Heartstopper Season 2 Review
By Sioph LealHeartstopper season 2 picks up where the previous season left off, Nick (Kit Connor) came out to his mum (Olivia Coleman) and is navigating his relationship with Charlie (Joe Locke) while focusing on his GCSEs and wanting to come out to his peers but unable to find the right time. Tara (Corinna Brown) and Darcy (Kizzy Edgell) face their own challenges, Tao (William Gao) and Elle (Yasmin Finney) attempt to explore their relationship as more than friendly. Additionally, Isaac (Tobie Donovan) struggles with his own identity and finding his place in the coupled-up group. Additionally, there is a trip to Paris and a prom to plan as they all juggle with love, friendship, life, and their sexuality.
The next chapter in this story is not a perfect journey for the characters or the structure of the season, often having repetitive moments in the season or throwing conflicts in at random that come out of nowhere. Despite that, it is still a joy to watch and refreshing for the characters to be so inclusive and wearing different labels instead of the typical ones we have seen countless times in the media. There is more focus on the group dynamic and how each character fits in as a couple which has some of the more wholesome scenes as characters that normally wouldn’t interact now do and they show a good chemistry.
Every character has a struggle this season but the only one that falls a little flatter than the rest is Charlie’s when his parents insist, he stays away from Nick until his final essay is finished after a negative parents evening shows just how distracted he is since the relationship started. Later, the series throws in an eating disorder which happens suddenly in episode 5 for Charlie to struggle with and it doesn’t resonate or fit in with the rest of the series and comes off as another struggle to focus on with little effort.
The series is shaped around Nick’s struggle with coming out and finding the perfect time to do it. Connor gives a layered performance in varied situations that make you feel his struggle mixed with the compassion from those around him that prioritises the queer joy everyone has loved mixed with the coming-out of it all. It’s not perfect but neither is coming out, something that Nick struggles with, but when it happens, it makes sense and there is a relief when surrounded by support and empathy. That is the most important take from the series and that is done expertly and with care that treats the story with respect.
New characters join this series but the one with the biggest impact is Mr Farouk (Nima Taleghani) whose stern harshness covers a struggle of his own. “When you don't figure out you’re gay till your late twenties, you miss out on those beautiful gay teenage experiences,” he laments as he watches Charlie and Nick sneak around the Parisian hotel. Many of Farouk’s moments can be seen as comedic relief but this moment is so tender and beautifully acted that it pulls you in deeper to the story of the adults alongside the teens. Farouk finds romance in Paris, and it comes on so naturally after that speech but filled with pure joy. It shows youthful discoveries can still be made in adult life and will undoubtedly resonate with the adults watching.
Other characters take centre stage and come more into themselves, but the standout is Elle who has a natural charm and charisma that draws you in. Tied to Elle is the awkward but realistic portrayal of the will-they-won't-they friends to (maybe) lovers of Tao and Elle. Their journey isn’t perfect, but their story is close to it.
The series is a good continuation, adding more layers to an already heartwarming story. There are moments that feel neglected such as Isaac’s arc who is relegated to a step above background despite a memorable performance. As he puts it himself, I get that you don’t think my life is interesting unless I have some romantic drama going on,” and it feels that way. Perhaps next season we will see more exploration with this character as it seems there may be a fan favourite leaving based on the series end.
Heartstopper season 2 is a joyous continuation that nobody should be offended at. It makes you feel welcoming, seen and explores characters with a complexity of emotion and experiences. Characters are emotionally intelligent and vulnerable that breathes life into the material when the writing veers on repetitively. It leaves you feeling happy, even after the more raw moments and that is what is needed.
Heatstopper season 2 was screened for review and will premier August 3rd on Netflix.