Heartstopper S2E8 "Perfect" Recap and Discussion

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. Cheers, queers. What's on the Big Gay agenda today, Theora? Today we are sadly finishing Heart Stoppers Season 2. It's been a journey and this episode is just so good. I'm very excited.

We're here to to talk about it, but it it's also perfect because we already know we're getting a Season 3. And it's in production. Yeah. And and by the time you get this recording, the last Heart stopper book might already be out. It's coming out in December, Volume 5, something look forward to I really. Yes, work on creating those.

Anyway, before we begin our discussion and recap, breakdown, whatever you want to call this of the episode, just a reminder to if you're watching on YouTube to please like this video, comment below your thoughts because we definitely love hearing from everybody, especially the people who try to teach us about the UK schooling system. Yeah, absolutely. We need help and helpful you're

like. Also, you've been correcting us in the nicest way possible as well 'cause you're like you're you're Americans. Why? You understand You know nothing outside of your own country anyway. And then also subscribe and make sure you have notifications on for our videos so you always have some super gay content to look forward to. Also, if you like this, we will be back to cover Heartstopper season three when it finally comes out.

And we've been thinking about covering Alice's books in the meantime, like Solitaire, so if you're interested in that, let us know in the comments. Tori deserves her own episode. I love Tori. She definitely does. That book is so good. So the person who gave us the straw theory, I believe your name is Annika Oysterink 'cause I now remember your name like your name's forever embedded in my head since I edited the promo. By the way, many people agree with you and appreciate your

theory as well. Yes, thanks for sharing. We totally gave you a shout out. Well deserved. Yes, you're great. You made me appreciate Tori so much more. So there's Tori has a lot more going on, and all we really see in the show is the straw and the mysterious drinks. You don't actually know what it is unless you read the book exactly. Anyway, if you're listening, please leave us a review and on whatever platform you're able to. I know Theora knows that you can do it on Apple Podcasts.

I don't know what other you really. Think Spotify would let you review things at this point. I know I don't think you can, which is really weird. But follow us on Spotify if you can, yes? And if you're listening on Apple, download the episodes. That's how we get like. And if possible, listen on Spotify because that gives us more money or money. But if not, whatever. To each his own.

Just listen to us anyway and also stays to the end because there will be a bonus word that we want you to try to incorporate in your comments and reviews. It's always interesting. It's perfect. Perfect. All right, let's begin with the episode. It is now the morning of prom and. Finally made it. We we finally did. I mean this. This took a lot of planning. We almost had pirates, but we did. Put a pin in that, you know. So we start with Nick and he is waking up.

He looks at the photos on his wall because his day isn't started unless he looks at Charlie. Well, like, Charlie's the first thing he sees when he wakes up, which is cute and poetry. And why are they so fucking cute? I can't and what he also very unbranded for them. Nick The first thing after looking at photos of Charlie goes to Instagram because we know that that's who sponsors the show. It's their only social medias. It's they don't have anything

else. They're like, let's stay away from Twitter. We don't even know. It's not even called that anymore. So Instagram seems to be safe. So he goes and posts a photo on Instagram and he captions it boyfriends. And then in parentheses. I'm bi, actually, which I do. I do love that they keep having him mention that he's bi and I don't. And I think it's also for him as well. But it's just that shows don't usually have characters say that they're bi.

And it's always like gay because like, that's the default word and you see it. I mean, we're gonna talk about it, but like in the comments, people like default, even though he says that he's bi. So I love that they make a point for him to say that. And I think it's just it's also helpful for him, 'cause like, I am bi. This is my label I figured out for myself and he wanted that. Just like Isaac needs a label for himself. Yeah, for Nick, the label isn't powering and the photo he

chooses is super cute. My question is, who took this photo 'cause it's it's him and Charlie wrestling in their hotel bed like hug wrestling and just giant smiles on their faces. And it could be Tao or I. Like somebody had to take the photo. Like somebody, 'cause I feel like either, oh, you know, it's probably Tao, because he's always taking photos and he's probably like, but I could see Isaac doing. Yeah, I could see Isaac, like sneaking of candid of them and being like, you guys are so

cute. Like I feel like the sneaky ones are more Isaac. And then if he tells me like, hey guys, look at me. I would also just like break them up, I feel like. So this gives me Isaac entry. Yeah, that's what I mean. Yeah, this gives me Isaac entry. But anyway, thank you King Isaac. We assume we took the photo. It's super cute. And so after he posted this photo, he has to go see Charlie because it's like soft photos of Charlie post.

I have to go see him now. So he goes around to Charlie's and Charlie just like busts out of his front door and just launches himself into Nick's arms. And they do this cute little, like, happy circling hug thing, and it's just so Nick is so proud of himself that he needs to go see him. And then Charlie is even more prouder of him. And yes, it's it's adorable. Well, Charlie finally has a boyfriend who like gives him attention and is like this is my boyfriend, not this like

closeted person I hook up with. So I think Charlie want has wanted this for a while, like despite his like. Aversion to attention. I think he wanted this from Nick to have a boyfriend that is secure in being his boyfriend. And it is a big step for Nick because he's coming out on his own terms, which is something Charlie was denied and like. So he's proud of him in that aspect too. So it's like a win, win for Charlie basically. And I believe before this it was just rumors as well, right.

So like when he was on the bus, he was looking at and he's like, are you guys boyfriends or whatever it said. And he's just like, I don't know what to say to that. But now he can be fully out and open and not have to worry about anything. I mean except how people react, but as long as they have each other.

Speaking of that, yeah, Speaking of that, Nick and Charlie are cuddling in bed in Charlie's bed now, and they're reading the comments from the post because that's what you do, especially when you're nervous about how people are going to handle it. And most of them are positive, I feel like.

There's a good mix of like, yeah, but then some were saying, to pick a side, like all those typical stereotypical responses that you'll hear from people who may not be accepting or just like, not educated enough of what to say, they're they're kids. They're still children, but and a lot of them, as I said before, like never would have thought he was gay and then someone did. Point does point out that. Why are you guys calling him gay? He literally says he's bi in the post.

Because I feel like it's like what you said. It's a catch all term that some people use. I think colloquially the way people like you know. People in the Alphabet Mafia use queer as the moniker that encompasses everything. But I think that people outside of that who are not familiar with the lingo just say gay as just like means queer. I think so. I think that they're just, they're not using the term correctly here and they're just like, oh, he's gay, he's gay.

Or they see him with a boy and they're just like O2 boys Gay got it. And so it's like also like the lack of like he's gay if he's with a boy and then straight if he's with a girl. So that's what by me. Right. So it's like lack of like understanding bisexuality or accepting that by people exist,

which is a whole another thing. So to your point, I think that they keep driving this home by having Nick constantly correct people and be like, no, I'm by no, I'm by, no, I'm by is like, not only is it just like a way to reinforce to the viewer who may not be in the community that like bisexual people exist, like it's totally fine. Like understand this, stop mislabelling these people. When they label themselves a certain way and also as like bisexual awareness, because bi

erasure happens. Because yeah, if you're in a same sex relationship, you get mislabeled as gay. But then when you're in a opposite sex relationship, you're misidentified as straight and you're straight passing at that point. So the optics matter. So I think if you're just casually looking at this photo, you're like, oh, they're gay. Got it. If and. Who's reading the captions? They're just looking at the photo. They're like gay got it? Like Gen.

Z doesn't read. They're just like photo picture. Two boys, Gay, got it moved on. Well, I feel like that would it was. No offense, Gen. Z. If you're listening. I I am technically Gen. Z. So anyway, but if something catches me off guard, I'm more likely to read the caption. I don't know if that's just me though, and I feel like that would catch the. Yeah, so maybe it's just ignorance. That's really what they're it's. I think it's a mixture of things 'cause you're already most of it is.

Yeah, and you're getting a mixture of answers or of comments. You're getting, hey, happy for you guys. Or like, they're gonna be so cute at prom and then, like, rugby captain's gay, Isn't that the guy they got bullied? Like? It's just a mixture of different, like, responses. But yeah, Speaking of prom. So one of the comments is about prom at the very end. It's like, oh, I bet they're going to be so cute dancing together.

Prom like cutesy little face and then the conversation from their transitions into prom territory, because that is today slash tomorrow. It's happening. OK, we're finally here, is the point. And Charlie seems super uneasy about all the attention they are going to draw if they show up as a couple, which they kind of agreed to do already in the last episode. And Nick's picks up on this and he double checks like, Are you sure you want to go to prom? Because like Nick doesn't seem

to give a shit about prom. He just kind of wants to hang out with Charlie, but he feels like Charlie really wants to go to prom and wants all those like traditional, like high school couple things so Nick's like. This is what you want. We could do it. But if not, I don't care. Like, I just kind of want to be with you. And Charlie basically gives this like over enthusiastic. Hell yeah, we're going to do it. I don't have to hide my amazing boyfriend and my life is perfect.

Call back to title and that faux declaration of perfection Charlie made in the very first episode this season. We're full circle now with the perfect and is it perfect or isn't it Charlie? So I think this callback makes it pretty safe to deduce that everything will not be perfect at prom. So we're saying it in the 1st 5 minutes of the episode. And they're gay, They're queer. They're queer. See, I just did it. Yeah. I mean, we do. And we try to in our episodes, like we catch ourselves.

And we're like, no, this person. Is this because we're trying not to erase things? Because representation matters? Anyway, let's continue. Yeah, so Prom not going to be super great, but we'll get there soon enough. So after all the cuteness with Charlie and Nick, we shoot on over to Tao and L and Tao is basically just like chilling and busying himself with stuff while L is getting ready.

And he notes the instant notification from Nick and he's like, oh, I think Nick just came out on Instagram and they're both immediately really happy for him because it is big for Nick and they're being supportive friends. And afterwards, Tao notices there's a lambart brochure in Elle's room and he starts getting really lost in thought. And he looks at L And then what does he do? Caitlin Tao asks L to be his girlfriend, and then they're

just really cute together. And finally, the slow burn shift took a whole season. What a bunch of dumb asses, though. They're like we've been making up for a week. How are we dating? I mean, I get I thought they were dating from the first kiss and you're like, that's not how that works, Caitlyn. No. You have to. There has to be an asking and a consenting for labeling. You know, TV shows don't really show that part, so. American high school TV shows, they act like fucking a tourney

adults. So yeah, if you're watching those shows, do not take that as to what happens in real life. It's all bullshit. But here I like the sequence because it's how I was looking at Lambert brochure. OK, I'm just gonna correct you really quickly. I'm pretty sure it's Lambert. Lambert. Yeah 'cause that was in the subtitles. Oh, whatever. Fine. OK, Lambert. Just letting you know my bed.

So I like the secrets of towel looking at the art college brochure, and to me, that pondering moment that he does. Really highlights how much he like L really means to him So it wasn't just a out of the blue this is about me thing.

He was like she's gonna leave she's gonna accept this college like this is where she's meant to be like where does where do I stand in all of it. So it's it's I like that because they end up in the book having a very big conflict over the fact that when she goes, she does go to Lambert. Like, spoiler, she's gonna say it in this episode or she already said it, but. She does, She does do it actually. And then they end up in this long distance scenario. It's perfect for her. So. Right.

But then that ends up putting a lot of tension on the two of them and they like basically like break up and stuff. So I think they're they're trying to like the writers are perhaps trying to like handle that here with them before that kind of happens or they might just avoid that drama altogether. So I like that they're kind of like having them communicate. About that a little bit here, so

we'll see where that goes. But yay, finally, they're officially boyfriend and girlfriend and that is perfect. I'm also just really happy the two of those. The two of them are communicating, 'cause they're not as great at it, 'cause Tao usually just ends up running away. Well 'cause like the two of them have like a actual history together, Like Nick and Charlie don't have like a 12 year history the way like allegedly Tao and like L do so. I don't know.

It adds an extra layer of like if I fuck it up, then I moo's my friend too. So yeah, but it is nice to see them on the same page despite the changes they're about to go through. So I do like that after Tau and L we shoot on over to prom set up, which things are not going well at the prom. It's like the day of prom. And there's just like chaos in this auditorium. Poor poor Tara. Tara has just been put in charge of this and is like losing. Like she her hair is graying

over this. Essentially Sahara is there helping and also complaining about Imogen, which is fucking hilarious. Like, she notes that, like, she's like, well, Imogene hasn't gotten any of the food yet, which means the two of them are texting, because how else would Sahara know this? And Tara's Aha agree that Imogen cannot be trusted with this one task. Just like it's really funny that we have time to complain about Imogen here. I think it's hilarious.

There's always time to complain a little. Bit yes, yeah, but Port Tara Tara's like stressing out hardcore cause like nothing is going according to plan with the prom set up. Basically, yes. It's not going perfect. No, nothing in Tara's life right now is going perfect, including this. Yes, because she can't get a hold of Darcy. So she's like, well, what the hell am I going to do?

So she's like, I have a whole friend group who has to do, not has to do with it, but who's always there for me. So she texts the whole gang and asks them for help. And of course, they immediately come to her rescue in their little superhero posse. They do, but before they show up

like. And they come in in super gay, dramatic fashion too, 'cause there's just like when they're in the hallway heading towards the gymnasium or wherever this is setting up, there's this like stained glass window behind them and all the colors of the rainbow just like illuminating them. So they just look like little gay superheroes, like coming into the rescue. So this This is why I said the superhero posse. I was trying to figure out why in my head that I wrote that.

And then, yes, thank you for this photo. But before the posse actually shows up, So Tara texts the group chat and she's like, everybody come help and they're all like, yes. And then she said, this sends the saddest message in the group chat, which is. And Darcy, if you see this, please text me back. Like, so, like putting it out there to everyone that Darcy is like something is going on with Darcy. But it's just sad that that's her last resort of like, wow,

you won't text me on your own. Maybe you'll text the group chat. That just makes me sad. But all right, so once the superhero gang gets there, it's just they're helping quote, UN quote and flirting with each other. The respective pairs the whole time, like Nick and Charlie, are like staple gunning something to like, I don't know, the stage and just like, flirting. And then you have talent. Sorry, I'm amazed anything gets done here, correct? Yeah, me too.

And then Tao and Elle are like painting stuff and they get into a giant paint fight. It's adorable. But yes, is anything actually getting done? That's my question. They're having fun though, right? But there's deadlines. Sahar and Isaac are actually helping and they're bonding, which is so freaking cute. They're like trying to like, hang. I think they're hanging balloons or something. I don't even know. But it looks they're so cute and.

We need Imogen to get here so these three can become new best friends with each other, because I want that, OK? But then we get adult queerness, and so the rugby coach tells Nathan, the art teacher. Well, you originally had our teacher in the notes, so I put his name out of feeling we. It took us a little while to actually look up Nathan's name.

For Nathan, anyway. So the rugby coach tells him I don't actually know the rugby coach's name either, just move on. That he should invite Farooq to be a prom chaperone and she keeps trying to be a nosy gay, but he won't let her see his phone. So basically what happens, let me write this down even more, is that she's like, oh, you're a lonely gay right now. And we need more queerness in this prom in general. So, you know, let's get him over here.

And then you ask him for a little datey date. And so Nathan breaks down. He's like, all right, fine. And then he's trying to text him. And then she's just like, so what's going on? Hovering. Hardcore, so she definitely ships the two of them together. Oh, for sure. I imagine that like they, Nathan and the. Rugby coach have been friends for a while. It's like Co worker friends and it's like you're a gay, I'm a

gay, yay let's be best friends. And so I feel like she's genuinely happy happy for him here. I just probably watched him struggle to find like Mr. Perfect forever and so like. And plus has probably definitely seen him pining over Farouk and vice versa. And she's like, Oh my God, you guys like each other. You hooked up in Paris. Just do it already. So she's just like can you guys just get to, it's like pushing the heads together. Like come on, come on.

So she's. That's so relatable how you said that, though, of how, like, they kind of became friends for anybody listening or watching right now. Let us know if you have friends like that just because like, oh, you're gay. I'm gay. Let's be friends. I'm pretty sure every queer group is just a bunch of misfit queers that got together 'cause they're queer. And they're like, we have that in common. Let's see what else we have in common. So yeah, I love that she's being

the best wing woman ever. And my other favorite thing about this whole scene is that they are not helping the kids at all set up prom. They're just standing there watching, and it's clear that this is not gonna get done on time without some help. And they're just like, I don't know, maybe you should text that guy you like. They're just not helping. And I just love it. So we know that prom is not, like a huge thing over there.

So this makes me feel like the kids are like, oh, we won a prom this year. And the teachers are like, OK, but you have to do everything. And they're like, well, you're doing that literally. You're not gonna. Or it's just like I'm a supervisor. That's it. I supervise. We're too busy. Well, the rugby teacher's too busy trying to set up the we don't actually know if they're gay. Do we know if they're gay? Gay. Whatever.

The gay people? Yeah. So they're just being in their own queer corner. Yeah, Love it, Love. They're not helping. OK, So then we cut back to them still setting up for prom. Like, it's just really not going very far right now. And Nick and Charlie get confronted by two students asking if they are together. They're like, we need to make sure because apparently an Instagram post wasn't enough. I feel like it should be, but whatever.

And they say yes. And then, like the female student says that they look really cute together. And I think it's pretty obvious by the way this interaction goes down with like the cuts we get to Charlie, that he is super uncomfortable with the attention they receive in this moment. Because when she asks the question, are you guys together? His immediate reaction is he flinches, which to me is really

telling. And then he gets like that lost look on his face, like like he's having Charlie Dark thoughts basically. And then he like, as this kind of goes on, he forces that like grimace into this really awkward smile, as if he's trying to mask how uncomfortable he is and put a smile on for Nick and everybody else. So it's like Charlie again is back in the same pattern we started with from the very first episode where he's pretending everything is perfect because if he pretends then it will

manifest as perfect. And it's like he read the secret and he's just, you know, he's like, you know, if I put it on my vision board, it's going to happen. That's what he keeps doing and it just like keeps not working basically. And so ultimately he just ignores what's bothering him and he just, I think his mental health just keeps deteriorating. So, but also when he's confronted normally. So like before Nick, he's used to people being extremely degrading, I think is the word

of him and like bullying him. So I feel like that's his first thought and like that's where he goes and he can't, like, really understand that they're being positive and that they're not being negative towards the two of them. Yeah, no, it's PTSD. Like reactions, like, for sure.

But like on Charlie's end, he's not really processing or dealing with any of it. He's just trying to pretend it's not happening and like, keep it bottled up, basically, Which that always works, yes, And Nick tries to help him a little bit, not with that particularly, but another issue that Charlie has. Nick is trying to get Charlie to get food with him, 'cause he's like, you know what? Food's always good.

But, and let's get Charlie tried, but Charlie says that he just had breakfast and isn't hungry. Yeah, I think that was triggered from Nick, not out of the blue, but because again, Nick observes Charlie and he's about to have a conversation with how in a second where he, like, basically flat out admits that he's like, I'm just learning, constantly

learning things about him. And one of the things I think Nick learned is when Charlie gets put under the spotlight or when he's uncomfortable, that's when, like, the eating stuff starts going down. So I think that's why he or he's like, do you want a snack like? Because I'm afraid you're not going to eat now because I I you got the lost look on your face and I'm worried now. And of course, Charlie's like pretend everything's fine. I already ate breakfast, but you

probably didn't. So no, they're too busy in bed looking at Instagram. Yeah. And I think the Instagram photos were also making him uncomfortable, which is why Nick earlier was like, Are you sure you want to go to prom? Because prom came up and he's like, oh. Yeah. So I think that Nick has been observing Charlie having signs of having bad mental health that day in particular. And he's like, do you want some food? Do you want some food? Because I'm worried you're not

eating. So from there, Nick and Tal have another heart to heart and they're just sitting on the side of the room just talking. And I think this I was trying to see if Tao had a snack. Yeah, Tao had a bag of chips and he offers a crisp and he offers a crisp to Nick and they're sitting between like the cloud paintings that him and Tao finally or or Tao and L put together after their paint fight

basically. So we're taking a break and Tao starts commenting, starts the conversation where I basically being like saw your Instagram post. Nick super proud of you and he's like. They're all idiots for assuming you're straight. And I'm including myself in that statement, which I love that he says that because, I mean, like you said earlier, like our default is like everybody's, you know, heterosexual until proven

otherwise. And if they're queer, they're gay until proven otherwise kind of thing. So I like that Tao is a big enough person that he can admit when he makes mistakes or when he's being ignorant, you know, kind of thing. So I love that from Tao. Tao has done a lot of growing. Oh yeah, his relationship with Nick and it's been really actually quite cute to see them become closer this season. Oh, I totally agree.

So Nick tells Tao how worried he is that Charlie is still carrying all the bullying and stuff like that he went through last year with him. So, like, he's basically letting all that his worries out to Tao instead of holding them in like Charlie does. Yeah, 'cause, like, basically Charlie won't talk to him about it and Nick doesn't know how to, like, broach that topic. And Tao ask Nick if he knows

just how bad the bullying was. And Nick admits that he doesn't know any more than like the average person at Truem that like heard rumors, which is kind of sad. And Tao. He also admits that he really doesn't know either because Charlie doesn't open up about it. But he had a closer, like more second hand experience of watching Charlie because he was around Charlie during that time and I assume saw mental health

declining from him. But I think this confession from Tao really illuminates the fact that Charlie has told nobody about the bullying like nobody knows and like in the books, like. He doesn't even tell Tori, like, who's his closest sibling. So again, this just adds to the evidence that Charlie has just been bottling up all of this trauma and just not processing it. And so I think it's just eating away at his mental health as he

tries to keep it under wraps. But now he is Nick, Nick, who's constantly with him and who learns things about him, and he confirms that he's like, I see right through this facade of everything is just fine and perfect. And you know, X really concerned that Charlie isn't willing to open up to him about this because you can see that Charlie

needs help. And as a partner, I feel like that can be really difficult to be in that position where you where Nick really like, wants to help, but he feels helpless because it, you know, Charlie has to be the one to initiate that and there's only so much Nick can do. You know to like make Charlie feel safe, Charlie ultimately has to be the one that opened up and he still like isn't doing

that. So it's like Nick and Charlie are both stuck in these cycles of just like Charlie stuck in the mental health spiral, whereas Nick is just stuck in this. Like I want to help but I'm helpless position And so like the to sum it up like this scene really shows like the toll that Charlie's mental health is having on his partner Nick because. When you're with somebody who's going through stuff like that, it's not just happening in isolation.

Like it does have an effect on the people around them, whether intentional or not. Yeah. And then so we see Nick be open with Tao. And then right afterwards, Tao shows like that their relationship really isn't one sided, that they're both there for each other. Because Tao tells Nick about how his dad died and that's why he is always worried about losing people. And I mean the L leaving thing is always gonna be going through Tal's head right now, 'cause

it's kind of new for him. I mean, he he has. Abandonment issues. That's what he's admitting here. And so, but the poor kid, yeah. So L leaving to go to a far away school he can't easily get to is an abandonment in his brain because of like losing. A loved one. It's unexpected too. Like, from what I get, they didn't know they were going to. He didn't know he was going to lose. His dad, just kind of happened

unexpectedly. And it's not like his dad chose to and El isn't really choosing to go far, it's just where the school is. So it's basically like the kind of the same way of leaving. However. I mean, she can still technically see her, but they both don't really have much of an option because this is where she needs to be. Yeah, totally. I think Tao sums this up really nicely when he says I think when something really bad happens, it can affect you for a long time.

So that's Tao admitting why he has abandonment issues and why this stuff with L we've been talking about is weighing on him. But also it explains Charlie and Charlie's behavior of just like. Something really bad happened to Charlie and it's affecting him way longer and it's like something you don't ever think about or at least is not portrayed super well in a lot of media is just like the long term

effects of PTSD like that. Like the sure, you could see the aftermath immediately with Charlie and the bullying and how he goes through the bullying, but like that kind of scar that that can leave can last a lifetime and that's really what Charlie's journey is about. It's like there's not always a cure for like the PTSD. It's just. You have to learn how to process it and handle it and how you have your good days, your bad days.

And you know, I like that Alice really took a realistic approach to the mental health in this show. And just like how it's not just that moment, it it can last way longer than that. And we have multiple examples like Tao and you know his abandonment issues from his dad that stem to his personal other personal relationships and then Charlie with his PTSD. And the fact that this conversation is happening between Tao and Nick, who are set up to be, like, antagonistic to a degree.

In the beginning, they're much more so because of Tao, really in the books. I like that they're having this bonding moment. To me, it's really, really adorable because it really speaks to the commonality of these two guys, which is that they love so fiercely their friends and loved ones. Like it's loud how much they love their friends. And I love that that like.

In the books they spend so much time butting heads cause the towel, but really they have a lot in common in these two and so it this is a very sweet moment. I love it. Yeah, I do. I I mean, I've said it already that I really love the two of them talking. Yeah, I'm glad we got more 'cause you don't you don't expect it if you only see like last season. And if you only read the books like you don't, This is not in the books. This is all for the show, and it's cute.

It really works. And it just again, it gives you good comparisons of the two of them. They're. They're very alike and it's very sweet, but somehow like during this and I don't know how much longer it is, but somehow the they're done setting up for prom I guess. Somehow the they're done. No. OK, I don't understand this. Somehow they're done setting up the gymnasium and the outside. Like when we come back to the school. It's not just the gymnasium, it's the outside of the school.

I was gonna bring that up later, but like the gymnasium looks like there's 100 times more things in it. When did they start? Like when did Tara send the SOS text? Was it 6:00 AM? Because how did they? And when they get to the school, they're still light out, so like, but I feel like they were all doing such a terrible job that Tara at one point is probably like, just leave, just go. Or did the teachers finally be like, fine, we'll help. She's like, more student helpers came.

She's like, just leave, OK? They can do it. That was an act of God. Thank lesbian Jesus for that set up Tara. She like called it a favor. So Nick and Charlie are now getting ready for prom, and they're really cute together as they get ready. They are. They're over it. So Nick went over to Charlie's all dressed up and he's like waiting in Charlie's room for Charlie to go get ready and Charlie's like Nick. Close your eyes because this doesn't want Nick to see how quote weird he looks.

Because like, I guess like it feels weird. It's, I understand that when you don't wear fancy clothes you feel weird in it, but like you guys wear like suit and ties like to school. So I don't feel I understand, but I do. It's kind of a self-conscious thing more than anything, I think. Oh my God, that's how you get your dress. Sorry, yeah, but it's like if you wore dresses to school every day, it'd be less weird to wear. Just a slightly fancier one, you

know? But but it also puts more attention on Charlie, which I think is what feels weird, yeah. Totally. It's it's Nick seeing him in his fanciest clothes. So Nick assured Charlie that he always looks cute, because of course that's what Nick thinks. Yeah, and the big reveal is very cute. Like Charlie comes into the room and he stands very awkwardly in front of the door and he looks so dapper in his suit and little bow tie that it basically short circuits Nick's brain.

Like he doesn't have the words for like a minute and which is adorable. And Nick just like sweeps Charlie into a hug and he's like, can we just skip prom and stay here? Which that's also relatable. That's so. Cute. Let's not deal with people and just be together. Yeah, exactly. Which probably not a bad idea and and Charlie's response is revealing where he says we have to go. Everyone is expecting us.

So, like, adding to the evidence that Nick keeps pointing out for us that, like, going to prom really isn't something Charlie wants it. It feels expected. It's just he's just going through like the this is what normal people do kind of playlist and like. Not actually wanting to truly do it himself. And so, like, Nick kind of hammers at home by asking like a big public appearance. That's what we want, right? And then we transition into this like dream sequence of the

perfect prom. And it's like them doing, like the classic pose with like Nick hugging Charlie from behind for the camera. And there's like Hearts and just like Little Crown on. Charlie's head on Charlie's head. And then like Nick, they do like the dance and Nick like sweeps Charlie off his feet and they do like a dip and it's really cute and all this stuff. What I'm what I'm assuming though is this, this dream is what goes through Charlie's brain.

I'm not 100% sure on that. The only reason I think that is because when we come out of the dream, there's like a heart popping or something, some cartoon that pops away by Charlie. Like looking at Charlie, I feel like it would be Charlie because he's like, it's gonna be perfect. And like, he's just like going through how the night should be. Yeah, I think so too. And after the dream, Nick or Charlie reassures Nick once again that this is what he wants and he's cool with it.

And in some other version of the story, the narrator says. But he was not fine, because Charlie is clearly not fine with those. And Speaking of people who are not fine. The next scene we cut over to Tara, who's like in her room sitting on her bed, staring at the dress she bought. Like the hanging prom dress, just looking for lawn AF. That's so heartbreaking. Yeah, because Tara is really concerned since Darcy has not responded to any of her messages in almost 24 hours.

Which, like which is they're lesbians. That's like a year. It's super concerning because think about it. The last thing she got from Tara or from Darcy was the Snapchat. That's like super ready for prom. We're going to look all cute and then ghost ghosting. Straight up ghosting. This isn't like Darcy. Darcy's always very talkative. Very much always going. So right. And it's weird on prom day that she can't get a hold of her after the last thing she got was how excited she was for prom.

So it kind of adds to, like, the unease of like, something is really wrong and something's been wrong, but she hasn't been telling you. Now something is really, really wrong, and she's really not talking to me. So it's terrifying for for Tara. And so she tries one more time and texts Darcy to please come with her to prom. And she's like. She sends a bunch of stuff where she's like, did your mom do something? Whatever happened, I'm here for you.

And then she's like, please, please just come to prom. Like, I just need to know you're OK, is basically what she's saying. And also, again, I want to know again how cool Tara's room is because I'll pop up a photo of this because it's hilarious. If you go to like, where she's sitting on the bed staring at the prop dress, there's like a teddy bear laying on the bed with one of those sleep masks on it. And I fucking love it. And there's rainbow unicorns everywhere, which just.

I love Tara's, do you think? I do point that out what Tara uses that night and then just puts it on the OR is it the teddy bears? Who knows? Either way, good job, Tara. Very colorful. So from there we do get to see where Darcy is because we get to know things that they don't. Anyway, so Darcy is at the park with her stuff. She's just sitting on the swing,

very sad. And she notices this mom playing with her daughter on the slide, and you can see in her eyes that she wishes her mom was like that and that they had as good of a relationship. Because I don't. I don't see Tara's. Oh my God. Darcy's mom ever doing this with her? No. And to add to that, in the scene specifically, what's happening is the girl is sitting at the little girl sitting on the top of the slide and is crying out for her mom because she's scared.

And then the mom comes and gets her. So it's not just like they're playing, having a good time. It's like when I'm sad and I don't feel good, my mom will come save me and comfort me. Because yeah, I don't get that vibe at all from Darcy and her mom, if anything. Or why do I keep. Yeah, Darcy, if anything, Darcy's mom makes her scared and makes her uncomfortable and it's not the slide, it's the mom that's doing this. So yeah, they have like the opposite relationship there.

And I also think that, like, Darcy wishes she had the freedom to just be a child. You know, which she is. She's fucking a child. Let's not for like, remember that like these are children, but like young like that, and just be be cared for, 'cause I get the sense that in her house she was forced to essentially like grow up too quickly and like be on her own and be on her guard at all time and watch her step and so. Your theory is that her mom is

an alcoholic, right? I have a sense that her mom is some kind of substance. Abuser somehow. Like, yeah, she was definitely left alone, forced to fend for herself. That's just thinking justice for Darcy, Yeah. And so seeing this, this really young child be in distress and have her mom immediately come save her, like, I think Darcy wants that and has never really had that, 'cause that's like what mother daughter relationships should be like child to mother kind of thing.

And so, like, after seeing that, it's just it's like too much for her. And ultimately she just like packs her shit up and like, storms away. And that's it. That's all we get to see for Darcy right now. And we head to Isaac, and Isaac is picking out shirts. But he looks so frustrated and I wonder if Isaac internally is like, what's the point? Like I don't have a date to impress. Like, why am I putting so much effort into what I look like for prom? Wonder if he even wants to go in

general. Yeah, I, I yeah. To have to go by yourself, like, that's a, you know how kids make a huge deal out of, like, getting a prom date and like, all that kind of stuff, And like, Isaac doesn't want that to begin with. But then to, like, be in that kind of social environment again where, like, romance and pairing up is prized. Yeah, that must be, like, shitty to begin with. Yeah, I wonder if he wants to go. That's a really good point. I think prom is overrated in general.

Absolutely is. It's just a way to make money. It's dumb. Yeah. So before we move on from Isaac, in a prior episode, we challenged ourselves to analyze Isaac's room and if we ever saw it. And we do see it here. So let's let's talk about Isaac's room. It's basically a library with a bed. He needs for bookshelves. He literally has piles of books on the floor. But like, this is a very Isaac room. It's just a library. There's not much there except books.

Yeah, books and a bed. That's all he needs. Books and a bed. So meanwhile, while Isaac is trying to figure his life out, we shoot on over to Elle's, where Tao is like, there and Elle's getting ready and Tao is alone with the parrots, getting just grilled by Elle's dad. And he's like, what is your intentions with my Elle? And like, Tao just looks terrified and it's just like awkward laughter. It's so funny. He's like the terrified teenage boy that's awkwardly trying to

stay alive until Elle appears. And when she does? Tell which is a sight. Speechless when he sees L dressed up and that boy has it bad. He does, but also like the shot of the parents being so proud of Elle. Like the Little cuties, They're just like, yay, our daughter's happy and she gets her dream prom and that boy that's hers. And it's very cute. A plus for those parents. Yeah, her parents are cute.

We get like 2 glimpses of them, but they're adorable and you can tell that they really love and support her, which I love. I mean as if they're accepting, so they get an A+. It does not take much for parents. Yeah, no, it totally doesn't. It's just to be. There and love them, yes. But now it's time for prom. Yeah. So after Tao survives Elle's parents, they all head over to prom. And yeah, now, now, now. The place looks festive and put together like a job. Tara and Kuru, I guess.

I don't know who actually did this. Did they hire people to ask? Like to elementary school? Like dance or something. When we left it, it looked like they were trying to set up like an elementary school production of some play and it just wasn't happening. And then suddenly the gymnasium was transformed and like when the gang arrives they are outside and the outside is all

festive. So somehow they did the inside and the outside in a few hours, which is insane, but whatever, everybody arrives and looks spiffy and happy. Everyone except Darcy, who still is not there. So Elle notices and asks where Darcy is. So Tara kind of tries to cover up and it's like she's just running late, but they shouldn't wait for her to go in and but like the first thing she does is look around for her to like make sure she's not there so they don't leave her in case.

I mean, Tara has been looking for Darcy the whole time, like before the squad even arrives. She's like glued to her phone and already looking around because she's freaking the fuck out. And I mean, it's definitely, like, warranted. Yeah, definitely warranted. But also, like, they've been planning to go to prom for, like months. So she's like, she has to show up. Like, if she's going to show up and appear anywhere, it's going to be at prom.

I just don't know where or like, where exactly or what time she's going to show up here because she's not communicating with me. So she's looking the entire, entire time. And she's just, like, clearly worried and trying to keep her cool in front of her friends, 'cause, like, they don't know. But like, she left that really weird message in the group chat. So I feel like somebody should be like, is she OK, 'cause like, that message you put in our group chat was really.

Weird. I feel like people see text me back like people. Aren't concerned enough? No. I feel like everybody is wrapped up in their own drama that they're not. They don't see the writing on the wall outside of themselves and their respective partners and like. That's also, yeah, she likes that in their group chat. Isaac is falling to the cracks with their friend group 'cause they're so self absorbed, which is a very like young person thing to do. The world revolves around me and

my big feelings. And then like, yeah. We need to start group therapy next season, correct? So the first thing they do once they're inside is what everybody at prom does. Awkward prom. Photos. I don't remember that at all. But no, it doesn't think. I think doesn't want to get a prom photo because he's alone. I mean, that could be a reason. I mean, the other one is photos are weird when you're not even finding the camera a lot, they're weird.

And also like the traditional prom photo, which is what like Elle and Tao do as we're like entering the scene is it's couples photos, it's awkward couple photos. So like Isaac's like I don't want a picture by myself, like that's weird. Yeah, but Charlie does notice and pulls him in. And so, like, the four friends, the Core 4, get a photo together and it's really. Yeah, he's like, why does it have to be a romantic photo? Why don't we just have a friend's photo? Which? Yes, thank you.

So while that photo's happening, the rugby lads, I think I get that, Got that terminology from Theora. They apologize to Nick. They're called lads is a very specific, like stereotype boy and like usually it's like a sporty guy, so like they're the rugby lads. OK. Anyway, they apologized for making Nick feel like he couldn't tell them about Charlie because, I mean, like, he was trying this entire season basically to tell these people and he just kept getting interrupted. Yeah.

And it's like, they knew. Like, they knew they knew. They're just waiting for Nick to be comfortable to tell them. And like, clearly, here they're, they're super excited for Nick and they want to support him. And one of them even jokes they're like, oh, Nick's too busy with his boyfriend to hang out with us and it's like happy teasing. Not like when Harry quote teases people slash bullies them like

it's like friends being friends. It's like a lad thing, like they're just being boys, right, Like sweet boys. And my other favorite line in this exchange is when one of the lads is like, well, they're like, oh, Nick got a boyfriend before you guys got girlfriends And what if it's like I can get a girlfriend? Isn't is Tara Jones single? Like he gets grilled And like, what is everyone's obsession with Tara? She is a hot commodity in this school, clearly. And they're like, she's a

lesbian, she's fully out. And the guy's like, damn it, like, take another girl, what the fuck? I just find that really funny. It's like a recurring thing with this, like, group of friends. Anyway, just before the scene happens too, we get a passing comment from Harry. Well, yeah, he's the one. He's like, oh, you guys, you got a boyfriend before either of you guys can get girls. Like, which I I know he's a he is a bully.

Like, he definitely is. But I think that he's really just a dumb ass that genuinely thinks he's being a good guy. But like, you know, it comes off as a bully because like, he has no tact essentially versus like if Ben delivered this line, it would be with malicious intent to like inflict pain on Nick versus like, I think Harry's just a big giant dumb ass. I mean, his family is like this as well, and he's just used to that type of humor. So he thinks that that's OK

Yeah, something like that. Or he's just trying too hard to be like the alpha male and it's like, will you shut up, Harry, Shut the fuck up. So anyway, can't, can't be a cute moment without a hairy comment. And afterwards we follow Tara as she starts, like, weaving through the crowd because she's still searching for Darcy, who she hasn't seen yet, and checks her phone for the one millionth time. Still nothing. And so she texts Darcy. I'm scared.

Where are you? Like, it's been over 24 hours at this point. She's still not at prom, which, like, they've been planning for months. Like, it's really, really. And something is really, really wrong. Now at this point I would just. Assume that she was kidnapped. Right. Yeah. I mean, it's like 24, it might be 24 or 48 hours, but like they can start putting out an Amber

Alert, just saying. But Nick notices that Tara is upset and Tara is really scared that something is wrong with Darcy, cause of course she would be. The signs are all there. Oh, but no. Like, she's scared. Like there's something else going on with Darcy, because, I mean, she's seen it over the

course of the season and. But she can't get her to talk about it. And Nick is in the same situation with Charlie because he notices issues with Charlie and Nick tells her to just try to talk about because all you can do is try. Yes. So I love this conversation that the two of them dive into because again, it's like to people in similar scenarios, like kind of like with the Tao conversation where they're kind of like their commonalities are being shown here and they're

asking each other for advice. And Tara asks Nick during the conversation, Well, how do you talk to somebody about something they don't want to talk about, which is 100% what Nick is going through with Charlie, like with his like mental health and the PTSD from the bullying. Like Nick very much wants to talk to Charlie about this, but like Charlie hasn't opened up about this. So Nick says maybe maybe you have to try even if it doesn't work.

And again that speaks to like the levels of maturity that Nick has when it comes to being in this kind of I want to help, but I'm helpless position and I think that's really good advice. And to Tara here who's in the same position. And again I love how the two of them really complement each other really, really well. They have since the very beginning, which I think is why people were like shipping them for such a long period of time. Like these two have a lot in

common. They were shipping them. I mean like in season one. No. OK, Because they kissed when they were 13 and everybody was like, Oh yeah, he likes Tara. Oh yeah, Tara likes Nick. I think that's why people were into them because, like, they have a lot in common and so they they complement each other really, really well. Like as friends and people read things into that because. He was a boy. She was a girl and that kind of stuff. Don't start. Singing. I have to yeah. And and they are.

Bottom line is they are both loving and protective partners who try so hard in their respective relationships. And just I I love this scene between the two of them. It's so beautiful. OK, so we head over to Ellen Tao, and Elle tells Tao that she wants to go to Lambert, and Tao tells her that he knows because he knows her. He does because they have so much history and he knew that that's where she belongs and there's still butterflies flying around them. So everything is good.

Everything is good. And you have to, like, you can't tell me that in this scene Tao was the film aficionado, was not channeling Han Solo in this moment because this is like almost like a word for word, like shot by shot for like The Empire Strikes Back with the Leia and Han. I love you. I know, like it gave that energy so hard. So I wonder if he was like, channeling Han Solo. I think he was.

I just, and if you haven't seen, just just like go on YouTube and Google like Han Solo, Princess Leia, love Confession. Because like, that's literally the energy of the scene and I love it. OK, I could see it. I just watched it really quickly. Anyway, so. From them being cute and Tao playing out his Star Wars fantasies, Isaac sneaks away to the library. Because of course he does. Of course he does. That's the perfect problem.

And he looks at the book on the display table that he helped to make, and he looks at the book about asexuality because he is starting to understand more. But I mean, OK, so I keep bringing this up and I swear we saw him read this book last season. But I'm wondering if it's because I watched this season and then go back and we talk about it, that it's this scene is in my head probably. I don't think he ever read this book. I just. I feel like he's read it before

but whatever. So when he takes the book, leaves explode around him because he is finding himself and I love how he just like clutches the book. He like clutches to his chest and then the leaves like explode off of him. It's just I love it. Just that like emotion that he was feeling.

I just love it. Great moment for him and I'm glad he has the language he needs and is on the journey of discovering this by himself because like you can argue that you know, the artist in the last episode, like you know, did the coming out for Isaac. But I don't think, you know, I can kind of see that, but I think the artist gave him the language and and Isaac is is independently like figuring it out for himself and I think he's doing it the way Isaac does

anything. He goes to the books to like kind of read research and process. And so I think that's what this is really confirming is that Isaac is figuring his coming into his sexuality on his own terms with a book, which is a very Isaac in character thing to do. I think, yeah, it's it's still, he's still figuring himself out, but he's getting closer and he's finding things that he relates to more. Exactly. Yeah.

And yeah, exactly. So after Isaac, we cut back to prom and I have to point out there's a very important Tori sighting of Tori wearing all black. Because of course she is in a corner with her diet, lemonade and her straw, so she's not going to murder anyone prom. So is she OK? So I don't know. In the UK how it's done. Obviously we've already established that, but Proms are usually separated by grade in America at least. Are they?

For me? Yeah, 'cause there's junior prom, senior prom, freshman and sophomore. Oh, OK. Well, I mean, it depends on where you are. OK, well my school, it was separated and they had more than one prom a year and. OK, so I was like confused why Tori's there. I was like, is she a chaperone? What year is she? Tori would never chaperone. Children, let's be real. No, But. She would like to see Charlie be happy with Nick. Also like these aren't big populated schools, so why would she have?

Two. Yeah. I don't. I don't know anything Theora leave us, let educate us in the comments as always to UK friends, please tell us that like in America, clearly it varies the prom thing like yeah, we had one prom, that was it. I mean also prom is bigger here. So yeah, I mean, we had, we didn't do it at the school. We rented out like some place and went to it. I also had almost 600 people in

my class. So. But, like, if you think about it, not everybody goes to prom, so. No, I'm just saying. But it's a it's a big class, Yeah. So not school, like, yeah. And then people bring a date and then, yeah, whatever. But then we get some, a little bit of a montage and we see Harry get caught trying to spike the punch again. Because of course he does. He's the dumb ass. Isn't the tracks for him?

He's a dumb ass. Next and then we see Farooq arrive, and now his chaperone date with Nathan can begin. So Farooq tries to play off the Paris thing, but Nathan says that they should do do dinner and drinks next time. It's a date. Woohoo. Yes, love that that's resolved and like their little faces and they're like, OK, we got date now. It's so cute by the way, I have at this point read. The high school, not high school Heartstopper yearbook.

That's why high school popped in my head, which I mentioned in the last episode. But in there there's a she put in a couple of like mini comics like stories and one of them that's in there is like these two. The teachers, when they like have this conversation to actually get together like after Paris, it's it's really cute. So if you want more content from them, go read the Heartstopper yearbook And it also has like the origin stories of like. Tara and Darcy when they first get together.

It's very cute. I highly recommend it. It's mostly just drawings and like Alice going through the process, but there's some like little store short stories she put in there. It's a cute love it. That's cool. And now something else that's really cute and I love it. So now we cut the Sahar playing the guitar on stage with the band that. Rhymes Sahar playing the guitar. Never knows. That's just now. Sorry Magic. Did I? So she's playing with the band.

She's probably in the band. It's definitely in the band. She's had this guitar more than once during this the show. I don't think they're just like, oh, random girl with guitar, perfect. You know our songs really well. For some reason, she's a genius at music. Also, wait a minute, if Sahar is in the band, why wasn't she in like the band band with like Charlie and Tara and Darcy? Or was she? We just missed her. Maybe that it's more classical and she's more rock.

Maybe. Maybe there's no electric guitars in that Horrible. But maybe the band would be better if Sahar was in it, because their band is terrible. Were there guitars in that band, though? Maybe. I I feel. I feel like she'd have to play a different instrument. She's probably too cool for that. Anyway, I get it. Imogen notices her, and she stares gayly at her and. Imogen parts the crowd like the Red Sea. Walking up to Sahara in this

like daze, It's the gayest. But now I'm I'm super excited for Season 3. Everyone is great Gray. Everyone is gay, and it's great. Gay as in generalized terms, everyone is great. And is great. Is Gray. You heard it here first. If you need to save time, you're like, that's so Gray. I'm so in. Oh my God, that's mercy. Kayla, what is it? That's so Gray. It's gay and great. It's Gray. I'm in great and gay. But see, unless you know this podcast, you would not understand so.

Right. So if you live in a homophobic environment, you can get merch that says that and no one would know. Yeah, our little secret. We got you. But this, this part's not over yet. We have to, like, really fully, give this the moment and time to shine. Absolutely. Sahara catches Imogen's eye at the end of the song, and there are sparks and music notes, so maybe that's gonna be their thing and something is happening. Yay. So like. Sparks fly like a Taylor Swift

song spark. That's gonna be next season, so. Be better. I just. I went back and watched this today, and Imogen's face at the end of the scene is so cute and like gay panic. And it's just like kind of understand here, like some sort of realization is coming across her. So season three, this scene is literally the gayest. It's a very gay show. But this?

Scene is the gayest, honestly, and I have to point out that the cartoons, we get a couple of shots of Sahara just playing the guitar on stage and then like yeah, imaging parts through and then starts staring at her and we only get the cartoons. When she scrums the guitar Only when Emma Jin is watching, which is significant cause cartoons mean feelings. So that is feelings confirmed right there, which is good.

And when the song's over, 'cause like Sahara's like holding her stare towards the end, and then like does like this little, like showy like guitar strum, like like a rock star does. And then it's like for Emma Jin 'cause she's staring at her. And so Emma Jin at the end, I love her little. Oh. Fucking funny and cute. It's like a panic. Like, OK, there's also a look from Sahara that I feel like is knowing is a knowing look.

Oh yeah, when she sees Imogen just looking at her, I. Could see Mother Taylor Swift song. Listen, if they're invoking Taylor Swift songs, that's The Ship is Born. Theora has been working me into being a Swifty. It's been working. It's not hard to be honest. She's she speaks for herself. I mean, just see that Errors tour movie like that's that's all you need. Yes, don't worry, there's Taylor Swift in this episode. We'll get to it.

Oh, I know, I did not see the aura's nose before this, and now there's like 2 pages. So let's wait for that. OK, so from the the cute little image in finding out that Sahara is really pretty, Mick sits down with Charlie and Charlie asks if they can leave. I mean like first of all it's relatable to me at least and but also it's boring. Guess that I actually, I think I did the same thing to the person who went with me. To prom. But anyway, yeah, they are very, very boring.

They're boring. Yeah, if you're not like, yeah, whatever. Anyway, he doesn't want to live for the people around him. He just wants to have fun with Nick. He says we've been so obsessed with coming out, it's like we forgot why we wanted to do it in the 1st place. I think that's Charlie. Yeah, that's what Charlie says. But he says we and I think it. I don't think it's we. I think it's you, Charlie. Yeah, that exactly Like and like Nick tried to give him the out

on this a long time ago. And Charlie's just like, no, no, no, this is what we we want, we want. And it's like Charlie anyway. So Nick at this point casually mentions that Olivia Coleman and David are out for the night. And so he's like, I got a free house. So like, we could have just stayed, you know, like I suggested earlier. And personally, we never find out where she was or what she was doing.

But I hope Olivia Coleman is having fun wherever she is, and I hope she's not with David, because that wouldn't be fun. Fuck David. No, I hope. David. Maybe. Maybe she's dropping him off at a train station. Be like here. Go find your way. Go. Back to last, though. Fucking David. OK, so now Darcy finally shows up and she looks like a wreck, like she just kind of rolled out of bed in the morning. But to be fair, she hasn't been home in 24 hours and she's been outside the whole time.

She's literally been sleeping out of Swing. Yes. Oh, we don't know if she slept there. She could have slept on the grass, so that's even worse. Anyway, Tara has already left to try to find her, so she's not there. Can we just? Yeah, 'cause Darcy's like, well, where's Tara? Where's Tara? I literally came for her, which is what Tara was baking on. But. It's been 24 hours. Your girlfriend want to track you down?

Can we like, appreciate the fact that when Darcy first walks in and gets near the crew, she's like, I thought prom is supposed to be vampire themed. It's like Darcy. That was like her, one of her offhanded suggestions months ago. I feel like that was probably a joke and it was just like her trying to lighten the mood because she knows she's been missing for so long, yeah. Which was like what? A wine when she's been messing

for 24 hours? Well, it would have been cute, as if none of this happened and they were like all still setting up the prom. But at the end, like Tara sneaks in like vampire stuff or pirate like costumes for the photos for Darcy. That would have been cute. I agree. Fan fiction? Yes, And then apparently no one is really having fun at this point. No one really wanted to go in the 1st place, so we leave, but we it. Actually, we didn't leave yet, only we we go to Tara, who's

left. So Tara knocks on Darcy's door because she's still trying to find her, and Darcy's mom answers. And boy, is this an awkward way to meet your future mother-in-law, like good Lord first? Tara asks. The mom is Darcy OK? And Mom replies, how would I know that like, but first she thinks that she's cold. Calling her, which is she's at the door is technically be cold. Whatever. But.

She's trying to sell shit. He's like, we're not interested, like, go away, like, I don't know, like the Jehovah's Witnesses, they come to everybody's door. She's like, we don't want any. And yeah, but Darcy's like, is Tara's like, is your daughter OK? And the mom's just like, how would I know that? Like this whole thing screams call Child Protective Services or whatever the UK equivalent is. Because what parent doesn't know where their child is or is not

even a tiny bit concerned? Like, even if you get in a fight with your child, if you haven't heard from them in 24 hours, like, that's not OK. No, no. This whole exchange is very illuminating for Tara. What would make sense for substance abuse issues? Yeah, like, Mom's like, drunk at the door right now.

It's like the vibe I get. And so her mom is cold to Tara when she's just so concerned about Darcy because someone has to be. And the mom says that Darcy had a tantrum over an outfit and that she looked like a lesbian in it. I mean like duh, like. OK, yeah, but this is what the mom's worried about. The mom's not worried that her daughter's been missing for 24 hours. She's like, I'm mad at her because she got upset because I told her the truth. Like what? A baby?

Like who's the baby in the scenario? Like, come on now. But from this whole conversation, Tara finally understands what has been going on with Darcy and gets out of there right away. She's like, oh shit. Bye. Absolutely not. I can't. This is just like, if I find her, I'll have her call you, OK? I'm not telling you shit. Goodbye. And this is when she's figured out that she will not be interacting with her future mother-in-law.

No, Never. And 0.002 seconds after Darcy's mom slams the door in her face, Tara gets a call from Nick. And he tells her they found Darcy and she's OK. Great time. All she wanted, but great timing. Great timing, Nick. So Tara heads over to Nick's house, where it seemed like everyone has left prom early despite putting tons of work into setting it up. OK, so I now don't think that that's true. I think Tara definitely put in a lot of time. The other people just used it as

a playground. Correct. And really, like, maybe the real prom was the friends we made along the way. You know, to be fair, this prom looks a lot more fun. It does, But even Tara's like, I'm over it. I don't care. And like, she just wants to make sure Darcy's OK. I don't think Tara even really showed up to the prom. I mean, she was there for like 5 minutes. I was like, Nope, gotta go find Darcy.

Yeah, for real. But like, which I love when she gets there and they all do this big giant group hug at the doorway and it's just, again, it's the friends you. It's it's about hanging out with your friends. It's really not about this stupid one. That's their family. Yes, exactly. OK, so when she gets there, Tara and Darcy go off on their own and talk. Yes, finally. And Taurus, where Darcy slept. And why didn't she tell her?

Well, we find out in the conversation why she didn't tell her and it's because Darcy's phone died and she didn't have a charger. But also the bitch was sleeping in a park. Like, would the Charger have helped if she grabbed it? I mean, she could have went to a library or, you know, she really couldn't Gone to the school. No, no, no, no. The next day in the morning, because she still waited the whole day to say she. Also could have gone to a library instead of the park.

And just hung out there and used their computers to Instagram people. Like, I think she was just trying to avoid. She could have shown up to the school, but I think she's just not ready to be around people. I agree. I don't think she, like, wanted her phone to work. Like she's just like needed to be alone in her. Correct. Exactly. But but there there were modern ways to get in touch with people, yeah. If you want 'cause I'm sure they're texting on Instagram, so

I should get. Her logged in somewhere else. OK, use K people. Do you have messaging apps? Can you text or suggest Instagram. Instagram. Please help us. We want to understand, but OK. Tara also is like me and she's like, OK. There's a million ways you could have handled this Darcy, the next logical one being like. Why didn't you come to my house like you could have? You know, where I live? You could have just come to my house instead of sleeping in a park.

Like, why would you do that? I am actually curious about that. Like, does Darcy not feel like Tara's fully? I mean, I know she's like not fully herself with her, but I feel like if she thought like Tara was completely safe, she would feel comfortable going there. So maybe the guilt is what kept her from going there. I think it really has to do with, I think I wrote about it later, but like the fact that Darcy's living this double life and again, she's, she says it in

this conversation for her. She's like, well, you've seen what my home life is like. And she just came out of this where she got kicked out of her home and to like tell Tara she was staying with her, she'd have to explain why she's not currently at her home and she's wearing her prom dress and all that stuff. So she'd have to, like, reveal the truth to Tara. And she was afraid that Tara wouldn't love her if she did that.

So I think Darcy was like, well, if I tell you, if I go to your house and tell you, then I could lose you, and then I lose everything. So let me just go hide. I'll show back up at prom like everything's fine. Because when she comes to prom, she tries to act like everything's fine, like we're the pirates. And like, like you said, but you just can't like the jigs up girl. Like too much has happened. Like, have the conversation, which is what they're doing now.

So she was scared, basically. Yeah. So Darcy explains to Tara that she is proud of who she is at school, but at home she has to pretend and her parents don't even know she is gay. And she says, I don't think I'll ever come out be out to them, which I think is very similar to what we got with Ben. However, he's not comfortable with being himself at all. Yep, no. There's definitely parallels to be had between Darcy and Ben.

I don't remember if I said this last time, but like if there was, if Ben was in season three, I feel like they would have put Darcy and Ben in some scenes together. That would be nice. I would like to see them, but even when they don't have scenes together like they are foils. Absolutely. And also during this conversation, Darcy says the reason why she is super confident and out and proud at school is because.

If you remember back to season one when they went public with their relationship, Tara and Darcy, like Darcy saw the toll that that had on Tara, who was like really struggling to come out. And like Tara even said, like, I can't even say the word lesbian, like I'm struggling with this. And so Darcy took it upon herself to play up the confidence in order to be that person for Tara. She's like, I was trying to be your rock during all of that. So how can I crumble? In front of you.

I can't do that. I have to be strong for you. It's basically what she's saying here. And that's part of why she was avoiding actually talking about this and then I think also avoiding coming to Tara, like when she hit rock bottom, basically, she didn't want Tara to see that. I don't like love it, but like I love that that that's how she reacted.

Because I feel like that's very relatable because it's like being this is not like the same equivalent, but like similar is like being scared of like a. Mouse in the house, like with one person is you're more likely to be more confident, to be the person who's like kind of like the hero or something and be the helper. It's like, oh, I'm not scared. And then get it, But if you're alone, you'll be terrified. Yeah, basically boil it down. It's a good metaphor, but yeah,

exactly. OK, so because Darcy hadn't shown Tara all of her love, No. Sorry. I read more than one line at a time. I'm so sorry because Darcy hadn't shown Tara all of her. It was hard for her to say I love you because she didn't think Tara would love her if she did. Yeah, exactly. She was. She was afraid of showing Tara everything, and everything is her at rock bottom, yeah. And the line that that.

Hurts, but is so vulnerable and good for her to say is like you said, I love you, but what if that person didn't exist? Because again, Darcy felt like, you know, feels partially like a fraud because of the double life she leads with, like who she is at school and who she is at home. And I feel like that duality for her is so entrenched that Darcy isn't sure which version of her is like the real her.

Quote UN quote. And she was scared that Darcy couldn't or that Tara couldn't love her if she saw that other half. And especially like the part of her that I think she hates or resents a little bit, I think she resents who she has to be when she's at home because that's not who she is. But her problems at home are very very real and super troubling. Like Child Protective Services should come and help you.

Troubling and. She didn't, she didn't want to be weak in front of Tara when like she felt like she was, you know, has has to constantly be the strong person. And I empathize with that and what she's going through. Like you feel like you can't be vulnerable when like your partner relies on you to be strong. So I think that that's part of what's playing into like their dynamic and why she was so secretive about it. I'm really excited to see what happens with her next season.

Yeah. And I I love the part where cause like Darcy. It's funny though that she thinks that she's this put together like strong person for Tara and really she's a disaster and she's like, you know, Are you sure you love me? I'm a disaster and Tara's like, oh, I know that's what I like about you. So I just love that she's like, it's like she's she's seen the best way possible. Yeah, like she's seen the writing on the wall. Like she knows, like you didn't

have to be so scared. But you know, sometimes you just, you have to go through things at your own pace and. You know, work through it. But now Tara knows all of Darcy, so there are two full pages of them saying I love you to each other. Oh. My God, it's like the cutest. Because part of it was just like Darcy being like, I have to. I'm not good at saying this, like saying how I feel, kind of thing. So Tara's like, we had to practice, so they're practicing

quote UN quote. So they keep saying like, I love you back and forth. And it's very, very adorable. Yes. And it's adorable. So cute. Taylor Swift, This is where. So everyone starts dancing to Taylor Swift. And then I asked Theor in our notes if there's a meaning

behind the song. With the scene, of course there is. But before we get to that, I want to point out something Darcy notices before their whole conversation starts, which is like super cute photos with baby Nick. Like, Oh my God, there's like little Nick holding flowers. He's always been fucking adorable. I think I have to point that out because it was so cute. OK And now let's get it to Taylor Swift. That was very important to note.

It is very important. I mean all the music choices in this show are really, really good. But I'm going to dive into this one because it was foreshadowed in the the show. So and also they had to must have paid Olivia Coleman money to get the song. So let's let's appreciate, let's appreciate that you Coleman to get the song. I mean like big money to a big name, is what I'm saying. I got it. Got it. Yeah. You you think Taylor Swift songs, the rights of those songs

are cheap. I highly doubt it, no. But she was more into it. So maybe. Oh, she was definitely into it. She was like, this seed is so cute. Here's my song. It's that's it's story for another day. So let's talk about the song. So the song that plays is 7 from the folklore album because the fucking poster was on Tara's walls. Of course, it was from that album that was obvious at the aura, not me. I asked the aura if that was from. Folklore. Yes, they showed the poster

multiple times. Fulmer is a great album. I love that album. So it starts playing while Tara and Darcy are practicing saying I love you and continues throughout the rest of like the Paris squad's prom at Nick's house. Like it plays the whole time they are having their prom. And that sequence is basically just everybody having fun and being all lovey, dovey and cute.

And before we get into like, the lyrics, I want to talk about Like, during the sequence, one of the things they do is they start randomly playing hide and seek. And like, is everybody drunk? Because people pick the worst hiding spots ever to hide in. Like, literally. Isaac hides next to the couch behind a cushion where his book is visible. His lower half of his body is visible, and he's just behind a cushion and his head is poking out. His head is poking out.

Like, go watch that sequence if you weren't paying attention because like, everybody's hiding spots are terrible. It's just hilarious that whole that there's no words broken. It's just the song playing and everyone's like, hiding. I think L is the one searching. It's hilarious. Go back and watch that. It's so fucking funny. OK, so 7. Please picture me in the trees. I hit my beak at 7 feet in the swing over the Greek. I was too scared to jump in the dry.

I was high in the sky with pencil. Under me, are there still beautiful? Things for me in the contest Heart Stopper. It's a Darcy Tara song that extends to everybody else eventually, but the 1st 2 verses are read from Darcy's point of

view. And the song overall is told from the point of view of someone who's thinking back to their childhood hence, like in a swing over a Creek, Pennsylvania. That's where Taylor Swift grew up. So it's somebody thinking back to their childhood, and the singer is imploring the people that experienced that moment in time with her to reminisce fondly about it. The singer is thinking about the highs, the swing during that time, and wondering if this was

the peak of happiness. Hence the ending line. That's a question. Are there so beautiful things? So the translation of that is, will I feel this type of happiness again? So how this relates to hard separate. So I think Darcy has been struggling to find joy in her home life and therefore has been clinging to her happy life outside of the home with Tara and her school friends. But this season, she's on this journey to reconcile those the double life she's living.

And I get the sense that she's worried that existing fully as her authentic self is not possible, and she is scared that happiness outside of school is unattainable. So are there still beautiful things? The next verse goes. Sweet tea in the summer Cross your heart Won't tell no other. And though I can't recall your face, I still got love for you. Your braids, like a pattern love. You to the moon and to Saturn, pass down like folk songs. The love flies, Soul love.

The second verse there is a love letter to the singer's friends Slash loved ones that made those childhood days so worthy of remembrance. Time passed, the memories faded, but the feelings stayed for Darcy. This is her sentiment towards her friends who went out of their way to give her a safe and happy prom. And if you think about it, her toxic home life almost robbed her of that formative memory. But her friends? Tara in particular made this moment possible.

From this verse, I get the impression that Darcy will remember this night for the rest of her life. Maybe not the vivid details, the weird hide and go seek things they were doing, but she's going to. She's going to cling to that love and happiness from prom and talk about it fondly for years to come, passing down the feeling like a folk song. Then the third verse. And I've been meaning to tell you, I think your house is haunted. Your dad is always bad, and that

must be white. And I think you should come live with me and we can be pirates. Then you won't have to cry. We'll hide in the closet and just like a full song, our love will be past the day. The Pirates thing, Were they planning that all along? So I think the third verse here switches to Tara's point of view. And yeah, I think this is, yeah, This is why this song is in here. And here the singer is admitting

that she noticed her friend. So in this context, Tara notices Darcy has a troubled home life with a toxic parent. In the song, that's a father. So the singer proposes that they run away together or hide in the closet. Interesting choice words, just interesting. The point is the friend, So Tara in this context is is proposing they escape together, which is how they'll preserve their happiness and keep their love going. The parallel here to Tara and Darcy is a lot more direct than

the other previous verses. For months, Tara has been slowly putting the pieces together about. Darcy's toxic home life. Like we saw the text before she met her mom. Or she's like, did your mom do something? And in this, you know, prior to the scene when she meets the mom, Tara gets the confirmation that Darcy has a toxic home life. So Darcy also suggested the Prom be pirate themed at one point, which feels intentional for the writers if they're going to use

the song. Because school is her escapism and prom is like a fantasy night. So perhaps subconsciously Tara knew bits of this all along when it comes to what was going on with Darcy, and that might be why she invited her to sleep over so much like including the night right after the Paris trip. And if you really think about that, Paris was basically a week long sleepover where they quote escaped.

Into a fantasy like Paris is like the city of love they were talking fondly about on the bus ride, and immediately after that trip ends, instead of going back to their regular lives, Tara invites Darcy to escape to her house for just a little while longer. Only this setting is a real world setting, so it's more like hiding than escaping, like in the closet. But by staying together, Tara was able to keep their happiness intact.

Albeit like put a Band-Aid over the gaping wound, while Darcy's toxic home life is kind of like out of sight, out of mind. So that verse very much reads like Taurus point of view towards Darcy. Then the last verse I'll go through is A. Sweetie, in the summer Cross my heart won't tell no other. And though I can't call your face. I still got love for you. Pack your dolls in a sweater. We'll move to India forever. Pass down my folk songs. I love my soul.

So the song concludes with the singer making concrete plans to preserve their happiness in the present, which is adulthood because this was written looking fondly at childhood. By keeping these childhood memories quote pack your dolls and making new ones quote we'll move to India forever. The conclusion reads like the Paris squad's plan to relocate Prom to Nicks, and they brought the best of their childhood, the games they played in, the laughter, and made these

wonderful memories together. Memories that will last a lifetime, Immortal Memories that will they will reminisce about as the years go on passing it down like a folk song. That's a lot. The oars really smart especially when it comes to Taylor Swift. I'm. I'm really impressed with everything you do with these lyrics and made into yeah. I mean. It's all right there. So it's honestly like, at first when I heard it, I'm like, that's a really random song to

pick for this. And then like, I really thought about it. I was like, no, that's actually the perfect song that really drives home what is going on with this prom. It's it's not just like a dance night for them. It's like they're a little found family. So it's more about. The happiness they share and the fact that like this is bonding them in a way that's unbreakable for the rest of their lives.

And that's what the song is really talking about, despite like the bullshit at home, like all of that stuff. It's like this moment, these memories are more important. So it's excellent song choice. Wonderful. Thank you for your Taylor Swift appreciation and explanation, Theo, of course. And then after the Taylor Swift stops playing, all the Paris squad goes home, leaving only Charlie and Nick. And truly, this scene is one of their best scenes in the entire show.

Yes. So Nick and Charlie are laying in bed together and Nick doesn't want. Charlie to leave. He never wants Charlie to leave, but more important, like Nick doesn't let him. So like in the scene, like they're like. Kissing on the bed and Nick's like, got Charlie in his arms and Charlie's like, trying to leave because he has a curfew. So he's he keeps being like, I gotta get home, 'cause like, my mom's gonna be mad at me, which has been a constant thing all of

the season. But Nick literally will not let Charlie go. Like, he keeps him in his grip and he's like, no. And so he tries to, like, distract him by kissing him. And then Charlie's like, I know what you're doing. And Nick's like, my plan was foiled. I love that line. I think it's adorable. So Nick finally concedes and let's reluctantly let's Charlie go.

And so Charlie, instead of like leaving like running out the door because he's about to make his mom mad, he starts snooping around Nick's room, which he's been there a million times. And I find this weird but also funny because I just don't think he really wants to go. And he comments on all the rugby trophies on Nick's like shelf and he picks one up that Nick explains he got at a summer camp for being like the best team

player. And Nick, as he starts explaining this, and then he like, does some gay math and he's like, oh, wait, I think I won that because I was really into the coach and I was trying so hard to impress him that I ended up winning this trophy, which is so relatable as a career that plays sports. It's relatable. I get it. So I just love that he does the gay math of like, looking in hindsight and being like, that was so gay, that thing I did. And I have a trophy to remember

that I'm gay. I love it. Oh my gosh, a trophy for being. Gay. Oh my God. And Charlie eats that shit up like he's like the first, like genuine smile we see from him since prom started. It's adorable, yeah, but then Nick tries to get Charlie to open up. The tries to get him to open up about how things are affecting him, but Charlie of course keeps telling him that everything is OK, but Nick tells him that it's not. No, Nick says. I know you like to be happy and

perfect all the time. I know you like you like everything to be happy and perfect all the time. But you don't have to be perfect with me, which is. So it's what a great way to try, as he was saying with Tara, to like, get Charlie to open up. Because I think he's trying to like, get that last wall down from Charlie where he's like

pretending with Nick, basically. And so when Charlie hears that, anytime he's kind of reminded of the fact that things aren't perfect, his instinct is to like, shrink it on himself, which he does. So Nick, kind of seeing this gets off off the bed and gets on the floor, like literally gets on his level, which is like very important body language in this kind of scenario. And he reminds Charlie that they promised to tell each other everything.

So this is Nick. Taking the advice he gave Tara and he's like shooting his shot to get Charlie to talk to him. And it works. Charlie opens up about his coming out experience. One of the things that surprised Charlie was just how homophobic people were like people he he'd said things like people would just tell him call me disgusting straight to my face. Which honestly surprises me too, because at this school there is another out gay guy, James.

And we never hear that James was bullied like Charlie was. So I wonder what actually happened with James's coming out. Like, was he traumatized too? Or was this a unique thing to Charlie for some reason that is never explained? Maybe? Do we know if James was there the whole time like I think? James was out since season one. Well, like, no. Was he there? I'm wondering if like maybe he transferred into the school and was like already out.

But still, like, wouldn't you expect him to get bullied by the boys also? But I mean, like, we're not really focused on him. No, I know. But like, we never hear, like from anybody that, oh, him and Jane, like James was bullied too. It's only we only hear about Charlie's, like, anecdotal bullying. Like it never comes up from any other character. Maybe James stuck up for himself right away so people didn't mess with him as much. Maybe I just find that very strange.

OK, but yeah, if I think too much about it, I'll come up with too many theories. So back to this. Good Charlie finally tells Nick that he started to believe the people who were saying horrible things about him to him, and it led him to cutting himself. And he tells Nick that he doesn't want to feel like that anymore. And of course, Nick doesn't want him to feel that either. No, nobody wants Charlie to feel like that. Charlie deserves better than all this bullshit.

So Nick hugs him and this is really cute. It's a very much needed hug between the two of them and they both like sit in that hug and like cry, which is important, like they're feeling their feelings and that kind of stuff. And so after that, Nick checks to make sure that Charlie doesn't feel that way, meaning like he doesn't want to self harm at this point, and Charlie says no. Then Charlie tries to apologize like. In true Charlie fashion. And Nick shuts that shit down

because they banned the S word. It's so fucking cute. Here I have, I have read like that, that's apologizes for everything and I'm just like don't ever fucking say that word again to me. I'm tired of hearing that. So I get this energy from Nick and in this moment, Charlie promises to tell Nick if it ever gets that bad ever again. But it takes. The name Char a few takes nicknaming him Char and a few minutes of convincing from Nick

for him to get there. So it's not like he automatically promises like Nick has to be like, no, I need to convince you I'm serious because like anytime it gets bad, you never actually tell me. So like, you better tell me this time. But then Charlie like expresses why he never does that and he's like, I don't want to annoy you, which is so sad. Like. Charlie never talks about how he feels or like stands up for himself because he doesn't want to like, quote, annoy the other

people, which is just sad. And this conversation they're having reads a lot like Tara Darcy's conversation. Because Nick tells Charlie that during this year, it or this two months, or how long it's been this season, he's been doing so many scary things, like coming out, posting. Coming out to his dad, everybody, because Charlie was there supporting him, he says. Like holding my hand, which is cute. And he wants to be that support system for Charlie during his mental health crisis.

So it reads like Darcy trying to be hold Tara's hand while she was coming out kind of thing. So I know they're like parallel with their relationship and to me. I'll bring that up because it's just so refreshing to see so many healthy queer relationships portrayed in one piece of media. Like, yeah, they got problems, sure, but like, that's human and they communicate and work through it. And I just, that is one of the things about Heart Stopper.

I think they got so, so right. That's, yeah, yeah. Cuz a lot of things we talk about, we're like, this is good and then we go to another one and we have to do. You know, compilations of stuff, because to get enough representation for one episode. But yeah, this this show does have a lot. Or it's like, yeah, you get the one couple, but they're toxic as fuck. Yeah, like that's the representation you got.

We got to talk about it, right? I like that this this show treats the queer couples like any other, like any other couple, and just shows that they have problems and they can communicate and talk through it or break up or whatever. But like, they're real people. They're not just like token diversity check boxes like the show nails it. Like this is some of the best representation on television in

my opinion. So this end of this, the end of their conversation here really reads like the the scene with the Taylor Swift song playing, because after they kiss, Nick transitions into telling Charlie everything he loves about him. So kind of like the Tara and Darcy I love you. I love you think. But Nick keeps like creeping and getting closer to saying I love you.

Like he's like I love your hair your eyes and and then he like pauses and then we hear Nikki because Olivia Coleman is back from her wild tonight doing God knows what and it just OK. I've never ever once been upset about an Olivia Coleman scene. And I'm not mad now, but girl, if you couldn't have waited one more minute to come home like you interrupted the I Love You scene and writers also, if Olivia Coleman is going to interrupt, like put her on screen, it's just her voice.

So it's a double insult, is what I'm saying. But maybe they decided to add this final scene later, and they already shot Olivia Coleman's scene, so all she could do was go into a studio and do a voice over. That's more insulting. Anyway. So that unfortunately ends the cuteness and they finally Charlie gets ready to leave. But first he has to steal a hoodie from Nick, like he doesn't leave in his original

clothes. He steals A hoodie and then they kiss a few times and Charlie exits the home. Yes. And as Charlie is walking home, he pulls out Instagram, of course, and contemplates saying, I love you through text or Instagram messaging. Yeah. And basically he, like types it out and then his thumb hovers over the send button and then it ends and everyone's like, no, what a cliffhanger. And it's like, yes, what a cliffhanger. This is how you write cliffhangers.

Sad. They are hopeful and wonderful. And please write this more to queer media. And for everybody out there who's like, Oh my God, will they? Won't they first of all read the books And second of all, Alison says like, it's There's no doubt that they don't love each other. It's just a matter of when are they gonna say it? And that's what season 3 is gonna be. So like, calm down, It'll be fine. They should not be saying it over a text for the very first they. Shouldn't they? Shouldn't.

I was telling him not to do it, but no, I would have been so mad if he actually hit send because like, no, like, what a shitty way to do that. I understand. It's like to show what he's feeling, which is great, but please don't send that. Yeah, please don't send that. I'm. I'm glad. Go back to the front door and then. Tell me. Yeah, just go knock. He didn't leave that plug. You're right outside. And they make a point of showing the time on Charlie's phone like

it's past midnight. At this point, he already missed the curfew. Just go back like you're already late. OK, so happy cliffhanger. At this point we have made it to the end of Heart Stoppers Season 2, so it is time to get your beverage of choice and hydrate for lesbian Jesus. So since we didn't do episode by episode, which is what we normally do, we're just gonna do the whole season. So Caitlin, how much would you hydrate for Lesbian Jesus for Heart Stoppers Season 2?

I'll give it a nine and a half. The half. The half was just for the star images. See. Well, good. I will give it a 10. Most of the episodes I think were 10s on their own. It's just a very strong season. It kept getting queerer, so like it has to get more hydration just for that. So 10 out of 10 for the season. I like the progression of Nick and Charlie's relationship and the fact that they're really diving into the mental health stuff. It was great.

The season also improved upon the source material, in my opinion, because it added extra like scenes of like characters who don't normally converse conversing like Nick and Tao. And I love the Sahar emmajine edition. Isaac's coming into his asexuality. All of that was so good and so important. And so, like, to me, this season was better than the first season. And I just, I love it. It was very, Oh, yes, second season, yes.

It was getting very excited for season three and to read the final volume of Heart Stopper that's coming out soon. So I love this show. It's so good. I mean, they haven't been delayed at all because they were not affected by the strikes, so we should get them sooner than the rest. Yeah. If you're into spoilers, like there's already beach scene footage floating around the Internet. There is. Yes there is. They're filming. They've been filming.

Oh, I know that they're filming because one, the two of them went live in the middle of the night one time, and apparently that was like a scandal or something. That's all I know. But before we end this episode, it is time for the secret bonus word. That's not really a secret anymore, because I told you in

the beginning of this episode. So, so the word that your challenge is to put in a comment or view and spell it without looking it up is. I looked this up, I practice it, and I'm hoping I still remember how to say it. Tintinabulation. Wow. So we're I'm going to say it again, Tintinabulation. And so the origin is Latin. I'm going to give you actually more stuff for this word, like it's an actual spelling bee from the mid 19th century. The definition is there's two

different definitions. The one is the ringing of bells to a tinkling sounds like that of a bell. So I also wrote a sentence for it because so I'm going to use it in a sentence. So when Imogen finally really saw Sahar, it was like there was a tin tin ovulation in her ears. That was the best way in the show. That kind of makes sense because if it's Latin, like tinnitus is like a medical term for like, ringing in the ear. So yeah, the root word is all there.

Yes, that was also there. Yes, cool. So tend to inabulate your hearts out. Dear listeners, thank you for coming along this journey with us for Heart Stopper Season 2. We will be back to cover Heart Stopper season three when it drops. And hopefully, since there's no strike, we can like interview people because we weren't able to really do too much this season because of this. Strike, even though it wasn't effective, but it was really weird reaching out to people

right now. So yeah, so we did not. So maybe next time for the for the season three and probably we'll be covering like Alice's books as well in the hiatus. We shall see. If you guys are interested, let us know if you want to reminisce. We have all of our reaction videos on our Patreon. So come a Patreon for $5 a month and you can watch all of our hard stopper uncut content that's not available on YouTube or Spotify or wherever you are listening to this right now.

So thank you guys. We appreciate it. And if you want to talk to us about Hard Stop or anything or give us suggestions for what you'd like us to cover next, like please reach out to us on social media. We are at Big Gay Energy Pod at every platform possible. So hit us up, let us know. We're always happy to hear from you and see what you guys would like to hear us cover. So thank you for that. And until next time.

Until next time, whenever that may be hydrate for lesbian Jesus. And gate 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 brief, it helps us get into Apple's algorithm to

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