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5 Things I Enjoyed About Heartstopper Season 2 [Patreon Exclusive] (Patreon)

Published:
2023-08-05 11:10:48
Edited:
2026-08-23 08:01:42
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I watched all of season 2 of Heartstopper in one day. Can I manage to say anything nice about it? Probably not! This is a brief review of th

I watched all of season 2 of Heartstopper in one day. Can I manage to say anything nice about it? Probably not! This is a brief review of the new season, hope you enjoy!

Spoiler warning! Also there's a brief clip of Ben assaulting Charlie.

Other videos about Heartstopper:I Just Feel Weird About Heartstopper

Why Queer TV is Getting Worse

Files

Heartstopper Season 2 Review - Patreon Exclusive

Watch me try to figure out why I enjoyed watching Heartstopper season 2! Video by Ada Černoša and Verity Ritchie Patreon: http://patreon.com/verityritchie Verity's Twitter: https://twitter.com/verilybitchie Verity's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verityritchie/ Ada's Twitter: https://twitter.com/theliterarybi Ada's website about bisexual books: https://theliterarybisexual.neocities.org/

Comments

Anna

Oooh I have a lot of thoughts about this so here I go: I feel like the animations are cute tbh. I get what you're saying but the emotions are already portrayed with the subtlety of a sledgehammer so the little leaves and stars and stuff are just a cute visual thing for me. I don't think taking them away would significantly change the subtlety or lack thereof of the portrayal of emotions so why not have them idk. Literally I rolled my eyes so hard at the Darcy and Tara stuff, Darcy just spent the night outside after running away from home (??) and the conversation is "did i ruin your prom" like girl?? and what did she do all day? why did she not go to the school earlier to charge her phone and not go missing all day? they could've spent like 2 minutes actually talking about that situation maybe? that would've had *some* depth at least I know I'm supposed to suspend disbelief here but Isaac literally reads a book with an ace character (himself, kinda) in season 1, he's in this ultra queer bubble, reads every book he comes across (specifically about sexuality and gender) and helps set up the pride table with the Ace book front and center... yet doesn't know what asexuality and aromanticism are?But then ones he's heard the term, he doesn't even have to read the book, just holding it does the trick of him magically knowing who he is! I'm in such a weird space about heartstopper because... I feel like a bitter old hag when I criticize it but I can't just close my eyes to everything that bothers me either. To me it exists in this liminal space where both the show and the fans are constantly trying to simultaneously convince you "it's supposed to be cutesy and low-stakes, that's the beauty of it because teens deserve a pure (ugh the amount of times I've seen this word used in this context) story like this" and it's "deep and gritty actually because mental illness and bad guys". So which one is it? And I just get whiplash going from finding it a bit cringe but appreciating it for those who get comfort and healing from it and being annoyed that this lazy storytelling has people convinced it's the pinnacle of mental health awareness and depth. Idk maybe I can't talk, I'm very solidly of the glee generation and thought Kurt & Blaine and Brittany & Santana were the pinnacle of queer rep when I was 13 so maybe I should shut up about teens enjoying things (but also looking back I should've been more critical of glee lmao so who knows what current teen heartstopper fans are going to think in a couple of years)

Verity Ritchie

I think one of the awkward things about this show is the way it's moralised and hailed by fans as something inherently morally good and pure - nevermind that they're uncritically selling one specific social media app to kids or anything like that - it's what queer kids *need* apparently. It's a morally good show and therefore unfair to criticise it. Well, IMHO that just makes it funnier to criticise! 🤣 At least in Glee the characters were complicated, and I don't think any of us grew up worse for it.

DieVorleserin 120416

I know that this show is very important for my sister because she really loved the Webtoon and feel for the charas, she really is the target demographic and I really want to enjoy the show with her, but I just can't. One of the most liberating moments of my teenage time was to realise that not everything in your life revolves around romance. That's why I shipped Johnlock so rigorously platonically. And now in Heartstopper, it's how you said it, everyone *must* have someone, even if it's just a book. Then again, I feel like I can't enjoy queer media in general, anymore without finding at least one thing I hate, because I am so fed up with corporates using my desire for representation to make profit and now that's all I can see. Also couldn't enjoy Good Omens 2 for that reason.

Anna

100%! Any critique at all must mean you hate queer joy. Or you just don't get it. Or both. idk I still feel like I should try and keep my cynicism at bay because if people find it comforting, who am I to shit on that? I definitely have guilty pleasure media that isn't "good" or deep, it's just fun. And especially considering a lot of them are younger teens (although I've seen a surprising amount of "I'm 50 and this show changed my life"-type comments too) I want to try and hold back, but then the moralizing comes out and I want to scream "I promise you deserve better shows with actual human characters - real humans are not like this". Although I feel like overall I'm almost more hung up on the response to the show than the show itself? I probably shouldn't be investing this much time and energy into it but I can't get over how universally praised it is, and how people at the same time regard it as "cute and fluffy" and "so deep and important™" and just completely lose it when anyone just dares to disagree (although someone in my life really likes it but does see where I'm coming from, so we've had some somewhat productive convos about it at least) Yeah one thing you can't accuse glee of is one-dimensional or boring characters, that's for sure.

Theo Falling

One thing i will mention is instagram is, i believe, explicitly mentioned and described in the original webcomic. not that its not still product placement, but there's definitely some precedent there-- honestly, in the original webcomic, the use of the "instagram" brand read as the author trying to portray a more accurate/specific depiction of the Gen Z Queer Experience™, even as the author was perhaps reticent of depicting the sharper edges of said experience. an example of this where it works better is in the webcomic What Happens Next-- because it's pretty small and unpublished, it uses actual IPs and brands. For instance, the author has one of the characters run a "MLP Pastel Aesthetic Tumblr Askblog", which lends some credibility to the character. in my opinion, the use of actual brands as touchstones can make characters feel more authentically queer or of a certain age. the fact that brands and authentic identity are now inextricably linked is somewhat existentially terrifying, but its an accurate depiction of how queerness looks with my demographic :/ Random instagram tangent aside, i mostly agree with your takes-- the biggest issue for me is how Alice Oseman sets up problems only for them to be instantly knocked down by the Overpowering Raw Strength of Love. Whether it be homophobia, eating disorders, self harm– each problem is almost instantly solved in the span of a chapter (or an episode). It's such a huge problem with the show and the comics, and it becomes especially apparent in the comics because eventually Oseman just stopped trying entirely and dumped literally every possible problem on Charlie. He just becomes this ridiculous pincushion of a character where his only reason for existing is to have his myriad problems solved by Nick. He develops an eating disorder, self-harms, faces homophobia, body dysmorphia-- I was half-expecting him to contract smallpox and dysentery by the end of the last chapter, only for Nick to be his Victorian-era bedside nurse, bleeding him of his ill humors until he is well enough again to go and clean the smokestacks.

Verity Ritchie

"Any critique at all must mean you hate queer joy." - just about summarizes my reputation at this point! 🤣

Verity Ritchie

It's going to be very interesting to see whether the hype around this show lasts this generation's journey into adulthood, I think!

Verity Ritchie

🤣 Oh my word! I could've seen that coming for sure! Gosh, I can't wait for season 3! With regards to brands, I think its just an inevitability of how tv and film work that an attempt at realism ends up becoming branding. I'm not sure if they could even use instagram critically and get away with it tbh. It has to remain neutral (or good even), despite the fact that it is very much not a neutral app and is exploiting and changing the minds of teens like this lot.

MathClassWarfare

Thank you for this! (Also thanks to my partner who convinced me I did not need to watch season 2 of heartstopper in order to enjoy your video about it. I could just watch your video!)

Iris Mentor

Omg this is vicious haha. I do kinda agree with your points- especially the product placement for Cadburys, that was blindingly obvious- and I do (for myriad of reasons, not least Kit Connor's outing) find this show's second season difficult to watch. However, I would like to acknowledge the sheer amount of older fans (40s, 50s, 60s, 70s) I've seen in spaces like Reddit congregating to talk about how much the show means to them. It's really heartwarming to read so many stories about how Heartstopper is beloved by (some) senior queers, and especially how it helped older people acknowledge or accept their bisexuality later in life, when they thought it was "too late".

Sara

It's so interesting that Heartstopper and Euphoria seem to be some of the most popular shows among and about teenagers atm. totally different. other one overly cutesy and other one overly edgy. I really like the term "fandom bait". Heartstopper is very fandom baity somehow. It feels in line with the current YA lit trend of making comfy, inoffensive fiction that's easy to digest. Kinda jokingly adding this part but I wouldn't compare it to any fanfiction I've read. I bet many of the Heartstopper fans who love cute fluff would have a cardiac arrest if they saw the crazy shit AO3 has to offer

Eleanor MacDougall

I feel so torn about this because my girlfriend is a huge heartstopper fan and I'm a huge fan of her. I know her childhood and teen years were generally shit. She had an abusive dad and was endlessly bullied in school. She's trans and guy and didn't come out until adulthood. Mostly she loves the web comic and the books. We watched the first season together and she was really disappointed and has't wanted to watch the second one despite still looking forward to the next book's release. She's a hopeless romantic, and she loves cute and fluffy (I'm the cynical, sarcastic bitch and it works for us lol), but also I think these books offer a form of escapism, or a way to imagine what her teen years could have looked like in a magical cotton candy queer utopia instead of the trauma fest they were in real life. And I don't think that's a bad thing. I did not enjoy the show, but I've been assured the books are better (I haven't read them so won't weigh in), but I don't think that matters. Clearly they started as a genuine labour of love. So whether they're "good" or not feels unimportant. I'm happy for people to draw their weird my little pony fetish art, or write their grammatically atrocious and highly implausible twilight fanfiction, or write whatever stories make them feel happy and fulfilled. You go girl (#girlboss)! And I don't feel the need to scrutinize it too harshly unless its really bigoted or something, and just concede that it's not my cup of tea and move on. But for Netflix, it is not a labour of love by any stretch of the imagination. They are company who wants to make money. And a cutesy romance beloved by Tumblr teens with lots of cute gay couples to ship and no real conflict or nuance is perfect for their corporate pride agenda. And I feel fine criticizing them and this blatant cash grab.

Luca Jutsum

Every time Nick and Charlie kiss I just wonder if they have boners. Like come on, they are just sooooo chaste. At the same time we as the audience are supposed to have an emotional boner for them that is not remotely sexual. (But kind of is??) Your videos on Heartstopper and Queer tv are all so insightful and I love your take on Heartstopper as being fandom bait. I’ve always thought that if I can watch Heartstopper as though I’m reading a high school AU fanfic, it makes sense! Any critical reading of the text dismantles the show completely. It’s trite, boring, and the dialogue is often stilted and awkward. To your point, the pwning feels fantastical and actually kind of cruel?? Like I wish there was more depth to the villain characters but Heartstopper doesn’t do depth. Anyway loved your work once again and you continue to elevate the conversation!

Verity Ritchie

Tbh the quality of something can be really poor but still be meaningful to people, and that's fine. I'm still a bit obsessed with classic doctor who, especially those black and white ones where everyone gets their lines wrong and the sets are wobbling. I just think they're great and I feel deeply emotionally invested in them! Doesn't mean the criticisms of it arent valid! I'm really just having a laugh with this video, I think it's totally fine to enjoy Heartstopper. I do think the way fans of this show tend to frame criticism of it as an attack on something innocent to be unfair though. Its still a corporate product, and I think its fine to both criticise and have a laugh about terrible product placement and other weird choices 😅

Verity Ritchie

Yeah, I think its fine to criticise this shitty corporation who exploits their creators, and I think its fine to find fault with a TV show. It feels weird that some people seem to suggest that because the show is about teenagers that criticising it on any level is like...being mean to children or something? Alice Oseman is 28, I think all the actors in the show are adults now too and Euros Lyn is 52 lol. I think its fine to say, "does this show have weird politics about sex?" and "Bit much with the product placement isn't it?"

Verity Ritchie

Oh no! Nick and Charlie are like Ken dolls, nothing to see here folks!

Iris Mentor

oh no, i didn't bring up the fawning seniors to trump any and all criticism of the show. I just thought it was cute. and agree on the validity of critique- I think I'm waaay harsher on things I actually like as opposed to things I don't care about, simply because critique is how I like to enjoy media. (my brother asks me if i "actually like anything?", and if I do, to "stop complaining". I'm not complaining bro! I'm enjoying!)

Eleanor MacDougall

I agree completely. It weirdly reminds me of the conversations around the barbie movie, and the idea perpetuated within said movie that people who have criticisms of barbie as a brand and product are just sexist and bullying poor innocent barbie. Like no, its fine to criticize corporations even if they have a sweet, human face. You're not actually being mean to cute, sexless nick and Charlie when you say that the adults and corporate entities marketing something to teenagers might be doing something objectionable. And I have nothing against the people who like it, I like tons of low brow tv. Also as a side note about Netflix product placement, I watched the Addison Rae movie because I hate having brain cells apparently and there were multiple product placements in literally every scene. The whole thing felt like a dystopian fever dream.

Markus Sarén

But corporations make all TV shows and always have. Any piece of art that you enjoy or DON’T enjoy, somebody is making money off of.

Verity Ritchie

Sure, but is there not a difference between a public broadcaster and, for instance, a corporation like Netflix who is entirely profit driven? For instance, the BBC has a mandate to create high-quality content which informs, educates and entertains. They're funded directly by the public. Netflix on the other hand answers to Wall Street and mashes its very special material for children with a bunch of advertisements. Not to say the BBC is perfect, but I think its oversimplifying a little to suggest that just because one artist makes a profit then that's the same as any massive corporation making a profit. I don't think an independent artist on Etsy struggling to make ends meet can be compared to Bob Iger, CEO of Walt Disney Company. Not to mention all the art that is created from grants - which includes some films and shows. Being paid for work isn't the same as profit necessarily.

anon922

I wish you would have published this video to the public. God knows the creator could use some feedback. And I'm the age of the cast so I am in the fandom on Twitter and the arguments I have every day about this show lol People call anyone a pedophile because they want an accurate representation of sex lives for teenagers (I don't know a single teenage boy who acts like Nick and Charlie). They think we're just trying to shit on queer joy. This season feels especially over-produced and like you mentioned, every problem is resolved by romance which I found shocking as the creator identifies as aromantic and asexual. I have a feeling that in 5 years, this show will age very poorly.

Verity Ritchie

Honestly, its not worth arguing on the internet! We had such extreme negative feedback from the public video where we mentioned heartstopper, they were rabid! I don't want to argue with the fandom, I'm sure Heartstopper is mostly harmless, and its really not a big deal at the end of the day. But it is kind of a fascinating moment in queer TV history! If we can have a laugh about it every now and again, I think that's fine, and I guess I'd rather do most of that on Patreon than public for now. :)

big bird

There's this one (statistically invalid, but funny!) tumblr poll about "good representation" that speaks to me: https://www.tumblr.com/awakefor48hours/731027365431541760/if-you-were-a-character-in-a-movietv-showbook Was "good representation" always popularly defined in terms of individual characters and shows? I always assumed that it was meant as a lens to analyse the entire media landscape, to critique which kinds of stories got told and which kinds got ignored (like you do!). I haven't been around long enough to know, and I'm not good enough at googling to find out ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ There's this toxic online assumption that any depiction of underage characters in the vicinity of sexuality must be pedophile bait. I hope it's not as commonly held as it seems, but I've seen multiple scandals bear out the popularity of this idea, and it's genuinely distressing to see. Having gone to a Christian girl's school, I can attest that growing up around purely sexless depictions of teenagers made me feel alienated and abnormal about my own feelings (and imagine how much worse it felt when I turned out to be bi!). I hope that Heartstopper isn't the start of a new trend of completely desexualising teen content out of a misguided attempt to protect children :/

Verity Ritchie

Haha, love that poll! As far back as I can remember, the social media discourse about good representation has been very silly and differs enormously from how academia confronts representation. I am also very curious as to what the future of queer teen drama will be like.

Natasha Ryan

i think what gets me about the specific preachiness of heartstopper is that like....is this even how teens perceive homophobia now? it's definitely how we talked about it in 2013 (also hand in hand with a nice pair-the-spares fic), but i basically never see this kind of dramatization anymore in the public lexicon. the whole show feels like something for that era, but maybe again, that's because that's when i was the age for it.

Verity Ritchie

Episode one of the channel 4 show Banana stars one of the teachers from Heartstopper, but the episode has the opposite energy. It's about a teenage boy who is clearly managing his own internalised homophobia by projecting it onto people who aren't homophobic, mythologising his own victimisation. I imagine some teenagers might experience the world in the way Heartstopper portrays it, but I think we now also live in a time which has a much more complicated relationship to identity and queerness.

Niamh

Haha I wanted to wait until I finished the show to watch this so for weeks I've been on pins and needles wondering if you really liked things about it 😂 I love everything about the show, I love going awwww for 40 minutes straight. Fanfiction-like, shower-after-the-argument daydreams about queer teen life where everything is cute and there is very little tension is a pitch that I would get excited about sight unseen. But your dislike of it is genuinely delightful to me, a comforting consistency in these trying times 😊

Jon Patel

Phew, so relieved. Genuine friction between me and my best friend for not loving, or actually liking this show, glad I still got VB in my corner.

Verity Ritchie

I think people who are invested in these characters feel like we're slagging off their friends by not liking the show, and I can understand that feeling. But yeah I really...I have very different feelings 🤣

Nadi

So many people around me seem to love this show and keep telling me to watch, and I'm like, no, not my thing. I got sick of that cheesy crap years ago from watching BL dramas, I want actually good plots. It's a similar feel to how apparently the public at large is praising The Good Place as if it's some kind of revolutionary show, while I can clearly see they planned for one season and the rest is just stringing along. At least in professional scriptwriting/analysis circles people can see it too.

Verity Ritchie

I do really like The Good Place, but you're absolutely right!