Heartstopper Season Two Early Review

The first season of Heartstopper was a cultural sensation once it premiered on Netflix last year. Based on the graphic novel series of the same name by Alice Oseman, who is also the creator of the series and the sole writer of the series (while all the episodes have been directed by Euros Lyn), the first season saw teens Nick Nelson and Charlie Spring form an unlikely friendship which eventually developed into a romance. Now when it comes to this second season, the question is, how do they move forward and what it would entail. This season saw their dynamic tested even more so but at the end of the day, whatever adversity came their way, they would face it together.

Not a rehash of the first season by any means, the story this time around further fleshes out Nick and Charlie as they move forward to the next stage of their relationship. That process came with its own set of challenges with the biggest one of course being Nick finding the courage to come out as bisexual as the only way for them to have a future was to find a way for them to live in the open. That being said, it wasn’t necessarily easy. Ultimately, he had Charlie by his side though for him, it also meant opening some old wounds.

Nick and Charlie’s fantasy romance inevitably had to come back down to reality as they had to return to their lives and their futures in the real world. A major part of that was secondary school, and their upcoming exams. Adding another wrench into their plans was a school trip to Paris, presenting Nick and Charlie the perfect opportunity to experience the city as a couple. However, they were not the only ones with some growing up and self-discovery to do as the season’s larger focus on the characters within Nick and Charlie’s inner circle make the season feel more like an ensemble. Casting a wider net, it aimed to flesh out Elle, Tao, Isaac, as well as other side characters, with their own subplots full of adversity and self-discovery that work as a compelling progression of their arcs.

With the exams on the horizon, Nick and Charlie’s parents aimed to keep them apart so they could focus on their studies but despite their wishes, they kept finding ways to be together in spite of the risk to themselves. However, that time they were apart made for room to develop them as characters, allowing Kit Connor, Joe Locke and their range to stand on their own as Nick and Charlie grew as individuals as they learned more about one another and themselves. Bringing plenty of drama to the table, that adversity would only make them stronger as Nick was forced to navigate his home and school lives as he sought a way to come out as bisexual and Charlie was so invested in making Nick’s coming out experience perfect but he needed to learn that every experience is different and not project his experiences onto him. The latter experience took him on a dark path because he worried for Nick and didn’t want him to go through what he did and also didn’t want to become a burden to him. A roller coaster of emotion for sure, that strong and earned emotional connection between viewers and the characters is taken to yet another level as one can’t help but care for them and want them and succeed in life.

Meanwhile, the aforementioned Paris trip was a nice change of pace as the stress from school and at home took a backseat as Nick and Charlie as well as their circle of friends had a chance to let loose as they explored the city. However, that fun was cut short as the news of Nick’s estranged father, who just happened to live in Paris, came in between he and Charlie. Using the trip as an opportunity to reconnect with his father and come out to him, that divide remained. However, a contentious dinner later on at the Nelson household, where Nick’s father, his ignorant older brother David (Jack Barton), and the Spring family were also present, appeared to make a difference as Nick finally had a platform to voice his thoughts. Ultimately, he had to stop being so preoccupied about what others thought of him and had to rip the band-aid off once and for all. Once he did, it was like a cloud seemingly lifted over he and Charlie. With all the distractions out of the way, the two got to spend some quality time together in what was a fitting and emotional culmination of the season, carving out a path forward for them and the story for the already greenlit third season.

The writing was strong, however, the best part of this season of Heartstopper, as was the first, is the stellar performances across the board, led by Connor and Locke as Nick and Charlie. As viewers fell in love with their magnetic chemistry in the first season, here, they take it to another level. Now more of an established couple, their love for one another was clearly there but they were still young and trying to find themselves. This time around, much of that fantasy romance is gone as Nick and Charlie has to start living in the real world. Fortunately, Connor and Locke were up to the challenge as the season dove deeper into their characters and they found that depth, hitting some complicated and uncomfortable moments that only brought them closer together. Finney, Gao, and Donovan were just as fun to watch as Elle, Tao, and Isaac as they benefitted from expanded storylines that saw them get to flex their chops. Colman absolutely shines as Sarah, making the most out of her limited screen time with her grace and charm as a real ally to Nick.

In the end, season 2 of Heartstopper builds off of the sensation that was the first season and expands upon its story and characters in compelling ways that are just as impactful.

still courtesy of Netflix

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.