S03.E02: Home

[Harvey]

Quote

On holiday in Menorca, Nick worries about Charlie, who is struggling more than ever. Isaac starts to feel like a third wheel around Elle and Tao.

 

[possibilities]

Single people tend to be neglected and feel like 3rd wheels around new in love couples, whether single by choice or by design. I like that this show validates non-romantic friendships and asexuality, but I also wish they did more to show Isaac's happiness and him connecting with other people who are asexual and aromantic, so the writing itself doesn't relegate him to side character as much as it does. 

It's trying to include him, but it feels forced because they always and only show him in relation to the not-asexual-or-aromantic characters.

I think I read that the showrunner is asexual or aromantic (not sure about this-- I have a vague idea that I read this but can't remember the details or where it was), but the show itself is extremely romantic in every way, really.

Edited October 7 by possibilities
fix typo: aromatic is not the same as aromantic

[lovett1979]

3 hours ago, possibilities said:

I think I read that the showrunner is asexual or aromatic (not sure about this-- I have a vague idea that I read this but can't remember the details or where it was), but the show itself is extremely romantic in every way, really.

Yes, this is correct. Alice Oseman is aroace. I'm assuming that the depiction of Isaac and his experience is reflective of Alice's experience.

[Harvey]

15 minutes ago, lovett1979 said:

Yes, this is correct. Alice Oseman is aroace. I'm assuming that the depiction of Isaac and his experience is reflective of Alice's experience.

Yes, just today a super long interview was released which mostly focuses on the trans representation in the show - but it mentions that the comics did not have Isaac in them, but she wanted to include him in the show for the asexual representation.

 

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/heartstopper-season-3-elle-tao-relationship-1236025106/

[Harvey]

Heavy stuff this episode but all the cast are doing a good job acting wise. Joe and Kit are absolute standouts particularly in both of there big moments of the episode.

Time to be controversial but I don't think Hayley Atwell delivered at all in terms of that beautiful monologue, I'm actually gutted we didn't get to see Olivia Coleman say it because I genuinely think she lets down such a stellar moment.

Joe's acting when he's on the phone oh WOW! I completely understand Tao&Elles storyline so far but I'm just not invested in it for some reason, low-key hate the obnoxious relationship couple in a friend group too so…Not the absolute icon Annette Badland being Taras grandma omg, not her playing yet another grandma to a queer grandchild (big boys watchers I'm looking at you). I think Tori and Isaac having more to do so far has been lovely to see and it's genuinely brilliant that we are having Charlie x Isaac scenes this season! Sort of makes me sad we didn't get more earlier because they both bounce of each other really well and Tobie does a good job at the more serious moments (though I found the editing of that scene very weird tbh). Cute moment with the teachers but again not enough.

[okay so after thinking about this episode more I think I'm actually pretty frustrated with it, I really don't understand them trying to frame Charlie's mum as a problem/rude like maybe it's just me but I feel like she's just being a typical parent. Why is there no personal development of Tara as a character? How are we 3 seasons in and it still feels like we don't know how to balance an ensemble cast properly? Another big thing is I feel like we ended season 2 on the pretty devastating reveal that Charlie was self harming previously yet it doesn't feel like a priority AT ALL in terms of what's going on.]