Charlie Spring: I hope I get good mental health.
Tori Spring: I hope I get a mum who can regulate her emotions.
Charlie: I hope I get grandparents who don't comment on my weight.
Tori: I hope Dad remembers to properly season the turkey.
Charlie: He won't.
Tori: Yeah... he won't.
There are certain television shows that seem connected with certain seasons. Gilmore Girls for many is Autumn, Bridgerton, especially with that opening, is definitely spring. There are so many shows with summer vibes, from The Summer I Turned Pretty to almost any show set on, or near the beach. When it comes to Winter shows, I think my favorite is Heartstopper.
Now if you're wondering my logic, especially with those beach scenes, let me explain my reasoning. The seasonal identifiers are more than just about episodes being set in that particular season, it's also about the vibes. For those who have watched, the pilot for Heartstopper begins in early January. School is starting up again, and there's even a scene of teachers removing Christmas decorations from the hallway. The weather, the clothing, the atmosphere throughout most of the first half of the season is winter.
One of the most romantic early scenes between Nick, (Kit Connor) and Charlie, (Joe Locke) occurs the first time Charlie visits Nick's home. While playing video games, they notice it's snowing outside, and their emotions immedeately synergize. They rise almost in unison, and without saying a word, both know they're heading outside to play. Although Nick has yet to identify his sexuality, he can't help by touch Charlie, including gently wiping snow off his new friend's bangs.
Although season 2 is set at the end of the school year, and an early summer trip to Paris, for me, that romantic wintery feel remains. The show returns again to winter in season 3, with scenes set over Christmas and New Year's Eve. It's interesting to me, that it's during this time period that we see Charlie struggling, but also starting to heal with the love of his family, his friends, and of course Nick.
The current Heated Rivalry phenomenon, (also to me a winter show) also inspired me to take another look at Heartstopper. As radically different as the two shows are, the core is also remarkably similar. Both focus on a couple, one who identifies as gay, the other as bisexual. In Heated Rivalry, it's Shane struggling with being gay. In Heartstopper, it's Nick who initially struggles with identifying as bisexual. Both feel the need to remain in the closet, and both are surrounded by a friendship group of athletes. Shane's being hockey players, Nick's being his mates on the rugby team.
For me, Locke and Connor match the stars of Heated Rivalry in the acting department as well. Not in intensity, Heartstopper is not written that way. But Locke and maybe especially Connor's Nick, share so much with their facial expressions. Even without dialogue, Nick, much like Shane in HR, shares so many conflicting emotions and tells so much of the story through his eyes and face.
Both are also shows based on books written by women. Heated Rivalry based on Rachel Reid's romance novel, and Heartstopper based on Alice Oseman's graphic novel and webcomic series. Given that, there were moments from both shows that seemed so similar and familiar..
There are several moments that come to mind, but one in particular is that both include a scene of their two main characters running up a staircase. In Heartstopper, it's Nick and Charlie running to be alone, just before their first kiss. The running makes sense as a theme, as at the point each pair is running, neither couple is officially romantically connected, and two of the characters are still running from who they actually are
If like me, you're sad about the end of Heated Rivalry, and if you haven't yet watched Heartstopper, I highly suggest giving it a go. No, it's not full of sex scenes and nudity, but it is incredibly romantic, with yearning being a central theme, especially in season 1. Both shows give their struggling male leads a good support system. In Heartstopper, Nick has his mom, played by Olivia Coleman. Charlie has a group of supportive friends led by Tao and Isaac.
Heartstopper has 24 episodes over 3 seasons, with a final movie due for release in 2026. I wish there'd been more seasons, following the characters into University. I'd love to have seen Charlie's sister Tori, head back to Truham High as a teacher, continuing the world Oseman so beautifully created. I can't complain given how special the first three seasons were. Season 1 remains my favorite, and you won't be disappointed in giving it ago.
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