HEARTSTOPPER Season 1 Recap: What to Remember

When a book is turned into a movie or a TV series, fans are always afraid the story might be ruined, the characters changed or the plotlines omitted. Luckily, when Heartstopper Season 1 premiered, the fans of the books were satisfied to know that their favorite characters stayed true to the story and Netflix delivered the perfect show. For those discovering these characters for the first time, it was a great introduction to a world that so openly discusses the queer community and its struggles as teenagers.

In May 2022, Netflix announced the show had been renewed for another season, and now we are a few weeks away from the premiere of Heartstopper Season 2. Because it’s been a year since the episodes for Heartstopper Season 1 dropped, there might be a few things you need to remind yourself of before the next season. Here are some of the most important plotlines you want to keep in mind.

The Beginning of Nick and Charlie’s Friendship

One thing we definitely can’t forget from Heartstopper Season 1 is that the story focuses on Nick’s (Kit Connor) and Charlie’s (Joe Locke) relationship. But where did this relationship start? How do these two characters, who seem to come from different sides of the same school, befriend one another?

They first sit together in a classroom, sparking the first conversation. However, the real friendship begins through social media when they exchange messages on Instagram and get to know each other better.

These few messages later become more as they hang out outside of school. One of the best moments to highlight is when they make snow angels. But it doesn’t end there. It is Nick who encourages Charlie to join the rugby team because of his speed, which gives them more time to spend together (even though it might not always be the best).

Tao and Elle’s Friendship (?)

What would a show about teenagers be without a few crushes between friends? Heartstopper Season 1 has plenty of that for everyone inside the friend group. One of the clearest crushes we see from the beginning is the one that Tao (William Gao) has on Elle (Yasmin Finney).

Even though they aren’t at the same school anymore, Tao continues to buy the juice Elle used to drink. He keeps up that tradition, which tells us there might be more feelings than a simple friendship. However, this is confirmed as the season continues and we see them interact.

They are really close and seem to share all their secrets. They always act comfortably around one another, and there are obvious feelings on both ends of the relationship. But Heartstopper proves that it’s not always easy to take the friendship into a relationship without fearing what might happen.

Tara and Darcy: Best Gal Pals

From the beginning of Heartstopper, we can tell that Tara (Corinna Brown) and Darcy (Kizzy Edgell) are very close friends. The two even refer to each other and their relationship as “best gal pals.” However, as the story continues, we discover they are actually in a relationship.

This relationship is first a secret, and only Elle is fully aware of the nature of their bond. But they dance together at Harry’s party and later make their relationship official as they share it on Instagram. It is then that Heartstopper dives a little bit further into the issues of homophobia.

Throughout the series, there are mentions of homophobia, with some classmates making a few terrible comments (particularly about Charlie, who is out of the closet). But when Tara and Darcy come out for everyone to see, the comments get out of hand, and Tara freaks out.

Nick and Charlie’s First Kiss

Although Nick and Charlie have gotten closer, there are still some unresolved feelings that both are scared to discuss or act upon. It isn’t until Nick invites Charlie to Harry’s party that they confront these feelings and finally kiss.

However, what might be a happy moment for Charlie because he finally gets to kiss the boy he likes, it’s not entirely the same for Nick. By then, he is still trying to figure out who he is, how to label himself and how to act around others regarding his feelings for Charlie. It is that uncertain feeling and the comments from some of his homophobic classmates that push him to run away after the kiss.

Luckily, he later turns up at Charlie’s house, and things are resolved between them. Then, they decided to be together, even if it’s a secret.

Letting People in on Their Secret

Heartstopper doesn’t sugarcoat that coming out and telling people you are in a relationship with someone of the same gender might be complicated and scary. Charlie and Nick know this but are lucky to be surrounded by another queer couple (Tara and Darcy). They are the first to know that the two boys aren’t only just friends.

Their double date turns into a triple date when they are joined by Tao and Elle, who clearly have feelings for each other but aren’t discussing them. However, Tao isn’t in on the secret by then; they haven’t told him they are dating, which later brings issues between them.

Tao feels betrayed because he was the last to discover Nick and Charlie’s relationship. This later leads to more issues between them until they finally resume their friendship.

The Breakup

Even though things seem to be going smoothly between Nick and Charlie, they take a turn for the stressful and complicated. Nick fights with Harry because of the comments he is making about Charlie, and Tao later fights with Harry because he is tired of his bullying.

Charlie feels responsible for both fights as he believes the secret of the relationship has put extra stress on everyone. To make things better (or what he believes will be for the best), he ends up breaking up with Nick. This leaves him feeling sad and alone instead.

Luckily, the breakup doesn’t last long, and the two of them reconcile during a sports day. The friendship with Tao is also resumed, and Charlie has two of the most important people back in his life.

Coming Out

Heartstopper deals with the hardships and the joyful moments of exploring who you are, coming to terms with your sexuality, and falling in love for the first time. Among those things, there is the reality of having to come out. The show does it differently as Nick and Charlie open up about their relationship.

However, one of the most heartwarming scenes is when Nick comes out to his mother (Olivia Colman). Not only does he explain his sexuality in a way that feels comfortable to him, but he also talks about his relationship with Charlie. These scenes can often be heartbreaking as parents reject their children, but this one is the complete opposite.

This particular scene helps round out the season by delivering comfort and joy to viewers, no matter where they are on their own journey.

Heartstopper Season 2 premieres on August 3, 2023, only on Netflix.

This article was originally published on 7/5/23.

https://www.geekgirlauthority.com/netflix-heartstopper-renewed-two-more-seasons/

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Lara Rosales

Lara Rosales is a bilingual writer with a BA in Latin-American Literature. She works in PR, hosts a podcast (Cats, Milfs & Lesbian Things), and writes on the internet about different topics. Some of her articles can be found on Tell-Tale TV, Collider, USA Wire, Mentors Collective, Instelite, Noodle, Dear Movies, Flip Screened, and Nicki Swift.