The c0pyright machine kept trimming this reaction down. If you'd like to see the extended and uncensored reaction with absolutely no trimming, you can do so at my Patreon for $2.50 www.patreon.com/imkristinaespinoza Happy Holidays! X
I haven't watched your second reaction, I just finished this one so I'm not sure if anyone else responded. You asked anyone who was young today if that's what school was like so here is your answer from a gen-z super-fan of Heartstopper: I read the books through my time in middle school and season one came out when I was still in Highschool (I'm now in college). From all accounts, yes, this is what Highschool is like still. In fact worst things happen then what is depicted in this show in my experience being the same age as the actors in the show. Of course some places are different and some students get lucky, however it wasn't uncommon to hear stories. I ran the Pride Alliance club in my Highschool at the time and everyone in the club was so excited to watch this show. We were happy to see that the British equal to the American Highschool experience wasn't being totally sugar coated, and that the show was making the books impact reach farther audiences. Every one of us had stories we could draw parallels to in this series. Even in a relatively progressive state, in a city, we faced harassment. It was hard to keep the doors open on the club sometimes. This is ten times worst if you were a Trans student. Even teachers would be horrible. I decided to make my senior English project a media analysis of Heartstopper BECAUSE my English teacher was so homophobic and transphobic. He tried to fail me, but I documented all my work with the office in case that happened, and so I graduated! When we told older people of the harassment we faced from other students, nothing would be done either, even in case of vandalism, destruction of property, and even assault. However, regardless of the crap we dealt with from other students and teachers alike, it was amazing for us to see the joy represented in this show. The series isn't all about darkness, while also making the audience aware that the darkness is STILL there. It gave us hope. Anyways, sorry the bit of disorganized ramble but I can totally be of help if you have any more questions about younger gen z queer experiences. I now help run the Lgbt club/activism group at my college! *PS* super excited when I got this in my feed to see a Latina react to this. As a Puerto Rican I was like yes I'm clicking. I wanna see everyone's diverse opinions on this show!! And thank you for taking the time to read my comment
@@angelp2092 My apologies - I'm just seeing this comment for the first time. Thank you for being so vulnerable and opening up to tell your story. You seem like a very resilient person who knows yourself well - not allowing others to throw you off your course. The fact that you made your senior English project a media analysis of Heartstopper, despite that your English teacher was so homophobic, is such a power move and shows your strength. Despite everything you and your former classmates went through in high school, I'm glad you all seemed to enjoy this show for what it is, showing the bad and the good of the experience (although more good than bad since the show is so wholesome). I'm glad you're continuing on, with helping run the LGBTQ club/activisim group at your college! It's always wonderful to meet another fellow queer Latine - I don't meet them often and knowing there's plenty of us actually out there, makes me feel less alone in that part of my identity. Thank you so much for your comment and giving me a better perspective of what it's like nowadays. I really appreciate it!
@@KristinaEspinoza his next two professional roles have been in the MARVEL Agatha spinoff set to release later this year, and in Sweeney Todd on Broadway starting today! He's such a star!!
@@mariebouthillette8101 He's on Broadway now?! Niiiiice. I haven't been keeping up with the Marvel lore but I might be interested in seeing Agatha just for him ☠️
I absolutely love the appreciation for Charlie in this video!! so many people overlook him and it’s so refreshing seeing Charlie talked about more. He’s such an empathetic and selfless human with a quiet confidence that I absolutely adore. He’s so precious I just want to put him in my pocket lol. can’t wait to see your reaction to s2! Btw do pay close attention to Charlie’s thought patters and behaviors bc there is some subliminal messaging there and will come closer to the surface in s2.
Finally someone who reacted *correctly* to the harassment scene with Ben and Charlie from ep 1. I've seen so many reactors just play it off as, "well, that was a little weird." It's infuriating.
Also the 3 guys on Reel Time. They really do understand what's going on. (One of the guys looked like he was going to puke when he saw Ben assault Charlie. ) [One caveat is that one of the 3 guys seems to be stoned a lot. (Nevertheless, he has a good heart and empathizes with the guys. He especially likes Charlie.)]
The scene where Harry asks if they are good nick just lies to him to get back to Charlie. He cant stand Harry. He still has to interact with him and the rugby team because he’s team captain and he really doesn’t have much friends besides the rugby lads
Thank you for explaining that to me! It makes a lot more sense that Nick was just going along with it in an effort to get back to Charlie as soon as he could.
This reaction is like water in the desert. I thought I have seen literally every single reaction to season one that was out there. Not only is this awesome, but your edits are hilarious. I’m definitely looking forward to part two. New sub. BTW, don’t be too hard on Tao or Imogen. 😊
Thank you so much! I really appreciate the support. And others have also told me to be nicer to Tao and Imogen so I'm keeping an open mind for part two (and season 2)!
The comic, especially early on, is very much just Nick and Charlie. Eventually all the characters appear, but they are much more fleshed out in the show.
Season two is just as amazing as their relationship grows. The show is growing up with our boys as well. Loving your reaction vids! This show GUTTED me as my situation was pretty much the same as Charlies. Outed at 14, bullied, I was jumped many times. Got roped in by a Ben. That sadly lasted 3 years before I broke free. Never had my Nick through. Still single and I’m almost 40 now. I am obsessed with this show, the books and omg girl, the fan fiction is AMAZING!!! So many amazing writers writing story about our boys!!! I have a feeling recommendations If and when you have any interest in them! ❤❤❤
I may actually be interested in a couple of recommendations lol I tend to believe there are some amazing fanfiction writers out there who deserve more recognition simply because of their writing skills. And I'm here, rooting for you to find your Nick! We all deserve to find ours. And I'm actually really excited to see another show where we get to watch the main cast grow up as the story continues. Only other media that has done that for me is probably Harry Potter and Stranger Things. I think it's cool, it's like a time capsule in media form. Happy New Year!
I didn't think so at first but he's growing on me. (Even though he wasn't my type at first, I can definitely say that I always loved his beautiful eyes.)
omg yes i love this show so much idk if you've seen s2 at this point but while season 1 is amazing, trust me s2 is even better, you really feel all of the actors have not only grown up physically but as actors as well. to me they pull some award worthy performances by s2, especially kit connor (nick) and joe locke (charlie) and its especially impressive for joe locke since s1 and 2 were his first experience in on screen acting ever! kit was a kid actor, he was in rocketman and ready player one, was never a main star but i feel like he's gonna be a huge actor in the future.
I haven't finished season 1 but am planning to right after Christmas, then continue onto season two. And that's so interesting to find out that Joe Locke's first screen acting credit is this show. I honestly think he's great so far! Kit is also great as well. He and Joe have wonderful chemistry which makes their scenes so fun to watch. Another comment also said S2 is better so now I'm really excited to get to it lol
@@KristinaEspinoza yeah most people agree that season 2's better i think. it makes sense, the filmmaking in s1 is amazing, great cinematography and camera work too but by s2 everyone has improved a lot and you can tell. im very excited for s3 which they just finished shooting a few days ago too
Totally caught your use of the word "tosser". It probably accounts for 10% of the score on the British Citizenship test so you're well on your way! Great reaction. Can't wait for the next!
Thank you! I'm so glad you liked the reaction. And I'm happy to know my use of the word "tosser" was correct! I have no idea where it came from but I'm guessing British media just unlocked a past life memory lol
So excited to see you react to part 2 of the season and especially to season 2! I'll say don't give up on Tao. He's a good kid, just a little protective and overly attached, but you eventually learn why he's that way. (And he gets better!)
I'm so sorry to hear that. The people who bullied you should be ashamed. When I was in HS, I wasn't openly queer yet out of fear of being mistreated since the early 2010s were still pretty bad and I didn't know any other queer students in my school for support. It's upsetting to know not much has changed since then. You deserved better.
Love your reactions!!! What I love about this show is that it focuses on the diversity of different characters and relationships and how they handle different objectives. I do agree that the best relationships are the ones that were built on friendships. Nick and Charlie are proof of this as well as Tara and Darcy. Yes, please watch season 2!!! And read the graphic novels; I’ve read the first 2 volumes so far and I love it. 🍃✨🌈🩷💜💙
I'm watching your reactions of season 1 for the second time. (I don't often do that.) One thing I really like is that after you express one assessment of a scene, when you re-watch on editing, you add comments to clarify (or even change) your view. That i s a rare thing among reactors. Yay!
@@KristinaEspinoza Love Simon is ok, especially for the times as there weren't/aren't many LGBTQ+ mainstream teen movies. The book is definitely better. But the movie is good for reactions as it'll give you a lot to comment on, good vs bad representation, good/bad allyship, etc. Love Victor is not a sequel, but is in the "universe", so you may see the occasional familiar face. It's a series, so you get more development with the characters and I liked it much more, personally. There are 3 seasons. * Bonus rep: the actor who plays Victor is latino (as well as his on-screen family)
@@KristinaEspinoza yes! It meant a lot to me, as a latina myself. There's also other black and people of color with appropriate actors, which is great casting! Looking forward to more HS and even more queer content! 🏳️🌈
Honestly, it depends on the area and specific school you go to. I am a foster kid, so I've moved a couple schools. The school i went to before I moved to my current one was a lot more chill and respectful, and there were very few kids who were disrespectful about that sort of thing. My current High school is not as great. Terrible kids, mostly terrible teachers, and I'm incredibly glad, as a Genderfluid and Pansexual person, that I am moving schools again.
Second season is FANTASTIC! Definitely some heavier subject matter, but so good. Keep watching! Third season is coming out this year as well! I just started reading the graphic novels myself, and am so excited to make my way through them and see the upcoming seasons of the show 😊
Loved your reactions! Shared this video with my heartstopper group! Looking forward to the rest of your reactions, I really hope you do season 2 as well ❤
Thank you so much for sharing! I really appreciate it. I'm now planning to also do season 2 as well. Everyone in the comments is telling me it's even better than S1 so I'm excited!
Season 1 is amazing but season 2 brings it to a whole new level of like the reality of high school mental health and plus it’s adorable in many ways. Fun fact season 3 just wrapped filming so we all now what that means… more lbgtq+ greatness soon
It's always nice to see someone new react to a much loved show like this (by the way, I highly recommend Young Royals). So now I'm going to be a know-it-all and impart a piece of useless HS data: Nick's mom is played by multi-Oscar winning actress Olivia Colman. A real coup for the casting directors.
I've been looking at Young Royals since you and another comment suggested it. It looks genuinely interesting! Also, I cannot believe I didn't realize that was Olivia Colman. I feel so silly for not noticing lol
what's funny is that the actor the plays Ben...is the biggest Ben hater. like during promo he had "president of the ben hope hater club" in his twitter bio.
I really enjoyed your reactions and commentary! Looking forward to seeing more! You might need some tissues for a couple episodes in the next set of 4, but overall its very optimistic and hopeful. Season 2 is even better than season 1, it does tackle more serious/mature themes but still in an optimistic way.
13:59 as a lesbian in school in america, for me personally the reactions have mostly been shocked, but no one has ever made fun me for being lesbian. The only thing I hear down the halls and in class are people just overall making fun of being queer, but once they actually talk to a queer person they seem to chill out, like they will joke about it, but don't seem to be bothered by it actually if that makes any sense? I think most people who act like that just want to fit in and not be made fun of themselves. The main thing is, Me and my girlfriend have never had to deal with the homophobic stuff like they do in this show, but again it could just be my area. Much love.
That's so unfortunate, but one relation i'm seeing is that overall gay men get a lot of hate, as i mentioned I am a lesbian and most guys and girls my age find that "hot" or "cool" rather than "nasty" or "weird" as they find gay men, it really is a double standard that is unfortunately present today.
As a british school student, Idk if it is a rule in other schools, but in my school you are infact not aloud on your phone at any times during the day. Not even break or lunch, if a teacher catches you on your phone, it will be confiscated and turned in to the office, then you can pick it up at the end of the day.
The girl who messes up Nick's hair and says he looks different is named Imogen. We find out this episode and the next that they have been friends since Year 7 (for 5 years). Although she (temporarily) has a crush on him, Nick was oblivious to that fact. *Imogen improves after episode 5 and is really commendable in season 2.)
I'm glad this show helps so many kids and parents to understand and Tori is the Wednesday of Heartstopper and fun fact Kit was casted for the role of Charlie and Joe was casted for the role of Nick 😅 and Bash/Ben is a really sweet and loveley person 😊 and another fun fact the dog Nelly is in real a he
I saw somewhere that the actor for Ben is actually very sweet in real life - definitely says how well of an actor he is that he could make me hate Ben in less than two minutes of seeing him on a screen! ☠️ Also, I can't picture it. I think Joe and Kit were cast perfectly, it's hard to picture them in opposite roles lol I also really like Tori despite that she kept making me jump.
@KristinaEspinoza Bash calls himself the head of the Ben Hope hate club. He got his twitter account suspended once for bullying because he kept trashing the character that he played.
When Charlie asks Nick if he knows Ben (they're in the hallway), Nick says Yes, he's in his year. I have 2 observations about that: 1. Nick's voice gets sort of low, unenthusiastic when he says that. Also, what he really means is that Ben is in the same grade. (It's like saying, "Oh yes, we're both in 11th grade.") 2, We can see this more easily later, but to me, it's pretty clear that until Nick begins his friendship with Charlie, Nick has never had any true close friends. He does hang out before school in the same general area as the rugby teammates and their hangers-on. BUT he sits on the opposite end of the picnic table with his back to everyone else. (So Ben is not really a "friend" of Nick's) Also, in a conversation with Charlie in episode 3, he says that he doesn't really get a chance to play Mario Kart with anyone, usually, so he has to drag his mom over to the computer to get her to play the game with him.
Answering your question about homophobia in schools, yes it actually is pretty bad in a lot of schools like personally speaking my school kids are pretty homophobic except for a few kids and I know it is like very different from school to school but it sucks a lot. Also, i would say it's very extreme bullying in heartstopper but he's also in an all boys school and boys are very shitty and i do not have any experience of that so im no one to say about that.
You do raise a good point that the bullying is probably more intense in all boys school since some boys can be wrongfully taught when they're little that anything considered slightly 'queer' is a negative trait for them to have. I'm sorry to hear about the homophobia in your school - I hope that those few kids who aren't homophobic are able to be uplifting and supportive. Community is so important.
@@KristinaEspinozaNick and Charlie were first introduced as characters way back in 2014, as supporting characters in the author Alice Oseman’s (who is also the screenwriter for the TV adaptation) debut novel Solitaire, which is focused on Charlie’s sister Tori and is set about a year after season 1 of the TV show/volume 1 of the comics. Alice was still a teenager when they wrote it, so their memories of high school were fresh. Charlie’s experiences with bullying and with Ben (and how they impact him.. which you’ll see more of as the series goes on) were always part of the story. I think I remember reading that before they started filming season 1, the show’s creative team consulted with students in the UK about how they experience homophobia and transphobia in schools these days. Many of them felt the bullying in Heartstopper was accurate to their own experiences, others reported more positive and accepting experiences in school, while some had experienced much more severe bullying. It probably depends on the school, and a lot of people do say boys’ schools are notoriously worse.
I just got this video recommended to me, and I'm really excited to watch it!! Btw another amazing queer show I'd love to see you react to is Young Royals. It's a lot more dark toned than Heartstopper, but amazing nonetheless. The acting is absolutely phenomenal in that show, and so is the writing. It is in Swedish though so you'd have to have subtitles on. They do also have a dubbed version, and since the actors did the dubbing themselves it's actually pretty decent, but I'd still recommend going with the original Swedish since no matter how good the dubbing is you still lose so much of the authenticity and emotion when it's dubbed. Either way I really hope you'll react to this show as well at some point, but until you do I'm very excited to see your reactions to Heartstopper!
Hello! Thank you so much for your comment. And after getting a few comments, I've officially decided to react to Young Royals once I finish up catching up with Heartstopper. It just looks so interesting and it seems a lot of people love it! It also gives me an excuse to practice my Swedish on Duolingo lol
In an interview, Kit Connor talked about how early viewers he'd talked to were actually *shocked* that before Nick and Charlie's lips first touched -- no one walked in and stopped them -- Because that has been a common trope in lgbt+ media -- that especially 2 men were not allowed to kiss -- or at least not right away. Kit said as soon as the two boys' uninterrupted kiss happened, he realized that they were going to let this relationship "fly"
I like that you stopped to comment on the queer people in sports thing. Most of the other reactions I've seen skip over it and I always thought it was a nice moment. Plus, we get to know a bit more about the PE teacher in Season 2, so it's a nice bit of foreshadowing/continuity. :)
14:01 heck yea I'm bi/ace/genderfluid and theres no way I could come out, the school used to have a student (my friend) who came out as bisexual but she got so bullied that she left -
It's a shame to hear that schools can be just as bad as when I went. I hope your friend is doing better, or at least is somewhere where she feels safe.
Tao, who is in the boys school, and Elle who is now in the girls school, have been part of a friend group of 4 for about 4 (?) years. The friend group comprises Charlie, Tao, Elle, and Isaac. We find out in season 2 that TAO was Elle's friend when she came out as trans; they've been close friends all along. You've picked up on the vibes that Tao and Elle are closer friends to each other than the other people in the friend group. They miss each other a lot, now that they don't go to the same school.
I was born in England and so have been in UK school and the bullying can be increadably bad. I came out in around year 8 or year 9 and I often hung around with the LGBTQ+ people of the school and we were constantly bullyed and harassed about it. We would be called bad things, they would throw thing as us and both phisicaly and verbally bully us. It was worse for some than others and the bullying also varied for a number of reasons but the bullying was definitely bad. Thankfully a lot of teachers were on our side and even called everyone by their preferred name and pronouns but mainly the students at our school were horrible.
Im with you, it took me awhile to be brave enough to watch this show, and I was so glad I did, hands down the best lgbtq show for me hands down, probably since queer as folk. Hope you enjoy it;) Cool that you are representing the deaf community too, I am mute now myself.
13:59 hi! i am a queer student and there is still definitely a lot of homophobia around, but ive noticed its mainly students who are homophobic and most of the teachers are accepting (at least in my school) also generally its less common than it used to be but its still there (sorry if wording is bad haha)
Your wording is good - I understood you fine :) And that's so unfortunate! I've gotten another comment as well who discussed their experiences in school and the homophobia they encountered. I'm glad your teachers are accepting - even if the other kids are not. Hopefully, those kids will grow out of it one day and realize how wrong it was. I do remember my school in 2010s and most of those kids grew out of it once we reached adulthood. Unfortunately, one or two will still continue but you'll be graduated by then! I wish you the best!
Thank you so much! I'm actually a bit sick at the moment but part two should be out in a couple of weeks, and then I'll be catching up with season 2 - which everyone tells me is amazing so I'm excited!
@@KristinaEspinozaaww I hope you feel better ❤️ and I’ll keep a eye out!! And yes S2 is amazing just make sure you have tissues I’m a softy too and S2 made me cry a lot haha but it’s an amazing Season, can’t wait for S3 to come out!!
Yes, the actor's name is Kit Connor. He's been acting since he was 8. He was 17 when season 1 was filmed (the character Nick is 16). He played a young Elton John in the movie Rocketman. Imo, he is a phenomenal actor. (He got an emmy for the first season of Heartstopper. -- as well as other awards.)
The people who bark or try to trip you sound like little Ben Hopes. I do remember people thinking that anyone who was queer adjacent (like me) was watching them change. I went out of my way to change in bathroom stalls just to make them feel less uncomfortable. Hated that.
9:16 yes heartstopper is based off of a graphic novel by Alice Oseman 9:35 No Ben will not be a problem "This season".... He will be a problem all the time
Joe Locke plays Charlie Spring. He also was 17 when the first season was filmed. His character was 14 at the beginning of the first season, and he turned 15 in episode 5.
Tao is A LOT (as in amazingly) better in the last 2 episodes of season 2. The 'teaser' for season 3 is up on RU-vid. It looks like Tao will improve even more. Also, more Tori! And Kit Connor's comment was that things between Nick and Charlie are a bit steamier. I'd leave a link, but sometimes RU-vid deletes comments with links in them.
just to clarify a couple of things I am a non binary person who came out as pansexual 3 years ago in 7th grade and when i cut my hair and dyed it rainbow people finally realized i wasn't kidding and i got asked sooooo many questions about being gay
I loved this video!!!! Heartstopper is my favorite show, I really hope you can watch Season 2! IT'S AMAZING. I got the 5th book for Christmas, and it's HEAVEN. If you get the books, do you think you can do a video to talk about them? OMG I JUST LOVED WATCHING YOU REACT TO THIS HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!
Occasionally, you'll see cartoony colored circles around Nick. When he goes to Charlie's locker to ask him to join the rugby team, Charlie fantasizes (with the pink circle) that Nick is saying he's gay too and wants to be with him forever. Then, Charlie comes out of his fantasy when Nick, instead, says "Do you want to join the rugby team?" (I've seen a few reactors feeling puzzled by that.)