Heartstopper: Episode 11

11. Promise

Coach Singh (Chetna Pandya) catches Nick and Charlie kissing after practice. She calls Nick to her office and reveals that she herself found her wife at rugby practice. He is glad to have found another ally. The school holds an orientation for their planned Paris trip in which the students have to group themselves into four. Tao gets a haircut and manages to ask Elle out on a date after he finally admits liking her, but their date ends on a bad note because he is just trying so hard not to be himself. James (Bradley Riches), Isaac’s friend from the library, invites him to the post-GCSE party where everyone goes to celebrate. Nick promises to come out to some of his rugby teammates at the event but chickens out when he feels overwhelmed and ill. Charlie takes him home and prepares some tea for him, telling him that he does not need to come out if he does not feel like it, even though he would want everyone to know that they are a couple. Darcy starts avoiding Tara, a bit weirded out by the latter saying “I Love You” to her in public.

That jump from platonic to romantic does make things weird for most BFFs-turned-couples, doesn’t it? It’s fun how the screen time is now divided between Nick/Charlie and Tao/Elle. While this whole puppy love game just feels so teeny bopper AF, I find it amusing how the characters are evolving. We see some real character progression here, and even Isaac finally gets a love interest. At least he now has his own subplot! Another character I am curious about is the new teacher. So far, almost every teacher at school has been supportive. Coach Singh. Mr. Ajayi. It makes me wonder if Mr. Farouk is an ally or hater. I mean, not every adult in that school should be a saint for this to be realistic, you know. David does not appear, but Tori does, which makes me wonder what the dynamics between these two older siblings will be when they finally meet. It should only be a matter of time, no? Overall, it was a rather boring episode but still necessary to move the story forward.

“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

<<Episode 10                Episode 12>>