ATRL Moderator Bloo Posted May 11, 2022 ATRL Moderator Posted May 11, 2022 2 hours ago, BlackoutZone said: Binged it, no regrets SO heartwarming I really like the very accurate representation, especially in details like the way LGBT teens talk/communicate. But in all honestly this was the most basic teenage romance and if it was just a bunch of straight friends and straight couples nobody would care much. Obvious that's mainly what makes it work, cause finally we got a series that doesn't just focus on portraying us as miserable, depressed, lost souls dealing with suicidal thoughts, abusive parents and bullying, but it all also shows how good positive LGBT representation is SO minimal in mainstream media... You're not wrong. The show is a basic teenage rom com (albeit a very well-crafted one with a solid sense of tone and humor). If this was a bunch of straight characters, it wouldn't be so moving. But I think the fact it's resonating with people so much is pretty damning to how poorly LGBTQ+ media have given the community positive representation. It's been mentioned countless times in here, but the fact that the vast majority of our media is based on trauma (e.g., suicide, sexual abuse, drugs, disowning by family members) rather than simple love stories is unfortunate. I'm glad we're finally getting some good positive stories for people to identify with and also to help people see coming out as not a life-ending prospect — which was the impression I had as a kid when the first gay media I saw was Prayers for Bobby (which is a fantastic movie, but sad as hell). I think the closest mainstream show would be Love Victor, but I just feel the character work in that show is massively undercooked unfortunately and it pales in comparison to Heartstopper. It also has ham-fisted drama to try to keep audiences engaged which is honestly just annoying to watch frankly. Heartstopper subverted my expectations consistently by not having Ben and Charlie get back together to cause tension with Nick or when Nick maturely handled the situation with Imogen rather than it be a season-long conflict. I think this show helps to give young LGBTQ+ teens a framework for how to navigate communication with friends and crushes in a mature and sound way. Which I think is necessary. When you're young, you often refer to things you see in TV or movies for how to navigate dating so now LGBTQ+ youth might have something to go off of that actually provides positive examples of good communication.
Guest Posted May 11, 2022 Posted May 11, 2022 6 hours ago, 1DES said: Me realizing, after watching it for the millionth time, Nick was fancying Orlando Bloom when watching Pirates of the Caribbean. I thought he was fancying Knightley (and maybe Bloom too) because it sorta confirmed his bisexuality to himself??
blaggot Posted May 11, 2022 Posted May 11, 2022 17 minutes ago, Fetch said: I thought he was fancying Knightley (and maybe Bloom too) because it sorta confirmed his bisexuality to himself?? I thought the same and I don’t blame him, they’re both fine as hell
Bloodflowers. Posted May 11, 2022 Posted May 11, 2022 We want more positive and escapist romance LGBT content
Nando_05 Posted May 11, 2022 Posted May 11, 2022 Can we expect a season two of this show? I just finished it yesterday and i started to watch it again. This is the first time in my life a tv show touch my heart like that. Im still so emotional about it. And the fact that its just a simple cute love story makes it special for me. Its so inspiring
Gui Blackout Posted May 11, 2022 Posted May 11, 2022 31 minutes ago, Fetch said: I thought he was fancying Knightley (and maybe Bloom too) because it sorta confirmed his bisexuality to himself?? Yeah that scene was a realization of his bisexuality.
ATRL Moderator Bloo Posted May 11, 2022 ATRL Moderator Posted May 11, 2022 15 minutes ago, Nando_05 said: Can we expect a season two of this show? Yes. Netflix would be insane to not to at the moment. I'm expecting them to announce the renewal during Pride month.
luanziie Posted May 11, 2022 Posted May 11, 2022 (edited) Glad to know I'm not the only one that hates Tao Edited May 11, 2022 by luanziie
ATRL Moderator Bloo Posted May 11, 2022 ATRL Moderator Posted May 11, 2022 1 minute ago, luanziie said: Glad to know I'm not the only one that hates Tao I loved Tao in the web comics. He's insufferable in season 1 of the Netflix series. Hopefully they mellow him out in season 2 so I can like him in the show.
Lord Gaga Posted May 11, 2022 Posted May 11, 2022 (edited) In the comics I always felt like Tao had a similarish tone to Tori so to make him so shrill in the series was a little off to me. Edited May 11, 2022 by Lord Gaga
1DES Posted May 11, 2022 Posted May 11, 2022 (edited) 1 hour ago, Fetch said: I thought he was fancying Knightley (and maybe Bloom too) because it sorta confirmed his bisexuality to himself?? He was. I just read that scene as him still being attracted to Knightley. Edited May 11, 2022 by 1DES
Quiqui4eva Posted May 12, 2022 Posted May 12, 2022 (edited) On my third watch tonight Edited May 12, 2022 by Quiqui4eva
Augmented Posted May 12, 2022 Posted May 12, 2022 I’ve just realised how dumb Charlie is because in episode 8 he’s like “does that mean we’re boyfriends?” to Nick but two episodes previously Nick literally says he told Tara that they are going out and in that same episode tell Elle they are together
ATRL Moderator Bloo Posted May 12, 2022 ATRL Moderator Posted May 12, 2022 4 minutes ago, Augmented said: I’ve just realised how dumb Charlie is because in episode 8 he’s like Hide contents “does that mean we’re boyfriends?” to Nick but two episodes previously Nick literally says he told Tara that they are going out and in that same episode tell Elle they are together My personality basically. I could be married for 50 years and I’ll probably still be the one to ask my husband if he’s sure he loves me.
Augmented Posted May 12, 2022 Posted May 12, 2022 2 minutes ago, Bloo said: My personality basically. I could be married for 50 years and I’ll probably still be the one to ask my husband if he’s sure he loves me. Wait on reflection I think I would be the same as well
publikcitizen Posted May 12, 2022 Posted May 12, 2022 1 hour ago, supertiffany said: I hope I can find a guy someday who would love to do this with me
ATRL Moderator feelslikeadream Posted May 12, 2022 ATRL Moderator Posted May 12, 2022 Tao is a good friend in the second half of the season, leave him alone
ATRL Moderator Bloo Posted May 12, 2022 ATRL Moderator Posted May 12, 2022 12 minutes ago, feelslikeadream said: Tao is a good friend in the second half of the season web comics, leave him alone Fixed.
publikcitizen Posted May 12, 2022 Posted May 12, 2022 1 hour ago, feelslikeadream said: Tao is a good friend in the second half of the season, leave him alone This, we’d be lucky to have a straight friend like him looking out for us.
Ms. Togekiss Posted May 12, 2022 Posted May 12, 2022 The second season better not include Tao's annoying ass. Elle deserves so much better and Charlie deserves a better friend that is not insecure about their friendship
BlackoutZone Posted May 12, 2022 Posted May 12, 2022 10 hours ago, Bloo said: You're not wrong. The show is a basic teenage rom com (albeit a very well-crafted one with a solid sense of tone and humor). If this was a bunch of straight characters, it wouldn't be so moving. But I think the fact it's resonating with people so much is pretty damning to how poorly LGBTQ+ media have given the community positive representation. It's been mentioned countless times in here, but the fact that the vast majority of our media is based on trauma (e.g., suicide, sexual abuse, drugs, disowning by family members) rather than simple love stories is unfortunate. I'm glad we're finally getting some good positive stories for people to identify with and also to help people see coming out as not a life-ending prospect — which was the impression I had as a kid when the first gay media I saw was Prayers for Bobby (which is a fantastic movie, but sad as hell). I think the closest mainstream show would be Love Victor, but I just feel the character work in that show is massively undercooked unfortunately and it pales in comparison to Heartstopper. It also has ham-fisted drama to try to keep audiences engaged which is honestly just annoying to watch frankly. Heartstopper subverted my expectations consistently by not having Ben and Charlie get back together to cause tension with Nick or when Nick maturely handled the situation with Imogen rather than it be a season-long conflict. I think this show helps to give young LGBTQ+ teens a framework for how to navigate communication with friends and crushes in a mature and sound way. Which I think is necessary. When you're young, you often refer to things you see in TV or movies for how to navigate dating so now LGBTQ+ youth might have something to go off of that actually provides positive examples of good communication. Agree with all of the above, the characters are so adorable and so heartwarming. I really don’t need any forced crisis to be engaged and I hope it stays that way. I don’t want to read the comic further as S2 is definitely (hopefully) happening, but from what I’ve read online they just continue to be happy together, traveling and learning about themselves - I’m all here for that! I mostly happen to compare the show with Sex Education. Obviously it doesn’t exclusively focus on queer love, but it’s very present and also well portrayed. I also find it more relatable, because HS characters are way younger, facing different struggles. But the main difference in the overall progress is that Sex Ed wouldn’t just let any character impact the events without explanation of their actions. What I mean by that is for example Harry, we all hate him, he is a bully, he keeps messing things up. So ultimately the solution is to just sweep him under the rug / suspend from the school, we might never hear from him again. But in reality there is probably something more to that, maybe he is very insecure about something too, maybe he is jealous of Charlie, his bravery, maybe it’s because of his situation at home, etc. etc. we shall never know. It’s not any criticism to Heartstopper of course, I’m still debating with myself if I would even want the show to tackle such idea.
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