heartstopper doesn't do drama for the sake of drama. it's just kids being kids and dealing with normal teenage problems, nothing needs to be heightened.
You’re honestly missing SO MUCH by only doing clips. This is such a unique show that I think you could really pull so much by watching the show in its entirety.
I've watched the series with my 12 year old who is obsessed with the web comic and it has lead to helpful conversations about mental health, consent, sexuality identity
I agree with your comment about this show is about romance and you could replace either nick or Charlie with a girl and the interactions wouldn't necessarily change
@@QueenOfTheZombieApocalypse there really is a lot for a therapist to analyse with this programme. I've just finished reading Solitaire which is Charlie's sister's story and there is even more to analyse
While I LOVE all the Heartstopper reactions, you're gonna spoil the whole series for yourself if you continue like that. PLEASE just watch the whole thing, you'll love it!! ❤
Yes, do. In between the seasons of one of your marvel shows, you could put in a season of Heartstopper to break it up. I got through the first season in one night, because I couldn't stop! You could also watch it with your kids, because they'd probably love it too.
Heartstopper proves that you can turn to pop culture for catharsis, to heal. As a 42 year old gay man, I've watched the series probably a dozen times and it warms me up every time.
I BINGEWATCHED it. And then cried, because I miss the romance and tenderness in my life that is represented there. It touched me in places. And I am usually the person looking and TV-show-romances like "Well, that's unbelievable..." or "Wow, they really like each other for all the wrong reasons!". This show really touched a younger, less jaded part of me.
The missing scene is when Nick asks Tara whether she felt something when they kissed as 13 year olds, and Tara says, no that's when she knew she was a lesbian. Nick felt some feelings to her so he's a little more ambivalent (he no longer has those feelings by the time the show starts, but when they were young, he did). He sees Tara and Darcy's relationship (they have just come out with their relationship, though Darcy seems to have been out much before Tara) as something that maybe he and Charlie could have. So, as others have mentioned, there was no reason she wouldn't be accepting. Also, this being the UK, Nick and Charlie basically attend an all-boys school (they apparently mix girls and boys in the last 2 years) while Tara and Darcy attend an all-girls school, so Nick and Tara don't see each other regularly as they don't attend the same school. It's also why Nick feels comfortable telling Tara about Charlie because he's seen her relationship with Darcy.
Just to let you know (in case you don’t and the phrasing of your comment seems to imply so but ignore this if not) mixed sex schools and schools that stay single sex from age 4-18 are just as common as schools like in heartstopper in the uk. But it’s quite common for people to move from their high school to a sixth form college for the last two years if they’re looking for a specific course and that change can sometimes change to or from a mixed sex school. For example, my school was girls only age 4-18, the last two years my sister moved to a mixed sex sixth form college because our school didn’t offer photography, and I moved to a mixed sex age 4-18 school for ballet. But we both went to mixed sex primary (age 4-11) schools. Lots of options lol but the merging of schools (if I’m understanding your comment right I haven’t read heartstopper in a while) isn’t typical, it’s normally people just switching schools
@@Wurmze Thanks for your comments. I'm always interested in hearing about the British education system. The reason I pointed it out was to show that Tara and Nick didn't go to the same school so they haven't seen each other in quite some time. Since Jonathan is American (as am I) and single sex schools have been fairly uncommon (they were a little more common before), and he's only watching a bit of Heartstopper, he might mistakenly believe that Nick and Tara see each other all the time. The American system is fairly simple. High schools go from grade 9 to grade 12 (usually) and usually, the only reason to switch is moving to a new location. There are private schools (you pay to go to these, as opposed to public schools which are free. I think the UK uses the terminology in other ways) that some choose to go to. Some go to religious school (Catholic education, primarily), though that number isn't high. I'm kinda assuming Jonathan is a Mormon since he's from Utah, but that's not something he talks about except as having a belief.
That's the very special thing about heartstopper! There are soo many moments where i was scared of "no, now comes the drama" and then it doesn't come! Instead the characters are communicating and figuring stuff out and they all are super thoughtfull and loving. And I realized I loooove shows without drama! I want more healthy communication in tv shows!!!
It would really help if you watched the entirety of the show in order to accurately comment on what is represented. Tara's character is lesbian. Therefore, she wouldn't be hurt or disappointed that Nick is dating a guy.
Just to answer your question if Tara keeps the secret: the answer is yes. The girl you saw with her is actually her girlfriend, who has an non-accepting family, and so the two girls together are basically your ideal allies. They would probably be the ones wielding baseball bats if someone hurt their friends.
Him being scared that Darcy and Tara betray Nick's trust, shows how we all are used to drama in these kind of shows. I'm so glad that Heartstopper is nothing like that. 👏🏻
Watching this show helped heal a part of me that was let down by my homophobic and unsupportive mother. I came out at 15 and she was horrible. And watching a loving, wholesome, kind and compassionate show about people in the LGBTQ+ community made me feel seen and loved and healed the part of me that still felt I wasn't entirely ugh because of my own teenage experience.
A lot of the conflict in Heartstopper is internal conflict rather than external conflict (though there is some of that too). That's one of the things that separates Heartstopper from other shows with a lot of external conflict. And it helps keep that level of sweetness and light with healthy relationships while still having the characters going through things that lead to character development and growth.
5:40 And thats why this series is so good! It breaks every expectation of what a LGBT serie usually is... Heartstopper is not overly dramatic, is not full of sex, drugs, angry teens. Its the most needed heartwarming feel-good series.
What I also like is that in s2, they don't shy away from the mental health struggles resulting from the bullying Charlie endured in the past. They don't dramatize it too much. They don't glamorize it either. I feel like it's well executed. I would also say that the struggle Charlie deals with makes so much sense to what happened to him. So does Tao, for example. What I'm trying to say is that they do keep a heartwarming vibe, but they don't sugarcoat the reality that is mental health struggle. I read the comic, so I also know what is coming & I would say they do keep it that way later on as they escalate the mental health theme in the story.
Believe it or not, when I watched the first season of this show over year ago, I thought about your channel, Cinema Therapy, because I had recently watched a couple of episodes. I found myself thinking you'd love Heartstopper precisely because it depicts great open and honest communication in a relationship, as well as friends who simply love and support each other without all the backstage drama. I find it sets a wonderful, and greatly needed, example for teens, whether LGBT or not, about what friendships and relationships should be, and perhaps even what they can be if they allow them. It's become one of my absolute favorite shows, and I'm a 37 year-old man.
I agree too and I’m a 49 year old mom of 2 teenagers, married to a man. I realized I was bi later in life and seeing Nick’s journey has been so beautiful. Watching has helped me process trauma from my teenage years and witnessing what healthy relationships look like is also helping my marriage. So much to love and be grateful for with this show. ❤
I have recently come out as bi to my close family, and all of them were accepting. A lot of them told me they already knew but wanted me to tell them. I am thankful that I have a loving family. I did have some people that said that they didn't agree and believe it was wrong but they would not treat me any different and love me and who ever i end up with. We have a looooong talk and pretty much said we are on different sides of this and think differently BUT we still live care about each other and that is more importantly than anything.
I'm a straight, cisgender young woman. I'm trying my best because a lot of my friends belong to that community and I want to show them care and compassion because they're good people. Yet, sometimes, (long-time viewers of Heartstopper will recognize this), I feel like I'm doing an Imogen. "I'm not like homophobic, I'm an ally." "Thanks? We thank you for your service." And I really don't want to be like that. So thank you for making these videos that can help guide me to being a better, more supportive ally and a more supportive friend.
45 yo mom here, you’re gonna absolutely love it!! I stopped watching the second season bc I’m going to binge watch it from the beginning with my teen daughter. Better than Bridgeton, and I loved it. I’m also a Marvel fan. This series is so lovely 🥰 it brings joy. The thing to watch if real life is not so nice. The original graphic novels are on my curated wish list.
I saw somewhere that the director of Heartstopper basically said that he set out to make it as much like an old fashioned Hollywood romantic fantasy as he possibly could, including all the corny tropes that we associate with the genre.
I hope you end up doing a Cinema Therapy video (or two) for all of Heartstopper. I think there’s so much to talk about from both a filmmaking perspective and your therapist insights. Plus, all these clips will make much more sense when viewed in context. But, as always, I love watching these videos and hearing your hot takes.
I think straight people get hung up on the word “sex” in homosexuality, forgetting that it also appears in the word “heterosexuality,” because they don’t think of themselves in pertains to that label, but instead as “I am the norm, and they are the other. They are homoSEXual.” And then from there, they fixate on the sex and forget that love is love. That two kids can have a crush on each other and it’s not about sex, and it’s not queer folks being “pedophiles” or “grooming.” That it’s the same experience straight people have, except with the added burden of stigma, inequality, and by default being shoved in the closet because people automatically assume you are straight. Are there some queer people who hyper-focus on the sex? Sure! There are straight people who do too. But I think from what I’ve seen, a lot of the hyper-sexualization you see online or in pride parades is an act of defiance. It’s because people have been shoved in a closet for so long, and now they will not be hindered further. It’s also because a lot of us do not realize our own sexuality until we are older, or if we do, we don’t feel safe to explore it until we are older. It’s almost a form of delayed puberty through a newfound sexual exploration. And I think that’s part of why so much queer media errs on hyper-sexualized, that as well as it sometimes being intended for the voyeuristic gaze of a straight audience. However, I love Heartstopper for daring to be just wholesome content. I want pure and simple queer romcoms like When Harry Met Sally. I love that it models what health looks like, both for queer people and allies looking to learn how to be supportive. I feel like Nick Nelson is such an emotionally intelligent character, that I’m learning from this teenager emotional maturity that I want for myself as an adult.
You really should prioritize watching Heartstopper. It's so great. The teens in your life are fine to watch it. People complain that the entire friendship group is queer people, and that's so many people I know experiences. It was mine. We seem to find each other even before we have discovered ourselves. All the relationships in the graphic novels and show give me so much joy.
2:35 from what I understand they weren’t really dating. They kissed once when they were like 13, and then since Nick goes to an all boys school and Tara goes to an all girls school they didn’t really see each other after that. And relationships don’t usually mean anything/last long at that age. 😂
I am definitely someone who gets tired of all the drama in movies and tv shows. My favorite movies are all movies with tension but not drama. I truly loved watching this show because it doesn’t stress me out. 😅
What I really love about the show, as much as pink glassed it can get, it shows true friendships. I am so tired of all the betrayals and cruelty we see on screen these days, so shows like heartstopper, Ann with an e and some others, bring me absolute joy. We have enough difficulties in our real lives already, let's at least watch something that brings us happiness
Do you mind reviewing Charlie's mental health issues and how it presents itself throughout season 2 - mostly near the end? Of course it would have to warn people of spoilers but I'd love to get your take on it! Seems like that will be a huge plot for season 3.
please please please watch the whole series, you'll love it. I totally agree with you when you say this series is amazing for displaying healthy relationships, optimistic hopes, and not toxic adrenaline rushes, and also the fact that this is LOVE no matter what your sexual orientation is (speaking as a straight person, this series is heart warming to watch and totally relatable!!!)
That scene brings me to tears. Especially when I pay attention to the song's lyrics at the end. The part that expresses fears about whether the emotional stresses will take away the joy.
My favorite Doctor and my favorite TV show!!! I am so happy!!! 😍💖🍂🏳️🌈 You had completly understood the meaning of Heartstopper even if you watched only a few scenes. It is a show about love, all the love. Between lovers, children and parents, brothers and sisters and the family we choose: friends. ❤️
OMG. I never thought of why I like Heartstopper so much. It's because being LGBT is hard enough without seeing how hard it is in a fantasy world as well. It's so unbelievably nice, and unusual to just see a healthy relationship with beautiful supporting friends and mutual respect.
It's gotten to the point where pretty much anytime I watch literally any Heartstopper clip, I tear up at best and break down at worst. As a trans, bi, ace young adult who was forced back into the closet after my mom had a violent reaction, seeing this representation is so important and means so much. Also knowing that my little cousin who's also queer has this show in his age bracket means everything to me, because my experience has been absolute hell being trans in a transphobic household unable to escape, and because of that I can't really talk to him much about home life, but I hope more than anything that him and every queer kid in younger generations can see this show and see that it's okay, they'll find their people-their chosen family-and see that being queer is not only beautiful, it's NORMAL. You are definitely missing out on such an amazing show with so many intricate and individualized storylines and character arcs and just a beautiful story. I could not recommend this show more, whether you're the "main audience" or not! I hope you enjoy it whenever you do watch it!
I am so sorry you are going through such difficult times. I hope you are able to find a chosen family that loves and accepts you for you. Sending you a hug, from a mom of two teenagers who wishes all parents could be loving and accepting of their kids. ❤
I binged both seasons in 3 days. You are missing getting flooded with joy flowing out of whatever screen you watch this show on. I have never had a film or show make me FEEL so much emotion. So to feel so much joy, love, pride, etc as a white, straight woman means something to me.
💛LOVE HEARTSTOPPER! 💙 Fantastic cast of dynamic young actors! So emotionally invested in these characters! Drop whatever you had planned to watch & see this series FIRST!
I want this guy to be my therapist. Honestly i want him to speak to my dad abt lgbtq+, i feel like he could make my dad understand it better and be more supportive.
I'm queer, and I see a lot of queer people loving the show, but also a lot of people being angry about it bring 'sanitized' and contributing to the purity culture, which I don't agree with. Sure, it's a bit of a "rose-colored glasses" perspective, which is a very deliberate choice, I feel, obvious even with the color scheme they use and the animations. And it's delightful, and I love it (I didn't always), and it's not the same thing as being sanitized. The issue people have is that because there's not that many shows about queer people, every single one of then gets scrutinized for not representing every single queer experience from every single angle. This show does the best it can. For instance, I'm 40 and I've realized this after 30, so teens coming out at 15 is not something I can relate to, but! my school experience was much more like Heartstopper than Euphoria, so this I can relate to. There being an ace character I can both relate to and appreciate. There being genuine friendships and support (instead of never-ending cat fighting and back stabbing) I can relate to and appreciate. And it's so tiresome when people think that for something to be a good work of art it needs to be edgy, dark and poisonous.
@@lancelotfabre3530 Dungeons and Dragons Just manuals and stuff. Basically I don’t have a lot of my books, so my bookshelf would look weird to anyone who saw it: half being Hearts Stopper and half being Dungeons and Dragons
I love heartstopper. It is so wholesome and easy to watch and it really has a positive effect on me and actually one of the things Nick said made me ask help. Wich is in the last episode, I would love hearing what you think about the last scene in the last episode where Charlie talks with Nick about the bullying from the past
5:05... I totally relate to what he said about how we turn to pop culture for drama, I started watching heartstoppers with a sense of alertness, believing Nick was gonna play Charlie, I have been so used to society wishing ill stuff to lgbtqia+ people and so used to see only dysfunctional or drama filled lgbtqia+ relationships, that this show honestly surprised me, once I let go of my expectations and rewatched the first half of the first season, I couldn't stop gasping, and smiling and crying for a lot of the stuff I wish I could have had when I was growing up. The scene where Nick comes out to his mom... I cried my soul out, I feel hopeful for the generations to come :)
I am watching it for the third time. I had similar experience when I was in high school. I had a crush on a friend who turn out to be straight. And this show bring back memories of my younger life. I totally enjoy all the romance. I just love the entire series.
You need to react to the whole s1 and s2 it’s such a good show!! , it deals with mental health and coming out and stuff there’s so much for a therapist to talk about with this show
Heartstopper is like a cup of hot chocolate. Yes, there is some drama in it to have a storyline and antagonists, but it's overall very sweet and wholesome. Friendship is very important and the basis for every lovestory, and there's no focus on sex (since I as a 15yo wouldn't have been ready for that either so I really like that) but on how first love feels like, on the butterflies in your stomach and kisses and gentle, exciting touches; but also about not losing touch with your friends just because you have a partner now. It's not about immediate sex, hookups or cheating, it's about loyalty and trust and that is just wonderful
Repeating what others have said but you should do the whole show. It would give you SO much content to talk about, because mental health is such a strong theme - but a lot of that storyline has to be watched in context to understand and grasp what’s happening. I feel like there’s a lot of subtle moments in the first season especially that you could use to help people understand what signs to look out for when people are struggling. But you will miss out on a lot of that if you just react out of order like you seem to be doing.
6:47 That is sadly very true. Made up stories are usually chaotic drama - it's lies, misunderstandings, cheating, intrigues ... "Based on a true story"-movies on the ther hand tend to be centered around internal drama. I've seen a handful of the movies that have come out lately that are centered around famous people and *everyone* of them portrays either suicide attempts or at least a protagonist who is selfdestructive and depressed. When I watch movies/tv-series it's because I want to *get away* from those pains in my own life, not to be reminded of them even more, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. So I'm totally with you - more movies and tv-shows with healthy reationships and happy stories would be a welcome contrast
I need you to watch this whole show. It’s so freaking beautiful!! And it’s so healing for so many lgbtqia+ people because as a society, we’ve been trained to accept that bad things happen to queer people on screen. Queer people don’t get their happy endings. But that’s not how Heartstopper is at all.
What are you missing by not having watched Heartstopper yet? It's a sweet, poignant, and empowering story that illustrates the complexities of love and how our experiences affect our ability to express and accept love.
I keep seeing these individual reactions to scenes from heartstopper and every time you talk about getting around to reacting to the full show. I'll watch again if you ever actually do that. :)
YES This!!! This is what we want to see when it comes to wholesome representation!!! One RAW React I'd love to see from you is the Tangled series! You've done Cinema Therapy with Alan on the movie, but there is also a series!! Varian and Cassandra are the main characters I'd LOVE to see you react to! They could easily get therapized LOL
I’ll echo what others have said. Please watch the whole thing!! And then give us lots of analysis vids! It is helping fans process and heal from childhood trauma, sexual assault, etc. it’s actually very powerful. I would love to hear your opinion on the show’s scenes depicting abuse vs consent.
Heartstopper is amazing, I have been OBSESSED. I think that you should search up Basil and Sunny's relationship in Omori and how that it is an example for how relationships whether friends or more, that are like that aren't the best.
I'm loving these, but I'd love even more that you watch the Wheel of Time. Mental Health is a focus of that series in both of the books and the show. The author was a Vietnam vet, and he writes the characters with that lived experience. Rand's arc is absolutely masterful in that sense. And the show is doing that so well. Showing the different struggles the characters have in such a real way. It's so perfect for so many topics you could cover here, since the series is wayyyy too long for you guys to cover on Cinema Therapy.
I think it's important to note that whilst, yes, some things that happen in straight rlationships do happen im queer ones, as you saw in that clip, the show also shows the divergences. There are queer experiences that cannot be mapped onto straight ones and yjr comparison isn't exactly one-to-one. As you may have seen, that entire quessing game to figure out if your crush could be attracted to the same gender as you? Especially if you're closeted, actually, and even if not, the worry they could break your trust. And then there are the jokes of how fast some queer relationships move simply because, like, finding someone who's attracted to you and you're attracted to them is difficult, etc.
Are you talking about the scene in 1x3 when the guys are in the empty room in the hotel (where the party is)? The language use alone intrigues me; Charlie has to be so careful: Charlie (upon learning that Nick might actually have a crush on some unspecified someone): What is she like, then? Nick: You're going to assume that they're a she. [The use of 'they' to create distance and ambiguity related to gender] Charlie: Are they not a girl? Charlie: Would you go out with someone that is not a girl? Avoiding the word 'boy' by using the distancing "not a girl" makes his question safer. *** The linguistic choices in the dialogue and in the text messages throughout the show catch my attention every time.
Honestly I’d love to see a full series reaction from @CinemaTherapy as another collab with @DrElliotReacts, whose episodic reaction videos I’ve been following avidly. ❤
There are so many other clips of the show that I would love for you to react to. Season two fainting seen in Paris. And Nick and Charlie are talking about bullying.
I do like your reactions and takes if we look at things without the context of what happens earlier in the show, but without the contexts all you can really do is guess and make assumptions. I think this show really would be a great one for a therapist to react to as a whole, there's so much somebody like you could talk about here if you went through each episode.
My mum and I had watch all of season 1 of Heartstopper last weekend. While I was very frustrated with the way Tao acted when Nick arrived, my mum understood where he was coming from. I did too but I was more huffy about it 😅
I like that you said that LGBTQ is more than sex. I am an LGBTQ that likes romance and connection. Heartstopper shows that and much more. You really need to watch both seasons. As I commented earlier their are two scenes, one with Charlie and his siter in Season one and one with Charlie and Nick, last episode season 2 that I would love to hear your analysis of. BTW Tori and my sister are very much alike.
As a parent or professional, watch it at 1.5 speed. 8 eps, 30 min each = 160 minutes = 2hrs 40 min. You can always put it at normal speed for some parts that are more complicated (of which there are none) but nicer to view some Paris scenes at regular pace.
What you said at the end of the video at 8:40 - 9:25 I absolutely agree because my parents especially my step dad only thinks that queer ppl only want to have sex and that homosexuality is only about sex. Me as a lesbian, it hurts hearing that because like you said sex is one desire but we also have other desires like old school romance and just wanting love and connection with some one of the same gender. My step dad will never look at it like normal hetero love but I hope my mom maybe will change her view knowing the nice woman she is, I have hope she can change her view and be accepting one day.
I once had a crush on my best friend in high school but I had a boyfriend at the time and never acted on it. Then years after falling in love and getting married to a man, I developed a huge crush on a female friend. It was because of her personality and the emotional intimacy we shared as close friends but there was sexual attraction as well. Again I never acted on it but I did tell my husband and he was understanding (and appreciative I didn’t cheat). So, my experience with attraction to girls in the past stemmed from loving them first as a friend. As I get older, I find myself attracted to both women and men but am still happily married. Hopefully in time, your mom at least, will come around to a place of understanding and acceptance. Maybe she would be willing at some point to watch Heartstopper (or Schitt’s Creek is another good one for straights to enjoy) and her views may broaden. Time can have a way of weakening one’s resolve. In the meantime I hope you find the kindness and support you deserve. (Hugs)
heartstopper doesn't do drama for the sake of drama. it's just kids being kids and dealing with normal teenage problems, nothing needs to be heightened.
Yes! This!
You’re honestly missing SO MUCH by only doing clips. This is such a unique show that I think you could really pull so much by watching the show in its entirety.
yessssss
You really need to do a cinema therapy for the whole of seasons 1 and 2.. there is so much for a therapist to talk about
I've watched the series with my 12 year old who is obsessed with the web comic and it has lead to helpful conversations about mental health, consent, sexuality identity
I agree with your comment about this show is about romance and you could replace either nick or Charlie with a girl and the interactions wouldn't necessarily change
Yes...and so much cinematic, acting, and directing highlights to discuss.
Yes!! If we keep bringing it up they will get to it eventually!
@@QueenOfTheZombieApocalypse there really is a lot for a therapist to analyse with this programme. I've just finished reading Solitaire which is Charlie's sister's story and there is even more to analyse
While I LOVE all the Heartstopper reactions, you're gonna spoil the whole series for yourself if you continue like that. PLEASE just watch the whole thing, you'll love it!! ❤
Yes! It will also make a lot more sense that way. Very short, won't take long. Just watch the whole thing already!
Each episode is only 30 minutes long!
you could watch the whole thing in 8 hrs
Yes, do. In between the seasons of one of your marvel shows, you could put in a season of Heartstopper to break it up. I got through the first season in one night, because I couldn't stop! You could also watch it with your kids, because they'd probably love it too.
@@kirstyhall8940 or u could watch season 1 in 4 hours, for à start.
Heartstopper proves that you can turn to pop culture for catharsis, to heal. As a 42 year old gay man, I've watched the series probably a dozen times and it warms me up every time.
I BINGEWATCHED it. And then cried, because I miss the romance and tenderness in my life that is represented there. It touched me in places. And I am usually the person looking and TV-show-romances like "Well, that's unbelievable..." or "Wow, they really like each other for all the wrong reasons!". This show really touched a younger, less jaded part of me.
The missing scene is when Nick asks Tara whether she felt something when they kissed as 13 year olds, and Tara says, no that's when she knew she was a lesbian. Nick felt some feelings to her so he's a little more ambivalent (he no longer has those feelings by the time the show starts, but when they were young, he did). He sees Tara and Darcy's relationship (they have just come out with their relationship, though Darcy seems to have been out much before Tara) as something that maybe he and Charlie could have. So, as others have mentioned, there was no reason she wouldn't be accepting. Also, this being the UK, Nick and Charlie basically attend an all-boys school (they apparently mix girls and boys in the last 2 years) while Tara and Darcy attend an all-girls school, so Nick and Tara don't see each other regularly as they don't attend the same school. It's also why Nick feels comfortable telling Tara about Charlie because he's seen her relationship with Darcy.
Just to let you know (in case you don’t and the phrasing of your comment seems to imply so but ignore this if not) mixed sex schools and schools that stay single sex from age 4-18 are just as common as schools like in heartstopper in the uk. But it’s quite common for people to move from their high school to a sixth form college for the last two years if they’re looking for a specific course and that change can sometimes change to or from a mixed sex school. For example, my school was girls only age 4-18, the last two years my sister moved to a mixed sex sixth form college because our school didn’t offer photography, and I moved to a mixed sex age 4-18 school for ballet. But we both went to mixed sex primary (age 4-11) schools. Lots of options lol but the merging of schools (if I’m understanding your comment right I haven’t read heartstopper in a while) isn’t typical, it’s normally people just switching schools
@@Wurmze Thanks for your comments. I'm always interested in hearing about the British education system. The reason I pointed it out was to show that Tara and Nick didn't go to the same school so they haven't seen each other in quite some time. Since Jonathan is American (as am I) and single sex schools have been fairly uncommon (they were a little more common before), and he's only watching a bit of Heartstopper, he might mistakenly believe that Nick and Tara see each other all the time. The American system is fairly simple. High schools go from grade 9 to grade 12 (usually) and usually, the only reason to switch is moving to a new location. There are private schools (you pay to go to these, as opposed to public schools which are free. I think the UK uses the terminology in other ways) that some choose to go to. Some go to religious school (Catholic education, primarily), though that number isn't high. I'm kinda assuming Jonathan is a Mormon since he's from Utah, but that's not something he talks about except as having a belief.
That's the very special thing about heartstopper! There are soo many moments where i was scared of "no, now comes the drama" and then it doesn't come! Instead the characters are communicating and figuring stuff out and they all are super thoughtfull and loving. And I realized I loooove shows without drama! I want more healthy communication in tv shows!!!
It would really help if you watched the entirety of the show in order to accurately comment on what is represented. Tara's character is lesbian. Therefore, she wouldn't be hurt or disappointed that Nick is dating a guy.
As a therapist it’s surprising how wrong he is about many things just cos he assumes things from short clips.
Yeah that was also my first thought
@@freeride_99 like you said, he's only watching clips... of course he's going to be wrong about things.
maybe he thought she could be bi and therefore possibly like Nick romantically
@@freeride_99 how can you be surprised... you just said yourself, he is only watching clips so of course he can be wrong
Tara and Darcy are together and they do not betray his trust. They are incredibly supportive and help him come out
Love Heartstoppers Don't worry Most of the People in the show are as lovely and as warm as they present themselves as. It's really heartwarming.
Please watch the whole of it, Especially the new season there is a lot of representation from being closeted to being out
Just to answer your question if Tara keeps the secret: the answer is yes. The girl you saw with her is actually her girlfriend, who has an non-accepting family, and so the two girls together are basically your ideal allies. They would probably be the ones wielding baseball bats if someone hurt their friends.
Baseball bats and anti-homophobia cheese!
@@juliettec6095
🤣
Him being scared that Darcy and Tara betray Nick's trust, shows how we all are used to drama in these kind of shows. I'm so glad that Heartstopper is nothing like that. 👏🏻
Watching this show helped heal a part of me that was let down by my homophobic and unsupportive mother. I came out at 15 and she was horrible. And watching a loving, wholesome, kind and compassionate show about people in the LGBTQ+ community made me feel seen and loved and healed the part of me that still felt I wasn't entirely ugh because of my own teenage experience.
A lot of the conflict in Heartstopper is internal conflict rather than external conflict (though there is some of that too). That's one of the things that separates Heartstopper from other shows with a lot of external conflict. And it helps keep that level of sweetness and light with healthy relationships while still having the characters going through things that lead to character development and growth.
5:40 And thats why this series is so good! It breaks every expectation of what a LGBT serie usually is... Heartstopper is not overly dramatic, is not full of sex, drugs, angry teens. Its the most needed heartwarming feel-good series.
What I also like is that in s2, they don't shy away from the mental health struggles resulting from the bullying Charlie endured in the past. They don't dramatize it too much. They don't glamorize it either. I feel like it's well executed. I would also say that the struggle Charlie deals with makes so much sense to what happened to him. So does Tao, for example. What I'm trying to say is that they do keep a heartwarming vibe, but they don't sugarcoat the reality that is mental health struggle. I read the comic, so I also know what is coming & I would say they do keep it that way later on as they escalate the mental health theme in the story.
Heartstopper will never betray your trust in the wholesomeness it portays and it is so nice😊
Believe it or not, when I watched the first season of this show over year ago, I thought about your channel, Cinema Therapy, because I had recently watched a couple of episodes. I found myself thinking you'd love Heartstopper precisely because it depicts great open and honest communication in a relationship, as well as friends who simply love and support each other without all the backstage drama. I find it sets a wonderful, and greatly needed, example for teens, whether LGBT or not, about what friendships and relationships should be, and perhaps even what they can be if they allow them. It's become one of my absolute favorite shows, and I'm a 37 year-old man.
I totally agree with you. And I'm a 51 year old mama of 3 (2 of which are many kinds of rainbow.)
I agree too and I’m a 49 year old mom of 2 teenagers, married to a man. I realized I was bi later in life and seeing Nick’s journey has been so beautiful. Watching has helped me process trauma from my teenage years and witnessing what healthy relationships look like is also helping my marriage. So much to love and be grateful for with this show. ❤
Oh you're going to like this show so much when you finally watch it
loving all these heartstopper reactions
I have recently come out as bi to my close family, and all of them were accepting. A lot of them told me they already knew but wanted me to tell them. I am thankful that I have a loving family.
I did have some people that said that they didn't agree and believe it was wrong but they would not treat me any different and love me and who ever i end up with. We have a looooong talk and pretty much said we are on different sides of this and think differently BUT we still live care about each other and that is more importantly than anything.
Heartsopper is kind. Its a "feel good" show, besides the conflict. I love it❤
I love that they gave us more of the fabulous Olivia Colman. She is a great example of a supportive parent.
I'm a straight, cisgender young woman. I'm trying my best because a lot of my friends belong to that community and I want to show them care and compassion because they're good people.
Yet, sometimes, (long-time viewers of Heartstopper will recognize this), I feel like I'm doing an Imogen.
"I'm not like homophobic, I'm an ally."
"Thanks? We thank you for your service."
And I really don't want to be like that. So thank you for making these videos that can help guide me to being a better, more supportive ally and a more supportive friend.
45 yo mom here, you’re gonna absolutely love it!! I stopped watching the second season bc I’m going to binge watch it from the beginning with my teen daughter.
Better than Bridgeton, and I loved it. I’m also a Marvel fan.
This series is so lovely 🥰 it brings joy. The thing to watch if real life is not so nice. The original graphic novels are on my curated wish list.
I saw somewhere that the director of Heartstopper basically said that he set out to make it as much like an old fashioned Hollywood romantic fantasy as he possibly could, including all the corny tropes that we associate with the genre.
This just shows how much people WANT to see kindness on screen. Its cool to be kind. Healthy even. ❤
Schitt’s Creek winning all the awards is further proof this is the type of media people want!
Jono: Tell me what I’m missing by not watching-
Me: Alan crying on cinema therapy
You need not worry - they are super supportive friends and the never betray him.
And you are write it bade me so wholesome watching it ❤
If you did watch S1 and S2, you could literally to a separate video on each character. There is so much stuff to pull from!
8:23
As an asexual (who does not feel sexual attraction) I actually really appreciate that you said “for a lot of us” and not “for all of us” 🙃
I'm a grown woman and I love Heartstopper! Such beautiful, pure representation!
🙏❤🏳🌈🏳⚧
I hope you end up doing a Cinema Therapy video (or two) for all of Heartstopper. I think there’s so much to talk about from both a filmmaking perspective and your therapist insights. Plus, all these clips will make much more sense when viewed in context. But, as always, I love watching these videos and hearing your hot takes.
I think straight people get hung up on the word “sex” in homosexuality, forgetting that it also appears in the word “heterosexuality,” because they don’t think of themselves in pertains to that label, but instead as “I am the norm, and they are the other. They are homoSEXual.” And then from there, they fixate on the sex and forget that love is love. That two kids can have a crush on each other and it’s not about sex, and it’s not queer folks being “pedophiles” or “grooming.” That it’s the same experience straight people have, except with the added burden of stigma, inequality, and by default being shoved in the closet because people automatically assume you are straight. Are there some queer people who hyper-focus on the sex? Sure! There are straight people who do too. But I think from what I’ve seen, a lot of the hyper-sexualization you see online or in pride parades is an act of defiance. It’s because people have been shoved in a closet for so long, and now they will not be hindered further. It’s also because a lot of us do not realize our own sexuality until we are older, or if we do, we don’t feel safe to explore it until we are older. It’s almost a form of delayed puberty through a newfound sexual exploration. And I think that’s part of why so much queer media errs on hyper-sexualized, that as well as it sometimes being intended for the voyeuristic gaze of a straight audience. However, I love Heartstopper for daring to be just wholesome content. I want pure and simple queer romcoms like When Harry Met Sally. I love that it models what health looks like, both for queer people and allies looking to learn how to be supportive. I feel like Nick Nelson is such an emotionally intelligent character, that I’m learning from this teenager emotional maturity that I want for myself as an adult.
You really should prioritize watching Heartstopper. It's so great. The teens in your life are fine to watch it. People complain that the entire friendship group is queer people, and that's so many people I know experiences. It was mine. We seem to find each other even before we have discovered ourselves. All the relationships in the graphic novels and show give me so much joy.
2:35 from what I understand they weren’t really dating. They kissed once when they were like 13, and then since Nick goes to an all boys school and Tara goes to an all girls school they didn’t really see each other after that. And relationships don’t usually mean anything/last long at that age. 😂
I am definitely someone who gets tired of all the drama in movies and tv shows. My favorite movies are all movies with tension but not drama. I truly loved watching this show because it doesn’t stress me out. 😅
soooooooooooo hyped for season 3 i LOVE charlie and nick
What I really love about the show, as much as pink glassed it can get, it shows true friendships. I am so tired of all the betrayals and cruelty we see on screen these days, so shows like heartstopper, Ann with an e and some others, bring me absolute joy. We have enough difficulties in our real lives already, let's at least watch something that brings us happiness
I too love both shows for the reasons you’ve said. My daughter just started a rewatch of Anne with an E after binging Heartstopper repeatedly.
Please watch the whole thing!! You don't have to do it in front of a camera, but I'd love to see you discuss it after you've watched all of it
Loving these heartstopper reactions!!! Keep em' coming!!!
Do you mind reviewing Charlie's mental health issues and how it presents itself throughout season 2 - mostly near the end? Of course it would have to warn people of spoilers but I'd love to get your take on it! Seems like that will be a huge plot for season 3.
Your summary of why heartstopper is so great at the end .
please please please watch the whole series, you'll love it. I totally agree with you when you say this series is amazing for displaying healthy relationships, optimistic hopes, and not toxic adrenaline rushes, and also the fact that this is LOVE no matter what your sexual orientation is (speaking as a straight person, this series is heart warming to watch and totally relatable!!!)
I really wanna see him react at to the end of the second season when Charlie finally lets Ben talk to him.
That scene brings me to tears. Especially when I pay attention to the song's lyrics at the end. The part that expresses fears about whether the emotional stresses will take away the joy.
My favorite Doctor and my favorite TV show!!! I am so happy!!! 😍💖🍂🏳️🌈 You had completly understood the meaning of Heartstopper even if you watched only a few scenes. It is a show about love, all the love. Between lovers, children and parents, brothers and sisters and the family we choose: friends. ❤️
OMG. I never thought of why I like Heartstopper so much. It's because being LGBT is hard enough without seeing how hard it is in a fantasy world as well. It's so unbelievably nice, and unusual to just see a healthy relationship with beautiful supporting friends and mutual respect.
It's gotten to the point where pretty much anytime I watch literally any Heartstopper clip, I tear up at best and break down at worst. As a trans, bi, ace young adult who was forced back into the closet after my mom had a violent reaction, seeing this representation is so important and means so much. Also knowing that my little cousin who's also queer has this show in his age bracket means everything to me, because my experience has been absolute hell being trans in a transphobic household unable to escape, and because of that I can't really talk to him much about home life, but I hope more than anything that him and every queer kid in younger generations can see this show and see that it's okay, they'll find their people-their chosen family-and see that being queer is not only beautiful, it's NORMAL. You are definitely missing out on such an amazing show with so many intricate and individualized storylines and character arcs and just a beautiful story. I could not recommend this show more, whether you're the "main audience" or not! I hope you enjoy it whenever you do watch it!
I hope you're able to be in a supportive environment sooner than later.
🙏❤🏳⚧🏳🌈
I am so sorry you are going through such difficult times. I hope you are able to find a chosen family that loves and accepts you for you. Sending you a hug, from a mom of two teenagers who wishes all parents could be loving and accepting of their kids. ❤
I binged both seasons in 3 days.
You are missing getting flooded with joy flowing out of whatever screen you watch this show on.
I have never had a film or show make me FEEL so much emotion. So to feel so much joy, love, pride, etc as a white, straight woman means something to me.
You really should (yes I know, we don’t should on ourselves) watch the series. The episodes are very short and easy to get through in a few hours
Your not wrong. They are as sweet and beautiful as they seem
💛LOVE HEARTSTOPPER! 💙 Fantastic cast of dynamic young actors! So emotionally invested in these characters! Drop whatever you had planned to watch & see this series FIRST!
I want this guy to be my therapist.
Honestly i want him to speak to my dad abt lgbtq+, i feel like he could make my dad understand it better and be more supportive.
I'm queer, and I see a lot of queer people loving the show, but also a lot of people being angry about it bring 'sanitized' and contributing to the purity culture, which I don't agree with. Sure, it's a bit of a "rose-colored glasses" perspective, which is a very deliberate choice, I feel, obvious even with the color scheme they use and the animations. And it's delightful, and I love it (I didn't always), and it's not the same thing as being sanitized. The issue people have is that because there's not that many shows about queer people, every single one of then gets scrutinized for not representing every single queer experience from every single angle. This show does the best it can. For instance, I'm 40 and I've realized this after 30, so teens coming out at 15 is not something I can relate to, but! my school experience was much more like Heartstopper than Euphoria, so this I can relate to. There being an ace character I can both relate to and appreciate. There being genuine friendships and support (instead of never-ending cat fighting and back stabbing) I can relate to and appreciate. And it's so tiresome when people think that for something to be a good work of art it needs to be edgy, dark and poisonous.
Just started rereading the comics. I have one bookshelf with Books on it. Half is Alice Oseman (Heartstopper Authur) and the other half is D&D
What is D&D?
@@lancelotfabre3530 Dungeons and Dragons
Just manuals and stuff. Basically I don’t have a lot of my books, so my bookshelf would look weird to anyone who saw it: half being Hearts Stopper and half being Dungeons and Dragons
@@chriskagamine358 Haha OK, thanks for answering!
It's a beautiful and wise and loving show for all ages. It has so much to teach aĺl of us.
I love heartstopper. It is so wholesome and easy to watch and it really has a positive effect on me and actually one of the things Nick said made me ask help. Wich is in the last episode, I would love hearing what you think about the last scene in the last episode where Charlie talks with Nick about the bullying from the past
5/5Heartstoppers⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
5:05... I totally relate to what he said about how we turn to pop culture for drama, I started watching heartstoppers with a sense of alertness, believing Nick was gonna play Charlie, I have been so used to society wishing ill stuff to lgbtqia+ people and so used to see only dysfunctional or drama filled lgbtqia+ relationships, that this show honestly surprised me, once I let go of my expectations and rewatched the first half of the first season, I couldn't stop gasping, and smiling and crying for a lot of the stuff I wish I could have had when I was growing up.
The scene where Nick comes out to his mom... I cried my soul out, I feel hopeful for the generations to come :)
I am watching it for the third time. I had similar experience when I was in high school. I had a crush on a friend who turn out to be straight. And this show bring back memories of my younger life. I totally enjoy all the romance. I just love the entire series.
You need to react to the whole s1 and s2 it’s such a good show!! , it deals with mental health and coming out and stuff there’s so much for a therapist to talk about with this show
Heartstopper is like a cup of hot chocolate. Yes, there is some drama in it to have a storyline and antagonists, but it's overall very sweet and wholesome. Friendship is very important and the basis for every lovestory, and there's no focus on sex (since I as a 15yo wouldn't have been ready for that either so I really like that) but on how first love feels like, on the butterflies in your stomach and kisses and gentle, exciting touches; but also about not losing touch with your friends just because you have a partner now. It's not about immediate sex, hookups or cheating, it's about loyalty and trust and that is just wonderful
I can't wait till you're caught up on ALL the episodes! You deserve to watch it the whole way through.
Repeating what others have said but you should do the whole show. It would give you SO much content to talk about, because mental health is such a strong theme - but a lot of that storyline has to be watched in context to understand and grasp what’s happening. I feel like there’s a lot of subtle moments in the first season especially that you could use to help people understand what signs to look out for when people are struggling. But you will miss out on a lot of that if you just react out of order like you seem to be doing.
Pleeeaaaassse go watch it!
Tara and darcy are that lovely
Watch the full series. It is a wonderful series and your reactions are incomplete without the full background of the show
6:47 That is sadly very true. Made up stories are usually chaotic drama - it's lies, misunderstandings, cheating, intrigues ... "Based on a true story"-movies on the ther hand tend to be centered around internal drama. I've seen a handful of the movies that have come out lately that are centered around famous people and *everyone* of them portrays either suicide attempts or at least a protagonist who is selfdestructive and depressed. When I watch movies/tv-series it's because I want to *get away* from those pains in my own life, not to be reminded of them even more, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. So I'm totally with you - more movies and tv-shows with healthy reationships and happy stories would be a welcome contrast
Hey Producers! Don't forget Isaac!!
Yes! Keep the Heartstopper coming! Love hearing your thoughts Jono
I need you to watch this whole show. It’s so freaking beautiful!! And it’s so healing for so many lgbtqia+ people because as a society, we’ve been trained to accept that bad things happen to queer people on screen. Queer people don’t get their happy endings. But that’s not how Heartstopper is at all.
I need a reaction to Aziraphale and Crowley’s relationship building up to the season 2 finale
What are you missing by not having watched Heartstopper yet? It's a sweet, poignant, and empowering story that illustrates the complexities of love and how our experiences affect our ability to express and accept love.
This is an absolutely beautifully accurate summary!
I keep seeing these individual reactions to scenes from heartstopper and every time you talk about getting around to reacting to the full show. I'll watch again if you ever actually do that. :)
Ive watched 5 minutes and dude just watch the thing 😭😭😭😭😭
Love how he thinks it's all cute, it is but it's also very sad
YES This!!! This is what we want to see when it comes to wholesome representation!!!
One RAW React I'd love to see from you is the Tangled series! You've done Cinema Therapy with Alan on the movie, but there is also a series!! Varian and Cassandra are the main characters I'd LOVE to see you react to! They could easily get therapized LOL
I love studio ghibli
suggestion: family dynamics in umbrella academy
yes, i'd love that as well!
Well this is a bit awkward out of context (Tara and Darcy being interpreted as "allies"). 😅
"i´m an ally"
Shhhh I'm enjoying the inaccuracies
You should watch the whole show! 2 seasons are out already!
I’ll echo what others have said. Please watch the whole thing!! And then give us lots of analysis vids! It is helping fans process and heal from childhood trauma, sexual assault, etc. it’s actually very powerful. I would love to hear your opinion on the show’s scenes depicting abuse vs consent.
It's too true that we want healthy relationships in our shows ❤❤
Heartstopper is amazing, I have been OBSESSED.
I think that you should search up Basil and Sunny's relationship in Omori and how that it is an example for how relationships whether friends or more, that are like that aren't the best.
I'm loving these, but I'd love even more that you watch the Wheel of Time. Mental Health is a focus of that series in both of the books and the show. The author was a Vietnam vet, and he writes the characters with that lived experience. Rand's arc is absolutely masterful in that sense. And the show is doing that so well. Showing the different struggles the characters have in such a real way. It's so perfect for so many topics you could cover here, since the series is wayyyy too long for you guys to cover on Cinema Therapy.
please do a cinema therapy to the whole show i think Alan would love the choices that are made with the production on this show
I think it's important to note that whilst, yes, some things that happen in straight rlationships do happen im queer ones, as you saw in that clip, the show also shows the divergences. There are queer experiences that cannot be mapped onto straight ones and yjr comparison isn't exactly one-to-one. As you may have seen, that entire quessing game to figure out if your crush could be attracted to the same gender as you? Especially if you're closeted, actually, and even if not, the worry they could break your trust. And then there are the jokes of how fast some queer relationships move simply because, like, finding someone who's attracted to you and you're attracted to them is difficult, etc.
Are you talking about the scene in 1x3 when the guys are in the empty room in the hotel (where the party is)?
The language use alone intrigues me; Charlie has to be so careful:
Charlie (upon learning that Nick might actually have a crush on some unspecified someone): What is she like, then?
Nick: You're going to assume that they're a she.
[The use of 'they' to create distance and ambiguity related to gender]
Charlie: Are they not a girl?
Charlie: Would you go out with someone that is not a girl?
Avoiding the word 'boy' by using the distancing "not a girl" makes his question safer.
***
The linguistic choices in the dialogue and in the text messages throughout the show catch my attention every time.
Honestly I’d love to see a full series reaction from @CinemaTherapy as another collab with @DrElliotReacts, whose episodic reaction videos I’ve been following avidly. ❤
There are so many other clips of the show that I would love for you to react to. Season two fainting seen in Paris. And Nick and Charlie are talking about bullying.
I do like your reactions and takes if we look at things without the context of what happens earlier in the show, but without the contexts all you can really do is guess and make assumptions.
I think this show really would be a great one for a therapist to react to as a whole, there's so much somebody like you could talk about here if you went through each episode.
2:57 shout it for the people in the back
I started reading your master's thesis today about gender roles in Pixar (2010). Thanks for linking it on the mended light website.
You are not wrong. Tara and Darcy are as sweet and supportive in the show.
Tbh, I never got past the first few episodes, but it made me cry, because I was never that accepted as a kid.
My mum and I had watch all of season 1 of Heartstopper last weekend. While I was very frustrated with the way Tao acted when Nick arrived, my mum understood where he was coming from. I did too but I was more huffy about it 😅
U definitely need to watch the full show. Especially season 2 which delves into mental illness a bit
I'd love to see you react to The Summer I Turned Pretty season 2 clips and talk about grief/losing a parent at a young age.
I like that you said that LGBTQ is more than sex. I am an LGBTQ that likes romance and connection. Heartstopper shows that and much more. You really need to watch both seasons. As I commented earlier their are two scenes, one with Charlie and his siter in Season one and one with Charlie and Nick, last episode season 2 that I would love to hear your analysis of. BTW Tori and my sister are very much alike.
As a parent or professional, watch it at 1.5 speed. 8 eps, 30 min each = 160 minutes = 2hrs 40 min. You can always put it at normal speed for some parts that are more complicated (of which there are none) but nicer to view some Paris scenes at regular pace.
What you said at the end of the video at 8:40 - 9:25 I absolutely agree because my parents especially my step dad only thinks that queer ppl only want to have sex and that homosexuality is only about sex. Me as a lesbian, it hurts hearing that because like you said sex is one desire but we also have other desires like old school romance and just wanting love and connection with some one of the same gender. My step dad will never look at it like normal hetero love but I hope my mom maybe will change her view knowing the nice woman she is, I have hope she can change her view and be accepting one day.
I once had a crush on my best friend in high school but I had a boyfriend at the time and never acted on it. Then years after falling in love and getting married to a man, I developed a huge crush on a female friend. It was because of her personality and the emotional intimacy we shared as close friends but there was sexual attraction as well. Again I never acted on it but I did tell my husband and he was understanding (and appreciative I didn’t cheat). So, my experience with attraction to girls in the past stemmed from loving them first as a friend. As I get older, I find myself attracted to both women and men but am still happily married.
Hopefully in time, your mom at least, will come around to a place of understanding and acceptance. Maybe she would be willing at some point to watch Heartstopper (or Schitt’s Creek is another good one for straights to enjoy) and her views may broaden. Time can have a way of weakening one’s resolve. In the meantime I hope you find the kindness and support you deserve. (Hugs)