because, like, it must suck to be in that position where you're like, I'm ready to be out and like, have the person of my dreams be out with me. But they're not ready, and I understand why they're not ready. So it's just like, Charlie is just internalizing all of his, like, frustration with this.
And it's just it seems like it's just getting worse and worse like each episode. Well, I feel like his first relationship was Ben and he had to hide the whole time. So he's like, I can finally have someone who gets me and who loves me. Yeah, they haven't said love yet, but it's only a matter of time. And the last important thing from the scene is that Nick drops that pet name Char when he tells Charlie he's proud of him for telling Harry fuck off. I love it.
It's only time to drop the pet name. It's then and their little conversation there is so cute when Charlie's like, I would fight him for you. I would do all this stuff good. I just love it. And that's promise. The did you like? It, Caitlin. Of course I liked it. I promised we weren't lying. Yes, good call back. I forgot the the episode title. I try. Well, I challenge you to disprove me. That's the next episode. Yeah, I was like. I wonder where you got that next slide.
All right, before I start trying to go through all the titles, I hope you guys enjoyed this episode. We're excited to keep going with Heart Stopper Season 2, and until next time, I'd rate for Lesbian. Jesus and gay it up all over the place. Bye. And with that, we've been big gay energy. If you like this episode, check out all our other episodes on whatever you're using to listen right now. If you're listening on Apple, we'd really appreciate it if you left us a review, no matter how
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