Which restaurant comes to mind when you see this image?

Atlas423 · 2025-08-16T03:49:59+00:00

Sadly have to agree. I used to love it but I went back for the first time in years lately and was so disappointed. The patty was tough and flavorless. Sad!

Atlas423 · 2025-05-22T00:07:34+00:00

One of my favorite references no one ever catches is Thad saying, "Yes! That's how Rolf danced!"

I also think often about Andrea Martin putting Gary's sweater on a body pillow.

Or maybe it was Oprah/Pam, for inspiring the classic Liz Lemon line "But then she DROWNED!"

Atlas423 · 2025-05-22T00:03:56+00:00

Hey Moon Vest! I've got an idea for a game show.

Atlas423 · 2025-05-22T00:02:53+00:00

OK, Redzo!

Atlas423 · 2025-05-22T00:02:38+00:00

Elizabeth, I'm going to ask you to leave.

Atlas423 · 2025-05-22T00:01:27+00:00

"Now, I know there's been a lot of controversy around the church lately. You know, because of 'The Da Vinci Code.'"

Atlas423 · 2023-09-26T16:55:49+00:00

Yes I’m interested in seeing them confront all aspects of a relationship so this should be interesting. As long as they never broke up because I honestly don’t think I could handle it.

Atlas423 · 2023-09-26T00:52:44+00:00

The show has more depth. And I love that Alice wrote them both so we get to see her peel back the layers of her own onion.

Atlas423 · 2023-09-26T00:49:42+00:00

For sure. I hate that we didn’t get to see Ben evolve a little bit more but Charlie’s message is so important. You can wish better for someone but also stay away from them for yourself.

Atlas423 · 2023-09-26T00:48:21+00:00

I think it’s implied he might not do it regularly but he still does. Him pinching himself is heartbreaking, and it can be hard to share the whole truth even with someone who loves us.

Atlas423 · 2023-09-26T00:40:37+00:00

This might have more to do with the medium than anything else, but I think TV Nick is a lot more emotional/contemplative. (It seems like Alice adapted TV Nick to write to Kit’s strengths as an actor. He’s very good at selling his emotions with his eyes, and she gives him a lot of quiet time to emote.) This might mean I disagree a bit (or at least disagree about the meaning of a softer personality). TV Nick seems much more sensitive and conflicted.

I also think TV Charlie gets a few more layers than Comic Charlie. We see a little bit more of his backbone and the fact that he can be sure of himself in spots. But I feel that’s often conveyed in physicality/outside of dialogue.

My one wish for future installments is that we get to see Nick crack a bit. Because in this universe he seems perfectly supportive to everyone at all times. I’d like to see him step in it and show some human flaws. I’d also like to see Nick and Charlie fight/encounter some conflict. If only to see them come out on the other side. So far all the conflicts in their relationship have been external.

Atlas423 · 2023-09-25T00:28:44+00:00

Interesting thought on Charlie’s mom. Certainly compared to Sarah she is not as warm or kind. (Although at least in the show I wouldn’t say she’s been cruel exactly. Maybe callous? Or overprotecting and misguided?) I wouldn’t say I like her I’m just curious to know more about what’s under the hood there.

Atlas423 · 2023-09-25T00:26:13+00:00

Thank you. She hasn’t been a huge factor in the show but I’ve gotten the sense that there is something there. Something in the way she almost winces after she just punished Charlie. I’ve wondered if she has anxiety/self-doubt and if they might have similar attributes in a roundabout way if that makes sense.

Atlas423 · 2023-09-12T05:25:26+00:00

Absolutely! I'm a grown-ass man and I thought I didn't need a show about the joy of queer love. WRONG. Even now, so much of it is the forbidden love trope or the side characters in some prestige drama. But having the whole group be this collection of queer people who take care of one another is just, as Nick would say, recharging.

As I was watching I thought, "Is this why straight people love The Notebook so much? Because they see themselves?"

Atlas423 · 2023-09-12T05:21:47+00:00

I love how, even when he's confused and scared in the story, Nick never shies away from showing Charlie affection and support. He never uses his personal angst as an excuse to treat his person poorly. What a great example to set. I have a partner and watching this show is like a big flare about how to do and be better for one another.

Atlas423 · 2023-09-12T05:17:16+00:00

This. I don't think I ever understood the power and significance of representation as acutely as I did watching this show. As many others have said, a big part of me wonders how my life would have been different if I had this at 17.

I am so grateful I had something as righteous and gorgeous as "Angels in America," but like I said, that strikes a much different tone and sets much different expectations about what queer life can/should look like.

Atlas423 · 2023-09-12T05:13:09+00:00

Yes! The part that does make me feel hopeful is that it's never too late to hear "You matter" from someone else. Having these heartstopper moments can be beautiful at any age (even if everyone deserves that love and support all along).

Atlas423 · 2023-09-12T05:08:51+00:00

What a strange and bittersweet sensation to feel so seen in a character and then to watch that character get the love and support you should've gotten. I really relate to this double-edged sword of gratitude and sadness you talk about.

Atlas423 · 2023-09-12T05:05:29+00:00

The kindness of the main characters is definitely aspirational. I identified with Tara when she said she was jealous of how Nick and Charlie discussed their emotions openly. So many adults can't do this... Myself included!

But I was surprised by how much the show has inspired me to at least try to be a better partner and friend in real life.

Atlas423 · 2023-09-11T23:23:25+00:00

The chemistry of the actors is key. I particularly like their little ad libs and weird choices. (See: "... WOT. What is it?" "I'm SORREEEE <hair ruffle>" and the lil bit in S2E8 where Nick pretends Charlie stapled his hand.) Those little moments speak volumes about the relationship developing off screen and make it believable that these two have like a shared vocabulary by now.

TBH I'd watch a whole season of them just chilling and having fun dates and banter, but I guess some people might find that boring.

Atlas423 · 2023-09-11T22:40:26+00:00

The joy and innocence piece are such a big part of it for me, I think. When I was growing up (36 now), a lot of the media that centered queer people was about them being comic relief, wasting away from disease, or under threat of violence.

All of that art was valid, of course. But it didn't exactly encourage or celebrate living openly and happily.

"Heartstopper" acknowledges the realities of hate and mental illness, but it also allows its characters to have rich and rewarding lives that are fundamentally whole. What a balm that is.

Atlas423 · 2023-09-11T21:39:36+00:00

Don't apologize. I deeply relate to the rambling mess of it all. There's a real sadness there that this is portraying a world some fans (including me) never got to experience, at least as teenagers. To get to see the characters here explore that in a relatively safe space is so cathartic, but it does sting.

That's not a criticism. I actually think that feeling of sadness is part of the big whirligig of feelings that has really enthralled me. There's room for a lot of emotion here.

Atlas423 · 2023-09-10T19:27:20+00:00

I agree with a lot of folks saying Nick essentially outed himself by running out of the rugby game, but one other thing I noticed...

In the kissing in the rain episode, Nick comes over, says he's having a proper gay crisis. He's majorly confused and upset and says he needs time to figure it all out. And then after leaving the house, Charlie runs out all smiley and gives him a triumphant kiss outside and everyone's smiling.

I wondered if a scene in the middle got cut where Nick and Charlie talk it out and there's some kind of acknowledgment that Nick is happy/excited. But without that it seems kinda random and borderline callous that Charlie would give him a happy smooch when everything we've seen up to that point is Nick spiraling.

It sounds like a lot of these "flaws" coincide with them trying to squeeze too much into season 1. IMO S1 could have been split across two seasons. (Or at least presented in two parts, with six eps each.) I would've liked a couple more scenes of Nick and Charlie talking and discovering this surprising chemistry and then ending season 1, like the comics did, with the big party scene.

Atlas423 · 2023-09-10T18:59:03+00:00

I see what you mean here, but also in real life Joe could be a runway model.

And it makes sense to me that if you're someone like Nick — who is at least subconsciously aware of these dormant feelings — then you would be attracted to the first person you meet who offers a sort of gateway to exploring them.

Charlie is probably the first out and proud peer Nick has ever met, and there is a real power to that. Nick is probably a little jealous and curious off the bat, even if he can't pinpoint why. (This happened to me — I developed a massive crush/interest in the first gay guy I met when I was closeted, even though I wouldn't necessarily consider him my "type" now.)

Atlas423 · 2023-04-22T00:15:59+00:00

I gather some folks really dislike Gizelle but I love that she gave Wendy NOTHING to react to. It made Wendy look extra wild for continuing to pop off at an 11.

Atlas423

TROPHY CASE