Text by KAT FARRELL and SAANVI GARG
Art by ALISON XIONG
Heart beats on
“Heartstopper”: The beautiful new LGBTQ British television show
H
eartstopper. The answer The story follows Charlie Spring (Joe for LGBTQ youth requests Locke) as he falls for popular jock Nick Nelfor teen romance with qual- son (Kit Connor). It depicts the struggles ity representation. The new Spring faces as an openly gay student, as generation now has their show, the perfect well as the contrasting experience of Nelcoming-of-age romanson who is coming to tic comedy featuring “The show broached top- terms with his bisexdifferent LGBTQ reics such as sexual assault, uality.The addition of lationships. “Heartstopper,” bullying, coming out, and multiple side stories is a teen drama inprovided representaspired by Alice Ose- homophobia in a way that tion for other parts of man’s graphic novel was sensitive while provid- the LGBTQ commuseries of the same nity and enhanced the name which portrays ing insight into the issues.” story. The narrative the high school exof Tara Jones (Corinperience from multiple perspectives of the na Brown) and Darcy Olsen (Kizzy Edgell), LGBTQ community. a lesbian couple struggling with the social The show premiered on Netflix on implications of coming out, gave the viewApril 22, and has been received well by all ers a gripping and realistic look into what it audiences, earning a nine out of 10 rating means to be out as a female in high school. on IMDB. The girls showed progression from friends to lovers as they slowly came out to their close friends. One of their best scenes as a couple was dancing together at a party covered in rainbow confetti, unafraid of judgment, showing acceptance of their sexuality from themselves and others. Spring’s close friends, Elle Argent (Yasmin Finney) and Tao Xu (William Gao), also had their own plot. Elle is a Black transgender woman, who gets closer with Tao as the episodes progress. Their relationship not only provided representation for both the transgender and Black communities, but also reaffirmed that a straight man liking a transgender woman does not change his sexuality, sending a significant message that transgender women are women. The show broached topics such as sexual assault, bullying, coming out, and homophobia in a way that was sensitive while providing insight into the issues. In the first few episodes Spring is sexually assaulted by
his ex-boyfriend after telling him that he doesn’t want to be together anymore. Serious scenes like this are done remarkably well, and were shot in a way that didn’t glamorize the topic, but still provided space for a sentimental and romantic feeling as the love stories unfolded. “Heartstopper” leaves the viewer with a warm feeling, with each romantic moment being coupled with special effects that intensified each scene. When little animated sparks would fly when couples touched or stars would sparkle when they looked at each other, it made the moment all the more magical. It truly is a must-watch that is great for people who love romantic, drama-filled, and inclusive shows. “Heartstopper” provides great insight into the struggles of queer youth and is undoubtedly a staple in the TV-show industry this year.
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