**Spoilers to Heartstopper Season 1/Volumes 1-2
I’m not even joking — I’m actually obsessed. I had no idea what Heartstopper was when the Netflix show first came out. But I saw the immediate praise online and eventually learned it was based on a popular graphic novel series by Alice Oseman. Concept-wise, I was in. Two cutie patootie British boys falling in love? A supposed happy counterpart to Young Royals, which broke me only months before? I was Intrigued, with a capital I. Nearly a year after the show premiered, I finally ordered the graphic novels and read the first two (knowing that’s how far season one of the show covered). Aaaaaaand I fell. Hard. About as hard as Nick fell for Charlie.
After reading Vol. 2, I decided to stop there and watch the show, and surprise, surprise, I fell even harder. I love romance, and I’ve read plenty of it — the swoony, the tragic, the frustrating, you name it — but Heartstopper hit in a different way. I don’t think I’ve ever read/watched something so realistic yet fantastical at the same time. The world feels so grounded, the characters feel like people I would know, and Charlie… oh my god, Charlie is basically my anxiety twin. I freaking luff him and want to hug him forever. What he and Nick have to go through as friends-to-more-than-friends-but-in-secret, it’s a lot. It’s cute, it’s sweet, and it’s also pretty damn painful when it wants to be.
There’s the typical homophobia causing all the problems. A dumbass bully who has to bother Nick and Charlie because reasons. A toxic ex who keeps hurting Charlie because he’s desperate to hide the queer part of himself. And, you know, living in a society that, despite being woke, is still fucking scary for the LGBTQ+ community to be in. In my own high school experience, I never saw such blatant hatred toward the community. There were hints of it, of course (kids using the phrase “That’s so gay,” for example), but nothing on the show’s level. So whenever I see this kind of bullying in media, I almost can’t believe it. It’s just too horrible. I watched YouTube reactors experience the show (yes, this is where my obsessing kicked in), and felt like I learned so much hearing the reactors’ discussions and reading the comment sections. This shit happens. According to some, it’s even worse in reality, which both surprised and didn’t surprise me.
That’s the realistic aspect. The fantasy is how well the characters deal with that pain and hatred. Nick and Charlie (Nick especially) might be the most emotionally mature young adult characters I’ve seen. Actually trusting their feelings. Actually being honest and *gasp* COMMUNICATING with each other. Like, WHAT? I still can’t get over the fact that Nick was, as he said, “having a proper full on gay crisis,” and yet he never pushed Charlie away. He wasn’t sure about his identity yet, but he knew he liked Charlie, so he let himself like Charlie. There’s something about a character that knows what they want and goes after what they want that is intensely satisfying. It’s so beautiful, they’re so beautiful, I can’t.
It’s interesting because Heartstopper does this often — throwing in a trope that would usually cause drama, and then the OTP being like “Nah, we don’t need that.” It’s a dream come true, honestly, for someone who absolutely hates the lack of communication in everyday romance stories. It’s borderline fantasy for me since I see misunderstandings and the inevitable consequences in my daily life. I hate it in stories, but I only hate it because it rings true and I wish it didn’t. In that way, I’ve seen criticism that Heartstopper is too sunshine and rainbows. Too happy, too perfect. The thing is, it is happy and perfect, and yes, in some ways, it is a total fantasy.
For me, I think so what? What’s wrong with a little fantasy? I do need stories like Young Royals that depict the dark, harsh reality of navigating queer love — but I also need some Nick and Charlie goodness to lighten things up. I see it as realistic hope. People can be that in love, can work things out that well, and call it a day. It’s nice to see that portrayed in a big mainstream story. It truly fills my heart with a happiness I can’t begin to describe.
Sooo… back to the obsession part of all this. I’ve been watching (and rewatching) the show and YouTubers reacting to the show for over a month now. I’ve been digging through the Reddit threads. I’ve been going CRAZY waiting for more updates on Season 2. I mean, I have other books to read, other shows to watch, but I cannot. Move. On. Mostly due to it becoming an instant comfort show, and partly due to the excitement and fear of what’s to come next.
I have read Vol. 3-4 of the graphic novels at this point (and plan to read Solitaire and the following novellas), so I know Season 2 is gonna be darker, though still maintaining the hopeful lens. I won’t get into spoilers about that, but let’s just say Charlie’s character and his journey have been living rent-free in my head. Once Alice wraps up the graphic novels with Vol. 5-6, I might delve more into those thoughts in a full series review. (I definitely will be writing about it again, let’s be real.)
Heartstopper has its grip on me, and I can tell it’s not gonna let go anytime soon. I’m too excited for more of the graphic novels, for more of the graphic novels to be brought to life in the show. I’m ready for more of the lovely fantasy, as well as more of the reality so masterfully portrayed.
Though I’ll be working on getting back to my TBR shelf (I see you, gurl, don’t worry), I’m glad I discovered this universe and its fandom. It’s a good place to be.
Sara Bechtol 