#Heartstopper s1e8

[ticktockheartstop]

How did I only just now realize that Ben actually SHEDS A TEAR when Charlie tells him off after the Sports Day race!?!?!?

[nnicknnelsonn]

uh, yes

was that not established the last ten times we made out

{prev} so in love {next}

[behindthesefangirleyes]

I know it was unavoidable, but I’m still gutted that we won’t see Olivia Colman in the profound beach scene about love and support.

[stopper-my-heart]

In which Charlie is also a cat and Nick is more Nellie than golden retriever - Heartstopper S1E8

[bairdthereader]

Heartstopper Elders: Mr. Ajayi

No adult in Heartstopper steps into the gap as well as Nathan Ajayi.

Charlie

I don't think it's coincidence that Mr. Ajayi is the first adult we see interacting with Charlie on a meaningful, personal level. In the comics Mr. Ajayi is not introduced until he chaperones the Paris trip, but in the show Alice has made him a keeper of Charlie's past, a rare empathetic witness to his trauma, and the only adult to whom Charlie feels comfortable opening up. We learn almost as much about Charlie from his interactions with Mr. Ajayi as we do from his conversations with friends; in some ways, more.

When he asks Charlie if everything is okay because it's been a while since Charlie has hidden at lunchtime, Charlie replies he isn't hiding, he's eating (though he clearly is not). There's a moment where Mr. Ajayi has a small smile on his face, but his eyes are sad. He knows Charlie is deflecting; he knows Charlie is worried about something, he knows he's not eating. He also knows there's a chance he might not get a straight answer out of Charlie if he pushes too hard. So he starts by checking in on the bullying, which is a problem he and Charlie have dealt with together in the past, effectively reminding Charlie of the preexisting trust between them.

Reminded of the depth of Mr. Ajayi's caring and support, Charlie ventures to talk a bit about the new problem, which we all know is Ben. Joe's performance here is amazing--the hesitancy, the almost stream of consciousness verbal working out of his perception of the situation in real time, the intense frustration of not understanding why Ben behaves the way he does. As Charlie talks, Mr. Ajayi's expression is one of dismayed understanding. There is a high likelihood that he or someone he is close to has experienced a similar situation, and he can recognize what's happening in Charlie's "relationship" better than Charlie can at this point (though Charlie definitely figures it out in the end).

Mr. Ajayi knows from past experiences with Charlie that he often keeps his problems to himself. His repeated suggestion that Charlie talk, both to Ben and to his friends, is Mr. Ajayi's attempt to counteract what he sees as one of Charlie's more harmful self-defense mechanisms--silence. This is a bit of foreshadowing, since it takes many hard conversations throughout the entirety of season 2 for Charlie to really talk to Nick about some of his problems.

It's also telling that when Mr. Ajayi asks Charlie why he hasn't talked to his friends about Ben, his answer is "they wouldn't get it . . . because they're not gay." You can see Mr. Ajayi's visible frustration with this statement because not only is it Charlie's excuse to avoid sharing this important part of his life with his friends, but it also fails to give his friends the chance to prove that they could understand. Mr. Ajayi doesn't push, though, which is one of his strong suits. He knows Charlie needs to figure some of this out on his own ("I can't solve your problems for you").

Of course, we all know and love this scene in S1E8 where Mr. Ajayi encourages Charlie not to hide. He knows instantly exactly why Charlie is there, and he knows that this time Charlie doesn't need protection, he needs a push, he needs real talk. So that's what Mr. Ajayi does. At first, Charlie avoids eye contact, denying it when Nathan points out that Charlie is returning to harmful and isolating behaviors, but Mr. Ajayi knows this is the moment to double down and really get under Charlie's armor. He pursues eye contact with Charlie, making sure he's listening.

Nathan tells Charlie that hiding can be safer and easier, but not always worth the loneliness that results. It's an absolutely beautiful moment because Mr. Ajayi is not only acknowledging Charlie's fears, but his strengths as well. Charlie has so many moments of bravery, has overcome so much, and Mr. Ajayi knows this better than almost anyone else. He knows that Charlie doesn't really want to hide, and he's telling Charlie to turn back to that part of himself that he knows is strong enough to keep going.

On the surface, it seems that Mr. Ajayi is telling Charlie not to let bullies make him disappear, but he says anyone. That includes Nick, who Charlie is trying so hard to protect that he's hurting himself in the process; Tao, who at this point is blaming Charlie for some of his own internal struggles (we all do this sometimes, so Tao is not horrible, just human); as well as Charlie himself, as he has a tendency to apologize for and regret his own existence. This is where Charlie returns Nathan's eye contact, really absorbing what he has to say. The fact that Charlie takes this advice and forges ahead shows that Mr. Ajayi's words carry a lot of weight with Charlie and that he has deployed them in a way that Charlie can accept, two things that are only possible where there is trust, respect, and a strong bond.

Though we don't see as many one-on-one interactions between Mr. Ajayi and Charlie in S2, Nathan's presence on the Paris trip is especially important at a few critical points. When we see his reaction to Imogen's very public breakup with Ben, we're seeing him not only feel teacherly concern for this antagonistic moment between the couple, but he's also putting some pieces together about Charlie. Mr. Ajayi is, at this point I think, the only person aside from Nick who now knows (or at least suspects) that the "secret boyfriend" was Ben. He’s getting a more complete picture of what’s been happening with Charlie and the deeply negative effects of that relationship, especially now that Imogen is exposing what kind of person Ben is to people who may not have seen that side of him before.

Likewise, when Charlie passes out at the Louvre and tells a very concerned Mr. Ajayi that he just hasn't eaten enough that day, Nathan has to be connecting the dots with all the times Charlie came to his room at lunchtime but didn't actually eat, or ate very little, and coming to the realization that there’s a deeper and more problematic cause for this pattern.

Though we don't see any onscreen discussions between Charlie and Mr. Ajayi about these revelations, we know that Nathan is in tune enough with Charlie to understand that bigger currents are moving in Charlie's life than show on the surface, and I imagine this will come into play in some way in S3. There is at least one adult in Charlie's life who has some understanding of what might really be going on with him, and who better than Nathan Ajayi.

Honorable mention goes to the way Mr. Ajayi quietly supports the Narlie relationship:

Elle

We have to assume that Mr. Ajayi certainly played a similar, possibly even more protective, role in Elle's life. When she's at Truham for sports day, despite calling the school a hellhole she hoped she'd never be back in, she's clearly comfortable in Mr. Ajayi's art room. She says she spent "every" lunchtime in his art room working on her landscape piece, so we know Mr. Ajayi allowed Elle to not only complete her coursework but also seek refuge.

Elle also used the art room as the setting for her piece for Lambert, showing that not only are her friends her safe place, but so is the actual physical space of Mr. Ajayi's classroom. This room, and this teacher, were a place where she could be her true self and heal from the wounds inflicted by the cruelty of other students and teachers. And, so importantly, Mr. Ajayi's room with its intrinsic safety allowed Charlie and Elle to relax and let down their guards, fostering an environment where this core friend group was able to grow even more tight-knit.

I dearly wish Mr. Ajayi had been there to see the reveal and celebration of Elle's piece, which was in large part possible because of him. Mr. Ajayi makes himself and his space into a sanctuary for the students who need him, and what is more heroic than that?

[Side Note: Nathan stands in the gap for Youssef too, without a doubt. That's it's own post.]

Bonus: Mr. Ajayi's sarcasm is perfection.

[bethaven]

#22 Heartstopper

Plot: Nick and Charlie get placed together at form in school and immediately - sparks. Charlie's unsure if Nick likes him back, or even if he's non-straight. Nick on the other hand, get very confused about these new feelings. Meeting, falling in love and being out turns out to be more complicated than they could've ever imagined. But it's the love story of the century and together with supportive friends and family they can overcome anything. We also get to follow their friends and family in their own endeavours, like the relationships between Tao and Elle and Tara and Darcy as well as Isaac's ace-journey.

Years: 2022-

Seasons: 2 (season three arriving in 2024)

My story: There's so much to say here, but I'll try to keep it short. I discovered Heartstopper shortly after the first season had arrived to Netflix. It fast became one of my favourites and led to a few rewatches over the first year. But I didn't move further into the fandom just yet. When season 2 dropped I'd been longing for it all summer. I'd had a rough year with chaos at work combined with both my grandfathers passing away within two months. I'd been keeping myself distracted with travelling all summer, but then suddenly there were no distractions left. My mental health spiraled. The only thing that kept me afloat was Heartstopper. I watched all episodes everyday for about two months. I read the comics over and over. I went deep into the Osemanverse and I read books, which I normally never do. I got into tumblr. All of it kind of became my saving. And I owe it all to Alice Oseman.

Teachable moments: For me Heartstopper teaches us primarily about how love is always just love, in whichever form it comes in. Wheither it's platonic, romantic or other types of love, wheither it's the love you feel for your partner or the love you feel for friends and family - they're all valid and important.

Best character: Even though I love them all, I've always had a soft spot for Charlie. There's so many layers of him and I am really looking forward to how the rest of his journey will be portrayed on screen. He has the biggest heart and is so much stronger than he thinks.

Best episode: "Boyfriend" (S1E8). I love how this episode start at the deep end and ends on a high note. Nick's speach and their kiss in the corridor together with the beach trip just makes this perfect. A big runner up is "Truth/Dare" (S2E6), not the least for Tara and Darcy's story and growth.

Best quote: "I think there's this idea that when you're not straight you have to tell all your friends and family immediately, like you owe it to them. But you don't." (Charlie to Nick) This line has really helped me in my own journey about sexuality/attractions.

Fun fact: It'd be hard to find a fun fact that the Heartstopper fandom didn't already know (even though it might be true for all the series in this calendar). But for the not so initiated it'd be fun to know that Joe Locke, who plays Charlie, got the role through an open audition and this is his first time acting professionally. In 2024 he'll be both in a new Marvel series (which, in a parallel universe is quite funny since Charlie doesn't like Marvel) and do his Broadway debut in Sweeny Todd.

If you like this you might also like: Young Royals, Skins, Tales of the City, Skam and Atypical.

(Heartstopper is the adaptation of Alice Oseman's webcomic and books. Volume 5 was just released and volume 6 will be the last one. The webcomic is normally released three times a month, but will now be on a hiatus for about six months, until Alice have some volume 6 stuff to share. Also check out the novellas Nick and Charlie and This winter as well as Alice's novels Solitaire (where the story about Nick and Charlie started), Radio Silence, I was born for this and Loveless. She has also written and created the Netflix series.)

[whitestopper]

Heartstopper S2E1 thoughts

Tori already seems bored of being a 25 year old still at high school. Damn, I'd be too.

Exactly how much time has passed since S1E8 because they're in the same mixed-group Y10/Y11 (this makes sense since these are GCSE years)? How many weeks?

Imogen's dog didn't even do a full roll. Pathetic (I am being light-hearted, it's a cute dog).

Me at every non-Harry rugby lad that interacts with Nick or Charlie: (Mackenzie Zales voice) who the fuck are you

How long would Elle have walked with Tao had her mother never shown up. How long.

Ben is right. They are being very gay. They also talk very loudly in the locker room.

I would have shh-ed Ben very obviously but I don't know if guys do that.

I am happy to see Tao and his dumplings (TAO'S BAOS). Now let him punch racist Harry in the face.

Glad to see Isaac starting to have an arc but it could've started in S1.

How come only Elle and Tao were outside and only working on Elle's art GCSE? I get everyone except Isaac (maybe him too, possibly) would know to give them alone time but it just seems unnatural given that they were all in the front room and then those two just popped outside.

Honestly, Tao is allowed (all-Tao-wed) to be confused/put off by his best friend trying to kiss him. It's a kind of change that you need to talk about at the beginning of a relationship and they haven't even started it.

I'm curious as to how Elle's experience as a black trans girl factors into this but I doubt it'll be brought up.

If I needed to pee but my friend decided to dwaddle about trying to come out to me, I'd kill him. Imogen is a saint for that.

Imogen is right. It was very obvious. She is also very sweet and I'll protect her forever.

Elle, stop talking about trying to flirt with Tao. He's right there. Other people are there.

Tao, Nick and Charlie need to get off their phones and go to sleep.

[shewatchestvtoo]

Heartstopper S1E8 "Boyfriend"

[quinnigallagherjones]

6, 18, 21, 25

hiiii babyyyy !!! 🥺❤️

6. episode of tv or webisode that defined the year for you?

s1e8 a small light (it broke me but it was so fucking good) honourable mentions: s3e5 heartstopper / s2e8 iwtv (but also all of s2) / s3e8 the bear

18. a memorable meal this year?

you ;)))) hahaha not but on a serious note i am gonna say the meal at my brother's wedding (especially the cake !!!)

21. what's something new about your place of residence (room, home, or general location) now vs the start of the year?

i now have an electric guitar and a bookshelf in my placeeeee :))

25. did you create any characters (in games, art, or writing) this year?

THEO WILEY MY ABSOLUTE BELOVED <3333 he is my son frrr, i adore himmmmm !!!!!!!

end of the year asks !!

[heartstoppermybeloved]

nick, i believe you - (but I'm nick) - heartstopper s1e8 heatstopper season 1 episode 8 nick and charlie #heartstopper #nickandcharlie. via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-9XFRoiWwU

[alittlequotecollector]

"When I was at school, I thought that hiding from it all was safer, easier. But sometimes the loneliness was just as bad. Don't let anyone make you disappear, Charlie." - Mr. Ajayi, Heartstopper (S1E8)

[watercolourfoxes]

I haven’t seen anyone mention that Alice Oseman makes a cameo in the last episode of Heartstopper but I thought it was really cute!

[nnicknnelsonn]

photo booth

all the kissing bits prev // next

{prev} so in love {next}

[secondclassfangirl]

For the prompt HANDLE WITH CARE @allvalley100 (#3)

(*A lil Mother’s Day softness very much inspired by the coming out scene in Heartstopper S1E8)

Johnny clears his throat, steeling himself.

“Mom?”

Laura looks up from her book, frowning as she takes in Johnny’s hunched posture.

“You know how Daniel’s, like, my best friend?”

She nods.

“He’s…my boyfriend.” Johnny swallows. “Daniel’s my boyfriend.”

Laura’s eyes soften. “Oh, baby.”

She wraps her arms around him and pulls him close to her chest, holding him the way she did when he was a kid: soft, careful.

“Thank you for telling me,” she murmurs. “I love you.”

Tenderly, she wipes the tears from his cheeks, and Johnny relaxes into her gentle touch, finally reassured—like she’d be anything but.

[theodoraflowerday]

heartstopper s1e8 live reaction post

this is already not starting on a good note lol bye

tori throwing a thing at charlie to grab his attention! we love a big sister!

"I'm like 95% sure they were both harry's fault and I wasn't even there" WE LOVE A VOICE OF REASON

CHARLIE NOOOOOOOOOOO

"you're not ruining my life" "thanks" that is absolutely tori and charlie's relationship in a nutshell

but legit, tori is the best

NICK'S PANIC FACE

I really wish we got more nick and tao, this scene is absolutely goddamn superb and they really do bounce off each other beautifully as two people who love charlie and worry about him! gimme more nicktao!!!!!!!!!!!!

TAOS FACE WHEN NICK SUGGESTS RUGBY

no offense to the show but I kinda prefer it when nick and charlie are being adorable and stable and communicating properly so like get on that

I love nathan ajayi so goddamn MUCH

DON'T LET ANYONE MAKE YOU DISAPPEAR

if I had a friend who offered to do a sports thing for me I would simply forgive that friend for anything else that happened for the rest of our lives

"you don't get to have an opinion about anything I do" WRECK THAT BITCH CHARLIE

"do you want me to go around telling people about you and nick?" "do you want me to go around telling people about me and you?" LET'S GOOOOO WRECK THIS BITCH CHARLIE KICK HIM IN THE DICK

darcy is a giant lesbian except every time tara kisses her she seems to be having a gay crisis all over again

OH MY GOD WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN HERE

ELLE????? MM MM??

WHAT?

oh. come ONNNNNNNN

okay but I would absolutely prefer if they waited to kiss at the louvre because the romanticism of it is chefs fuckin kiss

"as some teenagers crash into each other and fall over repeatedly"

proud bf charlie 🥰

this is extremely high school musical 3 of nick and charlie

WHAT. What just HAOOEBED

WHAT JUST HAPOENED

WHATHDMZ JUST HAPPEN. D???????

WHAT JUST HAPPENED??????????? DID NICK JUST

THIS ISKT JAPOENIGNGJFKFJDLGJDLGKDLFKDLKF

MY LIFE IS WAY BETTER BECAUSE I MET YOU

IT'S ALL WORTJ IT TO BE WITH YOY I'M ACTIVELY SCREAMING KNTO MY PILLOW

IF YOU REALLY WANT TO BREAK UP I WOULD RESPECT YOUR DECISION BUT I WANT US TO BE TOGETHER YOU'RE MY FAVORITE EPWRSON

I'M JUMPING OFF MY FUCKIN BALCONY AS WE SÑEAK NICHOLAS NELSON YOUR BRAIN IT AMSZDS ME

I BELIEVE YOu

THEY'RE GOING ON THE EATE

I'M EATIKG MY FuckcKING ARM

I'M DY8GKGNDKT

THE PHOTOBO9TJ

I XNST BREARHE

HES GOING TO DO IT ISN'T HE

HES DOING IT

I'M DUING

I LIKE CHARLIE SPRING IN A ROMANTIC WAY NOT JUST A FRIEND WAY

YES??? WAS THAT NOT ESTSBLISHED THE LAST TEN TIMES WE MADE OUT

I have never been so happy with an adaptation before but that beach scene was everything I wanted it to be and more

the flower wallpaper 🥺

olivia-sarah is my favorite

NOT THE MONTAGE

THE FUNAL HUG

I can't believe I'm done

review: I'm going to catch some shut eye and then wake up and watch the whole thing again. it was perfect.

[mashpotatoyeti]

The Endless Summer 1966

ST4 Ep.2 and Heartstopper S1E8