Heartwarmer

 So I recently finished watching the 8 episode Netflix series Heartstopper and let me tell you, it is a must watch. So the first thing I have to say about this show is that it is completely wholesome. It is about a boy named Charlie Springer as he navigates developing a crush on an older boy at his school. Charlie is gay and out about it, but he was outed by someone else and endured bullying and alienation as a result, which is pretty obvious at the onset of the story. At the beginning of the story, Charlie is meeting up with this other boy whose name escapes me because he's really not all that important to the story. What is important is that the way he treats his relationship with Charlie is wrong. The guy only talks to Charlie over an app when he wants to meet up in secret for a make out session, never talks to him in public and even pretends he doesn't know Charlie if any of his friends are around. When Charlie witnesses this guy making out with a girl at the front gate, he decides he's had enough and calls the relationship off. Enter Nick Nelson, a Jock whose a year older than Charlie. Nick happens to be assigned the seat next to Charlie and the two end up becoming friends, all while Charlie harbors a huge unrequited crush on Nick. But Nick is straight (or so everyone believes) and Charlie is chastised by his friend group repeatedly to get over his crush because it's definitely not going to develop into anything more.

It's pretty obvious from the onset of their friendship that Nick likes Charlie, and not just in a platonic way. Eventually, even Nick starts to notice and then he begins to question his sexuality. I won't tell you how it ends because that would spoil everything and I really think you should watch it because it's sooo good. I will tell you that everything about the show is just beautifully done and perfect. The side characters need mentioning because there are more LGBT characters than just Charlie Spring (and possibly Nick Nelson, you'll have to watch it to see the answer to that one). There is Elle Argent, who until last year also attending the all boys' school even though she is a trans girl. She has finally been transferred to an all girls school and her character arc is mostly about finding friends at her new school and navigating developing a crush on one of her best friends Tao Xu. Tao Xu is actually the only straight/cis person in the friend group, which is a refreshing change from the usual token LGBT character. Then there is Isaac Henderson, whose sexuality is never confirmed but it is implied heavily that he is asexual/aromantic. Elle eventually makes friends with two girls at her school Tara Jones and Darcy Olsson who it turns out are dating each other. Early in the show Charlie's friends learn that according to school gossip Nick has a crush on Tara, it is later revealed that the two shared a kiss when they were 13 at a party, but Nick never shows interest in Tara during the present time. 

Nick's friend group is less diverse, consisting of mostly jocks from the rugby team the ringleader of which (Harry) is a homophobic and transphobic bully. Thankfully, Nick eventually stops hanging out with those jerky people after he realizes what they're really like. Nick's altercation with Harry after Harry calls Charlie a homophobic slur is the most satisfying punch ever. You really hate Harry for everything he's done through the course of the show, but I was reading the wiki fan page and apparently his character experiences at least some growth in the original source material. It is unclear if the Netflix series is going to continue past the point it has gotten to, though.

I really enjoyed all the Charlie and Nick interactions and watching their little friendship blossom and watching them crush on each other without the other one picking up on it. It was very heartwarming.

Another character I found interesting was Charlie's sister Tory. This is because it seems like Tory presents as autistic. I've also seen some other people online second this opinion. Either way, she is a very unique and interesting character in her own right.

In conclusion, please watch this very beautiful coming of age LGBT love story. Thanks for tuning in, see you next time.