Mvnl
Staff member
Now this is an excellent piece.
Still can’t even read about ‘the hug’ without welling up apparently though
Heartstopper (Renewed for 2 more seasons!)
- Thread starter Sick Sad World
- Start date
Now this is an excellent piece.
Still can’t even read about ‘the hug’ without welling up apparently though
I was gonna say this when someone posted Kit’s tweet the other day but the speculation on him can be blamed solely on Alice Oseman, the exec producer Patrick Walters and the casting director, David Edward-Guy.
All three have done interviews in the past few weeks, leading up to the show and post release, stating that during the casting process they specifically cast members of the queer community in the queer characters roles, which led people to speculating on Kit’s sexuality, Corinna’s too,
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Mvnl
Staff member
Yeah, I'm not sure if she said 'all of the roles' but it's tricky. Of course without that quote there'd still be people going 'Lol, you're gay' or hoping the actors were because.. well people are messy.
Being in a position where you're either forced to out yourself or be blamed for queerbaiting and you basically can't win is not it.
(Must admit my head is still a mess and I respond poorly to any piece of media that reminds me these characters aren't in fact real because that somehow feels like I have to come to terms with the fact that none of this happened to me all over again?? I mean, obviously I know that, but emotionally it feels like I'm still processing it??)
Didn't notice this one was missing from the playlist until it got added today.
After the first episode I was thinking how incredibly juvenile is this going to be.
But after just finishing the series I can only describe it in one word, pure. Which is something we don't get nearly enough of these days.
The CHVRCHES kiss moment really was stunning and my highlight of all 8 episodes. A piece of television for the history books for sure.
But after just finishing the series I can only describe it in one word, pure. Which is something we don't get nearly enough of these days.
The CHVRCHES kiss moment really was stunning and my highlight of all 8 episodes. A piece of television for the history books for sure.
Trying to pace myself reading the books. It's so lovely to be in this current space of having watched and now reading such a lovely story where there aren't these plot devices added in to specifically create tension or drama. It's just a love story that plays out really happily and it's a joy to watch/read and immerse yourself in.
Mvnl
Staff member
I keep postponing the last half of the This Winter book because then.. it will be over.
(Though I guess I could go watch the show 10 more times like most in here)
Also yesterday got really tense and then unwell and fainted in public while I was getting a bit emotional again about the show and am not fully convinced the 2 aren't related so I might just try to avoid anything Heartstopper related for now out of selfcare.
It's double though, on one hand looking up things about it when it makes me emotional feels like going through pictures of your ex after a breakup (like: why do it when you know it will upset you?) but at the same time it's been a long time I've been so moved by something and I don't want to avoid something just because it does either.
(Though I guess I could go watch the show 10 more times like most in here)
Also yesterday got really tense and then unwell and fainted in public while I was getting a bit emotional again about the show and am not fully convinced the 2 aren't related so I might just try to avoid anything Heartstopper related for now out of selfcare.
It's double though, on one hand looking up things about it when it makes me emotional feels like going through pictures of your ex after a breakup (like: why do it when you know it will upset you?) but at the same time it's been a long time I've been so moved by something and I don't want to avoid something just because it does either.
This is where I’m at too. I’m knee-deep in Heartstopper TikTok and was considering avoiding all media related to the show as it keeps bringing up a lot of sad stuff. After speaking with people about it, I’ve decided to lean in. Feel this shit out - embrace things that I perhaps wasn’t allowing myself to feel beforehand. I think there’s such a beauty in seeing Heartstopper as a catalyst to help heal a lot of our trauma experienced in our formative years.
Mvnl
Staff member
Yeah I'm just not sure if getting emotional time after time is doing any healing or.. what it takes to properly process it I guess? (There's also the silly fear that by the time I do actually get to talk about it with someone I've become numb to it?) I am definitely at a point where I hardly fight the tears anymore and it doesn't take me by surprise either. Like I don't mind getting sad? Yesterday when I felt the emotions stuck in my body without them coming out felt much worse than a good cry.
TikTok used to be my 'happy place' and easy entertainment before sleep though, and now I basically tear up as soon as I see Nick Nelson on my screen, which is like 90% of my 'for you' right now.
Overall I'm very grateful I did watch this and hope I won't lose the more sensitive side in me it opened up. Like in general I just.. feel more? And for someone who's always been way too much in their head (unless after a few drinks) it does feel kinda enrichening to suddenly have this.
Guess part of what makes the show so emotional is that these characters all just act on their feelings, no matter how scary, and I can only imagine how much more alive I'll feel when I start doing more of that instead of spending so much time fighting myself.
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Might be good to unpack properly what is happening here? It clearly seems to trigger something beyond the loss of teenage opportunity.
Would it help you a bit to remember how idyllic the relationships presented here are? Or maybe even deeper societal structures that are limited and rooted in things beyond feelings, like homonormativity. Maybe putting the show into context like these might help you.
But of course sometimes you just need to feel what you need to feel.
Hope you have the support needed around you.
I definitely think it's worth remembering how idyllic all of this is. I can offer a different take on those who felt like they missed out during their teenage years because I actually did have a boyfriend when I was sixth form age and he was slightly younger and while at the time it was kinda fun while it lasted it was ultimately all a bit shallow and meaningless. The relationships I had when I was older and more mature were much more rewarding.
I think it's also worth remembering that the straight experience isn't always particularly much better and many heterosexual teens don't have relationships and sexual experiences while they're still at school.
I obviously know it goes much deeper than that and there are other things about the show making people feel a sense of melancholy like the lack of support and friend group and being openly gay etc.
I think it's also worth remembering that the straight experience isn't always particularly much better and many heterosexual teens don't have relationships and sexual experiences while they're still at school.
I obviously know it goes much deeper than that and there are other things about the show making people feel a sense of melancholy like the lack of support and friend group and being openly gay etc.
Mvnl
Staff member
Thanks. I am overall quite okay I think? I mean I am very emotional but it's not like my entire mood is all sadness or even slightly depressed? It comes in waves and compared to some anxiety issues I've had (years ago) sadness feels pretty manageable? But it does seem very present for 'seeing something on tv I didn't have'. I mean, I wouldn't be able to watch movies if this were my average response to that. I really think it's a mix of missing that kind of love/friendship right now as well as recognizing my old self in both of them but without (to this very day) any of the confidence and support to be themselves these 2 characters have? But I really wish emotions came with an explanation/manual. I know you don't need to analyse them (sometimes it's even better not to) but I feel there's something I can learn from this and I can't quite put my finger on it yet?
Yeah rationally I fully know this. I think even one of my first responses to the show was 'not even straight teens get to have THIS'. But I guess it still represents something I'm missing or something like that. (I'd prefer to think that over 'being sad about never having something that isn't ever going to happen to anyone')
I think we need more Drew Barrymore-esque romance on screen depicted through the lens of the queer experience that isn't shrouded in secrecy, sex, shame or death (although those shows/films are important and great too). It says a lot about queer people that we can't consume an idealistic and fluffy romantic show without spiralling into depression, but it's worth remembering it's not a totally unique gay experience and straight people find it unobtainable and sad too like @burzacott said.