Episode Guide
Meet -| Review Score – 4/5 Crush -| Review Score – 4/5 Kiss -| Review Score – 4.5/5 Secret -| Review Score – 3.5/5 Friend -| Review Score – 4/5 Girls -| Review Score – 3.5/5 Bully -| Review Score – 4/5 Boyfriend
Heartstopper is unlike other teen dramas and it’s all the more powerful for it. We’ve seen a whole wealth of titles in recent years come along and throw the same old clichés in. Teen gets drunk; teen slips into a drug addiction; a big love triangle embroils three people who should perhaps just communicate better – the list goes on. Even in Korea, we’re seeing titles like Extracurricular and You Are My Spring move these teen-orientated shows into much darker and more adult territory. In that respect, Heartstopper could not have come along at a better time. ..
Charlie is a 10-year-old boy who is struggling to cope with the normal teenage angst. He’s bullied, has trouble with his friends, and even has a secret romance with another student. ..
Charlie is heartbroken when he learns that Ben has a girlfriend and he’s only been using Charlie. Our protagonist falls for Nick Nelson, the star rugby player. ..
Despite being “the straightest guy you’ll ever meet”, Charlie and Nick soon strike up a friendship that looks like it could grow to more. Is Nick really gay though? Or are these two destined to become tragic “almost-were” best friends? This question encapsulates the whole show and across the 8 episodes – each clocking in at 25 minutes – Heartstopper does a great job balancing its drama and romance with a lovable group of supporting characters. ..
Heartstopper is a unique and engaging novel that takes the reader on an interesting journey. The characters are well-drawn and the story is well-paced. There are no weak points in the book, which makes it a great choice for readers of all ages.
These characters have some great moments together, although if we’re being super nitpicky, it’s perhaps a shame that Isaac is sidelined a bit and doesn’t have much of an arc. The plot also isn’t super complicated or chock full of surprising twists, instead focusing almost exclusively on the main romance. While I personally think it elevates the material, others more critical than myself could point out that this makes for an overly simple story that doesn’t have a lot of depth.
The episodic nature of the series also allows for a lot of creative freedom, as each episode can be its own standalone story with its own set of challenges and rewards. This makes for an interesting and unique experience that is sure to keep you hooked from beginning to end.
Overall, Heartstopper is a well written romance. It’s a heartwarming journey of acceptance and love, wrapped up in a ball of feel-good warmth and enticing visual flair. This is definitely not one to miss and easily one of the best shows of the year.
