Friday Feature - Heartstopper - A Feature by The VIPers

How about a "Feature Friday"?  As it's Pride Month the VIPers have some thoughts to share on the latest Netflix sensation Heartstopper!

As always we would LOVE to hear what you think! Be sure to let us know if you will be Streaming or Skipping it!

Melanie - ​

Normally with these shows it is me nagging Jenn like crazy to watch something because I know she will like it.  This time it was the other way around. I had seen the trailer and added it to my "to be watched at some point" list, but Jenn just would not stop going on about it and so I watched it. And I LOVED IT!  Having attended part of my schooling as one of the first girls in an all boys 6th form program, this had memories flooding back, some good, some bad, all worth it!

There is SO little GOOD representation for teens / young adults out there that might be struggling with thoughts and feelings they don't understand. I LOVE that they included an actual YouTuber Courtney-Jai (You can check out their channel here), so not only does the show provide an excellent resource, fans can follow up too. 

Based on the series of Graphic Novels by Alice Oseman this show is not going to be for everybody, BUT there is such an adorable romance underlying, and so many people I feel this will connect with, I hope you all decide to give it a try. I know I am glad I did! ​

Jenn - Jennifer Rhodes met Melanie back when True Blood was popular and they have been friends ever since.  She loves TV (especially things that make you smile), Doctor Who, Finding new shows, and regularly provides awesome fandom items for Muser Giveaways.  Jennifer is now a proud member of the VIPers - the Melanie's Muses Spotlight Feature Team!

Being bi, you don’t really see much representation for us in media. Now knowing who I am, it doesn’t really matter to me because I know who I am. I like guys and girls, and I have ever since high school. It really wasn’t hard for me to come to terms with being bi, but knowing how it’s very different from some people, I’m really glad this show from the graphic novels now exists. Even watching it as a adult I’m just like wow, and that show is "Heartstopper" which debuted on Netflix in late April, although the graphic novels have been out a little while. I can really resonate with this show because like Nick, I realized I like girls by falling for my best friend in high school. And like Nick and Charlie I happened to just get lucky that she felt the same way that I did. It shows LGBTQ representation like I’ve never seen before. You have gay, lesbian, bi and trans representation which is amazing. This show follows these English high school students from a all boys and all girls school as they try to navigate and just figure out who they are, which is absolutely amazing. If you haven’t checked out this show I highly recommend that you do, because if you don’t believe me just ask Mels. Like me she’s now obsessed with "Heartstopper", and we definitely need a season two.

  (Since this was written Seasons 2 & 3 have been confirmed by Netflix)

Dave - Dave Christy loves horror, music, documentaries and more.  He is also the co-runner of several fan based groups including Morningstars (THE Lucifer fan group also run by Melanie), and now is a member of the VIPers Spotlight Lounge team for Melanie's Muses.  Other than "In The Spotlight" Features -check out his "31 Days Of Halloween Movies"

Don't trust first impressions. When I first heard of this show "Heartstopper", I thought -- eh, not sure about this one. But the more Jenn obsessed about it, the more I looked into it. I checked out the trailer and it had a little more going on than I would have thought. I don't really do relationship movies and shows but this was far from a straight line and focusing on the relationship

. The obstacles and questions, figuring things out, and even the changes in friendship and status (for more than just our main characters) takes a few sharp turns. Some changes of heart. When you have feelings for your friend, it can be good if they feel the same way. But if they don't, it could spell disaster. Do you say something and hope for the best or wait for them to speak up? The cast of characters is all over. One downfall is it hits a hard note for some with the bullying. I've been there and don't really like seeing it in shows but it's harsh fact. They do exist and the homophobic ones make it worse. Getting bullied because of who you like and getting told not to date that person? Excuse me but why it is any of your business? Would you listen if anyone told you that you shouldn't be with your significant other? Didn't think so. Moving right along.

​Harry is the all around jerk who bullies everyone for any reason he can think of. Dumb ass. I was hoping he got worse than he actually did. And Ben, who is actually beyond words. He needed punishment too. Far more than what he got. If getting Season 2 means we get to see him get his ass kicked, sign me up! Mostly in season 2, I need more Tori! Charlie's sister was under-utilized in this show. Short cameos, popping in out of nowhere, being quirky and gone. I want to know more about her! Summary. 8 episodes, roughly 30 minutes each. You can plow through it on a Sunday afternoon. Netflix won't even have time to ask if you are still watching.

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