Doctor REACTS to Heartstopper (Season 2 Ep 8) | Dr Elliott
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- čas přidán 26. 08. 2024
- #doctorreacts #drelliott #heartstopper #lgbt
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This Doctor REACTS video is starting to look at the wonderful new season of Heartstopper. I'm watching episode 8 and we delve even deeper into Charlie's mental health. As a gay doctor and psychiatrist, any form of queer representation is something I love to promote and embrance. I just wish I had something like this to watch and help me on my journey to self-acceptance when I was younger.
On this video I discuss the neuroscience of physical touch, restricting food intake, eating disorders, cognitive behavioural therapy, empathy and much more.
Let me know what you think!
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It wasn't in the excerpt, but I am struck by the difference between Nick's teary fond smile to Charlie as he leaves, and the anxious dread in his face after he has closed the door. No adult has yet understood Charlie's life-threatening situation, and right then, Nick feels like it's on him alone to support Charlie in some dark days to come. No wonder he is terrified. The contrast between Nick's and Charlie's focus in those final seconds just underlines the peril they are in. What a magnificent season-ender. We can thank Netflix for granting 2 seasons at once after S1 was over - it allowed Alice to present complex, unresolved situations without fear that the story will end up in limbo.
I love the contrast in their demeanors in those final moments, it’s really poignant. Nick is so visibly scared because Charlie has just disclosed something that is really scary! But Charlie is so *used* to his trauma, he’s probably almost numb to it, so he’s just basking in the good feeling of being loved and accepted by Nick, after disclosing something he’d been hiding for so long. The way his breath hitches when he smiles and thinks about texting Nick “I love you.” 😭
I like the parallel to the season 1 finale, which also ended with a close-up on Charlie’s smiling face, but was obviously a very straightforward happy ending, while this one is very bittersweet.
I really love that Nick didn’t ask him to promise to never do it again. That would have just pushed Charlie to lie and hide if things got bad again. That final scene really was just a punch in the gut, so bittersweet.
i’m glad abt that too but i still think charlie will lie and hide it bc that conversation doesn’t cure charlie at all. it’s not how mental illnesses/disorders work. he’s gonna need professional help.
@@rottenangelx3 oh yeh definitely! “Love doesn’t cure mental illness” is even said in the books. I just meant that a lot of people when told about self harm ask the person to promise not to do it again. It’s nice that Nick didn’t do that.
@@sophiea.m.4664 agree! i also rlly love that charlie felt safe enough to open up. it takes a lot of courage and a lot of ppl when confronted with self harm just avoid it which he has been doing but i’m glad he finally feels safe. next season is gonna shatter me i just know it😭
Dr Elliott really just comes across as warm and friendly and someone I'd love to grab a drink and talk with. Thank you for all these lovely and thoughtful reactions.
Also also, can we please ACTUALLY start a campaign to get Dr Elliott cast in Heartstopper?
especially if they're translating the rest of the graphic novel into season 3.... there's definitely a role for him
I was thinking the same thing
Maybe hired as a consultant
He even looks like Geoff, Charlie’s therapist
@@jamLPAgreed. Geoff seems older, but he could definitely play the part!
I LOVE the adult relationship. Also love the apparent friendship between the various queer teachers.
I absolutely adore the direction they took with Darcy this season. In the books she does come from an abusive family but it's only mentioned, never shown. It's even implied that she is out to them and they just don't accept it. This is something that the series had to touch on at some point, we've seen accepting parents, we needed to talk about homophobic parents eventually. I feel like Darcy was the perfect character to use this for, not only because we know her family is abusive but because of her personality. As Tara said she's loud and she's confident and she never seems to be concerned about the opinions of others, she acts that way to hide her pain and insecurities. She relishes the chance to be herself with her chosen family because she can never be that way with her biological family.
The growing friendship between Nick and Tao is so wonderful!
Season 2 is so interesting because you can tell Nick is absolutely bursting at the seams with the need and want to come out, and he's incredibly frustrated with himself for not being able to do so quickly and smoothly.
Meanwhile Charlie is the one being consumed by anxiety and putting space between them.
Banning kissing at school; not sitting together on the bus; making a game of not kissing in Paris as to reduce the chances of being found out and at the same time not making Nick feel guilty about it (it's just a fun challenge, right?); saying that being a secret again could be fun (meanwhile Nick's dying inside because for weeks Ben has accused him of playing with Charlie just like he did); that first night in Paris, Nick keeps his arm outstretched towards Charlie until morning, while Charlie lets go of his hand and physically draws back into himself; stopping Nick that night on the bed despite enjoying what's happening, because he looked at the unlocked door and was afraid someone might come in and out Nick; the next morning Charlie is immediately ready to reassure Nick that no one will know it was him that gave him the hickey, meanwhile you can tell that that's the furthest thing from Nick's mind, all he can think about is "I put Charlie on the spot and can't defend him".
And the situation culminates in the two coming out scenes for Nick
In both cases we could say he was sort of forced (Charlie was put on the spot in front of a room full of people; at the family dinner, Nick's own brother was most likely about to out him) but I'm convinced that they could have found a way to get out of the situation, if Nick had really wanted to... the thing is, he didn't want to. He wanted to come out.
He was READY to come out, circumstances be damned.
If it hadn't been for Charlie's unwavering support, patience and protectiveness in the past months, their friends, the words of the rugby coach and his mom, Nick would have probably felt panicked and pressured (like at the bonfire in episode 3). Instead he felt ready to speak up and fight for himself and Charlie if necessary.
That's a huge shift compared to Season 1 and even the beginning of Season 2, and it wouldn't have happened if it weren't for Nick's support system, but especially Charlie.
I got the feeling that the only thing that hurt Nick in the Paris scene was that Charlie was at the center of unwanted attention because of him, and at the family dinner his brother was being a dick (and their father's presence alone already made things more tense).
So yeah, he didn't get to come out in the circumstances he wanted to, but it was still his choice and throughout the season you could tell that he couldn't wait to be out.
Meanwhile Charlie's mental health deteriorated more and more. He wanted to protect Nick at all costs, and we only got a glimpse of why exactly in the final episode. We've always known they bullying was bad, but we never truly saw the magnitude of it until now. And Nick's expression when Tao tells him Charlie never talked to him about it? That he's kept it all inside? Heartbreaking.
We actually see signs of Charlie having an eating disorder in Season 1 as well: playing with a bowl full of soggy cereal; going in the art room to eat lunch but never actually doing so; a couple of times we see Nick&the rugby lads + Tao&Isaac be at lunch and Charlie is nowhere to be seen; Charlie being tired and falling asleep watching a movie with Nick (his crush is in his house! sitting on the couch beside him! and it happens again in S2); and often when Charlie's at the door, he's wrapped in a blanket because not eating makes him feel cold (and in S2 when they're at the park and Nick comments on him having cold hands, Charlie says that he's always cold and Nick gives him his jumper).
Charlie was definitely a thousand times more stressed than Nick about Nick coming out, which was an interesting and heartbreaking dynamic to watch.
On one hand we have Nick, sweet and growing more and more confident thanks to having Charlie by his side, holding his hand during the scary times. On the other, we have Charlie, a broken boy that wouldn't hesitate to shatter completely if it meant keeping Nick safe.
In S2 episode 1, Charlie says that everything needs to be perfect for Nick. In episode 8, Nick tells him that Charlie doesn't need to be perfect with him, and we finally get a glimpse of what actually happened to him.
Season 1 made me cry giddy tears of joy. Season 2 made me think and broke my heart.
I'm so glad Nick is out and has so many friends to rely on, because if the show keeps following the books, he's really going to need this support system in S3. And Charlie has made such huge steps, first admitting he has an eating problem (which he articulated very well, without panicking or getting upset), then admitting to self-harming. He truly deserves the world.
Hopefully we'll get more seasons 🤞🏾🤞🏾🤞🏾
Isaac's journey is so important to me. It reflects how I felt when I realized I was ace. The book that he grabs at the end was the book that I read when I started to accept my asexuality
❤🎉🤩
This is so sweet! I’m so proud of you! 🫶🏳️🌈
S2 has stirred so many thoughts and emotions for me that I have mentioned it in my own therapy! And I'm 37 😂
It's just so refreshing to see such emotionally intelligent conversations on TV. It feels like Alice Oseman and the team have really nailed this responsible, healthy approach to drama and entertainment for young people.
I suppose it's obvious but, as an actor myself, I just have to say that these two young men, one of them with some acting background and the other with practically none, are absolutely brilliant in these roles. Excellent writing helps but one barely 19 and the other barely 20! What fabulous careers they have ahead of them.
Joe won’t be 20 until the end of September.
Your reaction to this moment was THE reaction I was waiting for - thank you for unpacking all of this, from a clinical perspective. In a way, it's refreshing & so needed, especially for a show like "Heartstopper." I've seen this episode so many times, but I still bawl because my situation/personality is so much like Charlie.
Can't wait to have your reactions to Season 3 😊
There is a conversation between Nick and his mom that i hope gets into season 3 just so I can see Dr. Elliott's take on it.
I just want to interject here and say that cutting, in particular, and self-harm in general, is not always about self-punishment. It can be multiple things, and here are two:
Sometimes it’s about working up to suicide - getting practice and emotional preparation for doing the thing that will finally release someone from the pain permanently, more like building up a path to the ultimate blessing rather than inflicting punishment.
Sometimes it’s about control, which would make a lot of sense here. When I used to do it, it would be about externalizing pain, i.e. making the intangible and overwhelming psychic pain into something tangible and able to be controlled. I could decide when I did it, how long I did it, how I did it, and where on my body I did it. Implementing an action plan takes some of the helplessness away and makes it feel like something can be done to tame the demons in that moment, at least. Also, losing yourself in the concentration it takes to plan and implement the activity brings a certain mindfulness and a calming to the brain. It’s really powerful to focus all of your attention on that one thing and let everything else fade away. Finally, there’s also the endorphin cascade that happens when the pain hits and then your body rushes to dampen it. So, first you decide to take the overwhelming, all consuming, terrifying thoughts and focus on an activity to distract you. Then you do the activity, achieving clarity, calm, and pain relief as a result. It’s a very dysfunctional coping mechanism, but in this case, it represented an escape and a seductive pathway to feeling better rather than a way to punish myself, much the way I imagine taking illicit drugs would feel. Fortunately, I did not feel as much shame about doing it as other people did, because I told myself that anything I did that got me through another day without ending my life or permanently ruining my future was better than the alternative. On the other hand, the shock that registers on other people when I share it is pretty alienating, so it feels like it has to be this closely guarded secret that could permanently change people’s perceptions of me if it got out, much like them finding out I’m queer.
I admit that I have not engaged in that behavior for almost 20 years, as two decades of therapy and medication have been more effective, but it’s always in the back of my mind as a tool in the toolbox if it ever gets that bad again. I try to tell myself not to think like that, but mental illness is tricky.
I think it’s very important to talk about mental health and acknowledge that just because some forms of coping with psychic pain are not constructive doesn’t mean that the people who turn to them are beyond help, and just because you can’t imagine doing what they do to get by doesn’t make them fundamentally different from you in the most meaningful ways. I am sharing my experience in the hope that if someone in your life is doing this scary, destructive thing, it’s easier to understand where they’re coming from and to reach past the confusing dysfunction to the relatable human who lives on the other side.
As someone else with a long time self harm addiction, this was so wonderfully said. What a insightful breakdown.
Agreed! Thanks
I’ve most often heard it as a means to mask the internal pain with the external pain. Thank you *so* much for sharing your experience so well. It really helps.
My only experience with cutting was with my boyfriend in high school. He ripped a soda can and used the metal to cut up his arm because he didn’t want me to break up with him.
@@lynnhettrick7588 I’m so sorry you went through that. That sounds scary and deeply upsetting.
I used to do it to get rid of overwhelming feelings, to punish myself and as a way to lead into a conversation that i wanted to have through physical demonstration of how much i was hurting. I did a combination and it changed depending on how i was feeling. Thanks for saying this very well education is very important :)
I love the symbolism that Nick's suit is very nearly the same color as Charlie's bedroom. Your bedroom is the place where you can rest, recharge, relax and be unguarded and your truest selves, and where we keep our most intimate expressions of ourselves. For both Nick and Charlie it's symbolic of confidence to bring their authentic selves out into the world, rather than hiding. Love it.
I have diagnosed PTSD from severe bullying in both elementary school and especially high school. My experience was quite extreme. I'm in my 30s now, and I'm still very much effected by it. Through working with my therapist, I actually started working in High Schools, and tbh the first few months were extremely hard, and I've had more than one ptsd flashback episode and more than one panic attack at work, but it's been helping me work through the trauma tremendously, being in a position where I can actually help OTHERS who are being bullied, and be the active voice for them that no one was for me, that I so desperately wanted and needed. I will go to war for anyone being bullied, and I actually know the BS terrible methods and attitudes to "combat" it that so many teachers think are helpful but actually make things worse, and my students KNOW that. There should be more research done on PTSD from bullying because it is REAL and horrific.
1:52 I love this interaction between Coach Singh and Mr. Ajayi! Especially when she tries to peek and he leans away, “Nope!”
Aww I feel sad about the series ending all over again! That last scene broke me, the acting from both of them was incredible. Nick’s reaction especially got me, considering he’s only 16/17 to learn those things about Charlie, you can really see his worry and concern even when he’s being supportive. And the scene at the front door, Charlie leaves smiling as he feels better after sharing, but Nick looks more worried now he knows more about what Charlie’s been through 😕 such a good show, I can’t wait for S3!
I work in a hospital and see many kids like Charlie and specially young boys, the end breaks me, i was a mess
They should cast you as Geoff in Season 3😂😂or get you as a consultant
Don't need more heart throbbers in the show
he even looks like Geoff I think :)
The scenes where Darcy got kicked out, had to stay outside all night, her phone died, and no one knew where she was - they were the scariest for me. Her friends were looking everywhere for her, and when they found her house her mom didn't care that she was missing at all. In any other show, something bad would have almost certainly happened to her. And in the real world? This is how we lose people.
It is so sad this season is over. This last episode dealt with such a lot. I want nick to continue to be the supportive boyfriend, but also I dont think he should take on all of Charlie's problems by himself. I feel like he should tell an adult.
Without spoiling anything specific, I will just say that assuming the show follows the graphic novels, it will be made very clear in season 3 that Charlie needs support from adults.
@@normaladjacent and as Nick's mum said on the beach in Menorca, love doesn't miraculously make problems go away... that's what many Hollywood stories try to suggest.
I love how this show has tackled some terribly serious issues with tact and not been overly gratuitous.
I grew up watching Skins, where you had Cassie literally giving tips on how to not eat.
Then there was 13 Reasons Why with graphic scenes of assault and suicide.
Of course, teens struggle with those things so I do think it’s important to talk about them.
But, and I say this looking back at my teenage self, they way some “teen” shows chose to tackle issues like anorexia and self harm was just so triggering and damaging.
The subtle ways they introduced Charlie’s eating disorder was well done and the fainting scene didn’t seem over the top. We have seen Charlie skip meals, but not in a graphic way.
I’m excited to see where this show goes next having read the comics. And I love watching you watch it!
I always took the Cassie scene as an example for people to see so they knew what to keep an eye on, so that maybe if you saw that scene and then saw someone you know do the same thing you wouldn't be blindsided. definitely not the best way to go about it, but then again, Skins was a pretty graphic show. a show like Heartstopper is definitely needed - all kinds of different shows are needed, but this one in particular was well overdue!
I mean.. they do need to cast someone as a mental health professional in season 3 (if they are sticking to the story in the comics)! Can we all petition to cast Dr. Elliott for that!!❤❤
I love Heartstopper but honestly I am mostly here for all the facts from scientific studies. Never stop doing that! I LOVE DATA. Most sincerely, an autistic viewer of yours.
12:30 Charlie mentions this in the books. I was wondering if the show would have this as well. I wasn’t sure if they would broach this heavier topic. This whole scene still makes me cry every time.
I love this show and I loved this season - there were a lot of things. I resonated with from different characters- mainly Issac and Charlie 's
I am 52 and the bullying I experienced in junior high and high school still affects me.
I loved your insights into season 2. You'd be fantastic in 3. Let's petition for Netflix to see you! I know season 3 will hurt me. I ugly cried through 60% of Volume 4
I can directly link my experiences of being bullied to developing PTSD. It's honestly disturbing that a link between these things hasn't really been studied. It took the better part of a decade to truly work past it, but I can still see how much it affected me, especially in social interactions.
I absolutely adore the storyline of Mr Farouk and Mr Ajayi!! I'm rooting so much for these two ❤ from the first time where Mr Farouk appeared as this strict, angry looking teacher I had a feeling deep down he was looking for someone who could offer a warm hug and be a good companion 😊 and I'm writing this as a happy 35yr old gay man who's been out since 21, but who loves when people accept and embrace who they are in their 30s/40s or later 🥰
And thank you Dr Elliott for breaking down and analysing the episodes for us 😊 good luck with the casting process! 😉
Must admit definitely a mixed view, loved nd enjoyed but also brought home lots of things from growing up. Like how did the bullys know before I did? That final scene with Nick and Charlie definitely brought a tear and was so well acted. Alice Oseman is just a wonder. How many takes did you do on that one, did look similar to mine, joy that he opened up to Nick and sadness at the pain. Wish my childhood had been different and in line with this, but in 50's now so rather unlikely back then. Does give me some hope with all the awful stuff happening. Glad you watched and wish the next season was soon, though get the feeling will be a tough watch. Get to Alice see if she'll give you a part 8)
I am a 41 years old french straight woman and I just discovered this series. It spoke to me very deeply. This scene between Nick and Charlie made me cry. I was bullied for five years when I was a teenager in the 90s. I have a sugar addiction that I try to adress with a psychologist since 1 year. It is hard work but I really want to try to find another way to cope with stress, boredom, loneliness, or anxiety.
Finally!! I love this season 💖
Dr. Elliott, I have found your discussions of the mental health issues in this show to be extremely
Up helpful on a personal level. Thank you.
10:22-11:05 no words…SPEECHLESS… . .
When I read books three and four, I was triggered. Season 2 which includes material from book 3 was just as intense. This is why I think the books and series are so important, and why I am such a big fan. Thank you Dr. Carthy for your reviews. You are making a difference.
I love the romance for the two teachers in this very great amazing good tv show.
I didn't discover I am Ace until I was 48. This kind of show would have been life changing when i was growing up. I'm glad kids these days do have representation like this.
I love watching you (Dr Elliott) watch the episodes because I was excited and could not contain my excitement for what was coming ahead as well. I find it amusing to watch your excitement 😅❤ and you are too cute!
Dr.Elliott I feel that you make a huge contribution to the two seasons of Heart Stopper with your comments. it helps so many to understand themselves with your gentle comments. Thanks.
Can not wait to see your reaction to season three
aw i already can't wait for your reactions to s3 ❤
I would love to see you in S3
really well done on this video review
I cried my eyes out for this whole episode pretty much
I feel like you could have a great role like courtney jai 😇 he is a bisexual youtuber who talks about being bi on his channel, and was asked by Alice to make a few clips talking about being bi for Nick to watch as research in season 1. I feel like Nick would do research a lot about ED and watching a few youtube videos from a medical professional/therapist/etc seems right up his alley...
This! Great idea.
Thanks for the reactions, you're the best and I'm rooting for that part! 🤞🤞
I am sad that this was the last episode of the season because I really enjoy your reaction to Heartstopper. I think I have to go back to watch your reaction to season 1 again. :)
I love the teachers' romance. I love Miss Singh too!
Slight spoiler but based on the comic they might need a therapist for season 3 so...
Great reaction. I'm so sad it's over until next season. I was wondering if you've done a video for Young Royals. I looked and couldn't find any. I've seen many reactions but never a professional's views on the mental heath issues on that show. They are all so deep, especially Wilhelm and August.
I cant wait for season 3!!!!
I love your reactions. I’d love to hear your thoughts and reactions to “Saltburn” and “May/December.”
This video brought forth some insights which I will talk about in my next therapy session. Thanks
great review, with some interesting insights. One thing I wish you'd underline is that everyone's story is different. I came out age 14 in 1975 in a very close Midlands mining family. I knew nothing but support and love from my family (even back then). In my case bullying made me stronger and exceptionally unwilling to change for other people. I was the one on the marches with the Miners in the 1980s (Thatcher, Thatcher, Thatcher, Out, Out, Out!!).
Take care ogf yourself and keep giving good advice to people. And remember equality is still out there! Not being treated differently is the aim!
I love your reaction,i love Charlie,Nick so much. I love heart stopper season two.
This series is amazing and so are your reactions
There was a lot going on in the season finale. I want to dwell more on the minor characters, but I'll start with that last scene. In it, Charlie has to admit something very dark about himself, and Nick has shown himself to be supportive which Charlie had to fear might not happen, so the show ends with Charlie smiling, but with Nick looking wistful as he begins to understand just how broken Charlie is.
Next comment. I recently discovered a channel called A Story Worth Telling about two British gay 20-somethings and they finished their review of Heartstopper Season 2 (well, worth watching because their dynamic is amazing). One observation they had is the Heartstopper characters are extremely self-aware. They said it would take years of therapy to come to the conclusions they did (such as the Charlie-Ben scene in Episode 7). While this makes them probably too mature in real life, it at least addresses the issue. There's a bit of fiction partly because the show wants to make certain points, and not be true to reality, at least, not completely, which is fine. Most shows are fiction in one way or the other, so being so precocious emotionally is not problematic.
OK, to the minor characters. First, I think it's constructive to compare Charlie's journey to Darcy's journey. In particular, Darcy admits (which was skipped over in this review) that she's a disaster. Charlie, by contrast, can't quite admit he's a disaster. He says he doesn't want to be treated like he's broken and needs fixing (sounds like that Coldplay song) even if he is broken (Oseman addresses this issue and how Charlie and Nick deal with it in her graphic novels in much more detail, suffice it to say, he gets professional help).
Next, the show is centered around Nick and Charlie. With Tao and Elle together, and Darcy and Tara together, Isaac is really the odd man out. They introduce James to serve as someone Isaac could be interested in. However, James is also described as the other "gay" guy so if you believe that Charlie was bullied for being gay, it seems strange that, as the only other gay guy (well, there's closeted Ben), that he wouldn't be bullied as well, and that Charlie and James should have been friends. I think it was just a tough situation for the writers to figure out a way for Isaac to have a potential relationship, but not make James's story bigger (just like Sahar isn't given much to do).
Finally, Mr. Ajayi and Mr. Farouk. A lot of gay romances are coming of age typically around the teen years. Even RED, WHITE, AND ROYAL BLUE have post college-aged protagonists (apparently, in the book, they were younger, but I think they wanted to have more serious sex scenes, which necessarily involves older actors). With Mr. Ajayi and Mr. Farouk, the show acknowledges that not everyone comes out in their teens. Arguably, Farouk is middle Eastern of some sort and there might be religious issues where he might choose to deny his sexuality.
Oh, yes, finally the bi issue. I think I've only seen one popular show where a character is bi, and she does see both men and women, and that's Keeley in TED LASSO who dates Jamie, Roy Kent, and Jack (who's a she) and even fancies Rebecca. Quite often, gays come out as bi to make it more palatable to others and themselves, so this is why real bi folks often get criticized.
I am living for Mr. Farouk and Mr. Ajayi’s romance!
14:08 I love this
Also, you need to sell an "equality doesn't exist" t-shirt
13:16 Dr Elliott… I want to know who you think Nick’s role model was to be this strong of a man and boyfriend, considering it sure as hell wasn’t his father or brother. TV? Coaching from his mom? A teacher maybe? Nick’s more of a “real man” than most men I know.
I would like to see dr. Elliott react to red white and Royal blue
What do you make of Darcy's mother?
I need a "I'm bi, actually" t-shirt
What do you think about the way Nick approached the situation?
how do you square the two teachers getting together with workplace romances being fraught? i know there is no power dynamic going on, but it's still not the best idea. i mean, if something goes wrong they'll still have to see each other every day
Dr. Elliott, what is the corollary between bullies in childhood and law enforcement and corrections officers?
I'm 36 and bi and still feel like i'm lost lol. soon though!
💖
I HAVE ONE THING TO SAY: CHAKA KHAN
💝💝
Did you mention their relationship is still unconsummated?
what???
What a strange thing to say!
Charlie is 15 and Nick is 16. They get there at their own pace. Vol 5, on line now, shows that.
maybe buy some volume
you can literally see the books on the bookshelf behind him